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13,000 | 13,000 | 14,073,595 | 3,681 | Systems and methods configured to allow an offer campaign to be specified in connection with a competition on a social networking site. Users are classified into different groups based on a result of the competition; and the offer campaign provides different interaction experiences to users of different groups in accordance with the specification of the offer campaign. | 1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
transmitting, by a computing apparatus, a first message to a user enrolled in an offer campaign, the first message inviting the user to participate in a competition between a plurality of teams of users, the user being associated with a first team in the plurality of teams, the plurality of users being invited to participate in the competition; in response to a determination that the first team wins the competition, providing an offer of a benefit to the user, and
associating the offer with a consumer payment account of the user;
monitoring, by the computing apparatus, transactions in the consumer payment account of the user to detect a transaction that satisfies benefit redemption requirements of the offer; and in response to detecting an authorization request for the transaction that satisfies the benefit redemption requirements of the offer, providing, by the computing apparatus, the benefit of the offer to the transaction. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
transmitting a second message to a communication reference of the user during authorization of the transaction that satisfies benefit redemption requirements of the offer, the second message notifying the user of application of the benefit to the transaction that satisfies benefit redemption requirements of the offer. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first message is configured to invite the user to provide a posting in a social networking site to advance the competition for the first team. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein a score of the first team is based on postings received in the social networking site for the first team. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the postings received in the social networking site for the first team are from different users. 6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
determining the score of the first team based on a count of the postings provided by users enrolled in the offer campaign for the first team. 7. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
determining the score of the first team based on a count of the postings provided by users in the first team. 8. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
determining the score of the first team based on a count of postings satisfying a predetermined condition set corresponding to the first team, wherein the plurality of teams correspond to a plurality of different condition sets. 9. The method of claim 4, wherein users not enrolled in the offer campaign are eligible to participate in the competition and provide postings to improves scores of the teams in the competition. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining counts of a plurality of groups of postings in a social networking site, respective postings in each respective group of the plurality of groups of postings being required to satisfy a predetermined set of requirements to be included in the respective group corresponding to a respective team in the plurality of teams. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the predetermined set of requirements are based at least in part on tags provided in the respective postings. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the predetermined set of requirements are based at least in part on posting tags associated with the respective team. 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, in the computing apparatus, a specification of the offer campaign requiring a plurality of events linked with each other via prerequisite conditions, at least a first event of the events identifying the competition. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the competition is based on activities on a social networking site. 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
identifying, by the computing apparatus, whether or not the user enrolled in the offer campaign satisfies requirements of the first event based on a result of the competition. 16. The method of claim 1, further comprises:
generating a trigger record identifying at least a portion of benefit redemption requirements; wherein the monitoring of the transactions in the consumer payment account of the user to detect the transaction that satisfies benefit redemption requirements of the offer is based on the trigger record. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the providing of the benefit includes initiating a statement credit to the consumer payment account of the user. 18. A non-transitory computer-storage medium storing instructions configured to instruct a computing apparatus to at least:
transmit, by a computing apparatus, a first message to a user enrolled in an offer campaign, the first message inviting the user to participate in a competition between a plurality of teams of users, the user being associated with a first team in the plurality of teams, the plurality of users being invited to participate in the competition; in response to a determination that the first team wins the competition, provide an offer of a benefit to the user, and
associate the offer with a consumer payment account of the user;
monitor, by the computing apparatus, transactions in the consumer payment account of the user to detect a transaction that satisfies benefit redemption requirements of the offer; and in response to detecting an authorization request for the transaction that satisfies the benefit redemption requirements of the offer, provide, by the computing apparatus, the benefit of the offer to the transaction. 19. A computing apparatus, comprising:
at least one microprocessor; and a memory storing instructions configured to instruct the at least one microprocessor to perform operations, the computing apparatus including:
a data warehouse configured to store a communication reference in association with account data of a consumer payment account of a user enrolled in an offer campaign;
a message broker configured to generate a first message inviting the user to participate in a competition between a plurality of teams of users, the user being associated with a first team in the plurality of teams, the plurality of teams of users being invited to participate in the competition;
a media controller configured to transmit the first message to the communication reference;
a portal configured to determine that the first team wins the competition and in response store an offer of a benefit in the data warehouse in association with the consumer payment account; and
a transaction handler configured to monitor transactions in the consumer payment account of the user to detect a transaction that satisfies benefit redemption requirements of the offer, and provide the benefit of the offer to the transaction. 20. The computing apparatus of claim 19, wherein the portal is configured to determine a winning status of the first team by counting postings in a social networking site that satisfy a predetermined set of requirements. | Systems and methods configured to allow an offer campaign to be specified in connection with a competition on a social networking site. Users are classified into different groups based on a result of the competition; and the offer campaign provides different interaction experiences to users of different groups in accordance with the specification of the offer campaign.1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
transmitting, by a computing apparatus, a first message to a user enrolled in an offer campaign, the first message inviting the user to participate in a competition between a plurality of teams of users, the user being associated with a first team in the plurality of teams, the plurality of users being invited to participate in the competition; in response to a determination that the first team wins the competition, providing an offer of a benefit to the user, and
associating the offer with a consumer payment account of the user;
monitoring, by the computing apparatus, transactions in the consumer payment account of the user to detect a transaction that satisfies benefit redemption requirements of the offer; and in response to detecting an authorization request for the transaction that satisfies the benefit redemption requirements of the offer, providing, by the computing apparatus, the benefit of the offer to the transaction. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
transmitting a second message to a communication reference of the user during authorization of the transaction that satisfies benefit redemption requirements of the offer, the second message notifying the user of application of the benefit to the transaction that satisfies benefit redemption requirements of the offer. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first message is configured to invite the user to provide a posting in a social networking site to advance the competition for the first team. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein a score of the first team is based on postings received in the social networking site for the first team. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the postings received in the social networking site for the first team are from different users. 6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
determining the score of the first team based on a count of the postings provided by users enrolled in the offer campaign for the first team. 7. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
determining the score of the first team based on a count of the postings provided by users in the first team. 8. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
determining the score of the first team based on a count of postings satisfying a predetermined condition set corresponding to the first team, wherein the plurality of teams correspond to a plurality of different condition sets. 9. The method of claim 4, wherein users not enrolled in the offer campaign are eligible to participate in the competition and provide postings to improves scores of the teams in the competition. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining counts of a plurality of groups of postings in a social networking site, respective postings in each respective group of the plurality of groups of postings being required to satisfy a predetermined set of requirements to be included in the respective group corresponding to a respective team in the plurality of teams. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the predetermined set of requirements are based at least in part on tags provided in the respective postings. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the predetermined set of requirements are based at least in part on posting tags associated with the respective team. 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, in the computing apparatus, a specification of the offer campaign requiring a plurality of events linked with each other via prerequisite conditions, at least a first event of the events identifying the competition. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the competition is based on activities on a social networking site. 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
identifying, by the computing apparatus, whether or not the user enrolled in the offer campaign satisfies requirements of the first event based on a result of the competition. 16. The method of claim 1, further comprises:
generating a trigger record identifying at least a portion of benefit redemption requirements; wherein the monitoring of the transactions in the consumer payment account of the user to detect the transaction that satisfies benefit redemption requirements of the offer is based on the trigger record. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the providing of the benefit includes initiating a statement credit to the consumer payment account of the user. 18. A non-transitory computer-storage medium storing instructions configured to instruct a computing apparatus to at least:
transmit, by a computing apparatus, a first message to a user enrolled in an offer campaign, the first message inviting the user to participate in a competition between a plurality of teams of users, the user being associated with a first team in the plurality of teams, the plurality of users being invited to participate in the competition; in response to a determination that the first team wins the competition, provide an offer of a benefit to the user, and
associate the offer with a consumer payment account of the user;
monitor, by the computing apparatus, transactions in the consumer payment account of the user to detect a transaction that satisfies benefit redemption requirements of the offer; and in response to detecting an authorization request for the transaction that satisfies the benefit redemption requirements of the offer, provide, by the computing apparatus, the benefit of the offer to the transaction. 19. A computing apparatus, comprising:
at least one microprocessor; and a memory storing instructions configured to instruct the at least one microprocessor to perform operations, the computing apparatus including:
a data warehouse configured to store a communication reference in association with account data of a consumer payment account of a user enrolled in an offer campaign;
a message broker configured to generate a first message inviting the user to participate in a competition between a plurality of teams of users, the user being associated with a first team in the plurality of teams, the plurality of teams of users being invited to participate in the competition;
a media controller configured to transmit the first message to the communication reference;
a portal configured to determine that the first team wins the competition and in response store an offer of a benefit in the data warehouse in association with the consumer payment account; and
a transaction handler configured to monitor transactions in the consumer payment account of the user to detect a transaction that satisfies benefit redemption requirements of the offer, and provide the benefit of the offer to the transaction. 20. The computing apparatus of claim 19, wherein the portal is configured to determine a winning status of the first team by counting postings in a social networking site that satisfy a predetermined set of requirements. | 3,600 |
13,001 | 13,001 | 14,335,626 | 3,689 | Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for generating customer solutions using real-time information for new customer sales and/or current customer support. In one implementation, technical infrastructure information for an installed network design providing one or more telecommunication products at one or more customer sites is retrieved. Customer service analytics are generated based on the technical infrastructure information and output for display on a graphical user interface. | 1. A method for analyzing a customer solution comprising:
retrieving technical infrastructure information for an installed network design providing one or more telecommunication products at one or more customer sites; generating customer service analytics based on the technical infrastructure information using at least one computing device; and outputting the customer service analytics for display on a graphical user interface. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the customer service analytics include a customer footprint representing network usage and capacity. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the customer service analytics include attributions for a circuit from site to site. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the customer service analytics further include trouble tickets for the circuit. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the customer service analytics include an actual performance of the one or more telecommunication products. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the actual performance includes a measured site to site latency. 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the actual performance includes a measured throughput. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the customer service analytics include a security report detailing security incidents for the one or more customer sites. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the customer service analytics includes suggestions for optimizing a performance of the one or more telecommunication products. 10. One or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media storing computer-executable instructions for performing a computer process on a computing system, the computer process comprising:
retrieving technical infrastructure information for an installed network design providing one or more telecommunication products at one or more customer sites; generating customer service analytics based on the technical infrastructure information using at least one computing device; and outputting the customer service analytics for display on a graphical user interface. 11. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the customer service analytics include a customer footprint representing network usage and capacity. 12. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the customer service analytics include attributions for a circuit from site to site. 13. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 12, wherein the customer service analytics further include trouble tickets for the circuit. 14. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the customer service analytics include an actual performance of the one or more telecommunication products. 15. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 14, wherein the actual performance includes a measured site to site latency. 16. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 14, wherein the actual performance includes a measured throughput. 17. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the customer service analytics include a security report detailing security incidents for the one or more customer sites. 18. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the customer service analytics includes suggestions for optimizing a performance of the one or more telecommunication products. 19. A system for analyzing a customer solution comprising:
one or more databases storing technical infrastructure information for an installed network design providing one or more telecommunication products at one or more customer sites; and at least one server in communication with the one or more databases, the at least one server configured to generate customer service analytics based on the technical infrastructure information and out the customer service analytics for display on a graphical user interface. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the customer service analytics include a customer footprint representing network usage and capacity. 21. The system of claim 19, wherein the customer service analytics include attributions for a circuit from site to site. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the customer service analytics further include trouble tickets for the circuit. 23. The system of claim 19, wherein the customer service analytics include an actual performance of the one or more telecommunication products. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the actual performance includes a measured site to site latency. 25. The system of claim 23, wherein the actual performance includes a measured throughput. 26. The system of claim 19, wherein the customer service analytics include a security report detailing security incidents for the one or more customer sites. 27. The system of claim 19, wherein the customer service analytics includes suggestions for optimizing a performance of the one or more telecommunication products. | Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for generating customer solutions using real-time information for new customer sales and/or current customer support. In one implementation, technical infrastructure information for an installed network design providing one or more telecommunication products at one or more customer sites is retrieved. Customer service analytics are generated based on the technical infrastructure information and output for display on a graphical user interface.1. A method for analyzing a customer solution comprising:
retrieving technical infrastructure information for an installed network design providing one or more telecommunication products at one or more customer sites; generating customer service analytics based on the technical infrastructure information using at least one computing device; and outputting the customer service analytics for display on a graphical user interface. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the customer service analytics include a customer footprint representing network usage and capacity. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the customer service analytics include attributions for a circuit from site to site. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the customer service analytics further include trouble tickets for the circuit. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the customer service analytics include an actual performance of the one or more telecommunication products. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the actual performance includes a measured site to site latency. 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the actual performance includes a measured throughput. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the customer service analytics include a security report detailing security incidents for the one or more customer sites. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the customer service analytics includes suggestions for optimizing a performance of the one or more telecommunication products. 10. One or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media storing computer-executable instructions for performing a computer process on a computing system, the computer process comprising:
retrieving technical infrastructure information for an installed network design providing one or more telecommunication products at one or more customer sites; generating customer service analytics based on the technical infrastructure information using at least one computing device; and outputting the customer service analytics for display on a graphical user interface. 11. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the customer service analytics include a customer footprint representing network usage and capacity. 12. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the customer service analytics include attributions for a circuit from site to site. 13. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 12, wherein the customer service analytics further include trouble tickets for the circuit. 14. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the customer service analytics include an actual performance of the one or more telecommunication products. 15. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 14, wherein the actual performance includes a measured site to site latency. 16. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 14, wherein the actual performance includes a measured throughput. 17. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the customer service analytics include a security report detailing security incidents for the one or more customer sites. 18. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the customer service analytics includes suggestions for optimizing a performance of the one or more telecommunication products. 19. A system for analyzing a customer solution comprising:
one or more databases storing technical infrastructure information for an installed network design providing one or more telecommunication products at one or more customer sites; and at least one server in communication with the one or more databases, the at least one server configured to generate customer service analytics based on the technical infrastructure information and out the customer service analytics for display on a graphical user interface. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the customer service analytics include a customer footprint representing network usage and capacity. 21. The system of claim 19, wherein the customer service analytics include attributions for a circuit from site to site. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the customer service analytics further include trouble tickets for the circuit. 23. The system of claim 19, wherein the customer service analytics include an actual performance of the one or more telecommunication products. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the actual performance includes a measured site to site latency. 25. The system of claim 23, wherein the actual performance includes a measured throughput. 26. The system of claim 19, wherein the customer service analytics include a security report detailing security incidents for the one or more customer sites. 27. The system of claim 19, wherein the customer service analytics includes suggestions for optimizing a performance of the one or more telecommunication products. | 3,600 |
13,002 | 13,002 | 13,781,387 | 3,683 | In general, the present disclosure describes techniques for detecting changes in demographic data of a customer based on energy consumption data of the customer. For example, a customer data management system receives energy consumption data of a customer and detects, based at least in part on the received energy consumption data of the customer, a change in demographic data associated with the customer. The customer data management system then outputs, based at least in part on the detecting, at least one demographic change report associated with the demographic data. | 1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
receiving, by a computing device, energy consumption data of a customer, the energy consumption data being generated by an electricity meter associated with the customer; detecting, by the computing device, based at least in part on demographic data about one or more customers and the received energy consumption data that indicates energy consumption of the customer, a potential change in demographic data about the customer; and outputting, by the computing device, based at least in part on the detecting, at least one demographic change report associated with the demographic data about the customer, wherein the at least one demographic change report indicates when the potential change in the demographic data about the customer was detected based on the energy consumption data. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving energy consumption data associated with a known change in the demographic data about the one or more customers; mapping the energy consumption data associated with the known change to a plurality of usage clusters defined within a multidimensional space; and generating, based on the energy consumption data of the customer, a plurality of subseries, wherein a first subseries included in the plurality of subseries comprises the energy consumption data of the customer that corresponds to a time interval prior to an event and a second subseries included in the plurality of subseries comprises the energy consumption data of the customer that corresponds to a time interval subsequent to the event; wherein detecting the potential change in the demographic data about the customer comprises determining, based at least in part on the first subseries, the second subseries, and the plurality of usage clusters, that the event corresponds to the potential change. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining that the event corresponds to the potential change comprises:
generating a set of values for both the first subseries and the second subseries, wherein each of the values represents the likelihood that the respective subseries belongs to the respective usage cluster; and comparing the sets of values for the first subseries and the second subseries. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein mapping the energy consumption data to the plurality of usage clusters comprises:
generating, based on the energy consumption data associated with the known change, a second plurality of subseries, wherein at least one subseries of the second plurality of subseries comprises the energy consumption data associated with the known change that corresponds to a time interval prior to the known change and at least one subseries of the second plurality of subseries comprises the energy consumption data associated with the known change that corresponds to a time interval subsequent to the known change; and determining, based on the generated second plurality of subseries, the plurality of usage clusters in the multidimensional space. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the plurality of usage clusters is determined using hierarchical clustering. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein using hierarchical clustering comprises:
assigning each of the second plurality of subseries to a preliminary cluster; and iteratively calculating distances between each of the second plurality of subseries and merging the two preliminary clusters having the least distance between them, while the least distance is less than a threshold value. 7. The method of claim 4, wherein the plurality of usage clusters is determined using k-means clustering. 8. (canceled) 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the potential change in the demographic data about the customer comprises at least one of: an increase in occupancy of a household of the customer; a decrease in occupancy of the household; and a change in at least one occupant of the household. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing a set of customer data, the set containing demographic data about the customer, and energy consumption data associated with the customer. 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving a confirmation message corresponding to the at least one demographic change report; responsive to receiving the confirmation message, recording the potential change in demographic data to a set of customer data; and generating one or more customer communications, based at least in part on the recorded potential change in demographic data. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one demographic change report indicates a type of change for the potential change in demographic data associated with the customer. | In general, the present disclosure describes techniques for detecting changes in demographic data of a customer based on energy consumption data of the customer. For example, a customer data management system receives energy consumption data of a customer and detects, based at least in part on the received energy consumption data of the customer, a change in demographic data associated with the customer. The customer data management system then outputs, based at least in part on the detecting, at least one demographic change report associated with the demographic data.1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
receiving, by a computing device, energy consumption data of a customer, the energy consumption data being generated by an electricity meter associated with the customer; detecting, by the computing device, based at least in part on demographic data about one or more customers and the received energy consumption data that indicates energy consumption of the customer, a potential change in demographic data about the customer; and outputting, by the computing device, based at least in part on the detecting, at least one demographic change report associated with the demographic data about the customer, wherein the at least one demographic change report indicates when the potential change in the demographic data about the customer was detected based on the energy consumption data. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving energy consumption data associated with a known change in the demographic data about the one or more customers; mapping the energy consumption data associated with the known change to a plurality of usage clusters defined within a multidimensional space; and generating, based on the energy consumption data of the customer, a plurality of subseries, wherein a first subseries included in the plurality of subseries comprises the energy consumption data of the customer that corresponds to a time interval prior to an event and a second subseries included in the plurality of subseries comprises the energy consumption data of the customer that corresponds to a time interval subsequent to the event; wherein detecting the potential change in the demographic data about the customer comprises determining, based at least in part on the first subseries, the second subseries, and the plurality of usage clusters, that the event corresponds to the potential change. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining that the event corresponds to the potential change comprises:
generating a set of values for both the first subseries and the second subseries, wherein each of the values represents the likelihood that the respective subseries belongs to the respective usage cluster; and comparing the sets of values for the first subseries and the second subseries. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein mapping the energy consumption data to the plurality of usage clusters comprises:
generating, based on the energy consumption data associated with the known change, a second plurality of subseries, wherein at least one subseries of the second plurality of subseries comprises the energy consumption data associated with the known change that corresponds to a time interval prior to the known change and at least one subseries of the second plurality of subseries comprises the energy consumption data associated with the known change that corresponds to a time interval subsequent to the known change; and determining, based on the generated second plurality of subseries, the plurality of usage clusters in the multidimensional space. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the plurality of usage clusters is determined using hierarchical clustering. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein using hierarchical clustering comprises:
assigning each of the second plurality of subseries to a preliminary cluster; and iteratively calculating distances between each of the second plurality of subseries and merging the two preliminary clusters having the least distance between them, while the least distance is less than a threshold value. 7. The method of claim 4, wherein the plurality of usage clusters is determined using k-means clustering. 8. (canceled) 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the potential change in the demographic data about the customer comprises at least one of: an increase in occupancy of a household of the customer; a decrease in occupancy of the household; and a change in at least one occupant of the household. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing a set of customer data, the set containing demographic data about the customer, and energy consumption data associated with the customer. 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving a confirmation message corresponding to the at least one demographic change report; responsive to receiving the confirmation message, recording the potential change in demographic data to a set of customer data; and generating one or more customer communications, based at least in part on the recorded potential change in demographic data. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one demographic change report indicates a type of change for the potential change in demographic data associated with the customer. | 3,600 |
13,003 | 13,003 | 15,013,073 | 3,646 | A spring apparatus in accordance with the disclosed and claimed concept is usable in a nuclear installation. In one embodiment, the spring apparatus includes a plurality of springs that are in a compressed state and that are compressively engaged with an upper core plate of a nuclear reactor when the reactor is in a cold condition. However, when the reactor is in a hot condition, a spring of the plurality of springs is in a free state wherein a free end of the spring is in an uncompressed state and is disengaged from the upper core plate. In another embodiment, the spring apparatus employs a support apparatus that is also in accordance with the disclosed and claimed concept and that includes one or more bumpers that engage the springs of a spring pack from the underside. | 1. A support apparatus that is usable with a spring apparatus of a nuclear installation, the spring apparatus having a plurality of elongated springs that are stacked together one upon the other and that are affixed at an end thereof to a top nozzle of a fuel assembly of the nuclear installation, the plurality of springs at a location thereon that is spaced from the first end being engaged with an upper core plate of the nuclear installation, the plurality of springs engaged between the top nozzle and the upper core plate being deformed between a compressed state and another compressed state when the nuclear installation is operated between a cold condition and a hot condition, the support apparatus comprising:
a support that is plate-like and that is structured to take the place of a spring of the plurality of springs that has been removed from the spring apparatus, the support further being structured to be stacked together with a number of remaining springs of the plurality of springs and to be affixed at an end thereof to the top nozzle; and an abutment apparatus that comprises a bumper that is affixed to the support and that is spaced a first distance from the end, the bumper protruding a second distance away from a surface of the support in a direction generally toward the number of remaining springs and being structured to engage the number of remaining springs at a position on the number of remaining springs disposed between the end and the location during at least a portion of the deformation between the compressed state and the another compressed state. 2. The support apparatus of claim 1 wherein the abutment apparatus further comprises another bumper that is affixed to the support and that is spaced another first distance from the end, the another bumper protruding another second distance away from the surface of the support in a direction generally toward the number of remaining springs and being structured to engage the number of remaining springs at another position on the number of remaining springs disposed between the end and the location during another portion of the deformation between the compressed state and the another compressed state. 3. The support apparatus of claim 2 wherein at least one of:
the another first distance is greater than the first distance; and
the another second distance is greater than the second distance. 4. The support apparatus of claim 2 wherein the another first distance is greater than the first distance, and the another second distance is greater than the second distance. 5. The support apparatus of claim 2 wherein:
the plurality of springs are in the compressed state at the cold condition and are in the another compressed state at the hot condition; and
the bumper and the another bumper are structured to simultaneously engage the number of remaining springs during the deformation between the compressed state and an intermediate compressed state that is between the compressed state and the another compressed state. 6. The support apparatus of claim 5 wherein the bumper is structured to engage the number of remaining springs and the another bumper is structured to be disengaged from the number of remaining springs during the deformation between the intermediate compressed state and the another compressed state. 7. A spring apparatus that is structured for use in a nuclear installation, the spring apparatus comprising:
a number of elongated springs; a support apparatus comprising a plate-like support and an abutment apparatus that is situated on the support; the number of springs and the support being stacked together one upon the other and being structured to be affixed at an end thereof to a top nozzle of a fuel assembly of the nuclear installation, the number of springs at a location thereon that is spaced from the end being structured to be engaged with an upper core plate of the nuclear installation, the number of springs engaged between the top nozzle and the upper core plate being deformed between a compressed state and another compressed state when the nuclear installation is operated between a cold condition and a hot condition; and the abutment apparatus comprising a bumper that is affixed to the support and that is spaced a first distance from the end, the bumper protruding a second distance away from a surface of the support in a direction generally toward the number of springs and being structured to engage the number of springs at a position on the number of springs disposed between the end and the location during at least a portion of the deformation between the compressed state and the another compressed state. 8. A spring apparatus that is structured for use in a nuclear installation, the spring apparatus comprising:
a plurality of elongated springs that are stacked together one upon the other and that are affixed at a first end thereof to a top nozzle of a fuel assembly of the nuclear installation; when the nuclear installation is in a cold condition, the plurality of springs being in a compressed state and each being compressively engaged at a location thereon that is spaced from the first end with an upper core plate of the nuclear installation; and when the nuclear installation is in a hot condition:
a subset of the plurality of springs consisting of fewer than all of the plurality of springs being in another compressed state and each being compressively engaged with the upper core plate, and
a spring of the plurality of springs being in a free state wherein a second end thereof opposite the first end is uncompressed and is disengaged from the upper core plate. 9. The spring apparatus of claim 8 wherein another spring of the plurality of springs has a tail opposite the first end that is engaged with the top nozzle, the tail extending generally from the location and away from the first end, and wherein the spring has an opening formed therein adjacent the second end, the tail being movably received in the opening. 10. The spring apparatus of claim 9 wherein the second end of the spring in the free state is disengaged from the fuel assembly. 11. The spring apparatus of claim 8 wherein the spring is situated relatively closer to the top nozzle than the other springs of the plurality of springs. 12. The spring apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second end of the spring in the free state is spaced from the other springs of the plurality of springs. 13. The spring apparatus of claim 8 wherein the spring in the free state is of a substantially unvarying thickness. | A spring apparatus in accordance with the disclosed and claimed concept is usable in a nuclear installation. In one embodiment, the spring apparatus includes a plurality of springs that are in a compressed state and that are compressively engaged with an upper core plate of a nuclear reactor when the reactor is in a cold condition. However, when the reactor is in a hot condition, a spring of the plurality of springs is in a free state wherein a free end of the spring is in an uncompressed state and is disengaged from the upper core plate. In another embodiment, the spring apparatus employs a support apparatus that is also in accordance with the disclosed and claimed concept and that includes one or more bumpers that engage the springs of a spring pack from the underside.1. A support apparatus that is usable with a spring apparatus of a nuclear installation, the spring apparatus having a plurality of elongated springs that are stacked together one upon the other and that are affixed at an end thereof to a top nozzle of a fuel assembly of the nuclear installation, the plurality of springs at a location thereon that is spaced from the first end being engaged with an upper core plate of the nuclear installation, the plurality of springs engaged between the top nozzle and the upper core plate being deformed between a compressed state and another compressed state when the nuclear installation is operated between a cold condition and a hot condition, the support apparatus comprising:
a support that is plate-like and that is structured to take the place of a spring of the plurality of springs that has been removed from the spring apparatus, the support further being structured to be stacked together with a number of remaining springs of the plurality of springs and to be affixed at an end thereof to the top nozzle; and an abutment apparatus that comprises a bumper that is affixed to the support and that is spaced a first distance from the end, the bumper protruding a second distance away from a surface of the support in a direction generally toward the number of remaining springs and being structured to engage the number of remaining springs at a position on the number of remaining springs disposed between the end and the location during at least a portion of the deformation between the compressed state and the another compressed state. 2. The support apparatus of claim 1 wherein the abutment apparatus further comprises another bumper that is affixed to the support and that is spaced another first distance from the end, the another bumper protruding another second distance away from the surface of the support in a direction generally toward the number of remaining springs and being structured to engage the number of remaining springs at another position on the number of remaining springs disposed between the end and the location during another portion of the deformation between the compressed state and the another compressed state. 3. The support apparatus of claim 2 wherein at least one of:
the another first distance is greater than the first distance; and
the another second distance is greater than the second distance. 4. The support apparatus of claim 2 wherein the another first distance is greater than the first distance, and the another second distance is greater than the second distance. 5. The support apparatus of claim 2 wherein:
the plurality of springs are in the compressed state at the cold condition and are in the another compressed state at the hot condition; and
the bumper and the another bumper are structured to simultaneously engage the number of remaining springs during the deformation between the compressed state and an intermediate compressed state that is between the compressed state and the another compressed state. 6. The support apparatus of claim 5 wherein the bumper is structured to engage the number of remaining springs and the another bumper is structured to be disengaged from the number of remaining springs during the deformation between the intermediate compressed state and the another compressed state. 7. A spring apparatus that is structured for use in a nuclear installation, the spring apparatus comprising:
a number of elongated springs; a support apparatus comprising a plate-like support and an abutment apparatus that is situated on the support; the number of springs and the support being stacked together one upon the other and being structured to be affixed at an end thereof to a top nozzle of a fuel assembly of the nuclear installation, the number of springs at a location thereon that is spaced from the end being structured to be engaged with an upper core plate of the nuclear installation, the number of springs engaged between the top nozzle and the upper core plate being deformed between a compressed state and another compressed state when the nuclear installation is operated between a cold condition and a hot condition; and the abutment apparatus comprising a bumper that is affixed to the support and that is spaced a first distance from the end, the bumper protruding a second distance away from a surface of the support in a direction generally toward the number of springs and being structured to engage the number of springs at a position on the number of springs disposed between the end and the location during at least a portion of the deformation between the compressed state and the another compressed state. 8. A spring apparatus that is structured for use in a nuclear installation, the spring apparatus comprising:
a plurality of elongated springs that are stacked together one upon the other and that are affixed at a first end thereof to a top nozzle of a fuel assembly of the nuclear installation; when the nuclear installation is in a cold condition, the plurality of springs being in a compressed state and each being compressively engaged at a location thereon that is spaced from the first end with an upper core plate of the nuclear installation; and when the nuclear installation is in a hot condition:
a subset of the plurality of springs consisting of fewer than all of the plurality of springs being in another compressed state and each being compressively engaged with the upper core plate, and
a spring of the plurality of springs being in a free state wherein a second end thereof opposite the first end is uncompressed and is disengaged from the upper core plate. 9. The spring apparatus of claim 8 wherein another spring of the plurality of springs has a tail opposite the first end that is engaged with the top nozzle, the tail extending generally from the location and away from the first end, and wherein the spring has an opening formed therein adjacent the second end, the tail being movably received in the opening. 10. The spring apparatus of claim 9 wherein the second end of the spring in the free state is disengaged from the fuel assembly. 11. The spring apparatus of claim 8 wherein the spring is situated relatively closer to the top nozzle than the other springs of the plurality of springs. 12. The spring apparatus of claim 8 wherein the second end of the spring in the free state is spaced from the other springs of the plurality of springs. 13. The spring apparatus of claim 8 wherein the spring in the free state is of a substantially unvarying thickness. | 3,600 |
13,004 | 13,004 | 14,600,961 | 3,646 | A method and apparatus for generating and distributing satellite tracking data to a remote receiver is disclosed. The method for includes extracting from satellite-tracking data initial model parameters representing a current orbit of at least one satellite-positioning-system satellite, computing an orbit model using the initial model parameters, wherein a duration of the orbit model is longer than a duration of the satellite-tracking data, comparing, for an overlapping period of time, the orbit model to the satellite-tracking data; and adjusting the orbit model to match the satellite tracking data for the overlapping period of time so as to form an adjusted orbit model. The adjusted orbit model comprises the long-term-satellite-tracking data. | 1-20. (canceled) 21. A method for generating customized satellite orbit data, the method comprising:
measuring, at a tracking station, motion of a satellite over a measurement period; calculating and storing satellite tracking data based on the measuring; receiving a request, from a remote device, for customized satellite orbit data that specifies a desired orbit model and a desired time interval; generating the customized satellite orbit data; and transmitting the customized satellite orbit data to the remote device. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the desired time interval starts at a current time. 23. The method of claim 21, wherein the desired time interval starts at a future time. 24. The method of claim 21, wherein the calculating comprises:
calculating an actual trajectory of the satellite over the measurement period; extrapolating the actual trajectory of the satellite beyond the measurement period. 25. The method of claim 21, wherein the desired orbit model is an ephemeris model specified by a global positioning system (GPS) standard. 26. The method of claim 21, wherein the desired orbit model is a model specified by a GLONASS standard or a GALILEO standard. 27. The method of claim 21, wherein the customized satellite orbit data is valid longer than ephemeris data broadcast from the satellite. 28. The method of claim 21, wherein the measuring includes measuring code phase, carrier phase, or Doppler effect. 29. The method of claim 21, wherein the generating comprises:
retrieving the stored satellite tracking data for the desired time interval; initializing parameters of the desired orbit model; and adjusting the parameters based on the satellite tracking data for the desired time interval. 30. The method of claim 21, wherein the transmitting comprises:
determining a period of low data usage; and transmitting the customized satellite orbit data during the period of low data usage. 31. A system for generating customized satellite orbit data, the system comprising:
a tracking station configured to measure motion of a satellite over a measurement period and to generate satellite tracking data based on the measured motion; a database configured to store the satellite tracking data; a distribution server configured to receive a request, from a remote device, for customized satellite orbit data that specifies a desired orbit model and a desired time interval and to generate the customized satellite orbit data; and a transmitter configured to transmit the customized satellite orbit data to the remote device. 32. The system of claim 31, wherein the desired time interval starts at a current time. 33. The system of claim 31, wherein the desired time interval starts at a future time. 34. The system of claim 31, wherein the tracking station is further configured to calculate an actual trajectory of the satellite over the measurement period and to extrapolate the actual trajectory of the satellite beyond the measurement period to generate the satellite tracking data. 35. The system of claim 31, wherein the desired orbit model is an ephemeris model specified by a global positioning system (GPS) standard. 36. The system of claim 31, wherein the desired orbit model is a model specified by a GLONASS standard or a GALILEO standard. 37. The system of claim 31, wherein the customized satellite orbit data is valid longer than ephemeris data broadcast from the satellite. 38. The system of claim 11, wherein the measuring includes measuring code phase, carrier phase, or Doppler effect. 39. The system of claim 31, wherein the distribution server is further configured to retrieve the stored satellite tracking data for the desired time interval from the database, to initialize parameters of the desired orbit model, and to adjust the parameters based on the satellite tracking data for the desired time interval in order to generate the customized satellite orbit data. 40. The system of claim 31, wherein the transmitter is further configured to determine a period of low data usage and to transmit the customized satellite orbit data during the period of low data usage. | A method and apparatus for generating and distributing satellite tracking data to a remote receiver is disclosed. The method for includes extracting from satellite-tracking data initial model parameters representing a current orbit of at least one satellite-positioning-system satellite, computing an orbit model using the initial model parameters, wherein a duration of the orbit model is longer than a duration of the satellite-tracking data, comparing, for an overlapping period of time, the orbit model to the satellite-tracking data; and adjusting the orbit model to match the satellite tracking data for the overlapping period of time so as to form an adjusted orbit model. The adjusted orbit model comprises the long-term-satellite-tracking data.1-20. (canceled) 21. A method for generating customized satellite orbit data, the method comprising:
measuring, at a tracking station, motion of a satellite over a measurement period; calculating and storing satellite tracking data based on the measuring; receiving a request, from a remote device, for customized satellite orbit data that specifies a desired orbit model and a desired time interval; generating the customized satellite orbit data; and transmitting the customized satellite orbit data to the remote device. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the desired time interval starts at a current time. 23. The method of claim 21, wherein the desired time interval starts at a future time. 24. The method of claim 21, wherein the calculating comprises:
calculating an actual trajectory of the satellite over the measurement period; extrapolating the actual trajectory of the satellite beyond the measurement period. 25. The method of claim 21, wherein the desired orbit model is an ephemeris model specified by a global positioning system (GPS) standard. 26. The method of claim 21, wherein the desired orbit model is a model specified by a GLONASS standard or a GALILEO standard. 27. The method of claim 21, wherein the customized satellite orbit data is valid longer than ephemeris data broadcast from the satellite. 28. The method of claim 21, wherein the measuring includes measuring code phase, carrier phase, or Doppler effect. 29. The method of claim 21, wherein the generating comprises:
retrieving the stored satellite tracking data for the desired time interval; initializing parameters of the desired orbit model; and adjusting the parameters based on the satellite tracking data for the desired time interval. 30. The method of claim 21, wherein the transmitting comprises:
determining a period of low data usage; and transmitting the customized satellite orbit data during the period of low data usage. 31. A system for generating customized satellite orbit data, the system comprising:
a tracking station configured to measure motion of a satellite over a measurement period and to generate satellite tracking data based on the measured motion; a database configured to store the satellite tracking data; a distribution server configured to receive a request, from a remote device, for customized satellite orbit data that specifies a desired orbit model and a desired time interval and to generate the customized satellite orbit data; and a transmitter configured to transmit the customized satellite orbit data to the remote device. 32. The system of claim 31, wherein the desired time interval starts at a current time. 33. The system of claim 31, wherein the desired time interval starts at a future time. 34. The system of claim 31, wherein the tracking station is further configured to calculate an actual trajectory of the satellite over the measurement period and to extrapolate the actual trajectory of the satellite beyond the measurement period to generate the satellite tracking data. 35. The system of claim 31, wherein the desired orbit model is an ephemeris model specified by a global positioning system (GPS) standard. 36. The system of claim 31, wherein the desired orbit model is a model specified by a GLONASS standard or a GALILEO standard. 37. The system of claim 31, wherein the customized satellite orbit data is valid longer than ephemeris data broadcast from the satellite. 38. The system of claim 11, wherein the measuring includes measuring code phase, carrier phase, or Doppler effect. 39. The system of claim 31, wherein the distribution server is further configured to retrieve the stored satellite tracking data for the desired time interval from the database, to initialize parameters of the desired orbit model, and to adjust the parameters based on the satellite tracking data for the desired time interval in order to generate the customized satellite orbit data. 40. The system of claim 31, wherein the transmitter is further configured to determine a period of low data usage and to transmit the customized satellite orbit data during the period of low data usage. | 3,600 |
13,005 | 13,005 | 14,199,588 | 3,622 | Provided is a process for managing offers includes: presenting, on a mobile device, offer-creation interfaces by which a merchant specifies an offer, the offer parameters including data indicative of an amount of instances of the offer to be reserved by consumers; obtaining, with the mobile device, the offer parameters; obtaining, with the mobile device, based on wireless signals received by the mobile device indicative of location of the mobile device, a geographic location where consumers are to be alerted to the offer; and sending a request to an affiliate network to distribute the offer to a plurality of publishers within the affiliate network and limit use of the offer according to the specified amount of instances of the offer to be reserved by consumers, wherein the publishers each send a plurality of offers to consumers and wherein the affiliate network tracks redemptions of the offers with merchants. | 1) A method of issuing single-use digital coupons by creating coupons tied to a merchant employee's current geographic location using a cell phone of the merchant employee such that a limited number of the coupons are available for consumers to reserve and consumers who reserve the coupons are alerted to the coupons on cell phones of those consumers in response to those consumers' cell phones detecting arrival at the geographic location, the method comprising:
presenting, with an offer-creating merchant mobile device, one or more coupon-creation interfaces configured to obtain coupon parameters specifying a coupon, the coupon parameters including an identifier of a merchant issuing the coupon, a title of the coupon, a description of a discount available to those who redeem the coupon with the merchant, an expiration time of the coupon, and an amount of instances of the coupon to be issued; receiving the coupon parameters from a merchant user via the one or more coupon-creating interfaces with the offer-creating merchant mobile device; obtaining a geographic location of the merchant with the offer-creating merchant mobile device; sending, to a remote offers engine, with one or more wireless transmissions of the offer-creating merchant mobile device, the coupon parameters and the geographic location, wherein the offers engine is configured to distribute coupons from a plurality of merchants to a plurality of consumers over the Internet; associating the coupon parameters and the geographic location with a coupon identifier in a coupon record stored in memory accessible to the offers engine; receiving, at the offers engine, from a consumer's computing device, via the Internet, a request for a reserving interface to reserve an instance of the coupon; determining, with the offers engine, that the specified amount of instances of the coupon to be issued is greater than an amount of instances of the coupon that have been reserved; sending, from the offers engine, to the consumer's computing device, one or more reserving interfaces, wherein the one or more reserving interfaces display at least some of the coupon parameters and present a reserving input by which a consumer reserves an instance of the coupon; receiving, from the consumer's computing device, a request to reserve an instance of the coupon after the consumer engages with the reserving input; after receiving the request to reserve the instance of the coupon and determining that the specified amount of instances of the coupon to be issued is greater than an amount of instances of the coupon that have been reserved, adjusting, with the offers engine, a reserved-amount value indicative of an amount of instances of the coupon that have been reserved; sending the consumer's mobile device a geofence containing the geographic location and instructions to alert the consumer after the mobile device is within the geofence; sending the consumer's mobile device redemption information that, when conveyed to the merchant and by the merchant to the offers engine, causes the offers engine to validate that the consumer reserved an instance of the coupon. 2) The method of claim 1, wherein the coupon parameters comprise an image related to the coupon and captured with a camera of the offer-creating merchant mobile device, and wherein obtaining the geographic location of the merchant with the offer-creating merchant mobile device comprises determining a location of the merchant mobile device based on wireless signals received by the merchant mobile device 3) The method of claim 1, wherein sending the consumer's mobile device redemption information comprises sending instructions, that when input to an offer-redeeming merchant mobile device by optically scanning an image on a display screen of the consumer's mobile device with a camera of the offer-redeeming merchant mobile device, cause the offer-redeeming merchant mobile device to send an identifier of the reserved coupon instance to the offers engine, wherein the identifier is unique to the reserved coupon instance among other reserved instances of the coupon. 4) The method of claim 4, comprising:
receiving, at the offers engine, from the offer-redeeming merchant mobile device, the identifier unique to the reserved coupon instance; and after receiving the identifier, sending confirmation that the reserved coupon instance is valid to the offer-redeeming merchant mobile device, wherein the confirmation includes a confirmation code to which point-of-sale system of the merchant is responsive. 5) The method of claim 1, wherein sending the consumer's mobile device a geofence containing the geographic location and instructions to alert the consumer after the mobile device is within the geofence comprises:
sending geographic coordinates of a bounding polygon defining a perimeter of the geofence; and sending instructions that cause the consumer's mobile device to execute a background process that determines whether the consumer's mobile device has entered the bounding polygon. 6) The method of claim 1, wherein:
the one or more coupon-creation interfaces include an interface to select a wireless beacon transmitting in range of the offer-creating merchant mobile device such that a selected wireless beacon indicates the geographic location; and the instructions to alert the consumer after the mobile device is within the geofence comprise instructions to alert the consumer in response to the mobile device of the consumer wirelessly receiving a transmission from the selected wireless beacon. 7) The method of claim 1, wherein the offer-redeeming merchant mobile device indicates the geographic location by broadcasting a wireless beacon. 8) The method of claim 7, wherein:
the coupon parameters comprise an identifier of the offer-redeeming merchant mobile device; the offer-redeeming merchant mobile device is configured to repeatedly wirelessly transmit the identifier as a beacon transmission after sending the coupon parameters to the remote offers engine; and wherein the instructions to alert the consumer after the consumer mobile device is within the geofence comprise instructions to alert the consumer in response to the consumer mobile device wirelessly receiving the identifier of the offer-redeeming merchant mobile device transmitted by the offer-redeeming merchant mobile device as a beacon while the consumer mobile device is in wireless range of the beacon transmission. 9) A tangible, machine-readable, non-transitory medium storing instructions that when executed by a data processing apparatus cause the data processing apparatus to perform operations, comprising:
presenting, on a mobile device, one or more offer-creation interfaces by which a merchant enters offer parameters specifying an offer, the offer parameters including data indicative of an amount of instances of the offer to be reserved by consumers; obtaining, with the mobile device, the offer parameters after a merchant supplies the offer parameters with the one or more offer-creation interfaces; obtaining, with the mobile device, a geographic location where consumers are to be alerted to the offer; and sending a request to an affiliate network to distribute the offer to a plurality of publishers within the affiliate network and limit use of the offer according to the specified amount of instances of the offer to be reserved by consumers, wherein the publishers each send a plurality of offers to consumers and wherein the affiliate network tracks redemptions of the offers with merchants. 10) The medium of claim 9, wherein the geographic location is obtained by steps comprising:
sensing, with the mobile device, a geographic coordinate of the mobile device based on wireless signals received by the mobile device indicative of location of the mobile device; presenting a geofence configuration interface by which a merchant specifies a geofence containing the geographic coordinate. 11) The medium of claim 9, wherein the geographic location is obtained by steps comprising:
sensing one or more wireless beacons transmitted by other computing devices within range of the mobile device; and presenting a beacon selection interface by which a merchant specifies that one or more of the wireless beacons indicate the geographic location. 12) The medium of claim 9, comprising:
capturing an image associated with the offer with a camera of the mobile device, wherein the offer parameters include the image. 13) The medium of claim 9, wherein obtaining the geographic location comprises obtaining a plurality of overlapping geographic areas, and wherein obtaining offer parameters comprises obtaining different terms of the offer to be presented in the different geographic areas. 14) The medium of claim 9, wherein the geographic location is defined by a beacon transmitted by the mobile device, and wherein the operations further comprise transmitting the beacon with the mobile device after sending the request such that at least some consumer devices in range of the beacon cause the at least some consumer devices to alert respective consumers to the offer. 15) The medium of claim 9, comprising:
after receiving a request to validate an instance of the offer presented by a consumer, capturing an image presented by the consumer and associated with the offer with a camera of the mobile device; sending a request to validate the offer to the affiliate network, wherein the request to validate includes an identifier of the instance of the offer presented by the consumer, and wherein the identifier is encoded in the image, and wherein the identifier distinguishes instance of the offer presented by the consumer from other instances of the offer; and receiving an indication from the affiliate network of whether the offer is valid. 16) A system, comprising:
one or more processors; and memory storing instructions that when executed by the one or more processors effectuate operations comprising:
receiving, from an offer-creating merchant mobile device, an offer to be distributed to consumers, the offer being defined, at least in part, by offer parameters including:
an amount of instances of the offer to be reserved by consumers, and
a geographic location indicative of where consumers are to be alerted to the offer;
creating an offer record in memory, the offer record including data based on the offer parameters;
causing at least some of the data based on the offer parameters to be sent to a consumer's computing device;
receiving an indication that the consumer requests to reserve an instance of the offer;
determining that an amount of reserved instances of the offer is less than the amount of instances of the offer to be reserved by consumers included in the offer parameters;
after the determination, sending a consumer mobile device an indication that an instance of the offer has been reserved;
causing the consumer mobile device to be sent data indicative of the geographic location; and
causing the consumer mobile device to be sent instructions to alert the consumer to the offer after the consumer mobile device determines that a current geographic location of the consumer mobile device corresponds to the geographic location included in the offer parameters. 17) The system of claim 16, wherein causing the consumer mobile device to be sent instructions to alert the consumer to the offer occurs before receiving an indication that the consumer requests to reserve an instance of the offer. 18) The system of claim 16, wherein causing the consumer mobile device to be sent instructions to alert the consumer to the offer occurs after receiving an indication that the consumer requests to reserve an instance of the offer. 19) The system of claim 16, wherein the geographic location is defined by data corresponding to information conveyed in a wireless beacon transmitting at the geographic location. 20) The system of claim 16, wherein the geographic location is defined by a geofence corresponding to a perimeter of a geographic area. 21) The system of claim 16, wherein the offer parameters include an outer geographic location and an inner geographic location contained, at least partially by the outer geographic location, and wherein the operations further comprise:
causing the consumer mobile device to be sent instructions to alert the consumer to the offer both after the consumer mobile device determines that a current geographic location of the consumer mobile device corresponds to the outer geographic location and after the consumer mobile device determines that a current geographic location of the consumer mobile device corresponds to the inner geographic location. 22) The system of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise:
receiving a request from an offer-monitoring merchant mobile device to obtain data indicate of offer performance, wherein the offer-monitoring merchant mobile device is either the offer-creating merchant mobile device or another merchant mobile device; sending to the offer-monitoring merchant mobile device data indicative of the amount of reserved instances of the offer; receiving from the offer-monitoring merchant mobile device a request to change an offer parameter; and after receiving the request to change an offer parameter, updating the offer record in memory based on the request. 23) The system of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise:
receiving a request from an offer-validating merchant mobile device to validate the reserved instance of the offer, wherein the request includes an offer-instance identifier sent to the consumer mobile device, and wherein offer-validating merchant mobile device is either the offer-creating merchant mobile device or another merchant mobile device; after receiving the request to validate the reserved instance of the offer, determining that the offer-instance identifier is valid; and after determining that the offer-instance identifier is valid, sending the offer-validating merchant mobile device data indicating that the reserved instance of the offer is valid. 24) The system of claim 23, wherein sending the offer-validating merchant mobile device data indicating that the reserved instance of the offer is valid comprises:
obtaining a validation code to which a point of sale system of the merchant is responsive and sending the validation code to be entered into the point of sale system by the merchant. 25) A system, comprising:
one or more processors; and memory storing instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to effectuate operations comprising:
sending an offer instance and instructions to display the offer instance to a consumer device;
receiving a signal indicating that the offer instance is no longer valid; and
in response to receiving the signal, sending instructions to the consumer mobile device to display an indication that the offer instance is no longer valid. 26) The system of claim 25, wherein the instructions to display the offer comprise instructions to repeatedly query whether the offer instance is valid. 27) The system of claim 25, wherein sending instructions to the consumer mobile device to display the indication that the offer instance is no longer valid comprises:
sending instructions to the consumer mobile device to display the indication that the offer instance is no longer valid regardless of whether the consumer mobile device has queried whether the offer instance is valid. | Provided is a process for managing offers includes: presenting, on a mobile device, offer-creation interfaces by which a merchant specifies an offer, the offer parameters including data indicative of an amount of instances of the offer to be reserved by consumers; obtaining, with the mobile device, the offer parameters; obtaining, with the mobile device, based on wireless signals received by the mobile device indicative of location of the mobile device, a geographic location where consumers are to be alerted to the offer; and sending a request to an affiliate network to distribute the offer to a plurality of publishers within the affiliate network and limit use of the offer according to the specified amount of instances of the offer to be reserved by consumers, wherein the publishers each send a plurality of offers to consumers and wherein the affiliate network tracks redemptions of the offers with merchants.1) A method of issuing single-use digital coupons by creating coupons tied to a merchant employee's current geographic location using a cell phone of the merchant employee such that a limited number of the coupons are available for consumers to reserve and consumers who reserve the coupons are alerted to the coupons on cell phones of those consumers in response to those consumers' cell phones detecting arrival at the geographic location, the method comprising:
presenting, with an offer-creating merchant mobile device, one or more coupon-creation interfaces configured to obtain coupon parameters specifying a coupon, the coupon parameters including an identifier of a merchant issuing the coupon, a title of the coupon, a description of a discount available to those who redeem the coupon with the merchant, an expiration time of the coupon, and an amount of instances of the coupon to be issued; receiving the coupon parameters from a merchant user via the one or more coupon-creating interfaces with the offer-creating merchant mobile device; obtaining a geographic location of the merchant with the offer-creating merchant mobile device; sending, to a remote offers engine, with one or more wireless transmissions of the offer-creating merchant mobile device, the coupon parameters and the geographic location, wherein the offers engine is configured to distribute coupons from a plurality of merchants to a plurality of consumers over the Internet; associating the coupon parameters and the geographic location with a coupon identifier in a coupon record stored in memory accessible to the offers engine; receiving, at the offers engine, from a consumer's computing device, via the Internet, a request for a reserving interface to reserve an instance of the coupon; determining, with the offers engine, that the specified amount of instances of the coupon to be issued is greater than an amount of instances of the coupon that have been reserved; sending, from the offers engine, to the consumer's computing device, one or more reserving interfaces, wherein the one or more reserving interfaces display at least some of the coupon parameters and present a reserving input by which a consumer reserves an instance of the coupon; receiving, from the consumer's computing device, a request to reserve an instance of the coupon after the consumer engages with the reserving input; after receiving the request to reserve the instance of the coupon and determining that the specified amount of instances of the coupon to be issued is greater than an amount of instances of the coupon that have been reserved, adjusting, with the offers engine, a reserved-amount value indicative of an amount of instances of the coupon that have been reserved; sending the consumer's mobile device a geofence containing the geographic location and instructions to alert the consumer after the mobile device is within the geofence; sending the consumer's mobile device redemption information that, when conveyed to the merchant and by the merchant to the offers engine, causes the offers engine to validate that the consumer reserved an instance of the coupon. 2) The method of claim 1, wherein the coupon parameters comprise an image related to the coupon and captured with a camera of the offer-creating merchant mobile device, and wherein obtaining the geographic location of the merchant with the offer-creating merchant mobile device comprises determining a location of the merchant mobile device based on wireless signals received by the merchant mobile device 3) The method of claim 1, wherein sending the consumer's mobile device redemption information comprises sending instructions, that when input to an offer-redeeming merchant mobile device by optically scanning an image on a display screen of the consumer's mobile device with a camera of the offer-redeeming merchant mobile device, cause the offer-redeeming merchant mobile device to send an identifier of the reserved coupon instance to the offers engine, wherein the identifier is unique to the reserved coupon instance among other reserved instances of the coupon. 4) The method of claim 4, comprising:
receiving, at the offers engine, from the offer-redeeming merchant mobile device, the identifier unique to the reserved coupon instance; and after receiving the identifier, sending confirmation that the reserved coupon instance is valid to the offer-redeeming merchant mobile device, wherein the confirmation includes a confirmation code to which point-of-sale system of the merchant is responsive. 5) The method of claim 1, wherein sending the consumer's mobile device a geofence containing the geographic location and instructions to alert the consumer after the mobile device is within the geofence comprises:
sending geographic coordinates of a bounding polygon defining a perimeter of the geofence; and sending instructions that cause the consumer's mobile device to execute a background process that determines whether the consumer's mobile device has entered the bounding polygon. 6) The method of claim 1, wherein:
the one or more coupon-creation interfaces include an interface to select a wireless beacon transmitting in range of the offer-creating merchant mobile device such that a selected wireless beacon indicates the geographic location; and the instructions to alert the consumer after the mobile device is within the geofence comprise instructions to alert the consumer in response to the mobile device of the consumer wirelessly receiving a transmission from the selected wireless beacon. 7) The method of claim 1, wherein the offer-redeeming merchant mobile device indicates the geographic location by broadcasting a wireless beacon. 8) The method of claim 7, wherein:
the coupon parameters comprise an identifier of the offer-redeeming merchant mobile device; the offer-redeeming merchant mobile device is configured to repeatedly wirelessly transmit the identifier as a beacon transmission after sending the coupon parameters to the remote offers engine; and wherein the instructions to alert the consumer after the consumer mobile device is within the geofence comprise instructions to alert the consumer in response to the consumer mobile device wirelessly receiving the identifier of the offer-redeeming merchant mobile device transmitted by the offer-redeeming merchant mobile device as a beacon while the consumer mobile device is in wireless range of the beacon transmission. 9) A tangible, machine-readable, non-transitory medium storing instructions that when executed by a data processing apparatus cause the data processing apparatus to perform operations, comprising:
presenting, on a mobile device, one or more offer-creation interfaces by which a merchant enters offer parameters specifying an offer, the offer parameters including data indicative of an amount of instances of the offer to be reserved by consumers; obtaining, with the mobile device, the offer parameters after a merchant supplies the offer parameters with the one or more offer-creation interfaces; obtaining, with the mobile device, a geographic location where consumers are to be alerted to the offer; and sending a request to an affiliate network to distribute the offer to a plurality of publishers within the affiliate network and limit use of the offer according to the specified amount of instances of the offer to be reserved by consumers, wherein the publishers each send a plurality of offers to consumers and wherein the affiliate network tracks redemptions of the offers with merchants. 10) The medium of claim 9, wherein the geographic location is obtained by steps comprising:
sensing, with the mobile device, a geographic coordinate of the mobile device based on wireless signals received by the mobile device indicative of location of the mobile device; presenting a geofence configuration interface by which a merchant specifies a geofence containing the geographic coordinate. 11) The medium of claim 9, wherein the geographic location is obtained by steps comprising:
sensing one or more wireless beacons transmitted by other computing devices within range of the mobile device; and presenting a beacon selection interface by which a merchant specifies that one or more of the wireless beacons indicate the geographic location. 12) The medium of claim 9, comprising:
capturing an image associated with the offer with a camera of the mobile device, wherein the offer parameters include the image. 13) The medium of claim 9, wherein obtaining the geographic location comprises obtaining a plurality of overlapping geographic areas, and wherein obtaining offer parameters comprises obtaining different terms of the offer to be presented in the different geographic areas. 14) The medium of claim 9, wherein the geographic location is defined by a beacon transmitted by the mobile device, and wherein the operations further comprise transmitting the beacon with the mobile device after sending the request such that at least some consumer devices in range of the beacon cause the at least some consumer devices to alert respective consumers to the offer. 15) The medium of claim 9, comprising:
after receiving a request to validate an instance of the offer presented by a consumer, capturing an image presented by the consumer and associated with the offer with a camera of the mobile device; sending a request to validate the offer to the affiliate network, wherein the request to validate includes an identifier of the instance of the offer presented by the consumer, and wherein the identifier is encoded in the image, and wherein the identifier distinguishes instance of the offer presented by the consumer from other instances of the offer; and receiving an indication from the affiliate network of whether the offer is valid. 16) A system, comprising:
one or more processors; and memory storing instructions that when executed by the one or more processors effectuate operations comprising:
receiving, from an offer-creating merchant mobile device, an offer to be distributed to consumers, the offer being defined, at least in part, by offer parameters including:
an amount of instances of the offer to be reserved by consumers, and
a geographic location indicative of where consumers are to be alerted to the offer;
creating an offer record in memory, the offer record including data based on the offer parameters;
causing at least some of the data based on the offer parameters to be sent to a consumer's computing device;
receiving an indication that the consumer requests to reserve an instance of the offer;
determining that an amount of reserved instances of the offer is less than the amount of instances of the offer to be reserved by consumers included in the offer parameters;
after the determination, sending a consumer mobile device an indication that an instance of the offer has been reserved;
causing the consumer mobile device to be sent data indicative of the geographic location; and
causing the consumer mobile device to be sent instructions to alert the consumer to the offer after the consumer mobile device determines that a current geographic location of the consumer mobile device corresponds to the geographic location included in the offer parameters. 17) The system of claim 16, wherein causing the consumer mobile device to be sent instructions to alert the consumer to the offer occurs before receiving an indication that the consumer requests to reserve an instance of the offer. 18) The system of claim 16, wherein causing the consumer mobile device to be sent instructions to alert the consumer to the offer occurs after receiving an indication that the consumer requests to reserve an instance of the offer. 19) The system of claim 16, wherein the geographic location is defined by data corresponding to information conveyed in a wireless beacon transmitting at the geographic location. 20) The system of claim 16, wherein the geographic location is defined by a geofence corresponding to a perimeter of a geographic area. 21) The system of claim 16, wherein the offer parameters include an outer geographic location and an inner geographic location contained, at least partially by the outer geographic location, and wherein the operations further comprise:
causing the consumer mobile device to be sent instructions to alert the consumer to the offer both after the consumer mobile device determines that a current geographic location of the consumer mobile device corresponds to the outer geographic location and after the consumer mobile device determines that a current geographic location of the consumer mobile device corresponds to the inner geographic location. 22) The system of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise:
receiving a request from an offer-monitoring merchant mobile device to obtain data indicate of offer performance, wherein the offer-monitoring merchant mobile device is either the offer-creating merchant mobile device or another merchant mobile device; sending to the offer-monitoring merchant mobile device data indicative of the amount of reserved instances of the offer; receiving from the offer-monitoring merchant mobile device a request to change an offer parameter; and after receiving the request to change an offer parameter, updating the offer record in memory based on the request. 23) The system of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise:
receiving a request from an offer-validating merchant mobile device to validate the reserved instance of the offer, wherein the request includes an offer-instance identifier sent to the consumer mobile device, and wherein offer-validating merchant mobile device is either the offer-creating merchant mobile device or another merchant mobile device; after receiving the request to validate the reserved instance of the offer, determining that the offer-instance identifier is valid; and after determining that the offer-instance identifier is valid, sending the offer-validating merchant mobile device data indicating that the reserved instance of the offer is valid. 24) The system of claim 23, wherein sending the offer-validating merchant mobile device data indicating that the reserved instance of the offer is valid comprises:
obtaining a validation code to which a point of sale system of the merchant is responsive and sending the validation code to be entered into the point of sale system by the merchant. 25) A system, comprising:
one or more processors; and memory storing instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to effectuate operations comprising:
sending an offer instance and instructions to display the offer instance to a consumer device;
receiving a signal indicating that the offer instance is no longer valid; and
in response to receiving the signal, sending instructions to the consumer mobile device to display an indication that the offer instance is no longer valid. 26) The system of claim 25, wherein the instructions to display the offer comprise instructions to repeatedly query whether the offer instance is valid. 27) The system of claim 25, wherein sending instructions to the consumer mobile device to display the indication that the offer instance is no longer valid comprises:
sending instructions to the consumer mobile device to display the indication that the offer instance is no longer valid regardless of whether the consumer mobile device has queried whether the offer instance is valid. | 3,600 |
13,006 | 13,006 | 14,242,220 | 3,666 | The present invention relates to education robotics systems and methods. In particular, the present invention provides robotic systems comprising tangible and graphic programming interfaces suitable for use by young children. | 1. A system for use by a child aged 7 or younger, comprising:
a) a robot comprising i) a robot body; ii) at least one sensor port configured to receive at least one sensor; and iii) at least one motor port configured to receive at least one motor; and b) a programming interface configured to receive graphical and/or tangible programming instructions and transmit said instructions to said robot body, wherein said programming interface and said robot are configured for use by a child aged 7 or younger. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensors are selected from the group consisting of sound sensors, light sensors, and distance sensors. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein said robot further comprises a light output. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein said tangible programming instructions comprise physical objects comprising printed programming instructions. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein said system further comprises a camera. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein said programming interface comprises a computer processor and computer software. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein said programming instructions comprise one or more instructions are selected from the group consisting of BEGIN, END, FORWARD, BACKWARD, TURN LEFT, TURN RIGHT, SPIN, SHAKE, SING, BEEP, LIGHT ON, LIGHT OFF, END-REPEAT, END-IF, IF-NOT, END-IF-NOT, REPEAT, IF, NEAR, FAR, LOUD, QUIET, LIGHT, DARK, UNTIL NEAR, UNTIL FAR, UNTIL LOUD, UNTIL QUIET, UNTL LIGHT, and UNTIL DARK. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein said robot body further comprises a communications component for communicating with said programming interface. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein system is configured for use by a child ages 4-7. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensors, motors, sensor ports, and motor ports comprise magnets configured to attach said sensors to said sensor ports and said motors to said motor ports. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensors and said sensor ports are modular. 12. The system of claim 1, wherein said system comprises 3 or fewer motors and motor ports; 4 or fewer sensors and sensor ports; and one light output. 13. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said programming instructions corresponds to a single robot action. 14. The system of claim 1, wherein said robot remains intact if the robot contacts a solid surface. 15. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is configured to teach literacy and math. 16. A method, comprising:
a) programming a sequence of commands using a programming interface configured to receive graphical and/or tangible programming instructions, wherein said programming is configured to be performed by a child aged 7 or younger; and b) transmitting said instructions to a robot comprising i) a robot body; ii) at least one sensor port configured to receive at least one sensor; and iii) at least one motor port configured to receive a motor. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein said method is performed by a child ages 4-7. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein performing said method teaches literacy and math and a child under the age of 7. 19. A kit, comprising:
a) the system of claim 1; and b) one or more instructional components selected from the group consisting of printed curriculum instructions, an instructional video, and teaching aids. 20. The kit of claim 19, wherein said kit is configured for use by a child ages 4-7. | The present invention relates to education robotics systems and methods. In particular, the present invention provides robotic systems comprising tangible and graphic programming interfaces suitable for use by young children.1. A system for use by a child aged 7 or younger, comprising:
a) a robot comprising i) a robot body; ii) at least one sensor port configured to receive at least one sensor; and iii) at least one motor port configured to receive at least one motor; and b) a programming interface configured to receive graphical and/or tangible programming instructions and transmit said instructions to said robot body, wherein said programming interface and said robot are configured for use by a child aged 7 or younger. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensors are selected from the group consisting of sound sensors, light sensors, and distance sensors. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein said robot further comprises a light output. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein said tangible programming instructions comprise physical objects comprising printed programming instructions. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein said system further comprises a camera. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein said programming interface comprises a computer processor and computer software. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein said programming instructions comprise one or more instructions are selected from the group consisting of BEGIN, END, FORWARD, BACKWARD, TURN LEFT, TURN RIGHT, SPIN, SHAKE, SING, BEEP, LIGHT ON, LIGHT OFF, END-REPEAT, END-IF, IF-NOT, END-IF-NOT, REPEAT, IF, NEAR, FAR, LOUD, QUIET, LIGHT, DARK, UNTIL NEAR, UNTIL FAR, UNTIL LOUD, UNTIL QUIET, UNTL LIGHT, and UNTIL DARK. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein said robot body further comprises a communications component for communicating with said programming interface. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein system is configured for use by a child ages 4-7. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensors, motors, sensor ports, and motor ports comprise magnets configured to attach said sensors to said sensor ports and said motors to said motor ports. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensors and said sensor ports are modular. 12. The system of claim 1, wherein said system comprises 3 or fewer motors and motor ports; 4 or fewer sensors and sensor ports; and one light output. 13. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said programming instructions corresponds to a single robot action. 14. The system of claim 1, wherein said robot remains intact if the robot contacts a solid surface. 15. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is configured to teach literacy and math. 16. A method, comprising:
a) programming a sequence of commands using a programming interface configured to receive graphical and/or tangible programming instructions, wherein said programming is configured to be performed by a child aged 7 or younger; and b) transmitting said instructions to a robot comprising i) a robot body; ii) at least one sensor port configured to receive at least one sensor; and iii) at least one motor port configured to receive a motor. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein said method is performed by a child ages 4-7. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein performing said method teaches literacy and math and a child under the age of 7. 19. A kit, comprising:
a) the system of claim 1; and b) one or more instructional components selected from the group consisting of printed curriculum instructions, an instructional video, and teaching aids. 20. The kit of claim 19, wherein said kit is configured for use by a child ages 4-7. | 3,600 |
13,007 | 13,007 | 14,606,643 | 3,637 | An array of printed information sheets to be placed in a business establishment includes at least two stacks of printed information sheets being detachably connected to each other. Each stack of printed information sheets includes at least a first multiple product information sheet and a second information sheet that are removably attached to each other or to the stack. The first multiple product information sheet has printed thereon first product information about a first product to be displayed in the business establishment and a first location indicator indicating a first predetermined location in the business establishment where the first multiple product information sheet is to be displayed. The second multiple product information sheet has printed thereon second product information about a second product to be displayed in the business establishment and a second location indicator indicating a second predetermined location in the business establishment where the second multiple product information sheet is to be displayed. | 1. An array of printed information sheets to be placed in a business establishment, the array comprising:
a stack of multiple product information sheets overlaid on one another; the stack of multiple product information sheets including at least a first multiple product information sheet, a second multiple product information sheet, and a third multiple product information sheet; the first multiple product information sheet including at least a first portion and a second portion connected to each other by a first frangible connection; the second multiple product information sheet including at least a first portion and a second portion connected to each other by a second frangible connection; the third multiple product information sheet including at least a first portion and a second portion connected to each other by a third frangible connection; the first portion of the first multiple product information sheet having printed thereon first product information about a first product to be displayed in the business establishment and a first location indicator indicating a first predetermined location in the business establishment where the first portion of the first multiple product information sheet is to be displayed; the first portion of the second multiple product information sheet having printed thereon second product information about a second product to be displayed in the business establishment and a second location indicator indicating a second predetermined location in the business establishment where the first portion of the second multiple product information is to be displayed; the first portion of the third multiple product information sheet having printed thereon third product information about a third product to be displayed in the business establishment and a third location indicator indicating a third predetermined location in the business establishment where the first portion of the third multiple product information is to be displayed; the second portion of the first multiple product information sheet having printed thereon fourth product information about a fourth product to be displayed in the business establishment and a fourth location indicator indicating a fourth predetermined location in the business establishment where the second portion of the first multiple product information sheet is to be displayed; the second portion of the second multiple product information sheet having printed thereon fifth product information about a fifth product to be displayed in the business establishment and a fifth location indicator indicating a fifth predetermined location in the business establishment where the second portion of the second multiple product information is to be displayed; the second portion of the third multiple product information sheet having printed thereon sixth product information about a sixth product to be displayed in the business establishment and a sixth location indicator indicating a sixth predetermined location in the business establishment where the second portion of the third multiple product information is to be displayed; wherein the first, second, and third multiple product information sheet overlay one another such that the first portions of the first, second, and third multiple product information sheets are aligned and the second portions of the first, second, and third multiple product information sheets are aligned, wherein the order of the first portions of the first, second, and third multiple product information sheets in the stack corresponds to an ordering of the first location, the second location, and the third location within the store according to the first location indicator, second location indicator, and third location indicator, wherein the order of the second portions of the first, second, and third multiple product information sheets in the stack corresponds to an ordering of the fourth location, the fifth location, and the sixth location within the store according to the fourth location indicator, fifth location indicator, and sixth location indicator, and wherein the first portions of the first, second, and third multiple product information sheets are detachable as a stack from the second portions of the first, second, and third multiple product information sheets by breaking the first, second, and third frangible connections and wherein the first product information, the second product information, the third product information, the fourth product information, the fifth product information, and the sixth product information differ from each other. 2. The array of printed information sheets of claim 1, wherein the first predetermined location and the second predetermined location in the business establishment each comprises at least one of an aisle identifier, an aisle-side identifier, a bay identifier, a section identifier, or a shelf identifier. 3. The array of printed information sheets of claim 1, wherein the first product information and the second product information each include at least one of a machine readable code, a color, a name of, a price of, a machine readable code corresponding with the price, graphics, a logo, an advertisement, a coupon, a promotion of the at least one associated product, or cross-sell information related to the at least one associated product. 4. The array of printed information sheets of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the first multiple product information sheet comprises a first connector configured to attach the first portion of the first multiple product information sheet to a first structure in the business establishment, and second portion of the first multiple product information sheet comprises a second connector configured to attach the second portion of the first multiple product information sheet to a second structure in the business establishment. 5. The array of printed information sheets of claim 1, wherein the first multiple product information sheet is bound to the second multiple product information sheet. 6. The array of printed information sheets of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the printed multiple product information sheet is bound by adhesive to the first portion of the second multiple product information sheet. 7. The array of printed information sheets of claim 1, wherein the first multiple product information sheet is bound by a glue binding at an edge of the first multiple product information sheet to the second multiple product information sheet. 8. (canceled) 9. The array of printed information sheets of claim 1, wherein the second predetermined location is immediately adjacent the first predetermined location based on planogram information of the business establishment. 10. An array of printed information sheets to be placed in a business establishment, the array comprising:
at least two stacks of printed information sheets detachably connected to each other by at least one frangible connection, a first stack of printed information sheets comprising at least a first printed information sheet, a second printed information sheet, and a third printed information sheet bound to form the first stack, and a second stack of printed information sheets comprising at least a fourth printed information sheet, a fifth printed information sheet, and a sixth printed information sheet bound to form the second stack, wherein the first printed information sheet has printed thereon first product information about a first product to be displayed in the business establishment and a first location indicator indicating a first predetermined location in the business establishment where the first printed information sheet is to be displayed, the second printed information sheet has printed thereon second product information about a second product to be displayed in the business establishment and a second location indicator indicating a second predetermined location in the business establishment where the second printed information sheet is to be displayed, the third printed information sheet has printed thereon third product information about a third product to be displayed in the business establishment and a third location indicator indicating a third predetermined location in the business establishment where the third printed information sheet is to be displayed; the fourth printed information sheet has printed thereon fourth product information about a fourth product to be displayed in the business establishment and a fourth location indicator indicating a fourth predetermined location in the business establishment where the fourth printed information sheet is to be displayed; the fifth printed information sheet has printed thereon fifth product information about a fifth product to be displayed in the business establishment and a fifth location indicator indicating a fifth predetermined location in the business establishment where the fifth printed information sheet is to be displayed, the sixth printed information sheet has printed thereon sixth product information about a sixth product to be displayed in the business establishment and a sixth location indicator indicating a sixth predetermined location in the business establishment where the sixth printed information sheet is to be displayed, the order of the first, second, and third product information sheets in the first stack corresponds to an ordering of the first location, the second location, and the third location within the store according to the first location indicator, second location indicator, and third location indicator, the order of the fourth, fifth, and sixth product information sheets in the stack corresponds to an ordering of the fourth location, the fifth location, and the sixth location within the store according to the fourth location indicator, fifth location indicator, and sixth location indicator, the first stack is detachably connected to the second stack by the at least one frangible connection between the first and third product information sheets, the second and fourth product information sheets, and the third and sixth product information sheets, the frangible connections being breakable such that first stack can be detached from the second stack, and; and wherein the first product information, the second product information, the third product information, and the fourth product information differ from each other. 11. (canceled) 12. (canceled) 13. The array of printed information sheets of claim 1, wherein the first product information is the only product information printed on the first portion of the first multiple product information sheet and the second product information is the only product information printed on the first portion of the second multiple product information sheet. 14. The array of printed information sheets of claim 1, wherein the second predetermined location precedes the third predetermined location in an order according to planogram information of the business establishment. 15. The array of printed information sheets of claim 1, wherein:
the first portions of the first, second and third multiple product information sheets each have a bound edge along which they are bound in a first stack and an unbound edge opposite the bound edge, the second portions of the first, second and third multiple product information sheets each have a bound edge along which they are bound in a second stack and an unbound edge opposite the bound edge, and the third portions of the first, second and third multiple product information sheets each have a bound edge along which they are bound in a third stack and an unbound edge opposite the bound edge. 16. The array of printed information sheets of claim 15, wherein the unbound edges of the first portions of the first, second and third multiple product information sheets of the first stack are detachably connected to the bound edges of the second portions of the first, second and third multiple product information sheets of the second stack. 17. The array of printed information sheets of claim 1, wherein:
the first multiple product information sheet includes a first header portion and a first remainder portion detachable from the first header portion, the first remainder portion including the first, second, and third portions of the first multiple product information sheet, the second printed information sheet includes a second header portion and a second remainder portion detachable from the second header portion, the second remainder portion including the first, second, and third portions of the second multiple product information sheet, and the third printed information sheet includes a third header portion and a third remainder portion detachable from the third header portion, the third remainder portion including the first, second, and third portions of the third multiple product information sheet. 18. The array of printed information sheets of claim 10, wherein the first product information is the only product information printed on the first printed information sheet and the second product information is the only product information printed on the second printed information sheet. 19. The array of printed information sheets of claim 10, wherein:
the first stack includes a bound edge along which the first, second, and third product information sheets are bound and an unbound edge, the second stack includes a bound edge along which the fourth, fifth, and sixth product information sheets are bound and an unbound edge, and the unbound edge of the first stack is detachably connected to the bound edge of the second stack. 20. The array of printed information sheets of claim 10, wherein the first printed information sheet includes a first header portion and a first remainder portion detachable from the first header portion, the second printed information sheet includes a second header portion and a second remainder portion detachable from the second header portion, the third printed information sheet includes a third header portion and a third remainder portion detachable from the third header portion, and the fourth printed information sheet includes a fourth header portion and a fourth remainder portion detachable from the fourth header portion. 21. The array of printed information sheets of claim 10, wherein the first printed information sheet comprises a first connector configured to attach the first printed information sheet to a first structure in the business establishment, and second printed information sheet comprises a second connector configured to attach the second printed information sheet to a second structure in the business establishment. 22. The array of printed information sheets of claim 10, wherein the first printed information sheet is bound by adhesive to the second printed information sheet, wherein the second printed information sheet is adjacent to the first printed information sheet in each stack of printed information sheets. 23. The array of printed information sheets of claim 10, wherein the second predetermined location is immediately adjacent the first predetermined location based on planogram information of the business establishment. | An array of printed information sheets to be placed in a business establishment includes at least two stacks of printed information sheets being detachably connected to each other. Each stack of printed information sheets includes at least a first multiple product information sheet and a second information sheet that are removably attached to each other or to the stack. The first multiple product information sheet has printed thereon first product information about a first product to be displayed in the business establishment and a first location indicator indicating a first predetermined location in the business establishment where the first multiple product information sheet is to be displayed. The second multiple product information sheet has printed thereon second product information about a second product to be displayed in the business establishment and a second location indicator indicating a second predetermined location in the business establishment where the second multiple product information sheet is to be displayed.1. An array of printed information sheets to be placed in a business establishment, the array comprising:
a stack of multiple product information sheets overlaid on one another; the stack of multiple product information sheets including at least a first multiple product information sheet, a second multiple product information sheet, and a third multiple product information sheet; the first multiple product information sheet including at least a first portion and a second portion connected to each other by a first frangible connection; the second multiple product information sheet including at least a first portion and a second portion connected to each other by a second frangible connection; the third multiple product information sheet including at least a first portion and a second portion connected to each other by a third frangible connection; the first portion of the first multiple product information sheet having printed thereon first product information about a first product to be displayed in the business establishment and a first location indicator indicating a first predetermined location in the business establishment where the first portion of the first multiple product information sheet is to be displayed; the first portion of the second multiple product information sheet having printed thereon second product information about a second product to be displayed in the business establishment and a second location indicator indicating a second predetermined location in the business establishment where the first portion of the second multiple product information is to be displayed; the first portion of the third multiple product information sheet having printed thereon third product information about a third product to be displayed in the business establishment and a third location indicator indicating a third predetermined location in the business establishment where the first portion of the third multiple product information is to be displayed; the second portion of the first multiple product information sheet having printed thereon fourth product information about a fourth product to be displayed in the business establishment and a fourth location indicator indicating a fourth predetermined location in the business establishment where the second portion of the first multiple product information sheet is to be displayed; the second portion of the second multiple product information sheet having printed thereon fifth product information about a fifth product to be displayed in the business establishment and a fifth location indicator indicating a fifth predetermined location in the business establishment where the second portion of the second multiple product information is to be displayed; the second portion of the third multiple product information sheet having printed thereon sixth product information about a sixth product to be displayed in the business establishment and a sixth location indicator indicating a sixth predetermined location in the business establishment where the second portion of the third multiple product information is to be displayed; wherein the first, second, and third multiple product information sheet overlay one another such that the first portions of the first, second, and third multiple product information sheets are aligned and the second portions of the first, second, and third multiple product information sheets are aligned, wherein the order of the first portions of the first, second, and third multiple product information sheets in the stack corresponds to an ordering of the first location, the second location, and the third location within the store according to the first location indicator, second location indicator, and third location indicator, wherein the order of the second portions of the first, second, and third multiple product information sheets in the stack corresponds to an ordering of the fourth location, the fifth location, and the sixth location within the store according to the fourth location indicator, fifth location indicator, and sixth location indicator, and wherein the first portions of the first, second, and third multiple product information sheets are detachable as a stack from the second portions of the first, second, and third multiple product information sheets by breaking the first, second, and third frangible connections and wherein the first product information, the second product information, the third product information, the fourth product information, the fifth product information, and the sixth product information differ from each other. 2. The array of printed information sheets of claim 1, wherein the first predetermined location and the second predetermined location in the business establishment each comprises at least one of an aisle identifier, an aisle-side identifier, a bay identifier, a section identifier, or a shelf identifier. 3. The array of printed information sheets of claim 1, wherein the first product information and the second product information each include at least one of a machine readable code, a color, a name of, a price of, a machine readable code corresponding with the price, graphics, a logo, an advertisement, a coupon, a promotion of the at least one associated product, or cross-sell information related to the at least one associated product. 4. The array of printed information sheets of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the first multiple product information sheet comprises a first connector configured to attach the first portion of the first multiple product information sheet to a first structure in the business establishment, and second portion of the first multiple product information sheet comprises a second connector configured to attach the second portion of the first multiple product information sheet to a second structure in the business establishment. 5. The array of printed information sheets of claim 1, wherein the first multiple product information sheet is bound to the second multiple product information sheet. 6. The array of printed information sheets of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the printed multiple product information sheet is bound by adhesive to the first portion of the second multiple product information sheet. 7. The array of printed information sheets of claim 1, wherein the first multiple product information sheet is bound by a glue binding at an edge of the first multiple product information sheet to the second multiple product information sheet. 8. (canceled) 9. The array of printed information sheets of claim 1, wherein the second predetermined location is immediately adjacent the first predetermined location based on planogram information of the business establishment. 10. An array of printed information sheets to be placed in a business establishment, the array comprising:
at least two stacks of printed information sheets detachably connected to each other by at least one frangible connection, a first stack of printed information sheets comprising at least a first printed information sheet, a second printed information sheet, and a third printed information sheet bound to form the first stack, and a second stack of printed information sheets comprising at least a fourth printed information sheet, a fifth printed information sheet, and a sixth printed information sheet bound to form the second stack, wherein the first printed information sheet has printed thereon first product information about a first product to be displayed in the business establishment and a first location indicator indicating a first predetermined location in the business establishment where the first printed information sheet is to be displayed, the second printed information sheet has printed thereon second product information about a second product to be displayed in the business establishment and a second location indicator indicating a second predetermined location in the business establishment where the second printed information sheet is to be displayed, the third printed information sheet has printed thereon third product information about a third product to be displayed in the business establishment and a third location indicator indicating a third predetermined location in the business establishment where the third printed information sheet is to be displayed; the fourth printed information sheet has printed thereon fourth product information about a fourth product to be displayed in the business establishment and a fourth location indicator indicating a fourth predetermined location in the business establishment where the fourth printed information sheet is to be displayed; the fifth printed information sheet has printed thereon fifth product information about a fifth product to be displayed in the business establishment and a fifth location indicator indicating a fifth predetermined location in the business establishment where the fifth printed information sheet is to be displayed, the sixth printed information sheet has printed thereon sixth product information about a sixth product to be displayed in the business establishment and a sixth location indicator indicating a sixth predetermined location in the business establishment where the sixth printed information sheet is to be displayed, the order of the first, second, and third product information sheets in the first stack corresponds to an ordering of the first location, the second location, and the third location within the store according to the first location indicator, second location indicator, and third location indicator, the order of the fourth, fifth, and sixth product information sheets in the stack corresponds to an ordering of the fourth location, the fifth location, and the sixth location within the store according to the fourth location indicator, fifth location indicator, and sixth location indicator, the first stack is detachably connected to the second stack by the at least one frangible connection between the first and third product information sheets, the second and fourth product information sheets, and the third and sixth product information sheets, the frangible connections being breakable such that first stack can be detached from the second stack, and; and wherein the first product information, the second product information, the third product information, and the fourth product information differ from each other. 11. (canceled) 12. (canceled) 13. The array of printed information sheets of claim 1, wherein the first product information is the only product information printed on the first portion of the first multiple product information sheet and the second product information is the only product information printed on the first portion of the second multiple product information sheet. 14. The array of printed information sheets of claim 1, wherein the second predetermined location precedes the third predetermined location in an order according to planogram information of the business establishment. 15. The array of printed information sheets of claim 1, wherein:
the first portions of the first, second and third multiple product information sheets each have a bound edge along which they are bound in a first stack and an unbound edge opposite the bound edge, the second portions of the first, second and third multiple product information sheets each have a bound edge along which they are bound in a second stack and an unbound edge opposite the bound edge, and the third portions of the first, second and third multiple product information sheets each have a bound edge along which they are bound in a third stack and an unbound edge opposite the bound edge. 16. The array of printed information sheets of claim 15, wherein the unbound edges of the first portions of the first, second and third multiple product information sheets of the first stack are detachably connected to the bound edges of the second portions of the first, second and third multiple product information sheets of the second stack. 17. The array of printed information sheets of claim 1, wherein:
the first multiple product information sheet includes a first header portion and a first remainder portion detachable from the first header portion, the first remainder portion including the first, second, and third portions of the first multiple product information sheet, the second printed information sheet includes a second header portion and a second remainder portion detachable from the second header portion, the second remainder portion including the first, second, and third portions of the second multiple product information sheet, and the third printed information sheet includes a third header portion and a third remainder portion detachable from the third header portion, the third remainder portion including the first, second, and third portions of the third multiple product information sheet. 18. The array of printed information sheets of claim 10, wherein the first product information is the only product information printed on the first printed information sheet and the second product information is the only product information printed on the second printed information sheet. 19. The array of printed information sheets of claim 10, wherein:
the first stack includes a bound edge along which the first, second, and third product information sheets are bound and an unbound edge, the second stack includes a bound edge along which the fourth, fifth, and sixth product information sheets are bound and an unbound edge, and the unbound edge of the first stack is detachably connected to the bound edge of the second stack. 20. The array of printed information sheets of claim 10, wherein the first printed information sheet includes a first header portion and a first remainder portion detachable from the first header portion, the second printed information sheet includes a second header portion and a second remainder portion detachable from the second header portion, the third printed information sheet includes a third header portion and a third remainder portion detachable from the third header portion, and the fourth printed information sheet includes a fourth header portion and a fourth remainder portion detachable from the fourth header portion. 21. The array of printed information sheets of claim 10, wherein the first printed information sheet comprises a first connector configured to attach the first printed information sheet to a first structure in the business establishment, and second printed information sheet comprises a second connector configured to attach the second printed information sheet to a second structure in the business establishment. 22. The array of printed information sheets of claim 10, wherein the first printed information sheet is bound by adhesive to the second printed information sheet, wherein the second printed information sheet is adjacent to the first printed information sheet in each stack of printed information sheets. 23. The array of printed information sheets of claim 10, wherein the second predetermined location is immediately adjacent the first predetermined location based on planogram information of the business establishment. | 3,600 |
13,008 | 13,008 | 14,460,601 | 3,697 | Systems and methods for use in assigning bank identification numbers (BINs) are disclosed. One exemplary method includes identifying a payment account demand for an issuer. The payment account demand is associated with an anticipated number of primary account numbers (PANs) for the issuer, each PAN having a PAN length. The method further includes selecting a BIN length for the issuer based on the payment account demand where the BIN length being less than the PAN length, assigning a BIN to the issuer where the BIN has the BIN length, and appending the BIN to a BIN directory. The BIN is associated with the issuer. The BIN is different than each other BIN in the BIN directory. | 1. A computer-implemented method for use in assigning a bank identification number (BIN) to an issuer, the method comprising:
identifying a payment account demand for an issuer, the payment account demand associated with an anticipated number of primary account numbers (PANs) for the issuer, each PAN having a PAN length; selecting a BIN length for the issuer based on the payment account demand, the BIN length being less than the PAN length; assigning, at a computing device, a BIN to the issuer, the BIN having the BIN length; and appending, at the computing device, the BIN to a BIN directory, the BIN being associated with the issuer, wherein the BIN is different than each other BIN in the BIN directory. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the assigned BIN length is greater than 6 digits. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the PAN length is 16 digits and the BIN length is one of 7 digits, 8 digits, and 9 digits. 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising selecting the PAN length based on at least one of: the payment account demand associated with the anticipated number of PANs and the BIN length. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising disseminating the BIN directory to a plurality of acquirers. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting the PAN length; and
wherein the BIN length is selected based on the payment account demand and the PAN length. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein appending the BIN to the BIN directory includes designating the BIN as a nonstandard BIN in the BIN directory. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, at the computing device, a request for the BIN, the request including the payment account demand associated with the anticipated number of PANs for the issuer. 9. A system for assigning a bank identification number (BIN) to an issuer, the system comprising:
one or more computing devices for handling BIN requests from multiple issuers, the one or more computing devices including a BIN directory and executable instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more computing devices to:
assign a first BIN having a BIN length, based on a first payment account demand, to a first issuer, the BIN length of the first BIN being other than 6 digits, the first payment account demand indicative of a number of primary account numbers (PANs) anticipated to be issued by the first issuer; and
append the first BIN to the BIN directory, the appended first BIN associated with the first issuer. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the BIN length is greater than 6 digits. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the instructions further cause the one or more computing devices to select a PAN length based on at least one of: the BIN length and the payment account demand. 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the one or more computing devices to transmit the BIN directory to at least one acquirer. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the one or more computing devices to periodically disseminate the BIN directory to a plurality of issuers and/or acquirers. 14. The system of claim 9, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the one or more computing devices to:
assign a second BIN having a BIN length, based on a second payment account demand, to a second issuer, the BIN length of the second BIN being different than the BIN length of the second BIN; and append the second BIN to the BIN directory. 15. The system of claim 9, wherein the PAN has a PAN length; and
wherein the PAN length is 16 digits and the BIN length is one of 7 digits, 8 digits, 9 digits, and 10 digits. 16. A computer-implemented method for use in processing transactions to payment accounts, the method comprising:
for a transaction to a payment account, identifying a payment account number (PAN) associated with the transaction as having a bank identification number (BIN) with a BIN length different than 6 digits; identifying, by a computing device, the BIN; searching, by the computing device, in a BIN directory stored in memory, for an issuer associated with the BIN; and assigning, by the computing device, the transaction associated with the PAN to the issuer. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising receiving an authorization request for the transaction, the authorization request including an indicator of the BIN length; and
wherein identifying the PAN as having a BIN with a BIN length different than 6 digits includes detecting the indicator in the authorization request. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the indicator specifies a BIN length of one of: 7 digits, 8 digits, 9, digits and 10 digits. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the indicator specifies the BIN as a variable length BIN. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising settling the assigned transaction with the issuer. | Systems and methods for use in assigning bank identification numbers (BINs) are disclosed. One exemplary method includes identifying a payment account demand for an issuer. The payment account demand is associated with an anticipated number of primary account numbers (PANs) for the issuer, each PAN having a PAN length. The method further includes selecting a BIN length for the issuer based on the payment account demand where the BIN length being less than the PAN length, assigning a BIN to the issuer where the BIN has the BIN length, and appending the BIN to a BIN directory. The BIN is associated with the issuer. The BIN is different than each other BIN in the BIN directory.1. A computer-implemented method for use in assigning a bank identification number (BIN) to an issuer, the method comprising:
identifying a payment account demand for an issuer, the payment account demand associated with an anticipated number of primary account numbers (PANs) for the issuer, each PAN having a PAN length; selecting a BIN length for the issuer based on the payment account demand, the BIN length being less than the PAN length; assigning, at a computing device, a BIN to the issuer, the BIN having the BIN length; and appending, at the computing device, the BIN to a BIN directory, the BIN being associated with the issuer, wherein the BIN is different than each other BIN in the BIN directory. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the assigned BIN length is greater than 6 digits. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the PAN length is 16 digits and the BIN length is one of 7 digits, 8 digits, and 9 digits. 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising selecting the PAN length based on at least one of: the payment account demand associated with the anticipated number of PANs and the BIN length. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising disseminating the BIN directory to a plurality of acquirers. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting the PAN length; and
wherein the BIN length is selected based on the payment account demand and the PAN length. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein appending the BIN to the BIN directory includes designating the BIN as a nonstandard BIN in the BIN directory. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, at the computing device, a request for the BIN, the request including the payment account demand associated with the anticipated number of PANs for the issuer. 9. A system for assigning a bank identification number (BIN) to an issuer, the system comprising:
one or more computing devices for handling BIN requests from multiple issuers, the one or more computing devices including a BIN directory and executable instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more computing devices to:
assign a first BIN having a BIN length, based on a first payment account demand, to a first issuer, the BIN length of the first BIN being other than 6 digits, the first payment account demand indicative of a number of primary account numbers (PANs) anticipated to be issued by the first issuer; and
append the first BIN to the BIN directory, the appended first BIN associated with the first issuer. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the BIN length is greater than 6 digits. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the instructions further cause the one or more computing devices to select a PAN length based on at least one of: the BIN length and the payment account demand. 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the one or more computing devices to transmit the BIN directory to at least one acquirer. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the one or more computing devices to periodically disseminate the BIN directory to a plurality of issuers and/or acquirers. 14. The system of claim 9, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the one or more computing devices to:
assign a second BIN having a BIN length, based on a second payment account demand, to a second issuer, the BIN length of the second BIN being different than the BIN length of the second BIN; and append the second BIN to the BIN directory. 15. The system of claim 9, wherein the PAN has a PAN length; and
wherein the PAN length is 16 digits and the BIN length is one of 7 digits, 8 digits, 9 digits, and 10 digits. 16. A computer-implemented method for use in processing transactions to payment accounts, the method comprising:
for a transaction to a payment account, identifying a payment account number (PAN) associated with the transaction as having a bank identification number (BIN) with a BIN length different than 6 digits; identifying, by a computing device, the BIN; searching, by the computing device, in a BIN directory stored in memory, for an issuer associated with the BIN; and assigning, by the computing device, the transaction associated with the PAN to the issuer. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising receiving an authorization request for the transaction, the authorization request including an indicator of the BIN length; and
wherein identifying the PAN as having a BIN with a BIN length different than 6 digits includes detecting the indicator in the authorization request. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the indicator specifies a BIN length of one of: 7 digits, 8 digits, 9, digits and 10 digits. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the indicator specifies the BIN as a variable length BIN. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising settling the assigned transaction with the issuer. | 3,600 |
13,009 | 13,009 | 14,566,693 | 3,622 | An online system penalizes content items having features matching features of additional content items previously presented to a user within a specified time interval. The online system identifies various features of the content item and identifies features of content items previously presented to the user within the specified time interval. Feature penalties are determined for various features of the content item based on a number of previously presented content items having a common feature with the content item. Weights may be associated with various content items having a feature matching a feature of the content item based on a time between presentation of the previously presented content item and a current time. A penalty for the content item is determined based on the feature penalties for the features of the content item, and the penalty is applied to a bid amount associated with the content item. | 1. A method comprising:
receiving, at an online system, information describing an advertisement request from an advertiser, the advertisement request including an advertisement having one or more features and a bid amount; identifying an opportunity to present one or more advertisements to a user of the online system; identifying features of one or more advertisements previously presented to the user of the online system within a specified time interval from a current time; determining feature penalties associated with the one or more features of the advertisement request, a feature penalty associated with a feature based at least in part on a number of advertisements previously presented to the user within the specified time interval having the feature; determining a penalty based at least in part on the determined feature penalties; modifying the bid amount included in the advertisement request based on the penalty; and including the advertisement request and the modified bid amount in a selection process performed by the online system. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining feature penalties associated with the one or more features of the advertisement request comprises:
associating weights with each advertisement previously presented to the user having the feature, the weights based at least in part on a time difference between the current time and a time when an advertisement previously presented to the user having the feature was presented to the user; determining the feature penalty for the feature based at least in part on the weights. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein a weight is an inverse function of the time difference between the current time and the time when the advertisement previously presented to the user having the feature was presented to the user. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the feature penalty for the feature based at least in part on the weights comprises:
determining the feature penalty for the feature as a sum of the weights. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein modifying the bid amount included in the ad request based on the penalty comprises:
reducing the bid amount by a value based at least in part on the penalty. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein modifying the bid amount included in the ad request based on the penalty comprises:
determining a ratio of the penalty to the bid amount; and modifying the bid amount based on the penalty if the ratio is at least a threshold value. 7. The method of claim 1, modifying the bid amount included in the ad request based on the penalty comprises
applying a percentage of the penalty to the advertisement, the percentage based at least in part on a ratio of the penalty to the bid amount. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein a feature associated with the advertisement request is selected from a group consisting of: an advertising campaign associated with the advertisement request, an object associated with the advertisement request, an advertiser associated with the advertisement request, content included in the advertisement of the advertisement request, a landing page associated with the advertisement of the advertisement request, one or more topics associated with the advertisement of the advertisement request, and any combination thereof. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein a feature associated with the advertisement request comprises a type of display unit in which the advertisement of the advertisement request is to be presented. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein a feature of an advertisement previously presented to the user of the online system within the specified time interval from the current time is selected from a group consisting of: an advertising campaign associated with the advertisement request, an object associated with the advertisement request, an advertiser associated with the advertisement request, content included in the advertisement of the advertisement request, a landing page associated with the advertisement of the advertisement request, one or more topics associated with the advertisement of the advertisement request, and any combination thereof. 11. A method comprising:
receiving, at an online system, information describing an advertisement request from an advertiser, the advertisement request including an advertisement having one or more features and a bid amount; identifying an opportunity to present one or more advertisements to a user of the online system; identifying features of one or more advertisements previously presented to the user of the online system within a specified time interval from a current time; determining a penalty for the advertisement request based at least in part on the one or more features of the advertisement request and the features of the one or more advertisements previously presented to the user of the online system within the specified time interval from the current time; modifying the bid amount included in the advertisement request based on the penalty; and including the advertisement request and the modified bid amount in a selection process performed by the online system. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein determining the penalty for the advertisement request based at least in part on the one or more features of the advertisement request and the features of the one or more advertisements previously presented to the user of the online system within the specified time interval from the current time comprises:
determining feature penalties associated with the one or more features of the advertisement request, a feature penalty associated with a feature based at least in part on a number of advertisements previously presented to the user within the specified time interval having the feature; and determining the penalty based at least in part on the determined feature penalties. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein determining feature penalties associated with the one or more features of the advertisement request comprises:
associating weights with each advertisement previously presented to the user having the feature, the weights based at least in part on a time difference between the current time and a time when an advertisement previously presented to the user having the feature was presented to the user; determining the feature penalty for the feature based at least in part on the weights. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein a weight is an inverse function of the time difference between the current time and the time when the advertisement previously presented to the user having the feature was presented to the user. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the feature penalty for the feature based at least in part on the weights comprises:
determining the feature penalty for the feature as a sum of the weights. 16. The method of claim 11, wherein modifying the bid amount included in the ad request based on the penalty comprises:
reducing the bid amount by a value based at least in part on the penalty. 17. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having instructions encoded thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
receive, at an online system, information describing an advertisement request from an advertiser, the advertisement request including an advertisement having one or more features and a bid amount; identify an opportunity to present one or more advertisements to a user of the online system; identify features of one or more advertisements previously presented to the user of the online system within a specified time interval from a current time; determine a penalty for the advertisement request based at least in part on the one or more features of the advertisement request and the features of the one or more advertisements previously presented to the user of the online system within the specified time interval from the current time; modify the bid amount included in the advertisement request based on the penalty; and include the advertisement request and the modified bid amount in a selection process performed by the online system. 18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein determine the penalty for the advertisement request based at least in part on the one or more features of the advertisement request and the features of the one or more advertisements previously presented to the user of the online system within the specified time interval from the current time comprises:
determine feature penalties associated with the one or more features of the advertisement request, a feature penalty associated with a feature based at least in part on a number of advertisements previously presented to the user within the specified time interval having the feature; and determine the penalty based at least in part on the determined feature penalties. 19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein determine feature penalties associated with the one or more features of the advertisement request comprises:
associate weights with each advertisement previously presented to the user having the feature, the weights based at least in part on a time difference between the current time and a time when an advertisement previously presented to the user having the feature was presented to the user; and determine the feature penalty for the feature based at least in part on the weights. 20. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein a feature associated with the advertisement request is selected from a group consisting of: an advertising campaign associated with the advertisement request, an object associated with the advertisement request, an advertiser associated with the advertisement request, content included in the advertisement of the advertisement request, a landing page associated with the advertisement of the advertisement request, one or more topics associated with the advertisement of the advertisement request, and any combination thereof. | An online system penalizes content items having features matching features of additional content items previously presented to a user within a specified time interval. The online system identifies various features of the content item and identifies features of content items previously presented to the user within the specified time interval. Feature penalties are determined for various features of the content item based on a number of previously presented content items having a common feature with the content item. Weights may be associated with various content items having a feature matching a feature of the content item based on a time between presentation of the previously presented content item and a current time. A penalty for the content item is determined based on the feature penalties for the features of the content item, and the penalty is applied to a bid amount associated with the content item.1. A method comprising:
receiving, at an online system, information describing an advertisement request from an advertiser, the advertisement request including an advertisement having one or more features and a bid amount; identifying an opportunity to present one or more advertisements to a user of the online system; identifying features of one or more advertisements previously presented to the user of the online system within a specified time interval from a current time; determining feature penalties associated with the one or more features of the advertisement request, a feature penalty associated with a feature based at least in part on a number of advertisements previously presented to the user within the specified time interval having the feature; determining a penalty based at least in part on the determined feature penalties; modifying the bid amount included in the advertisement request based on the penalty; and including the advertisement request and the modified bid amount in a selection process performed by the online system. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining feature penalties associated with the one or more features of the advertisement request comprises:
associating weights with each advertisement previously presented to the user having the feature, the weights based at least in part on a time difference between the current time and a time when an advertisement previously presented to the user having the feature was presented to the user; determining the feature penalty for the feature based at least in part on the weights. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein a weight is an inverse function of the time difference between the current time and the time when the advertisement previously presented to the user having the feature was presented to the user. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the feature penalty for the feature based at least in part on the weights comprises:
determining the feature penalty for the feature as a sum of the weights. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein modifying the bid amount included in the ad request based on the penalty comprises:
reducing the bid amount by a value based at least in part on the penalty. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein modifying the bid amount included in the ad request based on the penalty comprises:
determining a ratio of the penalty to the bid amount; and modifying the bid amount based on the penalty if the ratio is at least a threshold value. 7. The method of claim 1, modifying the bid amount included in the ad request based on the penalty comprises
applying a percentage of the penalty to the advertisement, the percentage based at least in part on a ratio of the penalty to the bid amount. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein a feature associated with the advertisement request is selected from a group consisting of: an advertising campaign associated with the advertisement request, an object associated with the advertisement request, an advertiser associated with the advertisement request, content included in the advertisement of the advertisement request, a landing page associated with the advertisement of the advertisement request, one or more topics associated with the advertisement of the advertisement request, and any combination thereof. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein a feature associated with the advertisement request comprises a type of display unit in which the advertisement of the advertisement request is to be presented. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein a feature of an advertisement previously presented to the user of the online system within the specified time interval from the current time is selected from a group consisting of: an advertising campaign associated with the advertisement request, an object associated with the advertisement request, an advertiser associated with the advertisement request, content included in the advertisement of the advertisement request, a landing page associated with the advertisement of the advertisement request, one or more topics associated with the advertisement of the advertisement request, and any combination thereof. 11. A method comprising:
receiving, at an online system, information describing an advertisement request from an advertiser, the advertisement request including an advertisement having one or more features and a bid amount; identifying an opportunity to present one or more advertisements to a user of the online system; identifying features of one or more advertisements previously presented to the user of the online system within a specified time interval from a current time; determining a penalty for the advertisement request based at least in part on the one or more features of the advertisement request and the features of the one or more advertisements previously presented to the user of the online system within the specified time interval from the current time; modifying the bid amount included in the advertisement request based on the penalty; and including the advertisement request and the modified bid amount in a selection process performed by the online system. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein determining the penalty for the advertisement request based at least in part on the one or more features of the advertisement request and the features of the one or more advertisements previously presented to the user of the online system within the specified time interval from the current time comprises:
determining feature penalties associated with the one or more features of the advertisement request, a feature penalty associated with a feature based at least in part on a number of advertisements previously presented to the user within the specified time interval having the feature; and determining the penalty based at least in part on the determined feature penalties. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein determining feature penalties associated with the one or more features of the advertisement request comprises:
associating weights with each advertisement previously presented to the user having the feature, the weights based at least in part on a time difference between the current time and a time when an advertisement previously presented to the user having the feature was presented to the user; determining the feature penalty for the feature based at least in part on the weights. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein a weight is an inverse function of the time difference between the current time and the time when the advertisement previously presented to the user having the feature was presented to the user. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the feature penalty for the feature based at least in part on the weights comprises:
determining the feature penalty for the feature as a sum of the weights. 16. The method of claim 11, wherein modifying the bid amount included in the ad request based on the penalty comprises:
reducing the bid amount by a value based at least in part on the penalty. 17. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having instructions encoded thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
receive, at an online system, information describing an advertisement request from an advertiser, the advertisement request including an advertisement having one or more features and a bid amount; identify an opportunity to present one or more advertisements to a user of the online system; identify features of one or more advertisements previously presented to the user of the online system within a specified time interval from a current time; determine a penalty for the advertisement request based at least in part on the one or more features of the advertisement request and the features of the one or more advertisements previously presented to the user of the online system within the specified time interval from the current time; modify the bid amount included in the advertisement request based on the penalty; and include the advertisement request and the modified bid amount in a selection process performed by the online system. 18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein determine the penalty for the advertisement request based at least in part on the one or more features of the advertisement request and the features of the one or more advertisements previously presented to the user of the online system within the specified time interval from the current time comprises:
determine feature penalties associated with the one or more features of the advertisement request, a feature penalty associated with a feature based at least in part on a number of advertisements previously presented to the user within the specified time interval having the feature; and determine the penalty based at least in part on the determined feature penalties. 19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein determine feature penalties associated with the one or more features of the advertisement request comprises:
associate weights with each advertisement previously presented to the user having the feature, the weights based at least in part on a time difference between the current time and a time when an advertisement previously presented to the user having the feature was presented to the user; and determine the feature penalty for the feature based at least in part on the weights. 20. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein a feature associated with the advertisement request is selected from a group consisting of: an advertising campaign associated with the advertisement request, an object associated with the advertisement request, an advertiser associated with the advertisement request, content included in the advertisement of the advertisement request, a landing page associated with the advertisement of the advertisement request, one or more topics associated with the advertisement of the advertisement request, and any combination thereof. | 3,600 |
13,010 | 13,010 | 13,828,473 | 3,691 | A system includes an ATM-related processor configured to detect a vehicle approach. The processor is also configured to wirelessly connect to a vehicle computing system (VCS). The processor is additionally configured to validate a vehicle as a present-vehicle. Also, the processor is configured to receive account and vehicle identifying information. The processor is also configured to validate an account as authorized for a transaction in conjunction with the vehicle. The processor is further configured to provide transaction services to the vehicle over the wireless connection, such that the user can interact with an ATM through use of an in-vehicle display. | 1. A system comprising:
an ATM-related processor configured to:
detect a vehicle approach;
wirelessly connect to a vehicle computing system (VCS);
validate a vehicle as a present-vehicle;
receive account and vehicle identifying information;
validate an account as authorized for a transaction in conjunction with the vehicle; and
provide transaction services to the vehicle over the wireless connection, such that the user can interact with an ATM through use of an in-vehicle display. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to validate a vehicle as a present-vehicle through the use of near-field communication. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to validate a vehicle as a present-vehicle through the use of a user PIN entered into an ATM. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to validate the account through contacting a remote server and comparing the account and vehicle identifying information. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the transaction services include withdrawals, deposits and balance inquiries. 6. A system comprising:
a processor configured to:
receive a request for identifying information from an ATM;
provide account and vehicle identifying information responsive to the request;
receive confirmation that the account is authorized for a transaction in conjunction with the vehicle;
receive a list of ATM-related services;
present the services on a vehicle display for user interaction and selection; and
transmit user requests input on the display to the ATM for servicing. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the account identifying information includes an account number. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the account identifying information is stored on the vehicle. 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the account identifying information is input at the vehicle and subsequently provided to the ATM for each transaction. 10. The system of claim 7, wherein the account identifying information includes a PIN. 11. The system of claim 6, wherein the vehicle identifying information includes a vehicle identification number (VIN). 12. The system of claim 6, wherein the display is a touch-screen display. 13. The system of claim 6, wherein the ATM-related services include withdrawals, deposits and balance inquiries. 14. A computer-implemented method comprising:
receiving a request for identifying information from an ATM; providing account and vehicle identifying information responsive to the request; receiving confirmation that the account is authorized for a transaction in conjunction with the vehicle; receiving a list of ATM-related services; presenting the services on a vehicle display for user interaction and selection; and transmitting user requests input on the display to the ATM for servicing. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the account identifying information includes an account number. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the account identifying information is stored on the vehicle. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the account identifying information is input at the vehicle and subsequently provided to the ATM for each transaction. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the account identifying information includes a PIN. 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the vehicle identifying information includes a vehicle identification number (VIN). 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the ATM-related services include withdrawals, deposits and balance inquiries. | A system includes an ATM-related processor configured to detect a vehicle approach. The processor is also configured to wirelessly connect to a vehicle computing system (VCS). The processor is additionally configured to validate a vehicle as a present-vehicle. Also, the processor is configured to receive account and vehicle identifying information. The processor is also configured to validate an account as authorized for a transaction in conjunction with the vehicle. The processor is further configured to provide transaction services to the vehicle over the wireless connection, such that the user can interact with an ATM through use of an in-vehicle display.1. A system comprising:
an ATM-related processor configured to:
detect a vehicle approach;
wirelessly connect to a vehicle computing system (VCS);
validate a vehicle as a present-vehicle;
receive account and vehicle identifying information;
validate an account as authorized for a transaction in conjunction with the vehicle; and
provide transaction services to the vehicle over the wireless connection, such that the user can interact with an ATM through use of an in-vehicle display. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to validate a vehicle as a present-vehicle through the use of near-field communication. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to validate a vehicle as a present-vehicle through the use of a user PIN entered into an ATM. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to validate the account through contacting a remote server and comparing the account and vehicle identifying information. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the transaction services include withdrawals, deposits and balance inquiries. 6. A system comprising:
a processor configured to:
receive a request for identifying information from an ATM;
provide account and vehicle identifying information responsive to the request;
receive confirmation that the account is authorized for a transaction in conjunction with the vehicle;
receive a list of ATM-related services;
present the services on a vehicle display for user interaction and selection; and
transmit user requests input on the display to the ATM for servicing. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the account identifying information includes an account number. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the account identifying information is stored on the vehicle. 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the account identifying information is input at the vehicle and subsequently provided to the ATM for each transaction. 10. The system of claim 7, wherein the account identifying information includes a PIN. 11. The system of claim 6, wherein the vehicle identifying information includes a vehicle identification number (VIN). 12. The system of claim 6, wherein the display is a touch-screen display. 13. The system of claim 6, wherein the ATM-related services include withdrawals, deposits and balance inquiries. 14. A computer-implemented method comprising:
receiving a request for identifying information from an ATM; providing account and vehicle identifying information responsive to the request; receiving confirmation that the account is authorized for a transaction in conjunction with the vehicle; receiving a list of ATM-related services; presenting the services on a vehicle display for user interaction and selection; and transmitting user requests input on the display to the ATM for servicing. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the account identifying information includes an account number. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the account identifying information is stored on the vehicle. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the account identifying information is input at the vehicle and subsequently provided to the ATM for each transaction. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the account identifying information includes a PIN. 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the vehicle identifying information includes a vehicle identification number (VIN). 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the ATM-related services include withdrawals, deposits and balance inquiries. | 3,600 |
13,011 | 13,011 | 13,663,560 | 3,692 | Systems and methods for matching orders are provided. One or more trade templates are created. The trade templates define groups of orders for financial instruments that may be combined such that all of the orders are matched. New orders and resting orders are analyzed using one or more trade templates to determine whether a combination of orders satisfies all of the elements of a trade template. When all of the elements of a trade template are satisfied, the corresponding orders may be matched contemporaneously. | 1. A method of processing orders for financial instruments, the method comprising:
(a) generating at a microprocessor a collection of needed orders that each when combined with one or more existing orders meet the requirements of an acceptable trade template and allow the matching of all of the orders that form the acceptable trade template; (b) receiving a new order; and (c) comparing at a microprocessor the new order to the needed orders in the collection of needed orders. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the collection of needed orders is stored in a microprocessor memory. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the collection of needed orders is stored in a match engine microprocessor memory. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein one of the at least two spread products comprises an implied spread product. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein one of the at least two spread products comprises a butterfly spread product. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein one of the at least two spread products comprises a crack spread product. 7. The method of claim 1, furthering including analyzing orders resting in a plurality of order books and suggesting new templates that would result in the matching of groups of orders. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the acceptable trade templates includes at least three spread products. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising using more than one algorithm to generate a collection of acceptable trade templates. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
(d) when the new order matches one of the needed orders executing at a microprocessor a trade between the new order and an order corresponding to the needed order. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein (d) further includes executing at a microprocessor at least two additional trades contemporaneously with the execution of the trade between the new order and one of the needed orders. 12. A system that processes orders for financial instruments, the system comprising:
a non-transitory memory containing a collection of acceptable trade templates based on more than two orders; a non-transitory memory containing a collection of needed orders that each when combined with one or more existing orders meet the requirements of an acceptable trade template; and a processor programmed with computer-executable instructions to compare a new order to the needed orders in the collection of needed orders. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the match engine comprises a microprocessor having a memory. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the collection of needed orders is stored in the microprocessor memory. 15. The system of claim 12, further including at least one order book connected to the match engine. 16. The system of claim 15, further including a computer device programmed with computer-executable instructions to analyze orders resting in a plurality of order books and suggest new templates that would result in the matching of groups of orders. 17. The system of claim 12, wherein the match engine is further programmed with computer-executable instructions to execute a trade between the new order and an order corresponding to the needed order when the new order matches one of the needed orders. 18. A computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions for causing a match system to perform the steps comprising:
(a) generating at a microprocessor a collection of needed orders that each when combined with one or more existing orders meet the requirements of an acceptable trade template and allow the matching of all of the orders that form the acceptable trade template; (b) receiving a new order; and (c) comparing at a microprocessor the new order to the needed orders in the collection of needed orders. 19. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the collection of needed orders is stored in a match engine microprocessor memory. 20. The computer-readable medium of claim 18 wherein the collection of needed orders is stored in a memory of the microprocessor. | Systems and methods for matching orders are provided. One or more trade templates are created. The trade templates define groups of orders for financial instruments that may be combined such that all of the orders are matched. New orders and resting orders are analyzed using one or more trade templates to determine whether a combination of orders satisfies all of the elements of a trade template. When all of the elements of a trade template are satisfied, the corresponding orders may be matched contemporaneously.1. A method of processing orders for financial instruments, the method comprising:
(a) generating at a microprocessor a collection of needed orders that each when combined with one or more existing orders meet the requirements of an acceptable trade template and allow the matching of all of the orders that form the acceptable trade template; (b) receiving a new order; and (c) comparing at a microprocessor the new order to the needed orders in the collection of needed orders. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the collection of needed orders is stored in a microprocessor memory. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the collection of needed orders is stored in a match engine microprocessor memory. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein one of the at least two spread products comprises an implied spread product. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein one of the at least two spread products comprises a butterfly spread product. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein one of the at least two spread products comprises a crack spread product. 7. The method of claim 1, furthering including analyzing orders resting in a plurality of order books and suggesting new templates that would result in the matching of groups of orders. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the acceptable trade templates includes at least three spread products. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising using more than one algorithm to generate a collection of acceptable trade templates. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
(d) when the new order matches one of the needed orders executing at a microprocessor a trade between the new order and an order corresponding to the needed order. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein (d) further includes executing at a microprocessor at least two additional trades contemporaneously with the execution of the trade between the new order and one of the needed orders. 12. A system that processes orders for financial instruments, the system comprising:
a non-transitory memory containing a collection of acceptable trade templates based on more than two orders; a non-transitory memory containing a collection of needed orders that each when combined with one or more existing orders meet the requirements of an acceptable trade template; and a processor programmed with computer-executable instructions to compare a new order to the needed orders in the collection of needed orders. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the match engine comprises a microprocessor having a memory. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the collection of needed orders is stored in the microprocessor memory. 15. The system of claim 12, further including at least one order book connected to the match engine. 16. The system of claim 15, further including a computer device programmed with computer-executable instructions to analyze orders resting in a plurality of order books and suggest new templates that would result in the matching of groups of orders. 17. The system of claim 12, wherein the match engine is further programmed with computer-executable instructions to execute a trade between the new order and an order corresponding to the needed order when the new order matches one of the needed orders. 18. A computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions for causing a match system to perform the steps comprising:
(a) generating at a microprocessor a collection of needed orders that each when combined with one or more existing orders meet the requirements of an acceptable trade template and allow the matching of all of the orders that form the acceptable trade template; (b) receiving a new order; and (c) comparing at a microprocessor the new order to the needed orders in the collection of needed orders. 19. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the collection of needed orders is stored in a match engine microprocessor memory. 20. The computer-readable medium of claim 18 wherein the collection of needed orders is stored in a memory of the microprocessor. | 3,600 |
13,012 | 13,012 | 12,180,129 | 3,693 | A method, system and computer program product for optimizing return of an investment fund, based on a correlation between AUM and turnover, include steps of generating a turnover efficient frontier for an investment fund that models fund return versus fund turnover for one or more fund sizes; determining a current fund return and fund turnover of the fund; determined a current position of the fund on the turnover efficient frontier based on the current fund return and fund turnover; and determining whether an increase or a decrease in one of fund size or turnover will move the fund to an optimal point on the turnover efficient frontier. | 1. A method for optimizing return of an investment fund, based on a relation between assets under management (AUM), fund strategy and turnover, the method comprising:
(a) generating a turnover efficient frontier for an investment fund that models fund return versus fund turnover for one or more fund sizes from computer simulations based on the characteristics of the fund and historical trading data; (b) determining a current fund return and a current fund turnover of the fund; (c) determined a current position of the fund on said turnover efficient frontier based on the current fund return and fund turnover; (d) determining whether an increase or a decrease in one of fund size or turnover will move the fund to an optimal point on said turnover efficient frontier; and (e) storing the results of step (d). 2. The method as recited by claim 1, further comprising a step of displaying at least a portion of the generated turnover efficient frontier and the current position on a display device. 3. The method as recited by claim 1, further comprising a step of generating a report graphically illustrating at least a portion of the generated turnover efficient frontier and the current position on a display device. 4. The method as recited by claim 1, further comprising steps of:
receiving data indicative of a historical performance of assets in said investment fund; wherein, steps (a) and (b) are based upon said received data indicative of a historical performance. 5. The method as recited by claim 1, further comprising steps of:
calculating an optimal amount of investment and turnover for said investment fund based on said turnover efficient frontier. 6. The method as recited by claim 1, wherein said turnover efficient frontier comprises a set of curves indicating net return for said investment fund at different assets under management volumes for varying turnover rates. 7. The method as recited by claim 1, further comprising steps of:
identifying optimal points along said turnover efficient frontier curves that maximize return; and generating a portfolio rebalancing strategy recommendation for said investment fund based on said turnover efficient frontier, accounting for said external limitations on said investment fund, said recommendation including a recommendation to either increase or decrease turnover of said investment fund or to expand or reduce assets under management in said investment fund. 8. A system for optimizing return of an investment fund, based on a correlation between assets under management (AUM) and turnover, the system comprising:
means for generating a turnover efficient frontier for an investment fund that models fund return versus fund turnover for one or more fund sizes from computer simulations based on the characteristics of the fund and historical trading data; means for determining a current fund return and fund turnover of the investment fund; means for determining a current position of the fund on said turnover efficient frontier based on the current fund return and fund turnover; means for determining whether an increase or a decrease in one of fund size or turnover will move the fund to an optimal point on said turnover efficient frontier; and means for storing the results of said determination of whether to increase or decrease in one of fund size and turnover. 9. The system as recited by claim 8, further comprising means for displaying at least a portion of the generated turnover efficient frontier and the current position on a display device. 10. The system as recited by claim 8, further comprising means for generating a report graphically illustrating at least a portion of the generated turnover efficient frontier and the current position on a display device. 11. The system as recited by claim 8, further comprising means for receiving data indicative of a historical performance of assets in said investment fund. 12. The system as recited by claim 8, further comprising means for calculating an optimal amount of investment and turnover for said investment fund based on said turnover efficient frontier. 13. The system as recited by claim 8, wherein said turnover efficient frontier comprises a set of curves indicating net return for said investment fund at different assets under management volumes for varying turnover rates. 14. The system as recited by claim 8, further comprising:
means for identifying optimal points along said turnover efficient frontier curves that maximize return; and means for generating a portfolio rebalancing strategy recommendation for said investment fund based on said turnover efficient frontier, accounting for said external limitations on said investment fund, said recommendation including a recommendation to either increase or decrease turnover of said investment fund or to expand or reduce assets under management in said investment fund. 15. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having stored thereon executable computer instructions for optimizing return of an investment fund, based on a relation between assets under management (AUM), fund strategy and turnover, by performing operations comprising the following steps:
(f) generating a turnover efficient frontier for an investment fund that models fund return versus fund turnover for one or more fund sizes from computer simulations based on the characteristics of the fund and historical trading data; (g) determining a current fund return and fund turnover of the fund; (h) determined a current position of the fund on said turnover efficient frontier based on the current fund return and fund turnover; (i) determining whether an increase or a decrease in one of fund size or turnover will move the fund to an optimal point on said turnover efficient frontier; and (j) storing the results of step (d). 16. The computer program product as recited by claim 15, further comprising an instruction for displaying at least a portion of the generated turnover efficient frontier and the current position on a display device. 17. The computer program product as recited by claim 15, further comprising an instruction for generating a report graphically illustrating at least a portion of the generated turnover efficient frontier and the current position on a display device. 18. The computer program product as recited by claim 15, further comprising instructions for:
receiving data indicative of a historical performance of assets in said investment fund; wherein, steps (a) and (b) are based upon said received data indicative of a historical performance. 19. The computer program product as recited by claim 15, further instructions for:
calculating an optimal amount of investment and turnover for said investment fund based on said turnover efficient frontier. 20. The computer program product as recited by claim 15, wherein said turnover efficient frontier comprises a set of curves indicating net return for said investment fund at different assets under management volumes for varying turnover rates. 21. The computer program product as recited by claim 15, further comprising instructions for:
identifying optimal points along said turnover efficient frontier curves that maximize return; and generating a portfolio rebalancing strategy recommendation for said investment fund based on said turnover efficient frontier, accounting for said external limitations on said investment fund, said recommendation including a recommendation to either increase or decrease turnover of said investment fund or to expand or reduce assets under management in said investment fund. 22. A system for optimizing return of an investment fund, based on a correlation between assets under management (AUM) and turnover, the system comprising:
a server facility coupled with an electronic data network and configured to generate a turnover efficient frontier for an investment fund that models fund return versus fund turnover for one or more fund sizes from computer simulations based on the characteristics of the fund and historical trading data, to determine a current fund return and fund turnover of the investment fund, to determine a current position of the fund on said turnover efficient frontier based on the current fund return and fund turnover, to determine whether an increase or a decrease in one of fund size or turnover will move the fund to an optimal point on said turnover efficient frontier, and to store the results of said determination of whether to increase or decrease in data storage facilities. 23. The system as recited by claim 22, wherein said server facility is further configured to transmit data for a portion of the generated turnover efficient frontier and the current position on a display device to be displayed on a display device. 24. The system as recited by claim 22, wherein said server facility is further configured to generate a report graphically illustrating at least a portion of the generated turnover efficient frontier and the current position onto a display device. 25. The system as recited by claim 22, wherein said server facility is further configured to receive data indicative of a historical performance of assets in said investment fund. 26. The system as recited by claim 22, wherein said server facility is further configured to calculate an optimal amount of investment and turnover for said investment fund based on said turnover efficient frontier. 27. The system as recited by claim 22, wherein said turnover efficient frontier comprises a set of curves indicating net return for said investment fund at different assets under management volumes for varying turnover rates. 28. The system as recited by claim 22, wherein said server facility is further configured to identify optimal points along said turnover efficient frontier curves that maximize return, and to generate a portfolio rebalancing strategy recommendation for said investment fund based on said turnover efficient frontier, accounting for said external limitations on said investment fund, said recommendation including a recommendation to either increase or decrease turnover of said investment fund or to expand or reduce assets under management in said investment fund. 29. The system as recited by claim 22, further comprising:
data storage facilities for storing portfolio and turnover efficient frontier data; and a client user interface executable on a computer or within a web browser, said client user interface configured to communicate with said server facility to exchange data, said client user interface configured to receive input data and to communicate said input data to said server facility, said client user interface configured to receive turnover efficient frontier data from said server facilities and to display said turnover efficient frontier. | A method, system and computer program product for optimizing return of an investment fund, based on a correlation between AUM and turnover, include steps of generating a turnover efficient frontier for an investment fund that models fund return versus fund turnover for one or more fund sizes; determining a current fund return and fund turnover of the fund; determined a current position of the fund on the turnover efficient frontier based on the current fund return and fund turnover; and determining whether an increase or a decrease in one of fund size or turnover will move the fund to an optimal point on the turnover efficient frontier.1. A method for optimizing return of an investment fund, based on a relation between assets under management (AUM), fund strategy and turnover, the method comprising:
(a) generating a turnover efficient frontier for an investment fund that models fund return versus fund turnover for one or more fund sizes from computer simulations based on the characteristics of the fund and historical trading data; (b) determining a current fund return and a current fund turnover of the fund; (c) determined a current position of the fund on said turnover efficient frontier based on the current fund return and fund turnover; (d) determining whether an increase or a decrease in one of fund size or turnover will move the fund to an optimal point on said turnover efficient frontier; and (e) storing the results of step (d). 2. The method as recited by claim 1, further comprising a step of displaying at least a portion of the generated turnover efficient frontier and the current position on a display device. 3. The method as recited by claim 1, further comprising a step of generating a report graphically illustrating at least a portion of the generated turnover efficient frontier and the current position on a display device. 4. The method as recited by claim 1, further comprising steps of:
receiving data indicative of a historical performance of assets in said investment fund; wherein, steps (a) and (b) are based upon said received data indicative of a historical performance. 5. The method as recited by claim 1, further comprising steps of:
calculating an optimal amount of investment and turnover for said investment fund based on said turnover efficient frontier. 6. The method as recited by claim 1, wherein said turnover efficient frontier comprises a set of curves indicating net return for said investment fund at different assets under management volumes for varying turnover rates. 7. The method as recited by claim 1, further comprising steps of:
identifying optimal points along said turnover efficient frontier curves that maximize return; and generating a portfolio rebalancing strategy recommendation for said investment fund based on said turnover efficient frontier, accounting for said external limitations on said investment fund, said recommendation including a recommendation to either increase or decrease turnover of said investment fund or to expand or reduce assets under management in said investment fund. 8. A system for optimizing return of an investment fund, based on a correlation between assets under management (AUM) and turnover, the system comprising:
means for generating a turnover efficient frontier for an investment fund that models fund return versus fund turnover for one or more fund sizes from computer simulations based on the characteristics of the fund and historical trading data; means for determining a current fund return and fund turnover of the investment fund; means for determining a current position of the fund on said turnover efficient frontier based on the current fund return and fund turnover; means for determining whether an increase or a decrease in one of fund size or turnover will move the fund to an optimal point on said turnover efficient frontier; and means for storing the results of said determination of whether to increase or decrease in one of fund size and turnover. 9. The system as recited by claim 8, further comprising means for displaying at least a portion of the generated turnover efficient frontier and the current position on a display device. 10. The system as recited by claim 8, further comprising means for generating a report graphically illustrating at least a portion of the generated turnover efficient frontier and the current position on a display device. 11. The system as recited by claim 8, further comprising means for receiving data indicative of a historical performance of assets in said investment fund. 12. The system as recited by claim 8, further comprising means for calculating an optimal amount of investment and turnover for said investment fund based on said turnover efficient frontier. 13. The system as recited by claim 8, wherein said turnover efficient frontier comprises a set of curves indicating net return for said investment fund at different assets under management volumes for varying turnover rates. 14. The system as recited by claim 8, further comprising:
means for identifying optimal points along said turnover efficient frontier curves that maximize return; and means for generating a portfolio rebalancing strategy recommendation for said investment fund based on said turnover efficient frontier, accounting for said external limitations on said investment fund, said recommendation including a recommendation to either increase or decrease turnover of said investment fund or to expand or reduce assets under management in said investment fund. 15. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having stored thereon executable computer instructions for optimizing return of an investment fund, based on a relation between assets under management (AUM), fund strategy and turnover, by performing operations comprising the following steps:
(f) generating a turnover efficient frontier for an investment fund that models fund return versus fund turnover for one or more fund sizes from computer simulations based on the characteristics of the fund and historical trading data; (g) determining a current fund return and fund turnover of the fund; (h) determined a current position of the fund on said turnover efficient frontier based on the current fund return and fund turnover; (i) determining whether an increase or a decrease in one of fund size or turnover will move the fund to an optimal point on said turnover efficient frontier; and (j) storing the results of step (d). 16. The computer program product as recited by claim 15, further comprising an instruction for displaying at least a portion of the generated turnover efficient frontier and the current position on a display device. 17. The computer program product as recited by claim 15, further comprising an instruction for generating a report graphically illustrating at least a portion of the generated turnover efficient frontier and the current position on a display device. 18. The computer program product as recited by claim 15, further comprising instructions for:
receiving data indicative of a historical performance of assets in said investment fund; wherein, steps (a) and (b) are based upon said received data indicative of a historical performance. 19. The computer program product as recited by claim 15, further instructions for:
calculating an optimal amount of investment and turnover for said investment fund based on said turnover efficient frontier. 20. The computer program product as recited by claim 15, wherein said turnover efficient frontier comprises a set of curves indicating net return for said investment fund at different assets under management volumes for varying turnover rates. 21. The computer program product as recited by claim 15, further comprising instructions for:
identifying optimal points along said turnover efficient frontier curves that maximize return; and generating a portfolio rebalancing strategy recommendation for said investment fund based on said turnover efficient frontier, accounting for said external limitations on said investment fund, said recommendation including a recommendation to either increase or decrease turnover of said investment fund or to expand or reduce assets under management in said investment fund. 22. A system for optimizing return of an investment fund, based on a correlation between assets under management (AUM) and turnover, the system comprising:
a server facility coupled with an electronic data network and configured to generate a turnover efficient frontier for an investment fund that models fund return versus fund turnover for one or more fund sizes from computer simulations based on the characteristics of the fund and historical trading data, to determine a current fund return and fund turnover of the investment fund, to determine a current position of the fund on said turnover efficient frontier based on the current fund return and fund turnover, to determine whether an increase or a decrease in one of fund size or turnover will move the fund to an optimal point on said turnover efficient frontier, and to store the results of said determination of whether to increase or decrease in data storage facilities. 23. The system as recited by claim 22, wherein said server facility is further configured to transmit data for a portion of the generated turnover efficient frontier and the current position on a display device to be displayed on a display device. 24. The system as recited by claim 22, wherein said server facility is further configured to generate a report graphically illustrating at least a portion of the generated turnover efficient frontier and the current position onto a display device. 25. The system as recited by claim 22, wherein said server facility is further configured to receive data indicative of a historical performance of assets in said investment fund. 26. The system as recited by claim 22, wherein said server facility is further configured to calculate an optimal amount of investment and turnover for said investment fund based on said turnover efficient frontier. 27. The system as recited by claim 22, wherein said turnover efficient frontier comprises a set of curves indicating net return for said investment fund at different assets under management volumes for varying turnover rates. 28. The system as recited by claim 22, wherein said server facility is further configured to identify optimal points along said turnover efficient frontier curves that maximize return, and to generate a portfolio rebalancing strategy recommendation for said investment fund based on said turnover efficient frontier, accounting for said external limitations on said investment fund, said recommendation including a recommendation to either increase or decrease turnover of said investment fund or to expand or reduce assets under management in said investment fund. 29. The system as recited by claim 22, further comprising:
data storage facilities for storing portfolio and turnover efficient frontier data; and a client user interface executable on a computer or within a web browser, said client user interface configured to communicate with said server facility to exchange data, said client user interface configured to receive input data and to communicate said input data to said server facility, said client user interface configured to receive turnover efficient frontier data from said server facilities and to display said turnover efficient frontier. | 3,600 |
13,013 | 13,013 | 15,421,831 | 3,623 | A method is provided that includes receiving process-related information describing a hierarchical process for production of a product. The process may include segments each of at least some of which include segment components. The method also includes determining an instance in which the segment components are total-ordered, which may include determining an instance in which the segments are total-ordered. For the total-ordered segments, the segment components may be partitioned by disjoint collections based upon earliest availability to produce earliest-available partitions, and separately based upon latest availability to produce latest-available partitions. Order flexibility may be identified for each segment component based upon membership in both earliest-available and latest-available partitions, and an instance in which each partition in both the earliest-available and latest-available partitions contains only one order-inflexible segment component may be determined. In this instance, the segment components may be total-ordered. | 1. An apparatus for implementation of a total-ordering system, the apparatus comprising a processor and a memory storing executable instructions that in response to execution by the processor cause the apparatus to implement at least:
a segment-level total-ordering module configured to receive process-related information describing a hierarchical process for production of a product, the process including a plurality of tasks to produce internal products corresponding to components of the product, two or more of the internal products being segments having precedence relationships, each of at least some of the segments including two or more nested internal products that are segment components at least some of which have precedence relationships across segments, wherein the segment-level total-ordering module is configured to determine an instance in which the segment components are total-ordered and thereby establish a corresponding total-ordered process for production of the product, the segment-level total-ordering module including:
a segment partitioner configured to determine an instance in which the segments of the process are total-ordered; and
a component partitioner coupled to the segment partitioner and, for the total-ordered segments, configured to partition the segment components by disjoint collections based upon earliest availability to produce earliest-available partitions, and separately based upon latest availability to produce latest-available partitions,
wherein the component partitioner is configured to identify order flexibility for each segment component based upon membership in both earliest-available and latest-available partitions, and determine an instance in which each partition in both the earliest-available and latest-available partitions contains only one order-inflexible segment component, the segment components thereby being total-ordered; and
a schedule modeler configured to construct a process schedule for execution of at least some of the tasks, according to the corresponding total-ordered process. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the segment-level total-ordering module further includes:
a consistency checker coupled to the component partitioner and configured to perform a consistency check of a level of content detail of segment components across a number of bordering partitions, and in an instance in which the consistency check fails, merge segment components with overly-specific content detail into other segment components of the same segment, or revise segment components of the same segment to add more specific characterization to the content detail of the respective segment components. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory stores further executable instructions that in response to execution by the processor cause the apparatus to further implement at least:
a lower-level total ordering module configured to receive further process-related information describing the process in which each of at least some of the segment components include two or more lower-level components at least some of which have precedence relationships across segment components, wherein the lower-level total ordering module is configured to determine an instance in which the lower-level components are total-ordered. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the lower-level total ordering module includes:
a lower-level component partitioner configured to partition the lower-level components by disjoint collections based upon earliest availability to produce lower-level earliest-available partitions, and separately based upon latest availability to produce lower-level latest-available partitions, wherein the lower-level component partitioner is configured to identify order flexibility for each lower-level component based upon membership in both lower-level earliest-available and latest-available partitions, and determine an instance in which each partition in both the lower-level earliest-available and latest-available partitions contains only one order-inflexible lower-level component, the lower-level components thereby being total-ordered. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the segment-level total-ordering module further includes:
a consistency checker coupled to the lower-level component partitioner and configured to perform a consistency check of a level of content detail of lower-level components across a number of bordering lower-level partitions, and in an instance in which the consistency check fails, merge lower-level components with overly-specific content detail into other lower-level components of the same segment component, or revise lower-level components of the same segment component to add more specific characterization to the content detail of the respective lower-level components. 6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the process includes lower-level components at one or more lower levels of the hierarchy including a lowest level, the lower-level components at the lowest level being lowest-level components at least some of which have precedence relationships across parent components at a parent level of the hierarchy,
wherein the lower-level total ordering module is configured to determine an instance in which the lowest-level components are not total-ordered, but the parent components are total-ordered, and wherein the total-ordering system further comprises a lowest-level total ordering module configured to confirm total-order of the process through its lowest level, or adjust content of the lowest-level components to satisfy total-order. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the lowest-level total ordering module includes:
an assessor configured to identify disjoint partitions of lowest-level components containing multiple lowest-level, order-inflexible components, and define input or output threads of the lowest-level, order-inflexible components across a number of preceding and/or succeeding partition boundaries, wherein the assessor is configured to determine an instance in which only one of the lowest-level, order-inflexible components in its partition has only corresponding lowest-level, order-inflexible components in its input or output thread, the lowest-level components of the process thereby being total-ordered. 8. A method comprising:
receiving process-related information describing a hierarchical process for production of a product, the process including a plurality of tasks to produce internal products corresponding to components of the product, two or more of the internal products being segments having precedence relationships, each of at least some of the segments including two or more nested internal products that are segment components at least some of which have precedence relationships across segments; and determining an instance in which the segment components are total-ordered and thereby establishing a corresponding total-ordered process for production of the product or part thereof, including:
determining an instance in which the segments of the process are total-ordered; and for the total-ordered segments,
partitioning the segment components by disjoint collections based upon earliest availability to produce earliest-available partitions, and separately based upon latest availability to produce latest-available partitions; and
identifying order flexibility for each segment component based upon membership in both earliest-available and latest-available partitions, and determining an instance in which each partition in both the earliest-available and latest-available partitions contains only one order-inflexible segment component, the segment components thereby being total-ordered; and
constructing a process schedule for execution of at least some of the tasks, according to the corresponding total-ordered process. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the instance in which the segment components are total-ordered further includes:
performing a consistency check of a level of content detail of segment components across a number of bordering partitions, and in an instance in which the consistency check fails, merging segment components with overly-specific content detail into other segment components of the same segment, or revising segment components of the same segment to add more specific characterization to the content detail of the respective segment components. 10. The method of claim 8 further comprising:
receiving further process-related information describing the process in which each of at least some of the segment components include two or more lower-level components at least some of which have precedence relationships across segment components; and
determining an instance in which the lower-level components are total-ordered. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the instance in which the lower-level components are total-ordered includes:
partitioning the lower-level components by disjoint collections based upon earliest availability to produce lower-level earliest-available partitions, and separately based upon latest availability to produce lower-level latest-available partitions; and identifying order flexibility for each lower-level component based upon membership in both lower-level earliest-available and latest-available partitions, and determining an instance in which each partition in both the lower-level earliest-available and latest-available partitions contains only one order-inflexible lower-level component, the lower-level components thereby being total-ordered. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein determining the instance in which the lower-level components are total-ordered further includes:
performing a consistency check of a level of content detail of lower-level components across a number of bordering lower-level partitions, and in an instance in which the consistency check fails, merging lower-level components with overly-specific content detail into other lower-level components of the same segment component, or revising lower-level components of the same segment component to add more specific characterization to the content detail of the respective lower-level components. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the process includes lower-level components at one or more lower levels of the hierarchy including a lowest level, the lower-level components at the lowest level being lowest-level components at least some of which have precedence relationships across parent components at a parent level of the hierarchy, and wherein the method further includes:
determining an instance in which the lowest-level components are not total-ordered, but the parent components are total-ordered; and confirming total-order of the process through its lowest level, or adjusting content of the lowest-level components to satisfy total-order. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein confirming total-order of the process through its lowest level includes:
identifying disjoint partitions of lowest-level components containing multiple lowest-level, order-inflexible components, and defining input or output threads of the lowest-level, order-inflexible components across a number of preceding and/or succeeding partition boundaries; and determining an instance in which only one of the lowest-level, order-inflexible components in its partition has only corresponding lowest-level, order-inflexible components in its input or output thread, the lowest-level components of the process thereby being total-ordered. 15. A computer-readable storage medium that is non-transitory and has computer-readable program code portions stored therein that, in response to execution by a processor, cause an apparatus to at least:
receive process-related information describing a hierarchical process for production of a product, the process including a plurality of tasks to produce internal products corresponding to components of the product, two or more of the internal products being segments having precedence relationships, each of at least some of the segments including two or more nested internal products that are segment components at least some of which have precedence relationships across segments; and determine an instance in which the segment components are total-ordered and thereby establish a corresponding total-ordered process for production of the product or part thereof, including the apparatus being caused to:
determine an instance in which the segments of the process are total-ordered; and for the total-ordered segments,
partition the segment components by disjoint collections based upon earliest availability to produce earliest-available partitions, and separately based upon latest availability to produce latest-available partitions; and
identify order flexibility for each segment component based upon membership in both earliest-available and latest-available partitions, and determine an instance in which each partition in both the earliest-available and latest-available partitions contains only one order-inflexible segment component, the segment components thereby being total-ordered; and
construct a process schedule for execution of at least some of the tasks, according to the corresponding total-ordered process. 16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the apparatus being caused to determine an instance in which the segment components are total-ordered includes the apparatus being caused to:
perform a consistency check of a level of content detail of segment components across a number of bordering partitions, and in an instance in which the consistency check fails, merge segment components with overly-specific content detail into other segment components of the same segment, or revise segment components of the same segment to add more specific characterization to the content detail of the respective segment components. 17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15 having further computer-readable program code portions stored therein that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the apparatus to further:
receive further process-related information describing the process in which each of at least some of the segment components include two or more lower-level components at least some of which have precedence relationships across segment components; and
determine an instance in which the lower-level components are total-ordered. 18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the apparatus being caused to determine an instance in which the lower-level components are total-ordered includes the apparatus being caused to:
partition the lower-level components by disjoint collections based upon earliest availability to produce lower-level earliest-available partitions, and separately based upon latest availability to produce lower-level latest-available partitions; and identify order flexibility for each lower-level component based upon membership in both lower-level earliest-available and latest-available partitions, and determine an instance in which each partition in both the lower-level earliest-available and latest-available partitions contains only one order-inflexible lower-level component, the lower-level components thereby being total-ordered. 19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the apparatus being caused to determine an instance in which the lower-level components are total-ordered further includes the apparatus being caused to:
perform a consistency check of a level of content detail of lower-level components across a number of bordering lower-level partitions, and in an instance in which the consistency check fails, merge lower-level components with overly-specific content detail into other lower-level components of the same segment component, or revise lower-level components of the same segment component to add more specific characterization to the content detail of the respective lower-level components. 20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the process includes lower-level components at one or more lower levels of the hierarchy including a lowest level, the lower-level components at the lowest level being lowest-level components at least some of which have precedence relationships across parent components at a parent level of the hierarchy,
wherein the computer-readable storage medium has further computer-readable program code portions stored therein that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the apparatus to further: determine an instance in which the lowest-level components are not total-ordered, but the parent components are total-ordered; and confirm total-order of the process through its lowest level, or adjust content of the lowest-level components to satisfy total-order. | A method is provided that includes receiving process-related information describing a hierarchical process for production of a product. The process may include segments each of at least some of which include segment components. The method also includes determining an instance in which the segment components are total-ordered, which may include determining an instance in which the segments are total-ordered. For the total-ordered segments, the segment components may be partitioned by disjoint collections based upon earliest availability to produce earliest-available partitions, and separately based upon latest availability to produce latest-available partitions. Order flexibility may be identified for each segment component based upon membership in both earliest-available and latest-available partitions, and an instance in which each partition in both the earliest-available and latest-available partitions contains only one order-inflexible segment component may be determined. In this instance, the segment components may be total-ordered.1. An apparatus for implementation of a total-ordering system, the apparatus comprising a processor and a memory storing executable instructions that in response to execution by the processor cause the apparatus to implement at least:
a segment-level total-ordering module configured to receive process-related information describing a hierarchical process for production of a product, the process including a plurality of tasks to produce internal products corresponding to components of the product, two or more of the internal products being segments having precedence relationships, each of at least some of the segments including two or more nested internal products that are segment components at least some of which have precedence relationships across segments, wherein the segment-level total-ordering module is configured to determine an instance in which the segment components are total-ordered and thereby establish a corresponding total-ordered process for production of the product, the segment-level total-ordering module including:
a segment partitioner configured to determine an instance in which the segments of the process are total-ordered; and
a component partitioner coupled to the segment partitioner and, for the total-ordered segments, configured to partition the segment components by disjoint collections based upon earliest availability to produce earliest-available partitions, and separately based upon latest availability to produce latest-available partitions,
wherein the component partitioner is configured to identify order flexibility for each segment component based upon membership in both earliest-available and latest-available partitions, and determine an instance in which each partition in both the earliest-available and latest-available partitions contains only one order-inflexible segment component, the segment components thereby being total-ordered; and
a schedule modeler configured to construct a process schedule for execution of at least some of the tasks, according to the corresponding total-ordered process. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the segment-level total-ordering module further includes:
a consistency checker coupled to the component partitioner and configured to perform a consistency check of a level of content detail of segment components across a number of bordering partitions, and in an instance in which the consistency check fails, merge segment components with overly-specific content detail into other segment components of the same segment, or revise segment components of the same segment to add more specific characterization to the content detail of the respective segment components. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory stores further executable instructions that in response to execution by the processor cause the apparatus to further implement at least:
a lower-level total ordering module configured to receive further process-related information describing the process in which each of at least some of the segment components include two or more lower-level components at least some of which have precedence relationships across segment components, wherein the lower-level total ordering module is configured to determine an instance in which the lower-level components are total-ordered. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the lower-level total ordering module includes:
a lower-level component partitioner configured to partition the lower-level components by disjoint collections based upon earliest availability to produce lower-level earliest-available partitions, and separately based upon latest availability to produce lower-level latest-available partitions, wherein the lower-level component partitioner is configured to identify order flexibility for each lower-level component based upon membership in both lower-level earliest-available and latest-available partitions, and determine an instance in which each partition in both the lower-level earliest-available and latest-available partitions contains only one order-inflexible lower-level component, the lower-level components thereby being total-ordered. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the segment-level total-ordering module further includes:
a consistency checker coupled to the lower-level component partitioner and configured to perform a consistency check of a level of content detail of lower-level components across a number of bordering lower-level partitions, and in an instance in which the consistency check fails, merge lower-level components with overly-specific content detail into other lower-level components of the same segment component, or revise lower-level components of the same segment component to add more specific characterization to the content detail of the respective lower-level components. 6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the process includes lower-level components at one or more lower levels of the hierarchy including a lowest level, the lower-level components at the lowest level being lowest-level components at least some of which have precedence relationships across parent components at a parent level of the hierarchy,
wherein the lower-level total ordering module is configured to determine an instance in which the lowest-level components are not total-ordered, but the parent components are total-ordered, and wherein the total-ordering system further comprises a lowest-level total ordering module configured to confirm total-order of the process through its lowest level, or adjust content of the lowest-level components to satisfy total-order. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the lowest-level total ordering module includes:
an assessor configured to identify disjoint partitions of lowest-level components containing multiple lowest-level, order-inflexible components, and define input or output threads of the lowest-level, order-inflexible components across a number of preceding and/or succeeding partition boundaries, wherein the assessor is configured to determine an instance in which only one of the lowest-level, order-inflexible components in its partition has only corresponding lowest-level, order-inflexible components in its input or output thread, the lowest-level components of the process thereby being total-ordered. 8. A method comprising:
receiving process-related information describing a hierarchical process for production of a product, the process including a plurality of tasks to produce internal products corresponding to components of the product, two or more of the internal products being segments having precedence relationships, each of at least some of the segments including two or more nested internal products that are segment components at least some of which have precedence relationships across segments; and determining an instance in which the segment components are total-ordered and thereby establishing a corresponding total-ordered process for production of the product or part thereof, including:
determining an instance in which the segments of the process are total-ordered; and for the total-ordered segments,
partitioning the segment components by disjoint collections based upon earliest availability to produce earliest-available partitions, and separately based upon latest availability to produce latest-available partitions; and
identifying order flexibility for each segment component based upon membership in both earliest-available and latest-available partitions, and determining an instance in which each partition in both the earliest-available and latest-available partitions contains only one order-inflexible segment component, the segment components thereby being total-ordered; and
constructing a process schedule for execution of at least some of the tasks, according to the corresponding total-ordered process. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the instance in which the segment components are total-ordered further includes:
performing a consistency check of a level of content detail of segment components across a number of bordering partitions, and in an instance in which the consistency check fails, merging segment components with overly-specific content detail into other segment components of the same segment, or revising segment components of the same segment to add more specific characterization to the content detail of the respective segment components. 10. The method of claim 8 further comprising:
receiving further process-related information describing the process in which each of at least some of the segment components include two or more lower-level components at least some of which have precedence relationships across segment components; and
determining an instance in which the lower-level components are total-ordered. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the instance in which the lower-level components are total-ordered includes:
partitioning the lower-level components by disjoint collections based upon earliest availability to produce lower-level earliest-available partitions, and separately based upon latest availability to produce lower-level latest-available partitions; and identifying order flexibility for each lower-level component based upon membership in both lower-level earliest-available and latest-available partitions, and determining an instance in which each partition in both the lower-level earliest-available and latest-available partitions contains only one order-inflexible lower-level component, the lower-level components thereby being total-ordered. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein determining the instance in which the lower-level components are total-ordered further includes:
performing a consistency check of a level of content detail of lower-level components across a number of bordering lower-level partitions, and in an instance in which the consistency check fails, merging lower-level components with overly-specific content detail into other lower-level components of the same segment component, or revising lower-level components of the same segment component to add more specific characterization to the content detail of the respective lower-level components. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the process includes lower-level components at one or more lower levels of the hierarchy including a lowest level, the lower-level components at the lowest level being lowest-level components at least some of which have precedence relationships across parent components at a parent level of the hierarchy, and wherein the method further includes:
determining an instance in which the lowest-level components are not total-ordered, but the parent components are total-ordered; and confirming total-order of the process through its lowest level, or adjusting content of the lowest-level components to satisfy total-order. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein confirming total-order of the process through its lowest level includes:
identifying disjoint partitions of lowest-level components containing multiple lowest-level, order-inflexible components, and defining input or output threads of the lowest-level, order-inflexible components across a number of preceding and/or succeeding partition boundaries; and determining an instance in which only one of the lowest-level, order-inflexible components in its partition has only corresponding lowest-level, order-inflexible components in its input or output thread, the lowest-level components of the process thereby being total-ordered. 15. A computer-readable storage medium that is non-transitory and has computer-readable program code portions stored therein that, in response to execution by a processor, cause an apparatus to at least:
receive process-related information describing a hierarchical process for production of a product, the process including a plurality of tasks to produce internal products corresponding to components of the product, two or more of the internal products being segments having precedence relationships, each of at least some of the segments including two or more nested internal products that are segment components at least some of which have precedence relationships across segments; and determine an instance in which the segment components are total-ordered and thereby establish a corresponding total-ordered process for production of the product or part thereof, including the apparatus being caused to:
determine an instance in which the segments of the process are total-ordered; and for the total-ordered segments,
partition the segment components by disjoint collections based upon earliest availability to produce earliest-available partitions, and separately based upon latest availability to produce latest-available partitions; and
identify order flexibility for each segment component based upon membership in both earliest-available and latest-available partitions, and determine an instance in which each partition in both the earliest-available and latest-available partitions contains only one order-inflexible segment component, the segment components thereby being total-ordered; and
construct a process schedule for execution of at least some of the tasks, according to the corresponding total-ordered process. 16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the apparatus being caused to determine an instance in which the segment components are total-ordered includes the apparatus being caused to:
perform a consistency check of a level of content detail of segment components across a number of bordering partitions, and in an instance in which the consistency check fails, merge segment components with overly-specific content detail into other segment components of the same segment, or revise segment components of the same segment to add more specific characterization to the content detail of the respective segment components. 17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15 having further computer-readable program code portions stored therein that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the apparatus to further:
receive further process-related information describing the process in which each of at least some of the segment components include two or more lower-level components at least some of which have precedence relationships across segment components; and
determine an instance in which the lower-level components are total-ordered. 18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the apparatus being caused to determine an instance in which the lower-level components are total-ordered includes the apparatus being caused to:
partition the lower-level components by disjoint collections based upon earliest availability to produce lower-level earliest-available partitions, and separately based upon latest availability to produce lower-level latest-available partitions; and identify order flexibility for each lower-level component based upon membership in both lower-level earliest-available and latest-available partitions, and determine an instance in which each partition in both the lower-level earliest-available and latest-available partitions contains only one order-inflexible lower-level component, the lower-level components thereby being total-ordered. 19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the apparatus being caused to determine an instance in which the lower-level components are total-ordered further includes the apparatus being caused to:
perform a consistency check of a level of content detail of lower-level components across a number of bordering lower-level partitions, and in an instance in which the consistency check fails, merge lower-level components with overly-specific content detail into other lower-level components of the same segment component, or revise lower-level components of the same segment component to add more specific characterization to the content detail of the respective lower-level components. 20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the process includes lower-level components at one or more lower levels of the hierarchy including a lowest level, the lower-level components at the lowest level being lowest-level components at least some of which have precedence relationships across parent components at a parent level of the hierarchy,
wherein the computer-readable storage medium has further computer-readable program code portions stored therein that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the apparatus to further: determine an instance in which the lowest-level components are not total-ordered, but the parent components are total-ordered; and confirm total-order of the process through its lowest level, or adjust content of the lowest-level components to satisfy total-order. | 3,600 |
13,014 | 13,014 | 11,613,182 | 3,697 | According to an embodiment, a life settlement module that is operable to receive information relating to a life insurance policy, and to calculate a value or range of values that characterizes the life insurance policy. An annuity module that is operable to receive information relating to an annuity, and in response to the received information, calculate a single value or range of values that characterize the annuity. | 1. An apparatus comprising:
a life settlement module that is operable to
receive information relating to a life insurance policy, and to
calculate a value or range of values that characterizes the life insurance policy; and
an annuity module that is operable to
receive information relating to an annuity, and
in response to the received information, calculate a single value or range of values that characterize the annuity. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a display that is operable to display at least one of
A) the single value or range of values that characterizes the annuity;
B) the single value or range of values that characterize the life insurance policy;
C) the difference between
the single value or range of values that characterizes the annuity, and
the single value or range of values that characterizes the life insurance policy; and
D) an indication as to which of the single value or range of values in A) and B) is greater. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the received information relating to the annuity comprises at least one of the insured's age and a set of periodic payments. 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the received information relating to the life insurance policy comprises at least one of
A) the life expectancy of the insured; B) the credit worthiness of the issuer of the insurance policy; and C) market information relating to the trading of other life insurance policies. 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the value or range of values that characterizes the life insurance policy forms at least a portion of the information relating to the annuity. 6. A method comprising:
receiving information relating to the life insurance policy; in response to the received information relating to the life insurance policy, characterizing the life insurance policy as a single value or range of values; receiving information relating to the annuity; and in response to the received information relating to the annuity characterizing the annuity as a single value or range of values. 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising
displaying at least one of
A) the single value or range of values that characterizes the annuity;
B) the single value or range of values that characterize the life insurance policy;
C) the difference between the single value or range of values that characterizes the annuity and the single value or range of values that characterizes the life insurance policy; and
D) an indication which of the single value or range of values in A) and B) is greater. 8. The method of claim 6 wherein the receiving information relating to the annuity comprises
receiving information relating to at least one of the insured's age and a set of periodic payments. 9. The method of claim 6 wherein the receiving information related to the life insurance policy further comprises:
receiving information relating to at least one of
A) the life expectancy of the insured;
B) the credit worthiness of the issuer of the insurance policy; and
C) market information relating to the trading of other life insurance policies. 10. The method of claim 6 further comprising:
using value or range of values that characterizes the life insurance policy as a portion of the information relating to the annuity. 11. An apparatus comprising:
A computing device programmed to perform the method of claim 6. | According to an embodiment, a life settlement module that is operable to receive information relating to a life insurance policy, and to calculate a value or range of values that characterizes the life insurance policy. An annuity module that is operable to receive information relating to an annuity, and in response to the received information, calculate a single value or range of values that characterize the annuity.1. An apparatus comprising:
a life settlement module that is operable to
receive information relating to a life insurance policy, and to
calculate a value or range of values that characterizes the life insurance policy; and
an annuity module that is operable to
receive information relating to an annuity, and
in response to the received information, calculate a single value or range of values that characterize the annuity. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a display that is operable to display at least one of
A) the single value or range of values that characterizes the annuity;
B) the single value or range of values that characterize the life insurance policy;
C) the difference between
the single value or range of values that characterizes the annuity, and
the single value or range of values that characterizes the life insurance policy; and
D) an indication as to which of the single value or range of values in A) and B) is greater. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the received information relating to the annuity comprises at least one of the insured's age and a set of periodic payments. 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the received information relating to the life insurance policy comprises at least one of
A) the life expectancy of the insured; B) the credit worthiness of the issuer of the insurance policy; and C) market information relating to the trading of other life insurance policies. 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the value or range of values that characterizes the life insurance policy forms at least a portion of the information relating to the annuity. 6. A method comprising:
receiving information relating to the life insurance policy; in response to the received information relating to the life insurance policy, characterizing the life insurance policy as a single value or range of values; receiving information relating to the annuity; and in response to the received information relating to the annuity characterizing the annuity as a single value or range of values. 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising
displaying at least one of
A) the single value or range of values that characterizes the annuity;
B) the single value or range of values that characterize the life insurance policy;
C) the difference between the single value or range of values that characterizes the annuity and the single value or range of values that characterizes the life insurance policy; and
D) an indication which of the single value or range of values in A) and B) is greater. 8. The method of claim 6 wherein the receiving information relating to the annuity comprises
receiving information relating to at least one of the insured's age and a set of periodic payments. 9. The method of claim 6 wherein the receiving information related to the life insurance policy further comprises:
receiving information relating to at least one of
A) the life expectancy of the insured;
B) the credit worthiness of the issuer of the insurance policy; and
C) market information relating to the trading of other life insurance policies. 10. The method of claim 6 further comprising:
using value or range of values that characterizes the life insurance policy as a portion of the information relating to the annuity. 11. An apparatus comprising:
A computing device programmed to perform the method of claim 6. | 3,600 |
13,015 | 13,015 | 14,936,446 | 3,651 | A mechanically-controlled vacuum throttle for a continuous dense phase pneumatic conveying system and related method is provided. The system includes a pneumatic conveyance line, a particulate material insertion assembly, a positive displacement blower, a transport fluid intake assembly, and a vacuum throttling assembly. The vacuum throttling assembly is configured to control the flow of air mass density into the blower and through the conveyance line. A portion of the vacuum throttling assembly is tied in to the conveyance line pressure downstream of the blower and adjusts the air mass density flow depending on the downstream pressure. Preferably, the vacuum throttling assembly includes an obstruction element and an opening collar, where the obstruction element is moveable relative to the opening collar and the air mass density flow is adjusted depending on the amount of movement of the obstruction element relative to the opening collar. | 1. A mechanically controlled vacuum throttle assembly for a particulate material continuous dense phase pneumatic conveyance system, said system comprising a conveyance line with a pressure side located downstream from a positive displacement blower and a vacuum side located upstream from the blower, said vacuum throttle assembly comprising:
an opening collar in fluid communication with the vacuum side of the conveyance line; an obstruction element, said obstruction element and said opening collar being configured to mate one with the other and move one relative to the other such that a fluid mass density flow rate through said opening collar is variable depending on the movement of said obstruction element relative to said opening collar; and a portion of said vacuum throttle assembly is in fluid communication with the pressure side of the conveyance line, said vacuum throttling assembly configured to vary the flow of a transport fluid mass density into the vacuum side of the conveyance line depending on the pressure of the pressure side of the conveyance line. 2. A method of mechanically controlling air mass flow rate in a particulate material continuous dense phase pneumatic conveyance system having a conveyance line with a vacuum side and a pressure side, said method comprising:
mechanically moving an obstruction element relative to an opening collar on the vacuum side of the conveyance line depending on the pressure of the pressure side of the conveyance line. 3. The system of claim 22, wherein when the pressure on the pressure side of the conveyance line increases, the obstruction element moves relative to the opening collar such that the flow of transport fluid mass (i.e., density of transport fluid flow) is increased. 4. The system of claim 22, wherein when the pressure on the pressure side of the conveyance line decreases, the obstruction element moves relative to the opening collar such that the flow of transport fluid mass (i.e., density of transport fluid flow) is restricted. | A mechanically-controlled vacuum throttle for a continuous dense phase pneumatic conveying system and related method is provided. The system includes a pneumatic conveyance line, a particulate material insertion assembly, a positive displacement blower, a transport fluid intake assembly, and a vacuum throttling assembly. The vacuum throttling assembly is configured to control the flow of air mass density into the blower and through the conveyance line. A portion of the vacuum throttling assembly is tied in to the conveyance line pressure downstream of the blower and adjusts the air mass density flow depending on the downstream pressure. Preferably, the vacuum throttling assembly includes an obstruction element and an opening collar, where the obstruction element is moveable relative to the opening collar and the air mass density flow is adjusted depending on the amount of movement of the obstruction element relative to the opening collar.1. A mechanically controlled vacuum throttle assembly for a particulate material continuous dense phase pneumatic conveyance system, said system comprising a conveyance line with a pressure side located downstream from a positive displacement blower and a vacuum side located upstream from the blower, said vacuum throttle assembly comprising:
an opening collar in fluid communication with the vacuum side of the conveyance line; an obstruction element, said obstruction element and said opening collar being configured to mate one with the other and move one relative to the other such that a fluid mass density flow rate through said opening collar is variable depending on the movement of said obstruction element relative to said opening collar; and a portion of said vacuum throttle assembly is in fluid communication with the pressure side of the conveyance line, said vacuum throttling assembly configured to vary the flow of a transport fluid mass density into the vacuum side of the conveyance line depending on the pressure of the pressure side of the conveyance line. 2. A method of mechanically controlling air mass flow rate in a particulate material continuous dense phase pneumatic conveyance system having a conveyance line with a vacuum side and a pressure side, said method comprising:
mechanically moving an obstruction element relative to an opening collar on the vacuum side of the conveyance line depending on the pressure of the pressure side of the conveyance line. 3. The system of claim 22, wherein when the pressure on the pressure side of the conveyance line increases, the obstruction element moves relative to the opening collar such that the flow of transport fluid mass (i.e., density of transport fluid flow) is increased. 4. The system of claim 22, wherein when the pressure on the pressure side of the conveyance line decreases, the obstruction element moves relative to the opening collar such that the flow of transport fluid mass (i.e., density of transport fluid flow) is restricted. | 3,600 |
13,016 | 13,016 | 14,088,715 | 3,662 | In at least one embodiment, a method for presenting route traversal information includes displaying a route map comprising a route path representing a route previously traversed by an athlete, receiving a plurality of parameter data points based on the athlete's previous traversal of the route, generating a visual cue based on at least one of the plurality of parameter data points, and displaying the visual cue on the route path. | 1. A method for presenting route traversal information, comprising:
displaying a route map comprising a route path representing a route previously traversed by an athlete; receiving a plurality of parameter data points based on the athlete's previous traversal of the route; generating a visual cue based on at least one of the plurality of parameter data points; and displaying the visual cue on the route path. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of parameter data points comprise athletic performance data. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the athletic performance data comprises heart rate data. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the athletic performance data comprises pace data. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of parameter data points comprise route parameter data. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the route parameter data comprises at least one of distance and elevation data. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of parameter data points comprise athletic performance data and route parameter data. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of parameter data points comprise environmental parameter data. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the visual cue comprises a color. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein a variation of the color corresponds to a variation in a value of the plurality of parameter data points. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the variation of the color comprises a darkening of the color, and wherein the variation in the value of the plurality of parameter data points comprises an increase in the value of the plurality of parameter data points. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the route path further comprises a plurality of bands, and wherein each of the plurality of bands is based on at least one of a route parameter, a performance parameter, and an environmental parameter. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein at least one of the plurality of bands comprises the visual cue, and wherein the visual cue indicates a relative change in a value of the plurality of parameter data points on at least one of the plurality of bands. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the route path further comprises a plurality of route path segments, and wherein generating the visual cue comprises each of the route path segments having a distinct visual cue. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein each of the distinct visual cues is based on at least one of a route grade, a predetermined distance, a user input, and athletic performance data. 16. A method for presenting route traversal information, comprising:
displaying a route map; receiving a plurality of global positioning satellite waypoints based on an athlete's current traversal of a route; displaying a route path as an overlay on the route map of the route currently being traversed by the athlete; receiving at least one of route data, performance data, and environmental parameter data based on the athlete's current traversal of the route; determining one or more visual cues based on at least one of the route data, the performance data, the environmental parameter data, and the plurality of global positioning satellite waypoints; and displaying the one or more visual cues on the route path. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein displaying the one or more visual cues occurs in substantially real-time during the current traversal. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein a portion of the one or more visual cues corresponds to an instantaneous quantity of at least one of the route data, performance data, and environmental parameter data at a corresponding portion of the route path. 19. The method of claim 16, wherein a change in the one or more visual cues corresponds to a change in an intensity level of the athlete. 20. The method of claim 16, wherein a change in the shade of the one or more visual cues corresponds to a decrease in the athlete's heart rate. 21. The method of claim 16, wherein a change in the shade of the one or more visual cues corresponds to a relative increase in the route data. 22. The method of claim 16, further comprising updating the one or more visual cues based on at least one of the route data, the performance data, the environmental parameter data, and the plurality of global positioning satellite waypoints, after displaying the one or more visual cues on the route path. 23. The method of claim 16, wherein the one or more visual cues comprises a color gradient. | In at least one embodiment, a method for presenting route traversal information includes displaying a route map comprising a route path representing a route previously traversed by an athlete, receiving a plurality of parameter data points based on the athlete's previous traversal of the route, generating a visual cue based on at least one of the plurality of parameter data points, and displaying the visual cue on the route path.1. A method for presenting route traversal information, comprising:
displaying a route map comprising a route path representing a route previously traversed by an athlete; receiving a plurality of parameter data points based on the athlete's previous traversal of the route; generating a visual cue based on at least one of the plurality of parameter data points; and displaying the visual cue on the route path. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of parameter data points comprise athletic performance data. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the athletic performance data comprises heart rate data. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the athletic performance data comprises pace data. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of parameter data points comprise route parameter data. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the route parameter data comprises at least one of distance and elevation data. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of parameter data points comprise athletic performance data and route parameter data. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of parameter data points comprise environmental parameter data. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the visual cue comprises a color. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein a variation of the color corresponds to a variation in a value of the plurality of parameter data points. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the variation of the color comprises a darkening of the color, and wherein the variation in the value of the plurality of parameter data points comprises an increase in the value of the plurality of parameter data points. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the route path further comprises a plurality of bands, and wherein each of the plurality of bands is based on at least one of a route parameter, a performance parameter, and an environmental parameter. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein at least one of the plurality of bands comprises the visual cue, and wherein the visual cue indicates a relative change in a value of the plurality of parameter data points on at least one of the plurality of bands. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the route path further comprises a plurality of route path segments, and wherein generating the visual cue comprises each of the route path segments having a distinct visual cue. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein each of the distinct visual cues is based on at least one of a route grade, a predetermined distance, a user input, and athletic performance data. 16. A method for presenting route traversal information, comprising:
displaying a route map; receiving a plurality of global positioning satellite waypoints based on an athlete's current traversal of a route; displaying a route path as an overlay on the route map of the route currently being traversed by the athlete; receiving at least one of route data, performance data, and environmental parameter data based on the athlete's current traversal of the route; determining one or more visual cues based on at least one of the route data, the performance data, the environmental parameter data, and the plurality of global positioning satellite waypoints; and displaying the one or more visual cues on the route path. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein displaying the one or more visual cues occurs in substantially real-time during the current traversal. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein a portion of the one or more visual cues corresponds to an instantaneous quantity of at least one of the route data, performance data, and environmental parameter data at a corresponding portion of the route path. 19. The method of claim 16, wherein a change in the one or more visual cues corresponds to a change in an intensity level of the athlete. 20. The method of claim 16, wherein a change in the shade of the one or more visual cues corresponds to a decrease in the athlete's heart rate. 21. The method of claim 16, wherein a change in the shade of the one or more visual cues corresponds to a relative increase in the route data. 22. The method of claim 16, further comprising updating the one or more visual cues based on at least one of the route data, the performance data, the environmental parameter data, and the plurality of global positioning satellite waypoints, after displaying the one or more visual cues on the route path. 23. The method of claim 16, wherein the one or more visual cues comprises a color gradient. | 3,600 |
13,017 | 13,017 | 15,019,830 | 3,656 | A wheel hub and bearing assembly including a pair of bearing and a wheel hub configured to receive the pair of bearings. The pair of bearings spaced an axial distance apart within the hub and disposed on bearing lands respectively. At least one of the pair of bearings having an extended inner bearing cone extending at least partially along the axial distance separating the pair of bearings. | 1. A wheel hub and bearing assembly, comprising:
a wheel hub having a pair of bearing lands spaced an axial distance apart; and a bearing assembly having a first tapered roller bearing and a second tapered roller bearing, each tapered roller bearing including:
a bearing cup having an angled inner circumference and configured to rest on one of the bearing lands,
a bearing cone having a radially angled groove about an outer circumference and disposed within the bearing cup, and
a plurality of rollers disposed within the radially angled groove between the angled inner circumference of the bearing cup,
wherein the bearing cone of the first tapered roller bearing is configured to abut the bearing cone of the second tapered roller bearing at a point along the axial distance. 2. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the bearing cone of the first tapered roller bearing has an axial length equal to an axial length of the bearing cone of the second tapered roller bearing. 3. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the bearing cone of the first tapered roller bearing has an axial length different than an axial length of the bearing cone of the second tapered roller bearing. 4. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the bearing cone of the first tapered roller bearing has an axial length extending across the axial distance. 5. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the wheel hub, the first tapered roller bearing and the second tapered roller bearing are configured to receive a straight spindle. 6. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the wheel hub, the first tapered roller bearing and the second tapered roller bearing are configured to receive a tapered spindle. 7. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 6, wherein the bearing cone of the first tapered roller bearing has a first diameter and extends to a point along the axial distance, terminating in a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. 8. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 6, wherein the bearing cone of the first tapered roller bearing has a first diameter and extends to a point along the axial distance, terminating in a second diameter larger than the first diameter. 9. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the wheel hub and bearing assembly are configured to receive at least one of a P-type trailer spindle, an N-type trailer spindle, a R-series drive spindle and an FF-series front-steer spindle. 10. A wheel hub and bearing assembly, comprising:
a wheel hub having a pair of bearing landings spaced an axial distance apart, and the bearing assembly having a first bearing and a second bearing, each bearing including:
a bearing cup having a first bearing surface about an inner circumference and configured to rest on one of the bearing lands,
a bearing cone having a second bearing surface about an outer circumference and disposed within the bearing cup, and
a bearing element disposed between the first bearing surface of the bearing cup and the second bearing surface of the bearing cone,
wherein the bearing cone of the first bearing is configured to abut the bearing cone of the second bearing at a point along the axial distance. 11. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 10, wherein the bearing cone of the first bearing has an axial length equal to an axial length of the bearing cone of the second bearing. 12. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 10, wherein the bearing cone of the first bearing has an axial length different than an axial length of the bearing cone of the second bearing. 13. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 10, wherein the bearing cone of the first bearing has an axial length extending across the axial distance. 14. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 7, wherein the wheel hub, the first bearing and the second bearing are configured to receive a straight spindle. 15. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 7, wherein the wheel hub, the first bearing and the second bearing are configured to receive a tapered spindle. 16. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 10, wherein the bearing cone of the first bearing has a first diameter and extends to a point along the axial distance, terminating in a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. 17. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 10, wherein the bearing cone of the first tapered roller bearing has a first diameter and extends to a point along the axial distance, terminating in a second diameter larger than the first diameter. 18. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 10, wherein the wheel hub and bearing assembly are configured to receive at least one of a P-type trailer spindle, an N-type trailer spindle, a R-series drive spindle and an FF-series front-steer spindle. 19. A tapered roller bearing, comprising:
an annular bearing cup having a first height and an angled inner circumference; an annular bearing cone disposed within the annular bearing cup, the annular bearing cone having a second height greater than the first height and a radially angled groove about an outer circumference; and a plurality of cylindrical rollers distributed within the angled groove and between the inner circumference of the annular bearing cup. | A wheel hub and bearing assembly including a pair of bearing and a wheel hub configured to receive the pair of bearings. The pair of bearings spaced an axial distance apart within the hub and disposed on bearing lands respectively. At least one of the pair of bearings having an extended inner bearing cone extending at least partially along the axial distance separating the pair of bearings.1. A wheel hub and bearing assembly, comprising:
a wheel hub having a pair of bearing lands spaced an axial distance apart; and a bearing assembly having a first tapered roller bearing and a second tapered roller bearing, each tapered roller bearing including:
a bearing cup having an angled inner circumference and configured to rest on one of the bearing lands,
a bearing cone having a radially angled groove about an outer circumference and disposed within the bearing cup, and
a plurality of rollers disposed within the radially angled groove between the angled inner circumference of the bearing cup,
wherein the bearing cone of the first tapered roller bearing is configured to abut the bearing cone of the second tapered roller bearing at a point along the axial distance. 2. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the bearing cone of the first tapered roller bearing has an axial length equal to an axial length of the bearing cone of the second tapered roller bearing. 3. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the bearing cone of the first tapered roller bearing has an axial length different than an axial length of the bearing cone of the second tapered roller bearing. 4. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the bearing cone of the first tapered roller bearing has an axial length extending across the axial distance. 5. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the wheel hub, the first tapered roller bearing and the second tapered roller bearing are configured to receive a straight spindle. 6. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the wheel hub, the first tapered roller bearing and the second tapered roller bearing are configured to receive a tapered spindle. 7. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 6, wherein the bearing cone of the first tapered roller bearing has a first diameter and extends to a point along the axial distance, terminating in a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. 8. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 6, wherein the bearing cone of the first tapered roller bearing has a first diameter and extends to a point along the axial distance, terminating in a second diameter larger than the first diameter. 9. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 1, wherein the wheel hub and bearing assembly are configured to receive at least one of a P-type trailer spindle, an N-type trailer spindle, a R-series drive spindle and an FF-series front-steer spindle. 10. A wheel hub and bearing assembly, comprising:
a wheel hub having a pair of bearing landings spaced an axial distance apart, and the bearing assembly having a first bearing and a second bearing, each bearing including:
a bearing cup having a first bearing surface about an inner circumference and configured to rest on one of the bearing lands,
a bearing cone having a second bearing surface about an outer circumference and disposed within the bearing cup, and
a bearing element disposed between the first bearing surface of the bearing cup and the second bearing surface of the bearing cone,
wherein the bearing cone of the first bearing is configured to abut the bearing cone of the second bearing at a point along the axial distance. 11. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 10, wherein the bearing cone of the first bearing has an axial length equal to an axial length of the bearing cone of the second bearing. 12. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 10, wherein the bearing cone of the first bearing has an axial length different than an axial length of the bearing cone of the second bearing. 13. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 10, wherein the bearing cone of the first bearing has an axial length extending across the axial distance. 14. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 7, wherein the wheel hub, the first bearing and the second bearing are configured to receive a straight spindle. 15. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 7, wherein the wheel hub, the first bearing and the second bearing are configured to receive a tapered spindle. 16. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 10, wherein the bearing cone of the first bearing has a first diameter and extends to a point along the axial distance, terminating in a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. 17. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 10, wherein the bearing cone of the first tapered roller bearing has a first diameter and extends to a point along the axial distance, terminating in a second diameter larger than the first diameter. 18. The wheel hub and bearing assembly of claim 10, wherein the wheel hub and bearing assembly are configured to receive at least one of a P-type trailer spindle, an N-type trailer spindle, a R-series drive spindle and an FF-series front-steer spindle. 19. A tapered roller bearing, comprising:
an annular bearing cup having a first height and an angled inner circumference; an annular bearing cone disposed within the annular bearing cup, the annular bearing cone having a second height greater than the first height and a radially angled groove about an outer circumference; and a plurality of cylindrical rollers distributed within the angled groove and between the inner circumference of the annular bearing cup. | 3,600 |
13,018 | 13,018 | 14,795,379 | 3,697 | Systems and methods are described for processing financial instruments are disclosed. An option on a calendar spread index futures contract allows market participants to manage risks associated with the volatility associated with the calendar spread market for index futures. The options contract has a deferred setting of the strike price that is determined based at least in part on an implied financing rate | 1. A system comprising:
an exchange computer system that includes:
an order book that determines bid and offer prices for options contracts;
a match engine that matches bids and offers for options contracts;
a trade database that stores trade information;
a clearing house computer system connected to the exchange computer system and that includes
a processor;
a computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the clearing house computer system to:
(a) receive an implied financing rate for an options contract;
(b) receive an index level at expiration of the options contract; and
(c) determine a strike price at expiration based on an index level at expiration and the implied financing rate. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the option contract comprises an option on a calendar spread financial instrument. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the option contract comprises an option on a calendar spread futures contract. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein (c) comprises determining a strike price of an option on an index futures calendar spread using:
EPD=F*s*(#days/360) Wherein:
EPD=Exercise Price Differential;
F is a settlement price of a futures contract having a nearby expiration;
S is the implied financing rate; and
# days is the number of calendar days in a period between the expiration of the between the futures contract having a nearby expiration and the futures contract having the deferred expiration. 5. The system of claim 3, wherein the option contract comprises an option on a calendar spread index futures contract. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer-readable medium further contains computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the clearing house computer system to:
(d) auto exercise options. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the implied financing rate is based on an interest rate benchmark. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein (c) comprises determining a strike price that is a function of prices of underlying financial instruments and the implied financing rate. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the strike price is a function process of underlying financial instruments, the implied financing rate and at least one other predetermined variable. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one other predetermined variable comprises an expected dividend value. 11. The system of claim 8, wherein (c) comprises determining a strike price of an option on an index futures calendar spread. 12. A method comprising:
(a) determining bid and offer prices for options contracts at an order book of an exchange computer system; (b) matching bids and offers for options contracts at a match engine of an exchange computer system; (c) storing trade information at a trade database of an exchange computer that stores trade information; (d) receiving at a clearing house computer system an implied financing rate for an options contract; (e) receiving at a clearing house computer system an index level at expiration of the options contract; and (f) determine at a clearing house computer system a strike price at expiration based on an index level at expiration and the implied financing rate; wherein, the clearing house computer system is connected to the exchange computer system. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the option contract comprises an option on a calendar spread financial instrument. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the option contract comprises an option on a calendar spread futures contract. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein (f) comprises determining a strike price of an option on an index futures calendar spread using:
EPD=F*s*(#days/360) Wherein:
EPD=Exercise Price Differential;
F is a settlement price of a futures contract having a nearby expiration;
S is the implied financing rate; and
# days is the number of calendar days in a period between the expiration of the between the futures contract having a nearby expiration and the futures contract having the deferred expiration. 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the implied financing rate is based on an interest rate benchmark. 17. The method of claim 12, wherein (f) comprises determining a strike price that is a function of prices of underlying financial instruments and the implied financing rate. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the strike price is a function process of underlying financial instruments, the implied financing rate and at least one other predetermined variable. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one other predetermined variable comprises an expected dividend value. 20. The method of claim 12, wherein (f) comprises determining a strike price of an option on an index futures calendar spread. | Systems and methods are described for processing financial instruments are disclosed. An option on a calendar spread index futures contract allows market participants to manage risks associated with the volatility associated with the calendar spread market for index futures. The options contract has a deferred setting of the strike price that is determined based at least in part on an implied financing rate1. A system comprising:
an exchange computer system that includes:
an order book that determines bid and offer prices for options contracts;
a match engine that matches bids and offers for options contracts;
a trade database that stores trade information;
a clearing house computer system connected to the exchange computer system and that includes
a processor;
a computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the clearing house computer system to:
(a) receive an implied financing rate for an options contract;
(b) receive an index level at expiration of the options contract; and
(c) determine a strike price at expiration based on an index level at expiration and the implied financing rate. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the option contract comprises an option on a calendar spread financial instrument. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the option contract comprises an option on a calendar spread futures contract. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein (c) comprises determining a strike price of an option on an index futures calendar spread using:
EPD=F*s*(#days/360) Wherein:
EPD=Exercise Price Differential;
F is a settlement price of a futures contract having a nearby expiration;
S is the implied financing rate; and
# days is the number of calendar days in a period between the expiration of the between the futures contract having a nearby expiration and the futures contract having the deferred expiration. 5. The system of claim 3, wherein the option contract comprises an option on a calendar spread index futures contract. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer-readable medium further contains computer-executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the clearing house computer system to:
(d) auto exercise options. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the implied financing rate is based on an interest rate benchmark. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein (c) comprises determining a strike price that is a function of prices of underlying financial instruments and the implied financing rate. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the strike price is a function process of underlying financial instruments, the implied financing rate and at least one other predetermined variable. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one other predetermined variable comprises an expected dividend value. 11. The system of claim 8, wherein (c) comprises determining a strike price of an option on an index futures calendar spread. 12. A method comprising:
(a) determining bid and offer prices for options contracts at an order book of an exchange computer system; (b) matching bids and offers for options contracts at a match engine of an exchange computer system; (c) storing trade information at a trade database of an exchange computer that stores trade information; (d) receiving at a clearing house computer system an implied financing rate for an options contract; (e) receiving at a clearing house computer system an index level at expiration of the options contract; and (f) determine at a clearing house computer system a strike price at expiration based on an index level at expiration and the implied financing rate; wherein, the clearing house computer system is connected to the exchange computer system. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the option contract comprises an option on a calendar spread financial instrument. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the option contract comprises an option on a calendar spread futures contract. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein (f) comprises determining a strike price of an option on an index futures calendar spread using:
EPD=F*s*(#days/360) Wherein:
EPD=Exercise Price Differential;
F is a settlement price of a futures contract having a nearby expiration;
S is the implied financing rate; and
# days is the number of calendar days in a period between the expiration of the between the futures contract having a nearby expiration and the futures contract having the deferred expiration. 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the implied financing rate is based on an interest rate benchmark. 17. The method of claim 12, wherein (f) comprises determining a strike price that is a function of prices of underlying financial instruments and the implied financing rate. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the strike price is a function process of underlying financial instruments, the implied financing rate and at least one other predetermined variable. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one other predetermined variable comprises an expected dividend value. 20. The method of claim 12, wherein (f) comprises determining a strike price of an option on an index futures calendar spread. | 3,600 |
13,019 | 13,019 | 14,968,891 | 3,619 | Various embodiments are directed to a system and method for matching providers (e.g., lenders) and receivers (e.g., borrowers or purchasers) of a good (e.g., a tangible product or loan funds). The provider may specify one or more parameters of a commitment to provide the good, such as quantity and delivery specifications. Before a receiver accepts the commitment, the provider may provide a portion of the total commitment (e.g., a margin amount of a loan or a percentage of a quantity of a tangible product). A one-time or continuing commitment fee may be paid to the lender for providing the loan commitment. The commitment fee may be based on the loan commitment amount and/or the margin amount. When a borrower accepts the terms of the loan commitment, the lender may fund the remaining balance of the loan principal amount. If the lender fails to fund the remaining balance, the lender may forfeit the margin amount. | 1. A method comprising:
receiving, by at least one processor in electronic communication with a plurality of user computer terminals via an electronic communications network, from a provider of a tangible good one or more parameters defining a commitment to provide the tangible good, the parameters comprising a quantity parameter defining an amount of the tangible good to be provided to a recipient and a delivery parameter specifying information about when a recipient would receive the amount of the tangible good; receiving, by at least one processor, indicia that the provider caused a portion of the amount of the tangible good to be physically delivered to and held by an escrow associated with the commitment to provide the tangible good; determining, by the at least one processor, a commitment fee based on the portion held in escrow; causing the commitment fee to be paid to an account associated with the provider; receiving, by the at least one processor, from a receiving party a request to accept the commitment to provide the tangible good; receiving, by the at least one processor, from the receiving party a request for the provider to deliver the tangible good to the receiving party in an amount that satisfies the quantity parameter; transmitting, by the at least one processor, to the provider a request to physically deliver to the receiving party a remaining portion of the amount of the tangible good that is not held in escrow, the remaining portion comprising an amount of the tangible good that satisfies the quantity parameter less the portion of the tangible good held in escrow; determining that the provider failed to transfer the remaining portion of the tangible good before an expiration time pursuant to the delivery parameter; responsive to determining that the provider failed to deliver the remaining portion of the tangible good before the expiration time, notifying the provider that at least a part of the portion held in escrow has been forfeit by the provider; and after notifying the provider that at least a part of the portion held in escrow has been forfeit by the provider, transmitting an instruction that causes the at least part of the portion held in escrow to be physically delivered to another location. 2. The method of claim 1, in which the tangible good comprises at least one of oil and potable water. 3. A method comprising:
receiving, by at least one processor, from a provider one or more parameters defining a commitment to provide a quantity of a product according to one or more delivery parameters; receiving, by at least one processor, indicia that the provider transferred a margin amount of the product associated with the commitment to provide the quantity of the product to be held in escrow by an escrow entity; determining, by the at least one processor, a commitment fee based on the commitment to provide the quantity of the product; causing the commitment fee to be paid to an account associated with the provider; receiving, by the at least one processor, from a recipient an acceptance of the commitment to provide the quantity of the product; transmitting, by the at least one processor, to the provider a request to transfer to the recipient a remaining portion of the quantity of the product, the remaining portion comprising the quantity less the margin amount; determining that the provider failed to satisfy the one or more delivery parameters; and responsive to determining that the lender failed to transfer the remaining portion of the loan principal amount before the expiration time, notifying the provider that at least a portion of the margin amount has been forfeit. 4. The method of claim 3, in which the act of determining that the provider failed to satisfy the one or more delivery parameters comprises:
determining that the provider failed to transfer the remaining portion of the quantity before an expiration time. 5. The method of claim 3, in which the provider is a lender, the recipient is a borrower, the commitment to provide a quantity of a product comprises a commitment to provide a loan in the amount of a loan principal amount, the margin amount comprises a loan margin amount, and the commitment fee comprises a loan commitment fee. 6. The method of claim 3, further comprising:
prior to notifying the provider that at least a portion of the margin amount has been forfeit, determining an amount of the margin amount that has been forfeit based at least in part on one or more of the following:
an availability of a similar commitment to the recipient;
an amount of product delivered to the recipient pursuant to the commitment;
a timeliness of delivery of any portion of the quantity of the product pursuant to the commitment;
a notice provided by the provider to the recipient in advance of any breach;
an attempt by the provider to renegotiate the commitment in good faith; and
a payment made by the provider to the recipient with respect to a failure to satisfy one or more requirements of the commitment. 7. The method of claim 3, in which the margin amount satisfies at least a portion of a margin requirement for at least one un-accepted commitment offered by the provider
in which the product is bandwidth for transferring data, and in which the margin amount comprises a right to receive a margin amount of bandwidth. 8. (canceled) 9. The method of claim 3, in which the product comprises a quantity of delivery or transportation providers in a designated geographic region for a designated period of time, and in which the margin amount comprises a right to receive a percentage of the quantity of delivery or transportation providers. 10-11. (canceled) 12. The method of claim 3, in which the act of determining a commitment fee comprises determining a commitment fee based at least in part on at least one of (1) an extent to which terms of the commitment differ from market terms and (2) a length of time that the commitment has been pending and unaccepted by a recipient. 13. The method of claim 3, further comprising:
after determining that the provider failed to satisfy the one or more delivery parameters, causing at least a portion of the margin amount to be transferred to another party, in which the product comprises one of oil and water. 14. The method of claim 3, further comprising:
after determining that the provider failed to satisfy the one or more delivery parameters, causing at least a portion of the margin amount to be transferred back to the provider, in which the product comprises a commodity. 15. The method of claim 3, further comprising, before the act of receiving from a recipient an acceptance of the commitment to provide the quantity of the product:
receiving from the recipient a request to view information about a plurality of commitments that satisfy one or more search parameters; transmitting to the recipient information about a plurality of commitments that satisfy the one or more search parameters, the plurality of commitments comprising the commitment; and receiving from the recipient, via an input device of the recipient, a selection and acceptance of the commitment. 16. A method comprising:
receiving, by at least one processor, from a lender one or more parameters defining a loan commitment associated with a loan having a loan principal amount; receiving, by at least one processor, indicia that the lender paid a margin amount associated with the loan principal amount; determining, by the at least one processor, a loan commitment fee based on the loan principal amount; causing the commitment fee to be paid to an account associated with the lender; receiving, by the at least one processor, from a borrower a request to enter into the loan with the lender; transmitting, by the at least one processor, to the lender a request to transfer a remaining portion of the loan principal amount, the remaining portion comprising the loan principal amount less the margin amount; determining that the lender failed to transfer the remaining portion of the loan principal amount before an expiration time; and responsive to determining that the lender failed to transfer the remaining portion of the loan principal amount before the expiration time, notifying the lender that at least a portion of the margin amount has been forfeit. 17. The method of claim 16, in which the loan commitment fee comprises a plurality of payments to the lender over a period of time, in which the payments and payment times are determined based on the loan principal amount and one of an interest rate and a percentage,
in which payments of the commitment fee are no longer paid after the act of notifying the lender that the margin amount has been surrendered. 18. (canceled) 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
after determining that the lender failed to transfer the remaining portion of the loan principal amount before an expiration time, offering lender terms of the loan to one or more other lenders. 20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
prior to notifying the lender that at least a portion of the margin amount has been forfeit, determining an amount of the margin amount that has been forfeit based at least in part on one or more of the following:
an availability of a similar commitment to the recipient;
an amount of product delivered to the recipient pursuant to the commitment;
a timeliness of delivery of any portion of the quantity of the product pursuant to the commitment;
a notice provided by the provider to the recipient in advance of any breach;
an attempt by the provider to renegotiate the commitment in good faith; and
a payment made by the provider to the recipient with respect to a failure to satisfy one or more requirements of the commitment. 21. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
receiving a first offer to accept the loan terms from at least one first lending entity; receiving a second offer to accept the loan terms from at least one second lending entity; determining that the second offer is a best offer to accept the loan terms from among a plurality of received offers including the first offer and the second offer; and matching the at least one second lending entity and the borrower for a transaction comprising the loan. 22. The method of claim 21,
in which the first offer comprises a first amount associated with the margin amount that would be paid to the at least one first lending entity, in which the second offer comprises a second amount associated with the margin amount that would be paid to the at least one first lending entity, in which the second amount is lower than the first amount, and in which the act of determining that the second offer is the best offer comprises determining that the second amount is less than at least one other amount, the at least one other amount comprising the first amount, further comprising: causing to be paid to the at least one second lending entity the second amount. 23. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
determining to refund a refund portion of the margin amount to the lender; and refunding the refund portion of the margin amount to the lender. 24. The method of claim 23, in which the act of determining to refund a refund portion of the margin amount to the lender comprises determining the refund portion based on an amount of time that elapsed before one or more other lenders accepted lending obligations of the lender associated with the loan accepted by the borrower,
in which the act of notifying the lender that at least a portion of the margin amount has been forfeit comprises notifying the lender that the margin amount has been forfeit. 25. (canceled) 26. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
causing at least a portion of the margin amount to be paid to the borrower. 27-28. (canceled) | Various embodiments are directed to a system and method for matching providers (e.g., lenders) and receivers (e.g., borrowers or purchasers) of a good (e.g., a tangible product or loan funds). The provider may specify one or more parameters of a commitment to provide the good, such as quantity and delivery specifications. Before a receiver accepts the commitment, the provider may provide a portion of the total commitment (e.g., a margin amount of a loan or a percentage of a quantity of a tangible product). A one-time or continuing commitment fee may be paid to the lender for providing the loan commitment. The commitment fee may be based on the loan commitment amount and/or the margin amount. When a borrower accepts the terms of the loan commitment, the lender may fund the remaining balance of the loan principal amount. If the lender fails to fund the remaining balance, the lender may forfeit the margin amount.1. A method comprising:
receiving, by at least one processor in electronic communication with a plurality of user computer terminals via an electronic communications network, from a provider of a tangible good one or more parameters defining a commitment to provide the tangible good, the parameters comprising a quantity parameter defining an amount of the tangible good to be provided to a recipient and a delivery parameter specifying information about when a recipient would receive the amount of the tangible good; receiving, by at least one processor, indicia that the provider caused a portion of the amount of the tangible good to be physically delivered to and held by an escrow associated with the commitment to provide the tangible good; determining, by the at least one processor, a commitment fee based on the portion held in escrow; causing the commitment fee to be paid to an account associated with the provider; receiving, by the at least one processor, from a receiving party a request to accept the commitment to provide the tangible good; receiving, by the at least one processor, from the receiving party a request for the provider to deliver the tangible good to the receiving party in an amount that satisfies the quantity parameter; transmitting, by the at least one processor, to the provider a request to physically deliver to the receiving party a remaining portion of the amount of the tangible good that is not held in escrow, the remaining portion comprising an amount of the tangible good that satisfies the quantity parameter less the portion of the tangible good held in escrow; determining that the provider failed to transfer the remaining portion of the tangible good before an expiration time pursuant to the delivery parameter; responsive to determining that the provider failed to deliver the remaining portion of the tangible good before the expiration time, notifying the provider that at least a part of the portion held in escrow has been forfeit by the provider; and after notifying the provider that at least a part of the portion held in escrow has been forfeit by the provider, transmitting an instruction that causes the at least part of the portion held in escrow to be physically delivered to another location. 2. The method of claim 1, in which the tangible good comprises at least one of oil and potable water. 3. A method comprising:
receiving, by at least one processor, from a provider one or more parameters defining a commitment to provide a quantity of a product according to one or more delivery parameters; receiving, by at least one processor, indicia that the provider transferred a margin amount of the product associated with the commitment to provide the quantity of the product to be held in escrow by an escrow entity; determining, by the at least one processor, a commitment fee based on the commitment to provide the quantity of the product; causing the commitment fee to be paid to an account associated with the provider; receiving, by the at least one processor, from a recipient an acceptance of the commitment to provide the quantity of the product; transmitting, by the at least one processor, to the provider a request to transfer to the recipient a remaining portion of the quantity of the product, the remaining portion comprising the quantity less the margin amount; determining that the provider failed to satisfy the one or more delivery parameters; and responsive to determining that the lender failed to transfer the remaining portion of the loan principal amount before the expiration time, notifying the provider that at least a portion of the margin amount has been forfeit. 4. The method of claim 3, in which the act of determining that the provider failed to satisfy the one or more delivery parameters comprises:
determining that the provider failed to transfer the remaining portion of the quantity before an expiration time. 5. The method of claim 3, in which the provider is a lender, the recipient is a borrower, the commitment to provide a quantity of a product comprises a commitment to provide a loan in the amount of a loan principal amount, the margin amount comprises a loan margin amount, and the commitment fee comprises a loan commitment fee. 6. The method of claim 3, further comprising:
prior to notifying the provider that at least a portion of the margin amount has been forfeit, determining an amount of the margin amount that has been forfeit based at least in part on one or more of the following:
an availability of a similar commitment to the recipient;
an amount of product delivered to the recipient pursuant to the commitment;
a timeliness of delivery of any portion of the quantity of the product pursuant to the commitment;
a notice provided by the provider to the recipient in advance of any breach;
an attempt by the provider to renegotiate the commitment in good faith; and
a payment made by the provider to the recipient with respect to a failure to satisfy one or more requirements of the commitment. 7. The method of claim 3, in which the margin amount satisfies at least a portion of a margin requirement for at least one un-accepted commitment offered by the provider
in which the product is bandwidth for transferring data, and in which the margin amount comprises a right to receive a margin amount of bandwidth. 8. (canceled) 9. The method of claim 3, in which the product comprises a quantity of delivery or transportation providers in a designated geographic region for a designated period of time, and in which the margin amount comprises a right to receive a percentage of the quantity of delivery or transportation providers. 10-11. (canceled) 12. The method of claim 3, in which the act of determining a commitment fee comprises determining a commitment fee based at least in part on at least one of (1) an extent to which terms of the commitment differ from market terms and (2) a length of time that the commitment has been pending and unaccepted by a recipient. 13. The method of claim 3, further comprising:
after determining that the provider failed to satisfy the one or more delivery parameters, causing at least a portion of the margin amount to be transferred to another party, in which the product comprises one of oil and water. 14. The method of claim 3, further comprising:
after determining that the provider failed to satisfy the one or more delivery parameters, causing at least a portion of the margin amount to be transferred back to the provider, in which the product comprises a commodity. 15. The method of claim 3, further comprising, before the act of receiving from a recipient an acceptance of the commitment to provide the quantity of the product:
receiving from the recipient a request to view information about a plurality of commitments that satisfy one or more search parameters; transmitting to the recipient information about a plurality of commitments that satisfy the one or more search parameters, the plurality of commitments comprising the commitment; and receiving from the recipient, via an input device of the recipient, a selection and acceptance of the commitment. 16. A method comprising:
receiving, by at least one processor, from a lender one or more parameters defining a loan commitment associated with a loan having a loan principal amount; receiving, by at least one processor, indicia that the lender paid a margin amount associated with the loan principal amount; determining, by the at least one processor, a loan commitment fee based on the loan principal amount; causing the commitment fee to be paid to an account associated with the lender; receiving, by the at least one processor, from a borrower a request to enter into the loan with the lender; transmitting, by the at least one processor, to the lender a request to transfer a remaining portion of the loan principal amount, the remaining portion comprising the loan principal amount less the margin amount; determining that the lender failed to transfer the remaining portion of the loan principal amount before an expiration time; and responsive to determining that the lender failed to transfer the remaining portion of the loan principal amount before the expiration time, notifying the lender that at least a portion of the margin amount has been forfeit. 17. The method of claim 16, in which the loan commitment fee comprises a plurality of payments to the lender over a period of time, in which the payments and payment times are determined based on the loan principal amount and one of an interest rate and a percentage,
in which payments of the commitment fee are no longer paid after the act of notifying the lender that the margin amount has been surrendered. 18. (canceled) 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
after determining that the lender failed to transfer the remaining portion of the loan principal amount before an expiration time, offering lender terms of the loan to one or more other lenders. 20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
prior to notifying the lender that at least a portion of the margin amount has been forfeit, determining an amount of the margin amount that has been forfeit based at least in part on one or more of the following:
an availability of a similar commitment to the recipient;
an amount of product delivered to the recipient pursuant to the commitment;
a timeliness of delivery of any portion of the quantity of the product pursuant to the commitment;
a notice provided by the provider to the recipient in advance of any breach;
an attempt by the provider to renegotiate the commitment in good faith; and
a payment made by the provider to the recipient with respect to a failure to satisfy one or more requirements of the commitment. 21. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
receiving a first offer to accept the loan terms from at least one first lending entity; receiving a second offer to accept the loan terms from at least one second lending entity; determining that the second offer is a best offer to accept the loan terms from among a plurality of received offers including the first offer and the second offer; and matching the at least one second lending entity and the borrower for a transaction comprising the loan. 22. The method of claim 21,
in which the first offer comprises a first amount associated with the margin amount that would be paid to the at least one first lending entity, in which the second offer comprises a second amount associated with the margin amount that would be paid to the at least one first lending entity, in which the second amount is lower than the first amount, and in which the act of determining that the second offer is the best offer comprises determining that the second amount is less than at least one other amount, the at least one other amount comprising the first amount, further comprising: causing to be paid to the at least one second lending entity the second amount. 23. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
determining to refund a refund portion of the margin amount to the lender; and refunding the refund portion of the margin amount to the lender. 24. The method of claim 23, in which the act of determining to refund a refund portion of the margin amount to the lender comprises determining the refund portion based on an amount of time that elapsed before one or more other lenders accepted lending obligations of the lender associated with the loan accepted by the borrower,
in which the act of notifying the lender that at least a portion of the margin amount has been forfeit comprises notifying the lender that the margin amount has been forfeit. 25. (canceled) 26. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
causing at least a portion of the margin amount to be paid to the borrower. 27-28. (canceled) | 3,600 |
13,020 | 13,020 | 14,623,380 | 3,675 | A latch, having: an actuator housing configured to be “snap fit” or coupled to a latch housing of the latch. | 1. A latch, comprising:
an actuator housing configured to be “snap fit” or coupled to a latch housing of the latch. 2. The latch as in claim 1, wherein actuator housing and the latch housing each have complimentary integrally formed attachment features. 3. The latch as in claim 2, actuator housing and the latch housing are formed from plastic. 4. The latch as in claim 1, wherein the actuator housing has an area to receive a holding feature of the housing when the housing is secured to the actuator housing. 5. The latch as in claim 4, wherein the actuator housing has a feature that engages a complimentary feature of the housing when the housing is secured to the actuator housing. 6. The latch as in claim 5, wherein the holding feature is located on an opposite side of the housing with respect to the complimentary feature of the housing. 7. The latch as in claim 5, wherein the latch is a vehicle door latch. 8. The latch as in claim 5, wherein the actuator housing is configured to house a lock/unlock actuator of the latch. 9. The latch as in claim 8, wherein the holding feature is located on an opposite side of the housing with respect to the complimentary feature of the housing. 10. The latch as in claim 9, wherein the features of the actuator housing and the latch housing are integrally formed with the actuator housing and the latch housing. 11. The latch as in claim 10, actuator housing and the latch housing are formed from plastic. | A latch, having: an actuator housing configured to be “snap fit” or coupled to a latch housing of the latch.1. A latch, comprising:
an actuator housing configured to be “snap fit” or coupled to a latch housing of the latch. 2. The latch as in claim 1, wherein actuator housing and the latch housing each have complimentary integrally formed attachment features. 3. The latch as in claim 2, actuator housing and the latch housing are formed from plastic. 4. The latch as in claim 1, wherein the actuator housing has an area to receive a holding feature of the housing when the housing is secured to the actuator housing. 5. The latch as in claim 4, wherein the actuator housing has a feature that engages a complimentary feature of the housing when the housing is secured to the actuator housing. 6. The latch as in claim 5, wherein the holding feature is located on an opposite side of the housing with respect to the complimentary feature of the housing. 7. The latch as in claim 5, wherein the latch is a vehicle door latch. 8. The latch as in claim 5, wherein the actuator housing is configured to house a lock/unlock actuator of the latch. 9. The latch as in claim 8, wherein the holding feature is located on an opposite side of the housing with respect to the complimentary feature of the housing. 10. The latch as in claim 9, wherein the features of the actuator housing and the latch housing are integrally formed with the actuator housing and the latch housing. 11. The latch as in claim 10, actuator housing and the latch housing are formed from plastic. | 3,600 |
13,021 | 13,021 | 14,545,475 | 3,646 | A machine to detect phonon gain to control desired reactions using a container with at least two optical ports, a power supply and wiring connections to enable driving a material sample to be examined, a power supply to drive at least two lasers, a controller to regulate the output of the lasers, a beam path to enable illumination of the sample, a controller to regulate the electric power delivered to the sample enabling driving in more than one state, a detector system to examine the backscatter radiation from the sample by frequency, a second beam path to enable the backscatter to reach the detector system, a computation system to separate and determine the ratios of the examined backscattered frequencies to determine the intensities and distribution, and a second computation system to compare the examined intensities and distribution and ratios to the desired intensities and distribution and ratios to determine what states were detected and to derive changes for the power supply driving the sample. | 1. A machine to detect phonon gain in an electrically driven hydrogen loaded material to control desired reactions comprising:
a container with at least two optical ports and at least two electrical ports; a material which can provide at least one desired reaction when electrically driven; a power supply and wiring connections to enable said electrical driving of said material; a power supply to drive at least two optical sources; an optical controller to regulate the output of said optical sources; a beam path to enable illumination of the sample; a electrical power controller to regulate control of electric power delivered to said material enabling driving in more than one state; an optical detector system to examine the backscatter radiation from the material which is illuminated; a second beam path to enable said backscatter to reach said detector system; an means to separate the frequencies of said backscatter; a computation system to determine the intensities and distribution of said backscatter; a second computation system to compare the desired intensities and distribution of said backscatter and to compare that to what was is preferred so as to derive the changes necessary for said electric power controller to change said power supply driving said material. 2. A machine as in claim 1 where said material contains a member of the group consisting of PdD, NiD, ZrO2PdD, ZrO2PdNiD and ZrO2NiD. 3. A machine as in claim 1 where said material contains canola oil 4. A machine as in claim 1 where said optical sources are two lasers. 5. A machine as in claim 1 where said optical sources are a laser and a second optical source of known optical output. 6. A machine as in claim 1 where said desired state produces heat. 7. A machine as in claim 1 where said desired state produces effective lubrication. 8. A machine as in claim 1 where said computation detects phonon gain. 9. A machine as in claim 1 where detector system is comprised of a member of the group consisting of a grating, blazed grating, a holographic grating, or prism, and a member of the group consisting of a CCD, photographic plate, an android type telephone, and a 1D dimensional optical detector. 10. A method for detecting phonon gain in a material comprising:
positioning a container with at least two optical ports and at least two electrical ports; providing a sample capable of at least one desired reaction; enabling an electrical power supply and wiring connections to driving said sample to be examined; powering at least two lasers while controlling the output of said lasers; illuminating said sample using said lasers; regulating the control of said electric power supply to drive said sample into said desired reaction state; detecting and examining the backscatter radiation from said sample undergoing said illumination; separating the frequencies of said backscatter to determine the intensities and distribution of said backscatter by said frequency; and comparing the desired intensities and distribution of said backscatter to what is expected to said desired reaction and deriving changes as necessary for said control of said power supply to enables driving said sample in said reaction state. 11. A method as in claim 10 where said material contains a member of the group consisting of PdD, NiD, ZrO2PdD, ZrO2PdNiD and ZrO2NiD. 12. A method as in claim 10 where said material contains canola oil 13. A method as in claim 10 where said computation and derivation is by microcomputer or microprocessor means. 14. A method as in claim 10 where said material is used for lattice assisted reactions of the type which generate a member of the group consisting of heat, electricity, propulsion, or new materials. 15. A method as in claim 10 where said detecting and examining is done by a member of the group consisting of a grating, blazed grating, a holographic grating, or prism, and a member of the group consisting of a CCD, photographic plate, an android type telephone, and a 1D dimensional optical detector. 16. A machine to control desired reactions in an electrically driven hydrogen loaded material comprising:
a container with at least two optical ports and at least two electrical ports; a material which can provide at least one desired reaction when electrically driven; a power supply and wiring connections to enable said electrical driving of said material; a power supply to drive at least two optical sources; an optical controller to regulate the output of said optical sources; a beam path to enable illumination of the sample; a electrical power controller to regulate control of electric power delivered to said material enabling driving in more than one state; an optical detector system to examine the backscatter radiation from the material which is illuminated; a second beam path to enable said backscatter to reach said detector system; an means to separate and detect the frequencies of said backscatter; a computation system to determine the intensities and distribution of said backscatter; a second computation system to compare the desired intensities and distribution of said backscatter and to compare that to what was is preferred so as to derive the changes necessary for said electric power controller to change said power supply driving said material. 17. A machine as in claim 16 where said material contains or is a member of the group consisting of PdD, NiD, ZrO2PdD, ZrO2PdNiD and ZrO2NiD. 18. A machine as in claim 16 where said computation is made by a member of the group consisting of computer, microcomputer, or microprocessor. 19. A machine as in claim 16 where said means to separate and detect said frequencies is done by a member of the group consisting of a grating, blazed grating, a holographic grating, or prism, and a member of the group consisting of a CCD, photographic plate, an android type telephone, and a 1D dimensional optical detector. 20. A machine as in claim 16 where said material is used for producing reactions which are a member of the group consisting of heat, electricity, propulsion, or new materials. | A machine to detect phonon gain to control desired reactions using a container with at least two optical ports, a power supply and wiring connections to enable driving a material sample to be examined, a power supply to drive at least two lasers, a controller to regulate the output of the lasers, a beam path to enable illumination of the sample, a controller to regulate the electric power delivered to the sample enabling driving in more than one state, a detector system to examine the backscatter radiation from the sample by frequency, a second beam path to enable the backscatter to reach the detector system, a computation system to separate and determine the ratios of the examined backscattered frequencies to determine the intensities and distribution, and a second computation system to compare the examined intensities and distribution and ratios to the desired intensities and distribution and ratios to determine what states were detected and to derive changes for the power supply driving the sample.1. A machine to detect phonon gain in an electrically driven hydrogen loaded material to control desired reactions comprising:
a container with at least two optical ports and at least two electrical ports; a material which can provide at least one desired reaction when electrically driven; a power supply and wiring connections to enable said electrical driving of said material; a power supply to drive at least two optical sources; an optical controller to regulate the output of said optical sources; a beam path to enable illumination of the sample; a electrical power controller to regulate control of electric power delivered to said material enabling driving in more than one state; an optical detector system to examine the backscatter radiation from the material which is illuminated; a second beam path to enable said backscatter to reach said detector system; an means to separate the frequencies of said backscatter; a computation system to determine the intensities and distribution of said backscatter; a second computation system to compare the desired intensities and distribution of said backscatter and to compare that to what was is preferred so as to derive the changes necessary for said electric power controller to change said power supply driving said material. 2. A machine as in claim 1 where said material contains a member of the group consisting of PdD, NiD, ZrO2PdD, ZrO2PdNiD and ZrO2NiD. 3. A machine as in claim 1 where said material contains canola oil 4. A machine as in claim 1 where said optical sources are two lasers. 5. A machine as in claim 1 where said optical sources are a laser and a second optical source of known optical output. 6. A machine as in claim 1 where said desired state produces heat. 7. A machine as in claim 1 where said desired state produces effective lubrication. 8. A machine as in claim 1 where said computation detects phonon gain. 9. A machine as in claim 1 where detector system is comprised of a member of the group consisting of a grating, blazed grating, a holographic grating, or prism, and a member of the group consisting of a CCD, photographic plate, an android type telephone, and a 1D dimensional optical detector. 10. A method for detecting phonon gain in a material comprising:
positioning a container with at least two optical ports and at least two electrical ports; providing a sample capable of at least one desired reaction; enabling an electrical power supply and wiring connections to driving said sample to be examined; powering at least two lasers while controlling the output of said lasers; illuminating said sample using said lasers; regulating the control of said electric power supply to drive said sample into said desired reaction state; detecting and examining the backscatter radiation from said sample undergoing said illumination; separating the frequencies of said backscatter to determine the intensities and distribution of said backscatter by said frequency; and comparing the desired intensities and distribution of said backscatter to what is expected to said desired reaction and deriving changes as necessary for said control of said power supply to enables driving said sample in said reaction state. 11. A method as in claim 10 where said material contains a member of the group consisting of PdD, NiD, ZrO2PdD, ZrO2PdNiD and ZrO2NiD. 12. A method as in claim 10 where said material contains canola oil 13. A method as in claim 10 where said computation and derivation is by microcomputer or microprocessor means. 14. A method as in claim 10 where said material is used for lattice assisted reactions of the type which generate a member of the group consisting of heat, electricity, propulsion, or new materials. 15. A method as in claim 10 where said detecting and examining is done by a member of the group consisting of a grating, blazed grating, a holographic grating, or prism, and a member of the group consisting of a CCD, photographic plate, an android type telephone, and a 1D dimensional optical detector. 16. A machine to control desired reactions in an electrically driven hydrogen loaded material comprising:
a container with at least two optical ports and at least two electrical ports; a material which can provide at least one desired reaction when electrically driven; a power supply and wiring connections to enable said electrical driving of said material; a power supply to drive at least two optical sources; an optical controller to regulate the output of said optical sources; a beam path to enable illumination of the sample; a electrical power controller to regulate control of electric power delivered to said material enabling driving in more than one state; an optical detector system to examine the backscatter radiation from the material which is illuminated; a second beam path to enable said backscatter to reach said detector system; an means to separate and detect the frequencies of said backscatter; a computation system to determine the intensities and distribution of said backscatter; a second computation system to compare the desired intensities and distribution of said backscatter and to compare that to what was is preferred so as to derive the changes necessary for said electric power controller to change said power supply driving said material. 17. A machine as in claim 16 where said material contains or is a member of the group consisting of PdD, NiD, ZrO2PdD, ZrO2PdNiD and ZrO2NiD. 18. A machine as in claim 16 where said computation is made by a member of the group consisting of computer, microcomputer, or microprocessor. 19. A machine as in claim 16 where said means to separate and detect said frequencies is done by a member of the group consisting of a grating, blazed grating, a holographic grating, or prism, and a member of the group consisting of a CCD, photographic plate, an android type telephone, and a 1D dimensional optical detector. 20. A machine as in claim 16 where said material is used for producing reactions which are a member of the group consisting of heat, electricity, propulsion, or new materials. | 3,600 |
13,022 | 13,022 | 14,593,115 | 3,649 | A system and method for monitoring unauthorized disposals of substances by vehicles including processing data indicative of sequences of events, the events preferably including presence in authorized pickup zones, picking up of loads, and presence in authorized disposal zones, and possibly including disposals of loads and amount of load carried or load capacity taken on. | 1. A method of monitoring unauthorized disposals of substances by vehicles, comprising:
receiving data indicative of events including presence in an authorized pickup zone, taking on a load and presence in an authorized disposal zone; and processing the data with an algorithm to produce an alert indicative of an unauthorized load disposal wherein the algorithm, in order to avoid producing an alert, include determining that at least a first set of events for a vehicle, including presence in an authorized pickup zone and taking on of a load therein, are followed by a second event for the vehicle, including presence in an authorized disposal zone, before taking on of a subsequent load. 2. A method of monitoring unauthorized disposals of substances by vehicles, comprising:
receiving data indicative of events including presence in an authorized pickup zone, taking on a load, presence in an authorized disposal zone and a load disposal; and processing the data with an algorithm to produce an alert indicative of an unauthorized load disposal wherein the algorithm, in order to avoid producing an alert, includes determining that a load disposal following a first set of events for a vehicle, wherein the first set of events includes presence in an authorized pickup zone and taking on of a load therein, occurs in an authorized disposal zone. 3. The method of claims 1 or 2 that includes receiving data indicative, directly or indirectly, of the amount of load carried by a vehicle and wherein the algorithm includes deferring producing an alert until the amount of load carried by the vehicle decreases without an intervening event of presence in an authorized disposal zone by the vehicle. 4. The method of claims 1 or 2 wherein the pickup zone and the disposal zone are geo-fenced. 5. The method of claims 1 or 2 wherein the data indicative of the event of a vehicle picking up a load includes at least one of data indicative of the vehicle running its PTO for at least a minimum time, data indicative of an operation of a vehicle load intake valve, data from an electronic control module for the vehicle and data indicating an increase in weight of the vehicle. 6. The method of claim 2 wherein the data indicative of the event of a load disposal includes at least one of data indicative of an operation of a vehicle dump valve and data indicating a decrease in weight of the vehicle. 7. The method of claim 3 wherein the data indicative of the amount of load carried by the vehicle includes data indicative of an onboard scale reading. 8. The method of claims 1 or 2 wherein the data indicative of the event of presence of a vehicle in a zone includes data associated with electronic ticketing technology. 9. A method of monitoring unauthorized disposals of substances by vehicles, comprising:
receiving at one or more processors data that, at least in combination with other data, is indicative of (A) presence in an authorized pickup site; (B) presence in an authorized disposal site; and (C) operation of vehicle hardware or equipment associated with picking up of a load or disposing of a load, the latter picking up or disposing operations including at least one of data indicative of operation of (1) the vehicle power take-off, (2) the vehicle load intake valve; (3) the vehicle dump valve and (4) the vehicle scales; sequencing at least some of (A), (B) and (C); and processing (A), (B) and (C) in light of the capacity to sequence and an algorithm in order to create alerts of probable unauthorized disposals. 10. A method of monitoring unauthorized disposals of substances by vehicles, comprising:
communicating to a processor vehicle related data indicative of vehicle events, the vehicle events including: (1) presence in an authorized pickup zone; (2) presence in an authorized disposal zone; and at least one of: (3) operation of a vehicle power take off; (4) operation of a vehicle load intake valve; (5) operation of a vehicle load dump valve and (6) operation of vehicle scales; sequencing, at least in part, the communicated data in accordance with an algorithm in order to create an alert to investigate a probable unauthorized disposal of a substance by a vehicle. 11. The method of claims 1, 2, or 9 wherein the processing is performed at least in part on board the vehicle. 12. The method of claims 1, 2 or 9 wherein the processing is performed at least in part at a data center. 13. A method of monitoring unauthorized disposals of substances by trucks, comprising:
receiving directly or indirectly 1) truck location event data, including data indicating directly or indirectly presence in an authorized pick-up zone and presence in an authorized disposal zone and/or absence of such presence; and 2) truck operational event data including data indicating directly or indirectly a truck pick-up event or a truck dump event; and processing the data using an algorithm taking into account, directly or indirectly, a sequencing of events including an event of a presence or absence in an authorized pick-up zone or authorized disposal zone and a pick-up and/or a dump operation for enabling producing an alert to investigate a probable unauthorized disposal of a substance. 14. The method of claim 13 wherein such truck operational event data includes at least one of data indicating operation of a truck power take-off, operation of a truck dump mechanism and change of weight of the truck. | A system and method for monitoring unauthorized disposals of substances by vehicles including processing data indicative of sequences of events, the events preferably including presence in authorized pickup zones, picking up of loads, and presence in authorized disposal zones, and possibly including disposals of loads and amount of load carried or load capacity taken on.1. A method of monitoring unauthorized disposals of substances by vehicles, comprising:
receiving data indicative of events including presence in an authorized pickup zone, taking on a load and presence in an authorized disposal zone; and processing the data with an algorithm to produce an alert indicative of an unauthorized load disposal wherein the algorithm, in order to avoid producing an alert, include determining that at least a first set of events for a vehicle, including presence in an authorized pickup zone and taking on of a load therein, are followed by a second event for the vehicle, including presence in an authorized disposal zone, before taking on of a subsequent load. 2. A method of monitoring unauthorized disposals of substances by vehicles, comprising:
receiving data indicative of events including presence in an authorized pickup zone, taking on a load, presence in an authorized disposal zone and a load disposal; and processing the data with an algorithm to produce an alert indicative of an unauthorized load disposal wherein the algorithm, in order to avoid producing an alert, includes determining that a load disposal following a first set of events for a vehicle, wherein the first set of events includes presence in an authorized pickup zone and taking on of a load therein, occurs in an authorized disposal zone. 3. The method of claims 1 or 2 that includes receiving data indicative, directly or indirectly, of the amount of load carried by a vehicle and wherein the algorithm includes deferring producing an alert until the amount of load carried by the vehicle decreases without an intervening event of presence in an authorized disposal zone by the vehicle. 4. The method of claims 1 or 2 wherein the pickup zone and the disposal zone are geo-fenced. 5. The method of claims 1 or 2 wherein the data indicative of the event of a vehicle picking up a load includes at least one of data indicative of the vehicle running its PTO for at least a minimum time, data indicative of an operation of a vehicle load intake valve, data from an electronic control module for the vehicle and data indicating an increase in weight of the vehicle. 6. The method of claim 2 wherein the data indicative of the event of a load disposal includes at least one of data indicative of an operation of a vehicle dump valve and data indicating a decrease in weight of the vehicle. 7. The method of claim 3 wherein the data indicative of the amount of load carried by the vehicle includes data indicative of an onboard scale reading. 8. The method of claims 1 or 2 wherein the data indicative of the event of presence of a vehicle in a zone includes data associated with electronic ticketing technology. 9. A method of monitoring unauthorized disposals of substances by vehicles, comprising:
receiving at one or more processors data that, at least in combination with other data, is indicative of (A) presence in an authorized pickup site; (B) presence in an authorized disposal site; and (C) operation of vehicle hardware or equipment associated with picking up of a load or disposing of a load, the latter picking up or disposing operations including at least one of data indicative of operation of (1) the vehicle power take-off, (2) the vehicle load intake valve; (3) the vehicle dump valve and (4) the vehicle scales; sequencing at least some of (A), (B) and (C); and processing (A), (B) and (C) in light of the capacity to sequence and an algorithm in order to create alerts of probable unauthorized disposals. 10. A method of monitoring unauthorized disposals of substances by vehicles, comprising:
communicating to a processor vehicle related data indicative of vehicle events, the vehicle events including: (1) presence in an authorized pickup zone; (2) presence in an authorized disposal zone; and at least one of: (3) operation of a vehicle power take off; (4) operation of a vehicle load intake valve; (5) operation of a vehicle load dump valve and (6) operation of vehicle scales; sequencing, at least in part, the communicated data in accordance with an algorithm in order to create an alert to investigate a probable unauthorized disposal of a substance by a vehicle. 11. The method of claims 1, 2, or 9 wherein the processing is performed at least in part on board the vehicle. 12. The method of claims 1, 2 or 9 wherein the processing is performed at least in part at a data center. 13. A method of monitoring unauthorized disposals of substances by trucks, comprising:
receiving directly or indirectly 1) truck location event data, including data indicating directly or indirectly presence in an authorized pick-up zone and presence in an authorized disposal zone and/or absence of such presence; and 2) truck operational event data including data indicating directly or indirectly a truck pick-up event or a truck dump event; and processing the data using an algorithm taking into account, directly or indirectly, a sequencing of events including an event of a presence or absence in an authorized pick-up zone or authorized disposal zone and a pick-up and/or a dump operation for enabling producing an alert to investigate a probable unauthorized disposal of a substance. 14. The method of claim 13 wherein such truck operational event data includes at least one of data indicating operation of a truck power take-off, operation of a truck dump mechanism and change of weight of the truck. | 3,600 |
13,023 | 13,023 | 15,010,942 | 3,675 | A magnetic golf cart panel closure device includes a golf cart with a golf cart enclosure thereon that includes a first panel and a second panel. The first and second panels are positioned in a closed position closing a cart entry or in an open position. A plurality of first magnetic couplers is mounted on the first panel. A plurality of second magnetic couplers is mounted on the second panel. The first magnetic couplers are overlapped with the second magnetic couplers such that the first and second magnetic couplers are releasably engaged with each other. The cart has a bottom edge. A plurality of first mating members is attached to the bottom edge and a plurality of second mating members is attached to the first and second panels. The first and second mating members are engaged together to secure the first and second panels to the bottom edge. | 1. A magnetic golf cart panel closure system comprising:
a golf cart having a golf cart enclosure thereon, said golf cart having a lateral side being open and defining an entry into said golf cart, said golf enclosure including a first panel and a second panel, said first panel extending forward from a rear of said golf cart and over a rear portion of said entry, said second panel extending rearward from a front of said golf cart and over a front portion of said entry, said first and second panels being positioned in a closed position closing said entry or in an open position exposing said entry; a plurality of first magnetic couplers being mounted on said first panel; a plurality of second magnetic couplers being mounted on said second panel; said first magnetic couplers being overlapped with said second magnetic couplers such that said first and second magnetic couplers are releasably engaged with each other; said cart having a bottom edge extending along a bottom of said entry and facing laterally away from said cart; at least one first mating member being attached to said bottom edge and being positioned adjacent to said first panel; at least one first mating member being attached to said bottom edge and being positioned adjacent to said second panel; said first panel having a second mating member attached thereto and being releasably engaged to said first mating member adjacent to said first panel; said second panel having a second mating member attached thereto and being releasably engaged to said first mating member adjacent to said second panel. 2. The magnetic golf cart panel closure system according to claim 1, comprising:
a first strip having a top end and a bottom end, said first strip being coupled to said first panel of a golf cart enclosure adjacent to said second panel, said firs first magnetic couplers being coupled to said first strip, said first magnetic couplers being positioned along a length of said first strip, said first magnetic couplers each being magnets; and a second strip having a top edge and a bottom edge, said second strip being coupled to said second panel of the golf cart enclosure adjacent to said first panel, said plurality of second magnet couplers being coupled to said second strip, said second magnetic couplers being positioned along a length of said second strip. 3. The magnetic golf cart panel closure system according to claim 2, comprising wherein said first and second magnetic couplers are each magnets having an elongated shape being elongated along a vertical axis, each of said second magnetic couplers having a rectangular shape. 4. The magnetic golf cart panel closure system according to claim 2, comprising said first strip extending forwardly of said first panel and said second strip extending rearwardly of said second panel such that said first and second strips overlap and said first and second magnetic couplers are releasably engaged with each other. 5. The magnetic golf cart panel closure system according to claim 1, comprising wherein at least two first mating members are attached to said bottom edge adjacent and being positioned adjacent to said second panel, said second panel having a pair of second mating members attached thereto and being releasably engaged to said first mating members adjacent to said second panel. 6. The magnetic golf cart panel closure system according to claim 2, wherein said first and second strips are removably coupled to an associated one of said first and second panels. 7. The magnetic golf cart panel closure system according to claim 6, further comprising:
a plurality of first snaps coupled to and extending along said first strip, each of said first snaps being releasably coupled to an associated complementary existing first panel snaps coupled to said first panel wherein said first strip is coupled to said first panel, said first snaps being aligned along a length of said first strip; and a plurality of second snaps coupled to and extending along said second strip, each of said second snaps being configured for coupling to an associated complementary existing second panel snap coupled to said second panel wherein said second strip is coupled to said second panel, said second snaps being aligned along a length of said second strip. 8. The magnetic golf cart panel closure system according to claim, further comprising a strap being attached to one of said first or second panels to facilitate pulling said second panel from said first panel. 9. A magnetic golf cart panel closure system comprising:
a golf cart having a golf cart enclosure thereon, said golf cart having a lateral side being open and defining an entry into said golf cart, said golf enclosure including a first panel and a second panel, said first panel extending forward from a rear of said golf cart and over a rear portion of said entry, said second panel extending rearward from a front of said golf cart and over a front portion of said entry, said first and second panels being positioned in a closed position closing said entry or in an open position exposing said entry; a first strip having a top end and a bottom end, said first strip being coupled to said first panel of a golf cart enclosure adjacent to said second panel; a plurality of first magnetic couplers being coupled to said first strip, said first magnetic couplers being positioned along a length of said first strip, said first magnetic couplers each being magnets each having an elongated shape being elongated along a vertical axis, each of said first magnetic couplers having a rectangular shape; a second strip having a top edge and a bottom edge, said second strip being coupled to said second panel of the golf cart enclosure adjacent to said first panel; a plurality of second magnetic couplers being coupled to said second strip, said second magnetic couplers being positioned along a length of said second strip, said second magnetic couplers being magnetically couplable to said first magnetic couplers wherein said first strip and said second strip are configured to couple the first panel to the second panel, said second magnetic couplers being magnets each having an elongated shape being elongated along a vertical axis, each of said second magnetic couplers having a rectangular shape; said first strip extending forwardly of said first panel and said second strip extending rearwardly of said second panel such that said first and second strips overlap and said first and second magnetic couplers are releasably engaged with each other; said cart having a bottom edge extending along a bottom of said entry and facing laterally away from said cart; at least one first mating member being attached to said bottom edge and being positioned adjacent to said first panel; at least two first mating members being attached to said bottom edge and being positioned adjacent to said second panel; said first panel having a second mating member attached thereto and being releasably engaged to said first mating member adjacent to said first panel; said second panel having a pair of second mating members attached thereto and being releasably engaged to said first mating members adjacent to said second panel; a plurality of first snaps coupled to and extending along said first strip, each of said first snaps being releasably coupled to an associated complementary existing first panel snaps coupled to said first panel wherein said first strip is coupled to said first panel, said first snaps being aligned along a length of said first strip; a plurality of second snaps coupled to and extending along said second strip, each of said second snaps being configured for coupling to an associated complementary existing second panel snap coupled to said second panel wherein said second strip is coupled to said second panel, said second snaps being aligned along a length of said second strip; and a strap is attached to said second panel to facilitate pulling said second panel from said first panel. | A magnetic golf cart panel closure device includes a golf cart with a golf cart enclosure thereon that includes a first panel and a second panel. The first and second panels are positioned in a closed position closing a cart entry or in an open position. A plurality of first magnetic couplers is mounted on the first panel. A plurality of second magnetic couplers is mounted on the second panel. The first magnetic couplers are overlapped with the second magnetic couplers such that the first and second magnetic couplers are releasably engaged with each other. The cart has a bottom edge. A plurality of first mating members is attached to the bottom edge and a plurality of second mating members is attached to the first and second panels. The first and second mating members are engaged together to secure the first and second panels to the bottom edge.1. A magnetic golf cart panel closure system comprising:
a golf cart having a golf cart enclosure thereon, said golf cart having a lateral side being open and defining an entry into said golf cart, said golf enclosure including a first panel and a second panel, said first panel extending forward from a rear of said golf cart and over a rear portion of said entry, said second panel extending rearward from a front of said golf cart and over a front portion of said entry, said first and second panels being positioned in a closed position closing said entry or in an open position exposing said entry; a plurality of first magnetic couplers being mounted on said first panel; a plurality of second magnetic couplers being mounted on said second panel; said first magnetic couplers being overlapped with said second magnetic couplers such that said first and second magnetic couplers are releasably engaged with each other; said cart having a bottom edge extending along a bottom of said entry and facing laterally away from said cart; at least one first mating member being attached to said bottom edge and being positioned adjacent to said first panel; at least one first mating member being attached to said bottom edge and being positioned adjacent to said second panel; said first panel having a second mating member attached thereto and being releasably engaged to said first mating member adjacent to said first panel; said second panel having a second mating member attached thereto and being releasably engaged to said first mating member adjacent to said second panel. 2. The magnetic golf cart panel closure system according to claim 1, comprising:
a first strip having a top end and a bottom end, said first strip being coupled to said first panel of a golf cart enclosure adjacent to said second panel, said firs first magnetic couplers being coupled to said first strip, said first magnetic couplers being positioned along a length of said first strip, said first magnetic couplers each being magnets; and a second strip having a top edge and a bottom edge, said second strip being coupled to said second panel of the golf cart enclosure adjacent to said first panel, said plurality of second magnet couplers being coupled to said second strip, said second magnetic couplers being positioned along a length of said second strip. 3. The magnetic golf cart panel closure system according to claim 2, comprising wherein said first and second magnetic couplers are each magnets having an elongated shape being elongated along a vertical axis, each of said second magnetic couplers having a rectangular shape. 4. The magnetic golf cart panel closure system according to claim 2, comprising said first strip extending forwardly of said first panel and said second strip extending rearwardly of said second panel such that said first and second strips overlap and said first and second magnetic couplers are releasably engaged with each other. 5. The magnetic golf cart panel closure system according to claim 1, comprising wherein at least two first mating members are attached to said bottom edge adjacent and being positioned adjacent to said second panel, said second panel having a pair of second mating members attached thereto and being releasably engaged to said first mating members adjacent to said second panel. 6. The magnetic golf cart panel closure system according to claim 2, wherein said first and second strips are removably coupled to an associated one of said first and second panels. 7. The magnetic golf cart panel closure system according to claim 6, further comprising:
a plurality of first snaps coupled to and extending along said first strip, each of said first snaps being releasably coupled to an associated complementary existing first panel snaps coupled to said first panel wherein said first strip is coupled to said first panel, said first snaps being aligned along a length of said first strip; and a plurality of second snaps coupled to and extending along said second strip, each of said second snaps being configured for coupling to an associated complementary existing second panel snap coupled to said second panel wherein said second strip is coupled to said second panel, said second snaps being aligned along a length of said second strip. 8. The magnetic golf cart panel closure system according to claim, further comprising a strap being attached to one of said first or second panels to facilitate pulling said second panel from said first panel. 9. A magnetic golf cart panel closure system comprising:
a golf cart having a golf cart enclosure thereon, said golf cart having a lateral side being open and defining an entry into said golf cart, said golf enclosure including a first panel and a second panel, said first panel extending forward from a rear of said golf cart and over a rear portion of said entry, said second panel extending rearward from a front of said golf cart and over a front portion of said entry, said first and second panels being positioned in a closed position closing said entry or in an open position exposing said entry; a first strip having a top end and a bottom end, said first strip being coupled to said first panel of a golf cart enclosure adjacent to said second panel; a plurality of first magnetic couplers being coupled to said first strip, said first magnetic couplers being positioned along a length of said first strip, said first magnetic couplers each being magnets each having an elongated shape being elongated along a vertical axis, each of said first magnetic couplers having a rectangular shape; a second strip having a top edge and a bottom edge, said second strip being coupled to said second panel of the golf cart enclosure adjacent to said first panel; a plurality of second magnetic couplers being coupled to said second strip, said second magnetic couplers being positioned along a length of said second strip, said second magnetic couplers being magnetically couplable to said first magnetic couplers wherein said first strip and said second strip are configured to couple the first panel to the second panel, said second magnetic couplers being magnets each having an elongated shape being elongated along a vertical axis, each of said second magnetic couplers having a rectangular shape; said first strip extending forwardly of said first panel and said second strip extending rearwardly of said second panel such that said first and second strips overlap and said first and second magnetic couplers are releasably engaged with each other; said cart having a bottom edge extending along a bottom of said entry and facing laterally away from said cart; at least one first mating member being attached to said bottom edge and being positioned adjacent to said first panel; at least two first mating members being attached to said bottom edge and being positioned adjacent to said second panel; said first panel having a second mating member attached thereto and being releasably engaged to said first mating member adjacent to said first panel; said second panel having a pair of second mating members attached thereto and being releasably engaged to said first mating members adjacent to said second panel; a plurality of first snaps coupled to and extending along said first strip, each of said first snaps being releasably coupled to an associated complementary existing first panel snaps coupled to said first panel wherein said first strip is coupled to said first panel, said first snaps being aligned along a length of said first strip; a plurality of second snaps coupled to and extending along said second strip, each of said second snaps being configured for coupling to an associated complementary existing second panel snap coupled to said second panel wherein said second strip is coupled to said second panel, said second snaps being aligned along a length of said second strip; and a strap is attached to said second panel to facilitate pulling said second panel from said first panel. | 3,600 |
13,024 | 13,024 | 15,273,979 | 3,631 | An equestrian identification system including a series of character presentation panels attached to a panel receiving patch. A dense hook interface is provided upon an interface surface of the character presentation panels. A dense loop interface is provided upon an interface surface of the panel receiving patch. The panel receiving patch is applied to an area of a saddle pad, an equestrian's attire, or other object. One character image is provided upon a viewing surface of each respective character presentation panel. The character image is selected from an image group, where the image group consists of a set of numbers within a range of 0 through 9, a set of alphabet letters within a range of A through Z, and a complete set of grammatical characters included within ASCII code languages. The panel receiving patch can be colored to compliment the object to which is it being applied thereon. | 1. An equestrian participant identifier method, comprising:
obtaining a panel receiving patch, said panel receiving patch comprising a dense loop interface provided on an attachment side of said receiving patch; obtaining a series of character presentation panels, said series comprising at least one of:
a character image disposed upon a panel image presentation surface of each character presentation panel, respectively to form a set of character images, said set of character images are selected from a character image group, said character image group comprising:
a set of numbers within a range of 0 through 9, a set of alphabet letters within a range of A through Z, and a complete set of grammatical characters included within ASCII code languages; and
each character presentation panel comprises a dense hook interface on an attachment side of said character presentation panel;
applying said panel receiving patch to a saddle pad, said panel receiving patch being oriented having said interface side exposed for receiving at least one character presentation panel; establishing and associating a unique equestrian participant identifier with each equestrian participant; removably attaching at least one character presentation panel to said panel receiving patch in an arrangement which replicates said unique equestrian participant identifier to identify said respective equestrian participant during a competition; and, identifying an equestrian participant using said attached at least one character presentation panel displayed upon said panel receiving patch. 2. An equestrian participant identifier method as recited in claim 1, said method further comprising a step of removably attaching at least two character presentation panels adjacent one another to form an at least two character set. 3. An equestrian participant identifier method as recited in claim 2, said method comprising said steps of:
applying a pair of panel receiving patches, one to each side of said saddle pad; selecting a pair of at least one character presentation panels, said character presentation panels identifying said unique equestrian participant identifier; and, removably attaching each of said pair of at least one character presentation panels to each of said two panel receiving patches. 4. An equestrian participant identifier method as recited in claim 1, said method further comprising a step of utilizing one image in different orientation to represent two distinct characters. 5. An equestrian participant identifier method, comprising:
obtaining an equestrian identification kit, the equestrian identification kit comprising:
a panel receiving patch, the patch having a dense loop interface provided on an interface side of said receiving patch, the panel receiving patch being designed to be attached to at least one of an equestrian object applied upon a horse and an apparel worn by a rider; and,
a series of character presentation panels, said series comprising at least one of:
a character image disposed upon a panel image presentation surface of each character presentation panel, respectively to form a set of character images, said set of character images are selected from a character image group, said character image group comprising:
at least one of:
a set of numbers within a range of 0 through 9,
a set of letters within a range of A through Z, and,
a set of complete set of grammatical characters included within ASCII code languages; and,
each character presentation panel comprises a dense hook interface on an attachment side of said character presentation panel;
receiving an assignment of an associated identifier the horse during an equestrian competition occurring at an equestrian event; selecting the necessary character presentation panels from the at least one of a set of numbers, set of letters, and set of grammatical characters to match the associated identifier; attaching the panel receiving patch to the equestrian object that is applied upon the horse; applying the selected set of necessary character presentation panels to the panel receiving patch in an arrangement to replicate the associated identifier; and, competing in the equestrian competition, wherein judges identify the horse by the set of required character presentation panels applied to the panel receiving patch. 6. An equestrian participant identifier method as recited in claim 5, said method further comprising a step of removably attaching at least two character presentation panels adjacent one another to form an at least two character set. 7. An equestrian participant identifier method as recited in claim 6, said method comprising said steps of:
applying a pair of panel receiving patches, one to each side of said saddle pad; selecting a pair of at least one character presentation panels, said character presentation panels identifying said unique equestrian participant identifier; and, removably attaching each of said pair of at least one character presentation panels to each of said two panel receiving patches. 8. An equestrian participant identifier method as recited in claim 5, said method further comprising a step of utilizing one image in different orientation to represent two distinct characters. 9. An equestrian participant identifier method, comprising:
obtaining a pair of equestrian identification kits, each equestrian identification kit comprising: a panel receiving patch, the patch having a dense loop interface provided on an interface side of said receiving patch, the panel receiving patch being designed to be attached to at least one of an equestrian object applied upon a horse and an apparel worn by a rider; and a series of character presentation panels, said series comprising at least one of:
a character image disposed upon a panel image presentation surface of each character presentation panel, respectively to form a set of character images, said set of character images are selected from a character image group, said character image group comprising:
at least one of:
a set of numbers within a range of 0 through 9,
a set of letters within a range of A through Z, and,
a set of complete set of grammatical characters included within ASCII code languages; and,
each character presentation panel comprises a dense hook interface on an attachment side of said character presentation panel;
receiving an assignment of an associated identifier respective to the horse and rider during an equestrian competition occurring at an equestrian event; selecting a first set of necessary character presentation panels from the at least one of a set of numbers, set of letters, and set of grammatical characters to match the associated identifier; attaching the first panel receiving patch to the saddle pad that is placed upon the horse; applying the selected set of necessary character presentation panels to the panel receiving patch applied to the saddle pad in an arrangement to replicate the associated identifier; selecting a second set of necessary character presentation panels from the at least one of a set of numbers, set of letters, and set of grammatical characters to match the associated identifier; attaching the second panel receiving patches to the rider's attire; applying the selected set of necessary character presentation panels to the panel receiving patch applied to the rider's attire in an arrangement to replicate the associated identifier; and, competing in the equestrian competition, wherein judges identify the horse and rider by the set of required character presentation panels applied to the panel receiving patch. 10. An equestrian participant identifier method as recited in claim 9, said method further comprising a step of removably attaching at least two character presentation panels adjacent one another to form an at least two character set. 11. An equestrian participant identifier method as recited in claim 10, said method comprising said steps of:
applying a pair of panel receiving patches, one to each side of said saddle pad; selecting a pair of at least one character presentation panels, said character presentation panels identifying said unique equestrian participant identifier; and, removably attaching each of said pair of at least one character presentation panels to each of said two panel receiving patches, 12. An equestrian participant identifier method as recited in claim 9, said method further comprising a step of utilizing one image in different orientation to represent two distinct characters. | An equestrian identification system including a series of character presentation panels attached to a panel receiving patch. A dense hook interface is provided upon an interface surface of the character presentation panels. A dense loop interface is provided upon an interface surface of the panel receiving patch. The panel receiving patch is applied to an area of a saddle pad, an equestrian's attire, or other object. One character image is provided upon a viewing surface of each respective character presentation panel. The character image is selected from an image group, where the image group consists of a set of numbers within a range of 0 through 9, a set of alphabet letters within a range of A through Z, and a complete set of grammatical characters included within ASCII code languages. The panel receiving patch can be colored to compliment the object to which is it being applied thereon.1. An equestrian participant identifier method, comprising:
obtaining a panel receiving patch, said panel receiving patch comprising a dense loop interface provided on an attachment side of said receiving patch; obtaining a series of character presentation panels, said series comprising at least one of:
a character image disposed upon a panel image presentation surface of each character presentation panel, respectively to form a set of character images, said set of character images are selected from a character image group, said character image group comprising:
a set of numbers within a range of 0 through 9, a set of alphabet letters within a range of A through Z, and a complete set of grammatical characters included within ASCII code languages; and
each character presentation panel comprises a dense hook interface on an attachment side of said character presentation panel;
applying said panel receiving patch to a saddle pad, said panel receiving patch being oriented having said interface side exposed for receiving at least one character presentation panel; establishing and associating a unique equestrian participant identifier with each equestrian participant; removably attaching at least one character presentation panel to said panel receiving patch in an arrangement which replicates said unique equestrian participant identifier to identify said respective equestrian participant during a competition; and, identifying an equestrian participant using said attached at least one character presentation panel displayed upon said panel receiving patch. 2. An equestrian participant identifier method as recited in claim 1, said method further comprising a step of removably attaching at least two character presentation panels adjacent one another to form an at least two character set. 3. An equestrian participant identifier method as recited in claim 2, said method comprising said steps of:
applying a pair of panel receiving patches, one to each side of said saddle pad; selecting a pair of at least one character presentation panels, said character presentation panels identifying said unique equestrian participant identifier; and, removably attaching each of said pair of at least one character presentation panels to each of said two panel receiving patches. 4. An equestrian participant identifier method as recited in claim 1, said method further comprising a step of utilizing one image in different orientation to represent two distinct characters. 5. An equestrian participant identifier method, comprising:
obtaining an equestrian identification kit, the equestrian identification kit comprising:
a panel receiving patch, the patch having a dense loop interface provided on an interface side of said receiving patch, the panel receiving patch being designed to be attached to at least one of an equestrian object applied upon a horse and an apparel worn by a rider; and,
a series of character presentation panels, said series comprising at least one of:
a character image disposed upon a panel image presentation surface of each character presentation panel, respectively to form a set of character images, said set of character images are selected from a character image group, said character image group comprising:
at least one of:
a set of numbers within a range of 0 through 9,
a set of letters within a range of A through Z, and,
a set of complete set of grammatical characters included within ASCII code languages; and,
each character presentation panel comprises a dense hook interface on an attachment side of said character presentation panel;
receiving an assignment of an associated identifier the horse during an equestrian competition occurring at an equestrian event; selecting the necessary character presentation panels from the at least one of a set of numbers, set of letters, and set of grammatical characters to match the associated identifier; attaching the panel receiving patch to the equestrian object that is applied upon the horse; applying the selected set of necessary character presentation panels to the panel receiving patch in an arrangement to replicate the associated identifier; and, competing in the equestrian competition, wherein judges identify the horse by the set of required character presentation panels applied to the panel receiving patch. 6. An equestrian participant identifier method as recited in claim 5, said method further comprising a step of removably attaching at least two character presentation panels adjacent one another to form an at least two character set. 7. An equestrian participant identifier method as recited in claim 6, said method comprising said steps of:
applying a pair of panel receiving patches, one to each side of said saddle pad; selecting a pair of at least one character presentation panels, said character presentation panels identifying said unique equestrian participant identifier; and, removably attaching each of said pair of at least one character presentation panels to each of said two panel receiving patches. 8. An equestrian participant identifier method as recited in claim 5, said method further comprising a step of utilizing one image in different orientation to represent two distinct characters. 9. An equestrian participant identifier method, comprising:
obtaining a pair of equestrian identification kits, each equestrian identification kit comprising: a panel receiving patch, the patch having a dense loop interface provided on an interface side of said receiving patch, the panel receiving patch being designed to be attached to at least one of an equestrian object applied upon a horse and an apparel worn by a rider; and a series of character presentation panels, said series comprising at least one of:
a character image disposed upon a panel image presentation surface of each character presentation panel, respectively to form a set of character images, said set of character images are selected from a character image group, said character image group comprising:
at least one of:
a set of numbers within a range of 0 through 9,
a set of letters within a range of A through Z, and,
a set of complete set of grammatical characters included within ASCII code languages; and,
each character presentation panel comprises a dense hook interface on an attachment side of said character presentation panel;
receiving an assignment of an associated identifier respective to the horse and rider during an equestrian competition occurring at an equestrian event; selecting a first set of necessary character presentation panels from the at least one of a set of numbers, set of letters, and set of grammatical characters to match the associated identifier; attaching the first panel receiving patch to the saddle pad that is placed upon the horse; applying the selected set of necessary character presentation panels to the panel receiving patch applied to the saddle pad in an arrangement to replicate the associated identifier; selecting a second set of necessary character presentation panels from the at least one of a set of numbers, set of letters, and set of grammatical characters to match the associated identifier; attaching the second panel receiving patches to the rider's attire; applying the selected set of necessary character presentation panels to the panel receiving patch applied to the rider's attire in an arrangement to replicate the associated identifier; and, competing in the equestrian competition, wherein judges identify the horse and rider by the set of required character presentation panels applied to the panel receiving patch. 10. An equestrian participant identifier method as recited in claim 9, said method further comprising a step of removably attaching at least two character presentation panels adjacent one another to form an at least two character set. 11. An equestrian participant identifier method as recited in claim 10, said method comprising said steps of:
applying a pair of panel receiving patches, one to each side of said saddle pad; selecting a pair of at least one character presentation panels, said character presentation panels identifying said unique equestrian participant identifier; and, removably attaching each of said pair of at least one character presentation panels to each of said two panel receiving patches, 12. An equestrian participant identifier method as recited in claim 9, said method further comprising a step of utilizing one image in different orientation to represent two distinct characters. | 3,600 |
13,025 | 13,025 | 12,889,139 | 3,685 | A method and system for using an indexing identifier (such as, e.g., a tracking identifier or the combination of a postage vendor ID, user account, and piece count) to decrease the size of the postage indicium transmitted to an end user computer, or eliminate transmission of the postage indicium altogether, is provided. When the postage indicium for the end user computer is generated, it is stored, and the indexing identifier, rather than the postage indicium, is transmitted to the end user computer. The indexing identifier is applied to a mail piece, which is then scanned by the postal authority. The postal authority can obtain the stored postage indicium by reference to the indexing identifier. In this manner, the postal authority has access to the postage indicium without having to apply it to the mail piece. The indexing identifiers can optionally be used to index sender identification information for verifying that the sender of a mail piece is a trusted individual or entity. | 1. A method for detecting postage fraud using an indexed lookup procedure, comprising:
generating, at a postage-issuing computer system, a unique postage indicium that contains a unique tracking number allocated to a postage transaction, wherein the unique tracking number allocated to the postage transaction provides a mail piece tracking capability within the United States Postal Service (USPS); indexing the postage transaction with the unique tracking number contained in the unique postage indicium and allocated to the postage transaction; receiving, at the postage-issuing computer system, a request to validate a printed postage indicium carried on a mail piece received at the USPS, wherein the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece contains the unique tracking number allocated to the indexed postage transaction; and validating the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece in response to determining that the unique tracking number contained in the printed postage indicium and allocated to the indexed postage transaction has not been used on any mail pieces previously handled by the USPS. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
deriving a digital signature from the unique postage indicium, wherein the indexed postage transaction includes information representing the digital signature derived from the unique postage indicium; and validating the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece in response to further determining that the digital signature derived from the unique postage indicium matches a digital signature derived from the printed postage indicium. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the postage-issuing computer system receives the unique tracking number allocated to the postage transaction from the USPS. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the postage-issuing computer system allocates the unique tracking number to the postage transaction from a pool of unassigned tracking numbers. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the postage-issuing computer system periodically downloads the pool of unassigned tracking numbers from the USPS. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the unique postage indicium and the unique tracking number allocated to the postage transaction to an end user computer, wherein the postage-issuing computer system transmits the unique postage indicium and the unique tracking number in a format that enables the end user computer to print a one-dimensional bar code representing the unique tracking number and a two-dimensional bar code representing the unique postage indicium. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the mail piece received at the USPS carries one or more of the one-dimensional bar code representing the unique tracking number or the two-dimensional bar code representing the unique postage indicium. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating an alert indicating that the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece may potentially be fraudulent in response to determining that the unique tracking number contained in the printed postage indicium and allocated to the indexed postage transaction has been used on one or more mail pieces previously handled by the USPS. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
adding a record to a transaction database in response to validating the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece, wherein the record added to the transaction database indicates that the unique tracking number contained in the validated printed postage indicium and allocated to the indexed postage transaction has been used on the mail piece carrying the validated printed postage indicium; and generating a potential fraud alert in response to determining that the USPS has received a subsequent mail piece carrying one or more of the validated printed postage indicium or the unique tracking number contained in the validated printed postage indicium. 10. A postage-issuing computer system for detecting postage fraud using an indexed lookup procedure, wherein the postage-issuing computer system comprises one or more processors configured to:
generate a unique postage indicium that contains a unique tracking number allocated to a postage transaction, wherein the unique tracking number allocated to the postage transaction provides the mail piece tracking capability within the United States Postal Service (USPS); index the postage transaction with the unique tracking number contained in the unique postage indicium and allocated to the postage transaction; receive a request to validate a printed postage indicium carried on a mail piece received at the USPS, wherein the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece contains the unique tracking number allocated to the indexed postage transaction; and validate the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece in response to determining that the unique tracking number contained in the printed postage indicium and allocated to the indexed postage transaction has not been used on any mail pieces previously handled by the USPS. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
derive a digital signature from the unique postage indicium, wherein the indexed postage transaction includes information representing the digital signature derived from the unique postage indicium; and validate the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece in response to further determining that the digital signature derived from the unique postage indicium matches a digital signature derived from the printed postage indicium. 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the postage-issuing computer system receives the unique tracking number allocated to the postage transaction from the USPS. 13. The system of claim 10, wherein the postage-issuing computer system allocates the unique tracking number to the postage transaction from a pool of unassigned tracking numbers. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the postage-issuing computer system periodically downloads the pool of unassigned tracking numbers from the USPS. 15. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to transmit the unique postage indicium and the unique tracking number allocated to the postage transaction to an end user computer, wherein the one or more processors transmit the unique postage indicium and the unique tracking number in a format that enables the end user computer to print a one-dimensional bar code representing the unique tracking number and a two-dimensional bar code representing the unique postage indicium. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the mail piece received at the USPS carries one or more of the one-dimensional bar code representing the unique tracking number or the two-dimensional bar code representing the unique postage indicium. 17. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to generate an alert indicating that the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece may potentially be fraudulent in response to determining that the unique tracking number contained in the printed postage indicium and allocated to the indexed postage transaction has been used on one or more mail pieces previously handled by the USPS. 18. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
add a record to a transaction database in response to validating the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece, wherein the record added to the transaction database indicates that the unique tracking number contained in the validated printed postage indicium and allocated to the indexed postage transaction has been used on the mail piece carrying the validated printed postage indicium; and generate a potential fraud alert in response to determining that the USPS has received a subsequent mail piece carrying one or more of the validated printed postage indicium or the unique tracking number contained in the validated printed postage indicium. 19. A method for detecting postage fraud using an indexed lookup procedure, comprising:
generating, at a postage-issuing computer system, a unique postage indicium that contains a unique tracking number allocated to a postage transaction, wherein the unique tracking number allocated to the postage transaction provides a mail piece tracking capability within the United States Postal Service (USPS); indexing the postage transaction with the unique tracking number contained in the unique postage indicium and allocated to the postage transaction; receiving, at the postage-issuing computer system, a request to validate a printed postage indicium carried on a mail piece received at the USPS, wherein the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece contains the unique tracking number allocated to the indexed postage transaction; and processing the request to validate the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece, wherein processing the request to validate the printed postage indicium includes:
validating the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece in response to determining that the unique tracking number contained in the printed postage indicium and allocated to the indexed postage transaction has not been used on any mail pieces previously handled by the USPS; and
generating an alert indicating that the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece may potentially be fraudulent in response to determining that the unique tracking number contained in the printed postage indicium and allocated to the indexed postage transaction has been used on one or more mail pieces previously handled by the USPS. 20. A postage-issuing computer system for detecting postage fraud using an indexed lookup procedure, wherein the postage-issuing computer system comprises one or more processors configured to:
generate a unique postage indicium that contains a unique tracking number allocated to a postage transaction, wherein the unique tracking number allocated to the postage transaction provides a mail piece tracking capability within the United States Postal Service (USPS); index the postage transaction with the unique tracking number contained in the unique postage indicium and allocated to the postage transaction; receive a request to validate a printed postage indicium carried on a mail piece received at the USPS, wherein the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece contains the unique tracking number allocated to the indexed postage transaction; and process the request to validate the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece, wherein to process the request to validate the printed postage indicium, the one or more processors are further configured to:
validate the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece in response to determining that the unique tracking number contained in the printed postage indicium and allocated to the indexed postage transaction has not been used on any mail pieces previously handled by the USPS; and
generate an alert indicating that the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece may potentially be fraudulent in response to determining that the unique tracking number contained in the printed postage indicium and allocated to the indexed postage transaction has been used on one or more mail pieces previously handled by the USPS. | A method and system for using an indexing identifier (such as, e.g., a tracking identifier or the combination of a postage vendor ID, user account, and piece count) to decrease the size of the postage indicium transmitted to an end user computer, or eliminate transmission of the postage indicium altogether, is provided. When the postage indicium for the end user computer is generated, it is stored, and the indexing identifier, rather than the postage indicium, is transmitted to the end user computer. The indexing identifier is applied to a mail piece, which is then scanned by the postal authority. The postal authority can obtain the stored postage indicium by reference to the indexing identifier. In this manner, the postal authority has access to the postage indicium without having to apply it to the mail piece. The indexing identifiers can optionally be used to index sender identification information for verifying that the sender of a mail piece is a trusted individual or entity.1. A method for detecting postage fraud using an indexed lookup procedure, comprising:
generating, at a postage-issuing computer system, a unique postage indicium that contains a unique tracking number allocated to a postage transaction, wherein the unique tracking number allocated to the postage transaction provides a mail piece tracking capability within the United States Postal Service (USPS); indexing the postage transaction with the unique tracking number contained in the unique postage indicium and allocated to the postage transaction; receiving, at the postage-issuing computer system, a request to validate a printed postage indicium carried on a mail piece received at the USPS, wherein the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece contains the unique tracking number allocated to the indexed postage transaction; and validating the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece in response to determining that the unique tracking number contained in the printed postage indicium and allocated to the indexed postage transaction has not been used on any mail pieces previously handled by the USPS. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
deriving a digital signature from the unique postage indicium, wherein the indexed postage transaction includes information representing the digital signature derived from the unique postage indicium; and validating the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece in response to further determining that the digital signature derived from the unique postage indicium matches a digital signature derived from the printed postage indicium. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the postage-issuing computer system receives the unique tracking number allocated to the postage transaction from the USPS. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the postage-issuing computer system allocates the unique tracking number to the postage transaction from a pool of unassigned tracking numbers. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the postage-issuing computer system periodically downloads the pool of unassigned tracking numbers from the USPS. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the unique postage indicium and the unique tracking number allocated to the postage transaction to an end user computer, wherein the postage-issuing computer system transmits the unique postage indicium and the unique tracking number in a format that enables the end user computer to print a one-dimensional bar code representing the unique tracking number and a two-dimensional bar code representing the unique postage indicium. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the mail piece received at the USPS carries one or more of the one-dimensional bar code representing the unique tracking number or the two-dimensional bar code representing the unique postage indicium. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating an alert indicating that the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece may potentially be fraudulent in response to determining that the unique tracking number contained in the printed postage indicium and allocated to the indexed postage transaction has been used on one or more mail pieces previously handled by the USPS. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
adding a record to a transaction database in response to validating the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece, wherein the record added to the transaction database indicates that the unique tracking number contained in the validated printed postage indicium and allocated to the indexed postage transaction has been used on the mail piece carrying the validated printed postage indicium; and generating a potential fraud alert in response to determining that the USPS has received a subsequent mail piece carrying one or more of the validated printed postage indicium or the unique tracking number contained in the validated printed postage indicium. 10. A postage-issuing computer system for detecting postage fraud using an indexed lookup procedure, wherein the postage-issuing computer system comprises one or more processors configured to:
generate a unique postage indicium that contains a unique tracking number allocated to a postage transaction, wherein the unique tracking number allocated to the postage transaction provides the mail piece tracking capability within the United States Postal Service (USPS); index the postage transaction with the unique tracking number contained in the unique postage indicium and allocated to the postage transaction; receive a request to validate a printed postage indicium carried on a mail piece received at the USPS, wherein the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece contains the unique tracking number allocated to the indexed postage transaction; and validate the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece in response to determining that the unique tracking number contained in the printed postage indicium and allocated to the indexed postage transaction has not been used on any mail pieces previously handled by the USPS. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
derive a digital signature from the unique postage indicium, wherein the indexed postage transaction includes information representing the digital signature derived from the unique postage indicium; and validate the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece in response to further determining that the digital signature derived from the unique postage indicium matches a digital signature derived from the printed postage indicium. 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the postage-issuing computer system receives the unique tracking number allocated to the postage transaction from the USPS. 13. The system of claim 10, wherein the postage-issuing computer system allocates the unique tracking number to the postage transaction from a pool of unassigned tracking numbers. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the postage-issuing computer system periodically downloads the pool of unassigned tracking numbers from the USPS. 15. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to transmit the unique postage indicium and the unique tracking number allocated to the postage transaction to an end user computer, wherein the one or more processors transmit the unique postage indicium and the unique tracking number in a format that enables the end user computer to print a one-dimensional bar code representing the unique tracking number and a two-dimensional bar code representing the unique postage indicium. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the mail piece received at the USPS carries one or more of the one-dimensional bar code representing the unique tracking number or the two-dimensional bar code representing the unique postage indicium. 17. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to generate an alert indicating that the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece may potentially be fraudulent in response to determining that the unique tracking number contained in the printed postage indicium and allocated to the indexed postage transaction has been used on one or more mail pieces previously handled by the USPS. 18. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
add a record to a transaction database in response to validating the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece, wherein the record added to the transaction database indicates that the unique tracking number contained in the validated printed postage indicium and allocated to the indexed postage transaction has been used on the mail piece carrying the validated printed postage indicium; and generate a potential fraud alert in response to determining that the USPS has received a subsequent mail piece carrying one or more of the validated printed postage indicium or the unique tracking number contained in the validated printed postage indicium. 19. A method for detecting postage fraud using an indexed lookup procedure, comprising:
generating, at a postage-issuing computer system, a unique postage indicium that contains a unique tracking number allocated to a postage transaction, wherein the unique tracking number allocated to the postage transaction provides a mail piece tracking capability within the United States Postal Service (USPS); indexing the postage transaction with the unique tracking number contained in the unique postage indicium and allocated to the postage transaction; receiving, at the postage-issuing computer system, a request to validate a printed postage indicium carried on a mail piece received at the USPS, wherein the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece contains the unique tracking number allocated to the indexed postage transaction; and processing the request to validate the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece, wherein processing the request to validate the printed postage indicium includes:
validating the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece in response to determining that the unique tracking number contained in the printed postage indicium and allocated to the indexed postage transaction has not been used on any mail pieces previously handled by the USPS; and
generating an alert indicating that the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece may potentially be fraudulent in response to determining that the unique tracking number contained in the printed postage indicium and allocated to the indexed postage transaction has been used on one or more mail pieces previously handled by the USPS. 20. A postage-issuing computer system for detecting postage fraud using an indexed lookup procedure, wherein the postage-issuing computer system comprises one or more processors configured to:
generate a unique postage indicium that contains a unique tracking number allocated to a postage transaction, wherein the unique tracking number allocated to the postage transaction provides a mail piece tracking capability within the United States Postal Service (USPS); index the postage transaction with the unique tracking number contained in the unique postage indicium and allocated to the postage transaction; receive a request to validate a printed postage indicium carried on a mail piece received at the USPS, wherein the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece contains the unique tracking number allocated to the indexed postage transaction; and process the request to validate the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece, wherein to process the request to validate the printed postage indicium, the one or more processors are further configured to:
validate the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece in response to determining that the unique tracking number contained in the printed postage indicium and allocated to the indexed postage transaction has not been used on any mail pieces previously handled by the USPS; and
generate an alert indicating that the printed postage indicium carried on the mail piece may potentially be fraudulent in response to determining that the unique tracking number contained in the printed postage indicium and allocated to the indexed postage transaction has been used on one or more mail pieces previously handled by the USPS. | 3,600 |
13,026 | 13,026 | 15,188,308 | 3,689 | A system causes an image of a product and a ratings dashboard to be presented on a client computing device. Interaction with the ratings dashboard causes a quick review summary for the product to be presented. The quick review summary for the product provides a top line visual summary of review information provided by product reviewers which information includes a visualization of at least a number of product reviewers that have given the product each of a plurality of overall product reviewer ratings and a visualization of an average overall product reviewer rating of at least one characteristic of the product. Interaction with the quick review summary for the product may be used to cause a presentation of a more detailed summary of the product reviewer information for the product or information related to all product reviewer reviews for the product which information is further capable of being at least one of sorted and filtered. | 1. A computer-readable media embodied in a non-transient, physical memory device having stored thereon computer executable instructions for presenting product review information to a user, the instructions performing steps, comprising:
presenting on a plurality of client computing device user interface elements for receiving review information from a plurality of product reviewers for a product wherein the user interface elements comprise at least one text entry field for receiving from each of the product reviewers product reviewer generated content; automatically transforming the product reviewer generated content into a ratable characteristic of the product in response to a same or equivalent keyword being used a predetermined number of times in product reviewer generated content received from the plurality of product reviewers via the at least one text entry field; causing an image of a product and a ratings dashboard to be presented on a further client computing device wherein the ratings dashboard is associated with the image of the product and wherein the ratings dashboard provides a quick visual summary of review information provided by product reviewers which information includes at least a visualization of an average overall product reviewer rating for the product; in response to a sensed user interaction with the ratings dashboard retrieving from a database review information provided by product reviewers, using the retrieved information provided by product reviewers to determine at least a number of product reviewers that have given the product each of a plurality of overall product reviewer ratings and an average overall product reviewer rating of at least the ratable characteristic of the product, and causing a quick review summary for the product to be presented on the further client computing device wherein the quick review summary for the product provides a top line visual summary of at least the number of product reviewers that have given the product each of a plurality of overall product reviewer ratings and the average overall product reviewer rating of at least the ratable characteristic of the product; and in response to a first sensed user interaction with the quick review summary for the product causing information related to all product reviewer reviews for the product to be presented on the further client computing device wherein the presented information related to all product reviewer reviews for the product is capable of being at least one of sorted and filtered. 2. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 1, wherein the image of the product and the ratings dashboard are presented in a product detail page. 3. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 1, wherein the image of the product and the ratings dashboard are presented in a merchandizing area of a product detail page. 4. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 1, wherein the image of the product and the ratings dashboard are presented in a web page and wherein the quick reviews summary is presented in a pop-up of the web page. 5. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 4, wherein the presented information related to all product reviewer reviews for the product is presented in a further web page. 6. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 1, wherein the information of the review summary for the product includes a visualization of a number of product reviewers that have recommended the product. 7. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 1, wherein in response to a second sensed user interaction with the quick review summary for the product causing a reviews summary to be presented on the further client computing device wherein the reviews summary includes information related to product reviewer reviews for the product as provided by less than all of the product reviewers as well as the visualization of at least a number of product reviewers that have given the product each of a plurality of overall product reviewer ratings. 8. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 7, wherein in response to a third sensed user interaction with the quick review summary for the product causing information related to all product reviewer reviews for the product to be presented on the further client computing device wherein the presented information related to all product reviewer reviews for the product is capable of being at least one of sorted and filtered. 9. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 8, wherein in response to a sensed user interaction with the visualization of the number of product reviewers that have given the product a one of the plurality of overall product reviewer ratings causing the information related to all product reviewer reviews for the product as presented on the further client computing device to be at least one of sorted and filtered considering the interacted with visualization of the number of product reviewers that have given the product a one of the plurality of overall product reviewer ratings. 10. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 8, wherein in response to a sensed user interaction with the a visualization of an average overall product reviewer rating of at least one characteristic of the product causing the information related to all product reviewer reviews for the product as presented on the further client computing device to be at least one of sorted and filtered considering the interacted with visualization of an average overall product reviewer rating of at least one characteristic of the product. | A system causes an image of a product and a ratings dashboard to be presented on a client computing device. Interaction with the ratings dashboard causes a quick review summary for the product to be presented. The quick review summary for the product provides a top line visual summary of review information provided by product reviewers which information includes a visualization of at least a number of product reviewers that have given the product each of a plurality of overall product reviewer ratings and a visualization of an average overall product reviewer rating of at least one characteristic of the product. Interaction with the quick review summary for the product may be used to cause a presentation of a more detailed summary of the product reviewer information for the product or information related to all product reviewer reviews for the product which information is further capable of being at least one of sorted and filtered.1. A computer-readable media embodied in a non-transient, physical memory device having stored thereon computer executable instructions for presenting product review information to a user, the instructions performing steps, comprising:
presenting on a plurality of client computing device user interface elements for receiving review information from a plurality of product reviewers for a product wherein the user interface elements comprise at least one text entry field for receiving from each of the product reviewers product reviewer generated content; automatically transforming the product reviewer generated content into a ratable characteristic of the product in response to a same or equivalent keyword being used a predetermined number of times in product reviewer generated content received from the plurality of product reviewers via the at least one text entry field; causing an image of a product and a ratings dashboard to be presented on a further client computing device wherein the ratings dashboard is associated with the image of the product and wherein the ratings dashboard provides a quick visual summary of review information provided by product reviewers which information includes at least a visualization of an average overall product reviewer rating for the product; in response to a sensed user interaction with the ratings dashboard retrieving from a database review information provided by product reviewers, using the retrieved information provided by product reviewers to determine at least a number of product reviewers that have given the product each of a plurality of overall product reviewer ratings and an average overall product reviewer rating of at least the ratable characteristic of the product, and causing a quick review summary for the product to be presented on the further client computing device wherein the quick review summary for the product provides a top line visual summary of at least the number of product reviewers that have given the product each of a plurality of overall product reviewer ratings and the average overall product reviewer rating of at least the ratable characteristic of the product; and in response to a first sensed user interaction with the quick review summary for the product causing information related to all product reviewer reviews for the product to be presented on the further client computing device wherein the presented information related to all product reviewer reviews for the product is capable of being at least one of sorted and filtered. 2. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 1, wherein the image of the product and the ratings dashboard are presented in a product detail page. 3. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 1, wherein the image of the product and the ratings dashboard are presented in a merchandizing area of a product detail page. 4. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 1, wherein the image of the product and the ratings dashboard are presented in a web page and wherein the quick reviews summary is presented in a pop-up of the web page. 5. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 4, wherein the presented information related to all product reviewer reviews for the product is presented in a further web page. 6. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 1, wherein the information of the review summary for the product includes a visualization of a number of product reviewers that have recommended the product. 7. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 1, wherein in response to a second sensed user interaction with the quick review summary for the product causing a reviews summary to be presented on the further client computing device wherein the reviews summary includes information related to product reviewer reviews for the product as provided by less than all of the product reviewers as well as the visualization of at least a number of product reviewers that have given the product each of a plurality of overall product reviewer ratings. 8. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 7, wherein in response to a third sensed user interaction with the quick review summary for the product causing information related to all product reviewer reviews for the product to be presented on the further client computing device wherein the presented information related to all product reviewer reviews for the product is capable of being at least one of sorted and filtered. 9. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 8, wherein in response to a sensed user interaction with the visualization of the number of product reviewers that have given the product a one of the plurality of overall product reviewer ratings causing the information related to all product reviewer reviews for the product as presented on the further client computing device to be at least one of sorted and filtered considering the interacted with visualization of the number of product reviewers that have given the product a one of the plurality of overall product reviewer ratings. 10. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 8, wherein in response to a sensed user interaction with the a visualization of an average overall product reviewer rating of at least one characteristic of the product causing the information related to all product reviewer reviews for the product as presented on the further client computing device to be at least one of sorted and filtered considering the interacted with visualization of an average overall product reviewer rating of at least one characteristic of the product. | 3,600 |
13,027 | 13,027 | 13,769,717 | 3,627 | A tax return is processed by receiving tax information associated with a taxpayer where the tax information is in a plurality of formats. The tax information is converted into a common electronic format. A determination is made whether the tax information is sufficient to generate a tax return therefrom. A tax return is generated if the tax information has been determined to be sufficient. | 1. A method of processing a tax return, comprising:
receiving tax information associated with a taxpayer; determining if the tax information is sufficient to generate a tax return therefrom; processing the tax information to generate a tax return responsive to the tax information having been determined to be sufficient to generate the tax return; presenting the taxpayer with options for receiving value responsive to the taxpayer being entitled to a tax refund based on the generated tax return; and presenting the taxpayer with options for paying a tax responsive to the taxpayer owing a tax based on the generated tax return. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the taxpayer with options for receiving value comprises:
filing the tax return electronically; dispensing the tax refund to the taxpayer in cash responsive to the tax refund being below a threshold value; issuing a check or money order to the taxpayer responsive to the tax refund not being below the threshold value and/or issuing a government authorized check to the taxpayer. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the taxpayer with options for receiving value comprises:
filing the tax return electronically; and receiving an instrument of value associated with a merchant. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the taxpayer with options for receiving value comprises:
filing the tax return electronically; arranging for a refund anticipation financial instrument; dispensing a spendable asset to the taxpayer from the refund anticipation financial instrument. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the taxpayer with options for paying the tax comprises:
filing the tax return electronically; and paying the tax via cash, credit/debit card, and/or an electronic transfer of funds. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the taxpayer with options for paying the tax comprises:
printing the tax return at the time of preparation for subsequent filing by the taxpayer. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the tax information is in a plurality of formats, the method further comprising:
converting the tax information into a common electronic format. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
establishing an account with a financial institution responsive to the taxpayer being entitled to a tax refund based on the generated tax return. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining if the tax information is sufficient to generate a tax return therefrom comprises:
evaluating the accuracy of the tax information; and confirming the accuracy of the tax information with the taxpayer. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining if the tax information is sufficient to generate a tax return therefrom comprises:
determining if any of the tax information is irrelevant; and discarding any tax information determined to be irrelevant. 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
presenting at least one alternative tax strategy to the taxpayer. 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
presenting a targeted advertisement to the taxpayer. 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
providing communication access to a person who specializes in tax preparation in real time. 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
identifying the taxpayer using biometrics. 15. A method of processing a tax return, comprising:
receiving tax information associated with a taxpayer; determining if the tax information is sufficient to generate a tax return therefrom; processing the tax information to generate a tax return responsive to the tax information having been determined to be sufficient to generate the tax return; and establishing an account with a financial institution responsive to the taxpayer being entitled to a tax refund based on the generated tax return. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the account with the financial institution is a conventional bank account. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the account with the financial institution is a transitory bank account for holding a refund anticipation loan. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the account with the financial institution comprises a savings purse that can only be accessed via a visit to the financial institution and a spending purse that can be accessed via a debit card, automatic teller machine (ATM) card, and/or a credit card. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the tax information is in a plurality of formats, the method further comprising:
converting the tax information into a common electronic format. 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
presenting the taxpayer with options for receiving value responsive to the taxpayer being entitled to the tax refund based on the generated tax return; and presenting the taxpayer with options for paying a tax responsive to the taxpayer owing a tax based on the generated tax return. 21. The method of claim 15, wherein determining if the tax information is sufficient to generate a tax return therefrom comprises:
evaluating the accuracy of the tax information; and confirming the accuracy of the tax information with the taxpayer. 22. The method of claim 15, wherein determining if the tax information is sufficient to generate a tax return therefrom comprises:
determining if any of the tax information is irrelevant; and discarding any tax information determined to be irrelevant. 23. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
presenting at least one tax strategy to the taxpayer. 24. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
presenting a targeted advertisement to the taxpayer. 25. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
providing communication access to a person who specializes in tax preparation in real time. 26. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
identifying the taxpayer using biometrics. 27. A method of processing a tax return, comprising:
receiving tax information associated with a taxpayer; evaluating the accuracy of the tax information; confirming the accuracy of the tax information with the taxpayer; processing the tax information to generate a tax return; presenting the taxpayer with options for receiving value responsive to the taxpayer being entitled to a tax refund based on the generated tax return; and presenting the taxpayer with options for paying a tax responsive to the taxpayer owing a tax based on the generated tax return. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein evaluating the accuracy of the tax information comprises:
determining if any of the tax information is missing; determining if any of the tax information is inconsistent; determining if any of the tax information is incorrect; and/or determining if any of the tax information is irrelevant. 29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:
querying the taxpayer to obtain new tax information to remedy any of the missing, inconsistent, and/or incorrect tax information. 30. The method of claim 27, wherein confirming the accuracy of the tax information comprises:
displaying the tax information for the taxpayer; and receiving confirmation from the taxpayer that the tax information is correct. 31. The method of claim 27, wherein the tax information is in a plurality of formats, the method further comprising:
converting the tax information into a common electronic format. 32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:
establishing an account with a financial institution responsive to the taxpayer being entitled to the tax refund based on the generated tax return. 33. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
presenting at least one alternative tax strategy to the taxpayer. 34. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
presenting a targeted advertisement to the taxpayer. 35. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
providing communication access to a person who specializes in tax preparation in real time. 36. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
identifying the taxpayer using biometrics. 37. A method of processing a tax return, comprising:
receiving tax information associated with a taxpayer, wherein the tax information is in a plurality of formats; converting the tax information into a common electronic format; determining if the tax information is sufficient to generate a tax return therefrom; processing the tax information to generate a tax return responsive to the tax information having been determined to be sufficient to generate the tax return; presenting the taxpayer with options for receiving value responsive to the taxpayer being entitled to a tax refund based on the generated tax return; and presenting the taxpayer with options for paying a tax responsive to the taxpayer owing a tax based on the generated tax return. 38. The method of claim 37, wherein the formats comprise text stored on a paper-based source document. 39. The method of claim 37, wherein receiving the tax information comprises:
scanning the paper-based source document. 40. A method of processing a tax return, comprising:
scanning a tax return that has been filed with a revenue authority; converting information on the tax return into an electronic format; determining if the tax return contains an error; generating an amended tax return responsive to a determination that the tax return contains the error; presenting the taxpayer with options for receiving value responsive to the taxpayer being entitled to a tax refund based on the amended tax return; and presenting the taxpayer with options for paying a tax responsive to the taxpayer owing a tax based on the amended tax return. 41. The method of claim 40, further comprising:
presenting the error to a taxpayer responsive to the determination that the tax return contains the error; and receiving input from the taxpayer responsive to a presentation of the error. | A tax return is processed by receiving tax information associated with a taxpayer where the tax information is in a plurality of formats. The tax information is converted into a common electronic format. A determination is made whether the tax information is sufficient to generate a tax return therefrom. A tax return is generated if the tax information has been determined to be sufficient.1. A method of processing a tax return, comprising:
receiving tax information associated with a taxpayer; determining if the tax information is sufficient to generate a tax return therefrom; processing the tax information to generate a tax return responsive to the tax information having been determined to be sufficient to generate the tax return; presenting the taxpayer with options for receiving value responsive to the taxpayer being entitled to a tax refund based on the generated tax return; and presenting the taxpayer with options for paying a tax responsive to the taxpayer owing a tax based on the generated tax return. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the taxpayer with options for receiving value comprises:
filing the tax return electronically; dispensing the tax refund to the taxpayer in cash responsive to the tax refund being below a threshold value; issuing a check or money order to the taxpayer responsive to the tax refund not being below the threshold value and/or issuing a government authorized check to the taxpayer. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the taxpayer with options for receiving value comprises:
filing the tax return electronically; and receiving an instrument of value associated with a merchant. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the taxpayer with options for receiving value comprises:
filing the tax return electronically; arranging for a refund anticipation financial instrument; dispensing a spendable asset to the taxpayer from the refund anticipation financial instrument. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the taxpayer with options for paying the tax comprises:
filing the tax return electronically; and paying the tax via cash, credit/debit card, and/or an electronic transfer of funds. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the taxpayer with options for paying the tax comprises:
printing the tax return at the time of preparation for subsequent filing by the taxpayer. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the tax information is in a plurality of formats, the method further comprising:
converting the tax information into a common electronic format. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
establishing an account with a financial institution responsive to the taxpayer being entitled to a tax refund based on the generated tax return. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining if the tax information is sufficient to generate a tax return therefrom comprises:
evaluating the accuracy of the tax information; and confirming the accuracy of the tax information with the taxpayer. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining if the tax information is sufficient to generate a tax return therefrom comprises:
determining if any of the tax information is irrelevant; and discarding any tax information determined to be irrelevant. 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
presenting at least one alternative tax strategy to the taxpayer. 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
presenting a targeted advertisement to the taxpayer. 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
providing communication access to a person who specializes in tax preparation in real time. 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
identifying the taxpayer using biometrics. 15. A method of processing a tax return, comprising:
receiving tax information associated with a taxpayer; determining if the tax information is sufficient to generate a tax return therefrom; processing the tax information to generate a tax return responsive to the tax information having been determined to be sufficient to generate the tax return; and establishing an account with a financial institution responsive to the taxpayer being entitled to a tax refund based on the generated tax return. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the account with the financial institution is a conventional bank account. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the account with the financial institution is a transitory bank account for holding a refund anticipation loan. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the account with the financial institution comprises a savings purse that can only be accessed via a visit to the financial institution and a spending purse that can be accessed via a debit card, automatic teller machine (ATM) card, and/or a credit card. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the tax information is in a plurality of formats, the method further comprising:
converting the tax information into a common electronic format. 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
presenting the taxpayer with options for receiving value responsive to the taxpayer being entitled to the tax refund based on the generated tax return; and presenting the taxpayer with options for paying a tax responsive to the taxpayer owing a tax based on the generated tax return. 21. The method of claim 15, wherein determining if the tax information is sufficient to generate a tax return therefrom comprises:
evaluating the accuracy of the tax information; and confirming the accuracy of the tax information with the taxpayer. 22. The method of claim 15, wherein determining if the tax information is sufficient to generate a tax return therefrom comprises:
determining if any of the tax information is irrelevant; and discarding any tax information determined to be irrelevant. 23. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
presenting at least one tax strategy to the taxpayer. 24. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
presenting a targeted advertisement to the taxpayer. 25. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
providing communication access to a person who specializes in tax preparation in real time. 26. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
identifying the taxpayer using biometrics. 27. A method of processing a tax return, comprising:
receiving tax information associated with a taxpayer; evaluating the accuracy of the tax information; confirming the accuracy of the tax information with the taxpayer; processing the tax information to generate a tax return; presenting the taxpayer with options for receiving value responsive to the taxpayer being entitled to a tax refund based on the generated tax return; and presenting the taxpayer with options for paying a tax responsive to the taxpayer owing a tax based on the generated tax return. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein evaluating the accuracy of the tax information comprises:
determining if any of the tax information is missing; determining if any of the tax information is inconsistent; determining if any of the tax information is incorrect; and/or determining if any of the tax information is irrelevant. 29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:
querying the taxpayer to obtain new tax information to remedy any of the missing, inconsistent, and/or incorrect tax information. 30. The method of claim 27, wherein confirming the accuracy of the tax information comprises:
displaying the tax information for the taxpayer; and receiving confirmation from the taxpayer that the tax information is correct. 31. The method of claim 27, wherein the tax information is in a plurality of formats, the method further comprising:
converting the tax information into a common electronic format. 32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:
establishing an account with a financial institution responsive to the taxpayer being entitled to the tax refund based on the generated tax return. 33. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
presenting at least one alternative tax strategy to the taxpayer. 34. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
presenting a targeted advertisement to the taxpayer. 35. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
providing communication access to a person who specializes in tax preparation in real time. 36. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
identifying the taxpayer using biometrics. 37. A method of processing a tax return, comprising:
receiving tax information associated with a taxpayer, wherein the tax information is in a plurality of formats; converting the tax information into a common electronic format; determining if the tax information is sufficient to generate a tax return therefrom; processing the tax information to generate a tax return responsive to the tax information having been determined to be sufficient to generate the tax return; presenting the taxpayer with options for receiving value responsive to the taxpayer being entitled to a tax refund based on the generated tax return; and presenting the taxpayer with options for paying a tax responsive to the taxpayer owing a tax based on the generated tax return. 38. The method of claim 37, wherein the formats comprise text stored on a paper-based source document. 39. The method of claim 37, wherein receiving the tax information comprises:
scanning the paper-based source document. 40. A method of processing a tax return, comprising:
scanning a tax return that has been filed with a revenue authority; converting information on the tax return into an electronic format; determining if the tax return contains an error; generating an amended tax return responsive to a determination that the tax return contains the error; presenting the taxpayer with options for receiving value responsive to the taxpayer being entitled to a tax refund based on the amended tax return; and presenting the taxpayer with options for paying a tax responsive to the taxpayer owing a tax based on the amended tax return. 41. The method of claim 40, further comprising:
presenting the error to a taxpayer responsive to the determination that the tax return contains the error; and receiving input from the taxpayer responsive to a presentation of the error. | 3,600 |
13,028 | 13,028 | 14,415,220 | 3,674 | The present invention provides strategies for improved control of fluid loss, hydration, settling, and separation of aqueous cementing compositions over a wide temperature and time range. The present invention is based at least in part upon water-effusing particles used as additives for the compositions, wherein the particles are activated to control rheology when water soluble portions of the particles are released in the presence of water. | 1. A method of making an aqueous cementing composition, comprising the steps of
(a) compounding ingredients comprising at least one water soluble polymer powder and a diluent in a manner effective to provide a compounded mass; (b) using the compounded mass to form water effusing particles, said water effusing particles comprising the at least one water soluble polymer in a manner such that the particles effuse in the presence of water to release water-thickening, water soluble portions of the particles, said portions comprising the at least one water soluble polymer, and wherein the rate of effusion of the water soluble portions is a function of the size of the water effusing particles; and (c) causing the water effusing particles to be incorporated into an aqueous cementing composition comprising the particles, an inorganic, hydraulic cement, a dispersant, and an aqueous liquid carrier. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the water effusing particles comprise a reversible gel matrix derived at least in part from the compounded mass. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the gel matrix comprises a polymer dough. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the water-effusing particles comprise reversibly agglomerated, water soluble polymer particles. 5. (canceled) 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the water effusing particles comprise a first population of water effusing particles having a first particle size distribution and a second population of water effusing particles having a second particle size distribution. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein at least 80% of the particles in the first population has a LOP (50,3) in the range from 600 micrometers to 850 micrometers. 8. (canceled) 9. (canceled) 10. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises size grading the comminuted particles into at least one size-graded population. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises size grading the comminuted particles into at two size-graded populations. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising selecting one or more of the size graded populations in a manner effective to provide the aqueous cementing composition with a desired thickening profile as a function of one or more factors selected from time and/or temperature. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the water soluble polymer powder comprises at least one water soluble polysaccharide or a derivative thereof. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the water soluble polymer powder comprises at least one water soluble cellulose or a derivative thereof. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the water soluble polymer powder comprises a hydrophobically modified, water soluble polymer. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the hydrophobically modified, water soluble polymer has a hydrophobe DS in the range from 0.001 to 0.025. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the water effusing particles are derived from ingredients comprising hydrophobically modified hydroxyethylcellulose. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the dispersant is anionic. 19. A method of making an oil well structure, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing an aqueous cementing composition, comprising an inorganic hydraulic cement, a plurality of compounded, water-effusing particles, and an aqueous liquid carrier, said compounded, water-effusing particles comprising at least one water soluble polymer in a manner such that the particles effuse in the presence of water to release water-thickening, water soluble portions of the particles, said portions comprising the at least one water soluble polymer, wherein the rate of effusion of the water soluble portions is a function of the size of the water effusing particles; (b) causing the aqueous cementing composition to be deployed to a well structure location in a manner such that the composition hardens and cures at the location, thereby forming a portion of the well structure. 20. An aqueous cementing composition, comprising;
(a) an aqueous liquid carrier; (b) an inorganic, hydraulic cement in admixture with the liquid carrier; and (c) a plurality of compounded, water-effusing particles dispersed in the composition, said compounded, water-effusing particles comprising at least one water soluble polymer in a manner such that the particles effuse in the presence of water to release water-thickening, water soluble portions of the particles, said portions comprising the at least one water soluble polymer, wherein the rate of effusion of the water soluble portions is a function of the size of the water effusing particles. 21. (canceled) | The present invention provides strategies for improved control of fluid loss, hydration, settling, and separation of aqueous cementing compositions over a wide temperature and time range. The present invention is based at least in part upon water-effusing particles used as additives for the compositions, wherein the particles are activated to control rheology when water soluble portions of the particles are released in the presence of water.1. A method of making an aqueous cementing composition, comprising the steps of
(a) compounding ingredients comprising at least one water soluble polymer powder and a diluent in a manner effective to provide a compounded mass; (b) using the compounded mass to form water effusing particles, said water effusing particles comprising the at least one water soluble polymer in a manner such that the particles effuse in the presence of water to release water-thickening, water soluble portions of the particles, said portions comprising the at least one water soluble polymer, and wherein the rate of effusion of the water soluble portions is a function of the size of the water effusing particles; and (c) causing the water effusing particles to be incorporated into an aqueous cementing composition comprising the particles, an inorganic, hydraulic cement, a dispersant, and an aqueous liquid carrier. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the water effusing particles comprise a reversible gel matrix derived at least in part from the compounded mass. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the gel matrix comprises a polymer dough. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the water-effusing particles comprise reversibly agglomerated, water soluble polymer particles. 5. (canceled) 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the water effusing particles comprise a first population of water effusing particles having a first particle size distribution and a second population of water effusing particles having a second particle size distribution. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein at least 80% of the particles in the first population has a LOP (50,3) in the range from 600 micrometers to 850 micrometers. 8. (canceled) 9. (canceled) 10. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises size grading the comminuted particles into at least one size-graded population. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises size grading the comminuted particles into at two size-graded populations. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising selecting one or more of the size graded populations in a manner effective to provide the aqueous cementing composition with a desired thickening profile as a function of one or more factors selected from time and/or temperature. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the water soluble polymer powder comprises at least one water soluble polysaccharide or a derivative thereof. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the water soluble polymer powder comprises at least one water soluble cellulose or a derivative thereof. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the water soluble polymer powder comprises a hydrophobically modified, water soluble polymer. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the hydrophobically modified, water soluble polymer has a hydrophobe DS in the range from 0.001 to 0.025. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the water effusing particles are derived from ingredients comprising hydrophobically modified hydroxyethylcellulose. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the dispersant is anionic. 19. A method of making an oil well structure, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing an aqueous cementing composition, comprising an inorganic hydraulic cement, a plurality of compounded, water-effusing particles, and an aqueous liquid carrier, said compounded, water-effusing particles comprising at least one water soluble polymer in a manner such that the particles effuse in the presence of water to release water-thickening, water soluble portions of the particles, said portions comprising the at least one water soluble polymer, wherein the rate of effusion of the water soluble portions is a function of the size of the water effusing particles; (b) causing the aqueous cementing composition to be deployed to a well structure location in a manner such that the composition hardens and cures at the location, thereby forming a portion of the well structure. 20. An aqueous cementing composition, comprising;
(a) an aqueous liquid carrier; (b) an inorganic, hydraulic cement in admixture with the liquid carrier; and (c) a plurality of compounded, water-effusing particles dispersed in the composition, said compounded, water-effusing particles comprising at least one water soluble polymer in a manner such that the particles effuse in the presence of water to release water-thickening, water soluble portions of the particles, said portions comprising the at least one water soluble polymer, wherein the rate of effusion of the water soluble portions is a function of the size of the water effusing particles. 21. (canceled) | 3,600 |
13,029 | 13,029 | 15,316,516 | 3,624 | The present invention provides a delivery system for easily collecting/notifying a store/business opening day, anniversary day, or store/business closing day of a company, store and other organizations. In the delivery system, a server accepts, from a sponsor-side communication device, date information regarding any of the store/business opening day and the anniversary day, and an event information of the memorial day. The server calculates the information of the anniversary day for the next and subsequent years based on the date of the store/business opening day. For the store opening day registered in the server by a person opening a new store, the anniversary day is registered by the server, and the registered day is updated for the next and subsequent years when the anniversary day of an existing store is registered. The server accepts the transmission of a keyword from a user-side communication device and searches for a sponsor. The server responds to the user-side communication device with a website for delivering a store-closing information or a website for delivering information about an anniversary or a store-opening day in accordance with the updating status of the event information of the anniversary day. | 1. A delivery system, comprising:
a server; a sponsor terminal; and a user terminal, wherein the server includes:
a communication interface for accepting an access from the sponsor terminal or the user terminal to transmit/receive data to/from the sponsor terminal or the user terminal;
a memory for storing, in a respective cell of dates of a calendar, an information identifying a sponsor, an information of a store/business opening day of the sponsor, an event information of the store/business opening day, and an event information of an anniversary date of the next and subsequent years of the store/business opening day, the information identifying the sponsor and the information of the store/business opening day of the sponsor being in association with each other; and
a first processor for controlling an operation of the server and transmitting the event information to the user terminal,
the sponsor terminal includes:
an input interface for receiving an input operation to register in the server the information identifying the sponsor, the information of the store/business opening day of the sponsor, the event information of the store/business opening day to be transmitted to the user terminal; and
a communication unit for transmitting contents registered by the input operation to the server,
the user terminal includes:
a display;
a communication section; and
a second processor for controlling an operation of the user terminal, wherein
the first processor of the server has functions of:
a registration processing section for receiving the information of the store/business opening day from the sponsor terminal, recording a date of the store/business opening day and the information identifying the sponsor in the memory in association with each other, specifying the anniversary date of at least the next and subsequent years of the store/business opening day by calculation, and recording the specified anniversary information indicating the anniversary date in the cell of the dates of the calendar;
a store opening information delivery section for transmitting the information of the store/business opening day, the information identifying the sponsor related to the store/business opening day and the event information of the store/business opening day to the user terminal; and
an anniversary information delivery section for transmitting the anniversary information and the event information of the anniversary date to the user terminal,
the second processor of the user terminal has functions of:
a reception processing section for receiving the information of the store/business opening day and the anniversary information from the server; and
a display processing section for displaying the received information on the display. 2. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein
the sponsor terminal receives the input operation to register in the server the information identifying the sponsor, the anniversary date of the sponsor and the event information of the anniversary date to be transmitted to the user terminal by the input interface, the registration processing section of the first processor of the server receives the information registered by the sponsor terminal from the sponsor terminal, records in the memory the anniversary information indicating the date of the anniversary of the sponsor, the information identifying the sponsor and the event information of the anniversary date in association with each other, and specifies the anniversary date of the store/business opening day in at least the next and subsequent years of the store/business opening day by calculation, and the anniversary information delivery section transmits the anniversary date registered as the anniversary information or the anniversary date in at least the next and subsequent years of the registered anniversary date and the event information of the anniversary date to the user terminal. 3. A delivery system, comprising:
a server; a sponsor terminal; and a user terminal, wherein the server includes:
a communication interface for accepting an access from the sponsor terminal or the user terminal to transmit/receive data to/from the sponsor terminal or the user terminal;
a memory for storing, in a respective cell of dates of a calendar, an information identifying a sponsor, an anniversary information indicating an anniversary date after a predetermined number of years of a store/business opening day of the sponsor, and an event information of the anniversary date in association with each other; and
a first processor for controlling an operation of the server and transmitting the event information to the user terminal,
the sponsor terminal includes:
an input interface for receiving an input operation to register in the server an information identifying the sponsor, an information of the anniversary date of the sponsor, the event information of the anniversary date; and
a communication unit for transmitting contents registered by the input operation to the server,
the user terminal includes:
a display;
a communication section; and
a second processor for controlling an operation of the user terminal, wherein
the first processor of the server has functions of:
a registration processing section for receiving the information of the anniversary date of the sponsor from the sponsor terminal, recording the received anniversary date and the information identifying the sponsor in the memory in association with each other, specifying the anniversary date of at least the next and subsequent years of the received anniversary date by calculation, and recording the specified anniversary date in the cell of the dates of the calendar; and
an anniversary information delivery section for transmitting the registered anniversary date or the anniversary date of at least the next and subsequent years specified by the registered anniversary date and the event information of the anniversary date to the user terminal,
the second processor of the user terminal has functions of:
a reception processing section for receiving the information of the anniversary date from the server; and
a display processing section for displaying the received information on the display. 4. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein
the first processor of the server has a function of:
a store closing information delivery section for transmitting an information indicating a possibility of closing store/business of the sponsor to the user terminal when the input operation of the event information is not received from the sponsor terminal for a predetermined period of time,
the reception processing section of the second processor of the user terminal has a function of receiving the information indicating the possibility of closing store/business of the sponsor, and the display processing section has a function of displaying the information indicating the possibility of closing store/business on the display. 5. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein
the input interface of the sponsor terminal receives the input operation to register an information of a store/business closing day on the server, the information of the store/business closing day being specified by the sponsor, the registration processing section of the first processor of the server receives the information of the store/business closing day from the sponsor terminal and records the received date of the store/business closing day and the information identifying the sponsor in association with each other, the information of the store/business closing day being registered on the sponsor terminal and specified by the sponsor, the first processor of the server has functions of:
a store closing information delivery section for transmitting the information of the store/business closing day specified by the sponsor to at least one of the user terminal and the sponsor terminal when the date of the store/business closing day is recorded in the memory; and
a site information transmitting section for transmitting an information of a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) that enables a user to access a service site to at least one of the user terminal and the sponsor terminal, the service site providing a service mediating a transaction with the sponsor closing the store/business. | The present invention provides a delivery system for easily collecting/notifying a store/business opening day, anniversary day, or store/business closing day of a company, store and other organizations. In the delivery system, a server accepts, from a sponsor-side communication device, date information regarding any of the store/business opening day and the anniversary day, and an event information of the memorial day. The server calculates the information of the anniversary day for the next and subsequent years based on the date of the store/business opening day. For the store opening day registered in the server by a person opening a new store, the anniversary day is registered by the server, and the registered day is updated for the next and subsequent years when the anniversary day of an existing store is registered. The server accepts the transmission of a keyword from a user-side communication device and searches for a sponsor. The server responds to the user-side communication device with a website for delivering a store-closing information or a website for delivering information about an anniversary or a store-opening day in accordance with the updating status of the event information of the anniversary day.1. A delivery system, comprising:
a server; a sponsor terminal; and a user terminal, wherein the server includes:
a communication interface for accepting an access from the sponsor terminal or the user terminal to transmit/receive data to/from the sponsor terminal or the user terminal;
a memory for storing, in a respective cell of dates of a calendar, an information identifying a sponsor, an information of a store/business opening day of the sponsor, an event information of the store/business opening day, and an event information of an anniversary date of the next and subsequent years of the store/business opening day, the information identifying the sponsor and the information of the store/business opening day of the sponsor being in association with each other; and
a first processor for controlling an operation of the server and transmitting the event information to the user terminal,
the sponsor terminal includes:
an input interface for receiving an input operation to register in the server the information identifying the sponsor, the information of the store/business opening day of the sponsor, the event information of the store/business opening day to be transmitted to the user terminal; and
a communication unit for transmitting contents registered by the input operation to the server,
the user terminal includes:
a display;
a communication section; and
a second processor for controlling an operation of the user terminal, wherein
the first processor of the server has functions of:
a registration processing section for receiving the information of the store/business opening day from the sponsor terminal, recording a date of the store/business opening day and the information identifying the sponsor in the memory in association with each other, specifying the anniversary date of at least the next and subsequent years of the store/business opening day by calculation, and recording the specified anniversary information indicating the anniversary date in the cell of the dates of the calendar;
a store opening information delivery section for transmitting the information of the store/business opening day, the information identifying the sponsor related to the store/business opening day and the event information of the store/business opening day to the user terminal; and
an anniversary information delivery section for transmitting the anniversary information and the event information of the anniversary date to the user terminal,
the second processor of the user terminal has functions of:
a reception processing section for receiving the information of the store/business opening day and the anniversary information from the server; and
a display processing section for displaying the received information on the display. 2. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein
the sponsor terminal receives the input operation to register in the server the information identifying the sponsor, the anniversary date of the sponsor and the event information of the anniversary date to be transmitted to the user terminal by the input interface, the registration processing section of the first processor of the server receives the information registered by the sponsor terminal from the sponsor terminal, records in the memory the anniversary information indicating the date of the anniversary of the sponsor, the information identifying the sponsor and the event information of the anniversary date in association with each other, and specifies the anniversary date of the store/business opening day in at least the next and subsequent years of the store/business opening day by calculation, and the anniversary information delivery section transmits the anniversary date registered as the anniversary information or the anniversary date in at least the next and subsequent years of the registered anniversary date and the event information of the anniversary date to the user terminal. 3. A delivery system, comprising:
a server; a sponsor terminal; and a user terminal, wherein the server includes:
a communication interface for accepting an access from the sponsor terminal or the user terminal to transmit/receive data to/from the sponsor terminal or the user terminal;
a memory for storing, in a respective cell of dates of a calendar, an information identifying a sponsor, an anniversary information indicating an anniversary date after a predetermined number of years of a store/business opening day of the sponsor, and an event information of the anniversary date in association with each other; and
a first processor for controlling an operation of the server and transmitting the event information to the user terminal,
the sponsor terminal includes:
an input interface for receiving an input operation to register in the server an information identifying the sponsor, an information of the anniversary date of the sponsor, the event information of the anniversary date; and
a communication unit for transmitting contents registered by the input operation to the server,
the user terminal includes:
a display;
a communication section; and
a second processor for controlling an operation of the user terminal, wherein
the first processor of the server has functions of:
a registration processing section for receiving the information of the anniversary date of the sponsor from the sponsor terminal, recording the received anniversary date and the information identifying the sponsor in the memory in association with each other, specifying the anniversary date of at least the next and subsequent years of the received anniversary date by calculation, and recording the specified anniversary date in the cell of the dates of the calendar; and
an anniversary information delivery section for transmitting the registered anniversary date or the anniversary date of at least the next and subsequent years specified by the registered anniversary date and the event information of the anniversary date to the user terminal,
the second processor of the user terminal has functions of:
a reception processing section for receiving the information of the anniversary date from the server; and
a display processing section for displaying the received information on the display. 4. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein
the first processor of the server has a function of:
a store closing information delivery section for transmitting an information indicating a possibility of closing store/business of the sponsor to the user terminal when the input operation of the event information is not received from the sponsor terminal for a predetermined period of time,
the reception processing section of the second processor of the user terminal has a function of receiving the information indicating the possibility of closing store/business of the sponsor, and the display processing section has a function of displaying the information indicating the possibility of closing store/business on the display. 5. The delivery system according to claim 1, wherein
the input interface of the sponsor terminal receives the input operation to register an information of a store/business closing day on the server, the information of the store/business closing day being specified by the sponsor, the registration processing section of the first processor of the server receives the information of the store/business closing day from the sponsor terminal and records the received date of the store/business closing day and the information identifying the sponsor in association with each other, the information of the store/business closing day being registered on the sponsor terminal and specified by the sponsor, the first processor of the server has functions of:
a store closing information delivery section for transmitting the information of the store/business closing day specified by the sponsor to at least one of the user terminal and the sponsor terminal when the date of the store/business closing day is recorded in the memory; and
a site information transmitting section for transmitting an information of a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) that enables a user to access a service site to at least one of the user terminal and the sponsor terminal, the service site providing a service mediating a transaction with the sponsor closing the store/business. | 3,600 |
13,030 | 13,030 | 15,148,838 | 3,619 | This application relates to disc drill agricultural implements configured to form product rows in a planting surface of a field. The disc drill may include two different sections of row units, the first section containing single-shoot row units and the second section containing double-shoot row units. The configuration may be used to produce three sets of product rows which may be used placement of seeds, fertilizer and/or other agricultural products. | 1. An agricultural implement, comprising:
a first section of row units; and a second section of row units; wherein at least one row unit of the first section is configured to deposit a first agricultural product into soil along a first row, at least one row unit of the second section is configured to deposit a second agricultural product into the soil along a second row and a third agricultural product into the soil along a third row, the at least one row unit of the first section and the at least one row unit of the second section are positioned to laterally offset the first row from the second row and the third row, the at least one row unit of the second section is configured to laterally offset the second row from the third row, and one of the first agricultural product, the second agricultural product, and the third agricultural product comprises fertilizer. 2. The agricultural implement of claim 1, wherein the first section is forward of the second section relative to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement. 3. The agricultural implement of claim 1, comprising a frame, wherein each row unit of the first section and each row unit of the second section is couple to the frame, and the frame is dimensioned to accommodate each row unit of the second section. 4. The agricultural implement of claim 1, wherein the second row is located between a first row and a third row. 5. The agricultural implement of claim 4, wherein the second product comprises the fertilizer and the third product comprises a seed. 6. The agricultural implement of claim 1, wherein the first and third products comprise seed, the second product comprises the fertilizer, and a first offset distance between the first row and the second row enables diffusion of the fertilizer to the first row, a second offset distance between the second row and the third row enables diffusion of the fertilizer to the third row, or a combination thereof. 7. A disc-drill implement, comprising:
a structural frame; a front section of disc opener row units coupled to the structural frame; and a rear section of row units coupled to the structural frame and positioned rearward of the front section relative to a direction of travel of the disc drill implement; wherein the rear section of row units comprises at least one double-shoot row unit, and each row unit of the rear section is positioned at a lateral offset distance from each row unit of the front section. 8. The disc-drill implement of claim 7, wherein a plurality of row units of the front section of row units are arranged in a front row substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel, and a plurality of row units of the rear section of row units are arranged in a rear row substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel. 9. The disc-drill implement of claim 7, wherein the structural frame comprises:
a first structural element configured to support a plurality of row units of the first section of row units; and a second structural element configured to support a plurality of row units of the second section of row units. 10. The disc-drill of claim 7, wherein each row unit of the front section of row units comprises a respective product chute of a first plurality of product chutes, and each row unit of the second section of row units comprises a respective product chute of a second plurality of product chutes and a product chute of a third plurality of product chutes. 11. The disc-drill of claim 10, wherein each product chute of the second plurality of product chutes is configured a deposit a fertilizer into soil. 12. The agricultural system of claim 7, wherein the lateral distance is between 15 centimeters and 31 centimeters. 13. The agricultural system of claim 7, wherein the at least one double-shoot row unit comprises:
a first disc configured to form a first trench into soil and a first product chute configured to deposit a first agricultural product into the trench to form a first row of deposited agricultural product; and a second disc configured to form a second trench into soil and a second product chute configured to deposit a second agricultural product into the trench to form a second row of deposited agricultural product; wherein a first lateral distance between the first and second rows less than 20 centimeters. 14. The agricultural system of claim 13, wherein at least one row unit of the front section of row units is configured to form a third row of deposited product, and a second lateral distance between the first and third row of deposited product is between 5 and 20 centimeters, a third lateral distance between the second and third rows is between 5 centimeters and 20 centimeters, or a combination thereof. 15. The agricultural system of claim 7, comprising:
a central frame section configured to support the front and the rear section of row units; and a first and a second side frame sections configured to support the front and the rear row of disc-openers; 16. An agricultural implement, comprising:
a section of single-shoot row units configured to deposit a first seed product along a first set of seed rows; a section of double-shoot row units configured to deposit a second seed product along a second set of seed rows and a fertilizer product along a set of fertilizer rows; and a frame configured to support the row of single-shoot row units and the row of double-shoot row units; and at least one side frame section configured to support the row of single-shoot row units and the row of double-shoot row units; wherein at least one row unit of the row of double-shoot row units is positioned at a lateral offset distance from each row unit of the row of single-shoot row units. 17. The agricultural implement of claim 16, wherein each single-shoot row unit and each double-shoot row unit comprises a mount configured to secure each respective row unit to the section of single-shoot row units and the section of double-shoot row units. 18. The agricultural implement of claim 16, wherein at least one fertilizer row of the set of fertilizer rows is positioned between a seed row of the first set of seed rows and a seed row of the second set of seed rows. 19. The agricultural implement of claim 18, wherein the at least one fertilizer row is positioned a first lateral distance from an adjacent seed row of the first set of seed rows and a second lateral distance from an adjacent seed row of the second set of seed rows, and the first and second distances enable interaction between the fertilizer product and at least one of the first and second seed products via diffusion. 20. The agricultural implement of claim 19, wherein the first lateral distance and the second lateral distance are substantially equal to one another. | This application relates to disc drill agricultural implements configured to form product rows in a planting surface of a field. The disc drill may include two different sections of row units, the first section containing single-shoot row units and the second section containing double-shoot row units. The configuration may be used to produce three sets of product rows which may be used placement of seeds, fertilizer and/or other agricultural products.1. An agricultural implement, comprising:
a first section of row units; and a second section of row units; wherein at least one row unit of the first section is configured to deposit a first agricultural product into soil along a first row, at least one row unit of the second section is configured to deposit a second agricultural product into the soil along a second row and a third agricultural product into the soil along a third row, the at least one row unit of the first section and the at least one row unit of the second section are positioned to laterally offset the first row from the second row and the third row, the at least one row unit of the second section is configured to laterally offset the second row from the third row, and one of the first agricultural product, the second agricultural product, and the third agricultural product comprises fertilizer. 2. The agricultural implement of claim 1, wherein the first section is forward of the second section relative to a direction of travel of the agricultural implement. 3. The agricultural implement of claim 1, comprising a frame, wherein each row unit of the first section and each row unit of the second section is couple to the frame, and the frame is dimensioned to accommodate each row unit of the second section. 4. The agricultural implement of claim 1, wherein the second row is located between a first row and a third row. 5. The agricultural implement of claim 4, wherein the second product comprises the fertilizer and the third product comprises a seed. 6. The agricultural implement of claim 1, wherein the first and third products comprise seed, the second product comprises the fertilizer, and a first offset distance between the first row and the second row enables diffusion of the fertilizer to the first row, a second offset distance between the second row and the third row enables diffusion of the fertilizer to the third row, or a combination thereof. 7. A disc-drill implement, comprising:
a structural frame; a front section of disc opener row units coupled to the structural frame; and a rear section of row units coupled to the structural frame and positioned rearward of the front section relative to a direction of travel of the disc drill implement; wherein the rear section of row units comprises at least one double-shoot row unit, and each row unit of the rear section is positioned at a lateral offset distance from each row unit of the front section. 8. The disc-drill implement of claim 7, wherein a plurality of row units of the front section of row units are arranged in a front row substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel, and a plurality of row units of the rear section of row units are arranged in a rear row substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel. 9. The disc-drill implement of claim 7, wherein the structural frame comprises:
a first structural element configured to support a plurality of row units of the first section of row units; and a second structural element configured to support a plurality of row units of the second section of row units. 10. The disc-drill of claim 7, wherein each row unit of the front section of row units comprises a respective product chute of a first plurality of product chutes, and each row unit of the second section of row units comprises a respective product chute of a second plurality of product chutes and a product chute of a third plurality of product chutes. 11. The disc-drill of claim 10, wherein each product chute of the second plurality of product chutes is configured a deposit a fertilizer into soil. 12. The agricultural system of claim 7, wherein the lateral distance is between 15 centimeters and 31 centimeters. 13. The agricultural system of claim 7, wherein the at least one double-shoot row unit comprises:
a first disc configured to form a first trench into soil and a first product chute configured to deposit a first agricultural product into the trench to form a first row of deposited agricultural product; and a second disc configured to form a second trench into soil and a second product chute configured to deposit a second agricultural product into the trench to form a second row of deposited agricultural product; wherein a first lateral distance between the first and second rows less than 20 centimeters. 14. The agricultural system of claim 13, wherein at least one row unit of the front section of row units is configured to form a third row of deposited product, and a second lateral distance between the first and third row of deposited product is between 5 and 20 centimeters, a third lateral distance between the second and third rows is between 5 centimeters and 20 centimeters, or a combination thereof. 15. The agricultural system of claim 7, comprising:
a central frame section configured to support the front and the rear section of row units; and a first and a second side frame sections configured to support the front and the rear row of disc-openers; 16. An agricultural implement, comprising:
a section of single-shoot row units configured to deposit a first seed product along a first set of seed rows; a section of double-shoot row units configured to deposit a second seed product along a second set of seed rows and a fertilizer product along a set of fertilizer rows; and a frame configured to support the row of single-shoot row units and the row of double-shoot row units; and at least one side frame section configured to support the row of single-shoot row units and the row of double-shoot row units; wherein at least one row unit of the row of double-shoot row units is positioned at a lateral offset distance from each row unit of the row of single-shoot row units. 17. The agricultural implement of claim 16, wherein each single-shoot row unit and each double-shoot row unit comprises a mount configured to secure each respective row unit to the section of single-shoot row units and the section of double-shoot row units. 18. The agricultural implement of claim 16, wherein at least one fertilizer row of the set of fertilizer rows is positioned between a seed row of the first set of seed rows and a seed row of the second set of seed rows. 19. The agricultural implement of claim 18, wherein the at least one fertilizer row is positioned a first lateral distance from an adjacent seed row of the first set of seed rows and a second lateral distance from an adjacent seed row of the second set of seed rows, and the first and second distances enable interaction between the fertilizer product and at least one of the first and second seed products via diffusion. 20. The agricultural implement of claim 19, wherein the first lateral distance and the second lateral distance are substantially equal to one another. | 3,600 |
13,031 | 13,031 | 12,262,017 | 3,627 | Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for information technology (IT) services lifecycle management. A services architecture provides a plurality of services that are capable of being ordered. A design service captures declarative specifications of services as service models. A catalog service receives the service model and combines the service models into a plurality of service offerings to provide a catalog of orderable services. An order configuration service receives an order for at least one orderable service selectable from the catalog of orderable services. An order processing service instantiates the at least one orderable service in two phases, thereby generating an instantiated ordered service. An order fulfillment service fulfills the order in accordance with the instantiated ordered service. | 1. A computer system comprising:
a computer processor; and logic instructions on tangible computer readable media and executable by the computer processor to cause the computer processor to provide:
a design service operable to capture declarative specifications of services as a service model;
a catalog service operable to receive the service model from the design service and combine the service model into a plurality of service offerings to provide a catalog of orderable services;
an order processing service operable to configure an order for at least one orderable service selectable from the catalog of orderable services;
an order instantiation service operable to instantiate the at least one orderable service, thereby generating an Instantiated ordered service;
an order fulfillment service operable to fulfill the order in accordance with the instantiated ordered service. 2. The system according to claim 1 further comprising logic instructions to cause the computer processor to provide:
a configuration management service (CMS) included in the order instantiation service, the CMS being operable to execute a binding phase to generate the instantiated ordered service; and a creation configuration service (CCS) included in the order fulfillment service, the CCS being operable to execute a grounding phase to generate an IT artifact to fulfill the order. 3. The system according to claim 2 further comprising logic instructions to cause the computer processor to automatically reflect a change made in one of the IT artifact and the instantiated ordered service, in the other. 4. The system according to claim 1 further comprising logic instructions to cause the computer processor to provide:
an actuator service included in the order fulfillment service, the actuator service being operable to link the runtime environment with an information technology (IT) infrastructure capable of fulfilling the order. 5. The system according to claim 1 further comprising logic instructions to cause the computer processor to provide:
the order being configurable by one of a user and an application program. 6. The system according to claim 1 further comprising logic instructions to cause the computer processor to provide:
the order including a price and a delivery schedule. 7. The system according to claim 1 further comprising logic instructions to cause the computer processor to provide:
the service model being capable of refinement, the refinement including a multi-step transition from the service model to a refined service model instance. 8. The system according to claim 1 further comprising logic instructions to cause the computer processor to provide:
the service model being a meta model configured to include a plurality of properties, the plurality of properties including refinement, variability, polymorphism, composability, import, association, constructors, operations, deployment, monitors, declarative modeling language, and best practice. 9. The system according to claim 1 further comprising logic instructions to cause the computer processor to provide:
the order processing service including an intermediate service operable to validate, approve, and bill the order. 10. The system according to claim 1 further comprising logic instructions to cause the computer processor to provide:
the order processing service triggering a request resolution service operable to initiate the order instantiation service. 11. A method for managing services:
capturing declarative specifications of the services as service models; combining the service models into a plurality of service offerings to provide a catalog of orderable services; receiving an order for at least one orderable service selectable from the catalog of orderable services; instantiating the at least one orderable service, thereby generating an instantiated ordered service; fulfilling the order in accordance with the instantiated ordered service, thereby generating an information technology (IT) artifact. 12. The method according to claim 11 further comprising:
the instantiating occurring in two phases, a first phase to resolve model dependencies and a second phase to generate an artifact corresponding to the specifications. 13. The method according to claim 12 further comprising:
refining the service models, the refining including a multi-step transition from the service models to a refined service model instance. 14. The method according to claim 13 further comprising:
the refining including incorporating best practices to update the service models. 15. The method according to claim 12 further comprising:
changing one of the artifact and the instantiated ordered service to automatically change the other. 16. A computer program product for managing services lifecycle comprising:
logic instructions stored on a computer readable storage media, the logic instructions being executable by a computer processor to cause the computer processor to:
capture declarative specifications of the services as service models;
combine the service models into a plurality of service offerings to provide a catalog of orderable services;
receive an order for at least one orderable service selectable from the catalog of orderable services;
instantiate the at least one orderable service, thereby generating an instantiated ordered service; and
fulfill the order in accordance with the instantiated ordered service. 17. The computer program product of claim 16 further comprising:
logic instructions executable by the computer processor to cause the computer processor to:
perform the instantiation in two phases, a first phase to resolve model dependencies and a second phase to generate an artifact corresponding to the specifications. 18. The computer program product of claim 17 further comprising:
logic instructions executable by the computer processor to:
refine the artifact to refine the service models, the refining of the artifact including a multi-step transition from the service models to a refined service model instance. 19. The computer program product of claim 18 further comprising:
logic instructions executable by the computer processor to:
incorporate best practices in the refining of the artifact to update the service models. 20. The computer program product of claim 17 further comprising:
logic instructions executable by the computer processor to:
change one of the artifact and the instantiated ordered service to automatically change the other. | Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for information technology (IT) services lifecycle management. A services architecture provides a plurality of services that are capable of being ordered. A design service captures declarative specifications of services as service models. A catalog service receives the service model and combines the service models into a plurality of service offerings to provide a catalog of orderable services. An order configuration service receives an order for at least one orderable service selectable from the catalog of orderable services. An order processing service instantiates the at least one orderable service in two phases, thereby generating an instantiated ordered service. An order fulfillment service fulfills the order in accordance with the instantiated ordered service.1. A computer system comprising:
a computer processor; and logic instructions on tangible computer readable media and executable by the computer processor to cause the computer processor to provide:
a design service operable to capture declarative specifications of services as a service model;
a catalog service operable to receive the service model from the design service and combine the service model into a plurality of service offerings to provide a catalog of orderable services;
an order processing service operable to configure an order for at least one orderable service selectable from the catalog of orderable services;
an order instantiation service operable to instantiate the at least one orderable service, thereby generating an Instantiated ordered service;
an order fulfillment service operable to fulfill the order in accordance with the instantiated ordered service. 2. The system according to claim 1 further comprising logic instructions to cause the computer processor to provide:
a configuration management service (CMS) included in the order instantiation service, the CMS being operable to execute a binding phase to generate the instantiated ordered service; and a creation configuration service (CCS) included in the order fulfillment service, the CCS being operable to execute a grounding phase to generate an IT artifact to fulfill the order. 3. The system according to claim 2 further comprising logic instructions to cause the computer processor to automatically reflect a change made in one of the IT artifact and the instantiated ordered service, in the other. 4. The system according to claim 1 further comprising logic instructions to cause the computer processor to provide:
an actuator service included in the order fulfillment service, the actuator service being operable to link the runtime environment with an information technology (IT) infrastructure capable of fulfilling the order. 5. The system according to claim 1 further comprising logic instructions to cause the computer processor to provide:
the order being configurable by one of a user and an application program. 6. The system according to claim 1 further comprising logic instructions to cause the computer processor to provide:
the order including a price and a delivery schedule. 7. The system according to claim 1 further comprising logic instructions to cause the computer processor to provide:
the service model being capable of refinement, the refinement including a multi-step transition from the service model to a refined service model instance. 8. The system according to claim 1 further comprising logic instructions to cause the computer processor to provide:
the service model being a meta model configured to include a plurality of properties, the plurality of properties including refinement, variability, polymorphism, composability, import, association, constructors, operations, deployment, monitors, declarative modeling language, and best practice. 9. The system according to claim 1 further comprising logic instructions to cause the computer processor to provide:
the order processing service including an intermediate service operable to validate, approve, and bill the order. 10. The system according to claim 1 further comprising logic instructions to cause the computer processor to provide:
the order processing service triggering a request resolution service operable to initiate the order instantiation service. 11. A method for managing services:
capturing declarative specifications of the services as service models; combining the service models into a plurality of service offerings to provide a catalog of orderable services; receiving an order for at least one orderable service selectable from the catalog of orderable services; instantiating the at least one orderable service, thereby generating an instantiated ordered service; fulfilling the order in accordance with the instantiated ordered service, thereby generating an information technology (IT) artifact. 12. The method according to claim 11 further comprising:
the instantiating occurring in two phases, a first phase to resolve model dependencies and a second phase to generate an artifact corresponding to the specifications. 13. The method according to claim 12 further comprising:
refining the service models, the refining including a multi-step transition from the service models to a refined service model instance. 14. The method according to claim 13 further comprising:
the refining including incorporating best practices to update the service models. 15. The method according to claim 12 further comprising:
changing one of the artifact and the instantiated ordered service to automatically change the other. 16. A computer program product for managing services lifecycle comprising:
logic instructions stored on a computer readable storage media, the logic instructions being executable by a computer processor to cause the computer processor to:
capture declarative specifications of the services as service models;
combine the service models into a plurality of service offerings to provide a catalog of orderable services;
receive an order for at least one orderable service selectable from the catalog of orderable services;
instantiate the at least one orderable service, thereby generating an instantiated ordered service; and
fulfill the order in accordance with the instantiated ordered service. 17. The computer program product of claim 16 further comprising:
logic instructions executable by the computer processor to cause the computer processor to:
perform the instantiation in two phases, a first phase to resolve model dependencies and a second phase to generate an artifact corresponding to the specifications. 18. The computer program product of claim 17 further comprising:
logic instructions executable by the computer processor to:
refine the artifact to refine the service models, the refining of the artifact including a multi-step transition from the service models to a refined service model instance. 19. The computer program product of claim 18 further comprising:
logic instructions executable by the computer processor to:
incorporate best practices in the refining of the artifact to update the service models. 20. The computer program product of claim 17 further comprising:
logic instructions executable by the computer processor to:
change one of the artifact and the instantiated ordered service to automatically change the other. | 3,600 |
13,032 | 13,032 | 14,160,005 | 3,637 | An ordered stack of bound sheets may comprise a set of printed product information sheets. An individual bound sheet may comprise a single printed product information sheet or may comprise a plurality of printed product information sheets. Each of the individual printed product information sheets may be detached from the ordered stack of bound sheets in the order in which the printed product information sheets are presented. The individual printed product information sheets (which are detached from the ordered stack in order) may be connected to structures in the stores based on a planogram for a set of products for display in the store. The order of the printed product information sheets may match an order in which the sheets are positioned based on the planogram. | 1. An ordered stack of printed product information sheets to be placed in a store, the ordered stack of printed product information sheets comprising at least a first printed product information sheet and a second product information sheet, the ordered stack of printed sheets comprising:
the first printed product information sheet having printed thereon first product information about a first product to be displayed in the store and a first order indicator indicating a first order of the first printed product information sheet based on a planogram of the store; and the second printed product information sheet having printed thereon second product information about a second product to be displayed in the store and a second order indicator indicating a second order of the second printed product information sheet based on the planograrn of the store, wherein the first printed product information sheet and the second printed product information sheet are ordered in the ordered stack according to the first order indicator printed on the first printed product information sheet and the second order indicator printed on the second printed product information sheet, and wherein the first printed product information sheet is bound to the second printed product information sheet of the ordered stack of printed product information sheets. 2. The ordered stack of claim 1, wherein the first printed product information sheet is bound by adhesive to the second printed product information sheet, wherein the second printed product information sheet is adjacent to the first printed product information sheet in the ordered stack. 3. The ordered stack of claim 1, wherein the first printed product information sheet is bound by a glue binding at an edge of the first printed product information sheet to the other printed product information sheets of the ordered stack. 4. The ordered stack of claim 1, wherein the first printed product information sheet and the second printed product information sheet are ordered based on a first location at which the first printed product information sheet is to be placed according to the planogram of the store and a second location at which the second printed product information sheet is to be placed according to the planogram. 5. The ordered stack of claim 4, wherein the first printed product information sheet is adjacent to the printed product information sheet in the ordered stack, and wherein the second location is immediately adjacent the first location in the planogram of the store. 6. The ordered stack of claim 1, wherein the first printed product information sheet comprises a first connector configured to attach the first printed product information sheet to a structure in the store. 7. The ordered stack of claim 1, wherein the first product information printed on the first product information sheet comprises first product price label information, wherein the first product price label information comprises a description of the first product and a price of the first product. 8. The ordered stack of claim 1, wherein the first product information printed on the first product information sheet comprises first retailer-specific information, wherein the first retailer-specific information comprises one or more of: a promotion related to the first product cross-sell information related to the first product. 9. The ordered stack of claim 1, wherein the first printed product information sheet has printed thereon first planogram information, the first planogram information comprising one or more of textual information describing a first location at which the first printed product information sheet is to be placed in the store or a graphic depiction of the first location. 10. The ordered stack of claim 1, wherein the first printed product information sheet comprises third product information about a third product to be displayed in the store. 11. An ordered stack of bound sheets comprising a set of printed product information sheets to be placed in a store, the ordered stack of bound sheets comprising at least a first bound sheet and a second bound sheet, the ordered stack of bound sheets comprising:
the first bound sheet comprising a first printed product information sheet and a second printed product information sheet, the first printed product information sheet having printed thereon first product information about a first product to be displayed in the store and a first order indicator indicating a first order of the first printed product information sheet based on a planogram of the store and the second printed product information sheet having printed thereon second product information about a second product to be displayed in the store and a second order indicator indicating a second order of the second printed product information sheet based on the planogram of the store; and the second bound sheet comprising a third printed product information sheet, the third printed product information sheet having printed thereon third product information about a third product to be displayed in the store and a third order indicator indicating a third order of the third printed product information sheet based on the planogram of the store, wherein the first bound sheet and the second bound sheet are ordered in the ordered stack according to the first order indicator printed on the first printed product information sheet, the second order indicator printed on the second printed product information sheet, and the third order indicator printed on the third printed product information sheet, and wherein the first bound sheet is bound to the other bound sheets of the ordered stack of bound sheets. 12. The ordered stack of claim 11, wherein the first bound sheet is bound by adhesive to the second bound sheet, wherein the second bound sheet is adjacent to the first bound sheet in the ordered stack. 13. The ordered stack of claim 11, wherein the first bound sheet is bound by a glue binding at an edge of the first bound sheet to the other bound sheets of the ordered stack. 14. The ordered stack of claim 11, wherein the first bound sheet and the second bound sheet are ordered based on a first location at which the first printed product information sheet is to be placed according to the planogram of the store, a second location at which the second printed product information sheet is to be placed according to the planogram, and a third location at which the third printed product information sheet is to be placed according to the planogram. 15. The ordered stack of claim 14, wherein the first bound sheet is adjacent to the bound sheet in the ordered stack, and wherein the third location is immediately adjacent the second location in the planogram of the store. 16. The ordered stack of claim 11, wherein the first printed product information sheet comprises a first connector configured to attach the first printed product information sheet to a structure in the store. 17. The ordered stack of claim 11, wherein the first product information printed on the first product information sheet comprises first product price label information, wherein the first product price label information comprises a description of the first product and a price of the first product. 18. The ordered stack of claim 11, wherein the first product information printed on the first product information sheet comprises first retailer-specific information, wherein the first retailer-specific information comprises one or more of: a promotion related to he first product or cross-sell information related to the first product. 19. The ordered stack of claim 11, wherein the first printed product information sheet has printed thereon first planogram information, the first planogram information comprising one or more of: textual information describing a first location at which the first printed product information sheet is to be placed in the store or a graphic depiction of the first location. 20. The ordered stack of claim 11, wherein the first printed product information sheet comprises fourth product information about a fourth product to be displayed in the store. 21. An ordered stack of printed product information sheets for placement in a store, the ordered set of printed product information sheets comprising at least a first printed product information sheet and a second product information sheet, the ordered stack of printed sheets comprising
a first printed product information sheet of the ordered set of printed product information sheets, wherein the first printed product information sheet has printed thereon:
first product information for identifying a first product for display in the store; and
a first order indicator indicating a first order of the first printed product information sheet based on a planogram of the store,
wherein the first printed product information sheet comprises a first connector to attach the first printed product information sheet to a first structure in the store near which the first product is displayed in the store; and a second printed product information sheet of the ordered set of printed product information sheets, wherein the second label has printed thereon:
second product information for identifying a second product for display in the store; and
a second order indicator indicating a second order of the second printed product information sheet based on a planogram of the store,
wherein the second printed product information sheet comprises a second connector to attach the second printed product information sheet to a second structure in the store near which the second product is displayed in the store; wherein the set of printed product information sheets are ordered based on the order indicator printed on each individual printed product information sheet, and wherein a first portion of the first printed product information sheet is removably attached to a second portion of the second printed product information sheet based on the first order indicator of the first printed product information sheet being consecutive to the second order indicator of the second printed product information sheet. 22. The ordered stack of claim 21, wherein the first printed product information sheet is removably attached by adhesive to the second printed product information sheet. 23. The ordered stack of claim 21, wherein the first printed product information sheet is removably attached by a glue binding at an edge of the first printed product information sheet to the second printed product information sheet. 24. The ordered stack of claim 21, wherein the first printed product information sheet is movably attached to the second printed product information sheet are ordered based on a first location at which the first printed product information sheet is to be placed according to the planogram of the store being adjacent to a second location at which the second printed product information sheet is to be placed according to the planogram of the store. 25. The ordered stack of claim 21, wherein the first printed product information sheet comprises a first connector configured to attach the first printed product information sheet to a structure in the store. 26. The ordered stack of claim 21, wherein the first product information printed on the first product information sheet comprises first product price label information, wherein the first product price label information comprises a description of the first product and a price of the first product. 27. The ordered stack of claim 21, wherein the first product information printed on the first product information sheet comprises first retailer-specific information, wherein the first retailer-specific information comprises one or more of: a promotion related to the first product or cross-sell information related to the first product. 28. The ordered stack of claim 21, wherein the first printed product information sheet has printed thereon first planogram information, the first planogram information comprising one or more of: textual information describing a first location at which the first printed product information sheet is to be placed in the store or a graphic depiction of the first location. 29. The ordered stack of claim 21, wherein the first printed product information sheet comprises third product information about a third product to be displayed in the store. | An ordered stack of bound sheets may comprise a set of printed product information sheets. An individual bound sheet may comprise a single printed product information sheet or may comprise a plurality of printed product information sheets. Each of the individual printed product information sheets may be detached from the ordered stack of bound sheets in the order in which the printed product information sheets are presented. The individual printed product information sheets (which are detached from the ordered stack in order) may be connected to structures in the stores based on a planogram for a set of products for display in the store. The order of the printed product information sheets may match an order in which the sheets are positioned based on the planogram.1. An ordered stack of printed product information sheets to be placed in a store, the ordered stack of printed product information sheets comprising at least a first printed product information sheet and a second product information sheet, the ordered stack of printed sheets comprising:
the first printed product information sheet having printed thereon first product information about a first product to be displayed in the store and a first order indicator indicating a first order of the first printed product information sheet based on a planogram of the store; and the second printed product information sheet having printed thereon second product information about a second product to be displayed in the store and a second order indicator indicating a second order of the second printed product information sheet based on the planograrn of the store, wherein the first printed product information sheet and the second printed product information sheet are ordered in the ordered stack according to the first order indicator printed on the first printed product information sheet and the second order indicator printed on the second printed product information sheet, and wherein the first printed product information sheet is bound to the second printed product information sheet of the ordered stack of printed product information sheets. 2. The ordered stack of claim 1, wherein the first printed product information sheet is bound by adhesive to the second printed product information sheet, wherein the second printed product information sheet is adjacent to the first printed product information sheet in the ordered stack. 3. The ordered stack of claim 1, wherein the first printed product information sheet is bound by a glue binding at an edge of the first printed product information sheet to the other printed product information sheets of the ordered stack. 4. The ordered stack of claim 1, wherein the first printed product information sheet and the second printed product information sheet are ordered based on a first location at which the first printed product information sheet is to be placed according to the planogram of the store and a second location at which the second printed product information sheet is to be placed according to the planogram. 5. The ordered stack of claim 4, wherein the first printed product information sheet is adjacent to the printed product information sheet in the ordered stack, and wherein the second location is immediately adjacent the first location in the planogram of the store. 6. The ordered stack of claim 1, wherein the first printed product information sheet comprises a first connector configured to attach the first printed product information sheet to a structure in the store. 7. The ordered stack of claim 1, wherein the first product information printed on the first product information sheet comprises first product price label information, wherein the first product price label information comprises a description of the first product and a price of the first product. 8. The ordered stack of claim 1, wherein the first product information printed on the first product information sheet comprises first retailer-specific information, wherein the first retailer-specific information comprises one or more of: a promotion related to the first product cross-sell information related to the first product. 9. The ordered stack of claim 1, wherein the first printed product information sheet has printed thereon first planogram information, the first planogram information comprising one or more of textual information describing a first location at which the first printed product information sheet is to be placed in the store or a graphic depiction of the first location. 10. The ordered stack of claim 1, wherein the first printed product information sheet comprises third product information about a third product to be displayed in the store. 11. An ordered stack of bound sheets comprising a set of printed product information sheets to be placed in a store, the ordered stack of bound sheets comprising at least a first bound sheet and a second bound sheet, the ordered stack of bound sheets comprising:
the first bound sheet comprising a first printed product information sheet and a second printed product information sheet, the first printed product information sheet having printed thereon first product information about a first product to be displayed in the store and a first order indicator indicating a first order of the first printed product information sheet based on a planogram of the store and the second printed product information sheet having printed thereon second product information about a second product to be displayed in the store and a second order indicator indicating a second order of the second printed product information sheet based on the planogram of the store; and the second bound sheet comprising a third printed product information sheet, the third printed product information sheet having printed thereon third product information about a third product to be displayed in the store and a third order indicator indicating a third order of the third printed product information sheet based on the planogram of the store, wherein the first bound sheet and the second bound sheet are ordered in the ordered stack according to the first order indicator printed on the first printed product information sheet, the second order indicator printed on the second printed product information sheet, and the third order indicator printed on the third printed product information sheet, and wherein the first bound sheet is bound to the other bound sheets of the ordered stack of bound sheets. 12. The ordered stack of claim 11, wherein the first bound sheet is bound by adhesive to the second bound sheet, wherein the second bound sheet is adjacent to the first bound sheet in the ordered stack. 13. The ordered stack of claim 11, wherein the first bound sheet is bound by a glue binding at an edge of the first bound sheet to the other bound sheets of the ordered stack. 14. The ordered stack of claim 11, wherein the first bound sheet and the second bound sheet are ordered based on a first location at which the first printed product information sheet is to be placed according to the planogram of the store, a second location at which the second printed product information sheet is to be placed according to the planogram, and a third location at which the third printed product information sheet is to be placed according to the planogram. 15. The ordered stack of claim 14, wherein the first bound sheet is adjacent to the bound sheet in the ordered stack, and wherein the third location is immediately adjacent the second location in the planogram of the store. 16. The ordered stack of claim 11, wherein the first printed product information sheet comprises a first connector configured to attach the first printed product information sheet to a structure in the store. 17. The ordered stack of claim 11, wherein the first product information printed on the first product information sheet comprises first product price label information, wherein the first product price label information comprises a description of the first product and a price of the first product. 18. The ordered stack of claim 11, wherein the first product information printed on the first product information sheet comprises first retailer-specific information, wherein the first retailer-specific information comprises one or more of: a promotion related to he first product or cross-sell information related to the first product. 19. The ordered stack of claim 11, wherein the first printed product information sheet has printed thereon first planogram information, the first planogram information comprising one or more of: textual information describing a first location at which the first printed product information sheet is to be placed in the store or a graphic depiction of the first location. 20. The ordered stack of claim 11, wherein the first printed product information sheet comprises fourth product information about a fourth product to be displayed in the store. 21. An ordered stack of printed product information sheets for placement in a store, the ordered set of printed product information sheets comprising at least a first printed product information sheet and a second product information sheet, the ordered stack of printed sheets comprising
a first printed product information sheet of the ordered set of printed product information sheets, wherein the first printed product information sheet has printed thereon:
first product information for identifying a first product for display in the store; and
a first order indicator indicating a first order of the first printed product information sheet based on a planogram of the store,
wherein the first printed product information sheet comprises a first connector to attach the first printed product information sheet to a first structure in the store near which the first product is displayed in the store; and a second printed product information sheet of the ordered set of printed product information sheets, wherein the second label has printed thereon:
second product information for identifying a second product for display in the store; and
a second order indicator indicating a second order of the second printed product information sheet based on a planogram of the store,
wherein the second printed product information sheet comprises a second connector to attach the second printed product information sheet to a second structure in the store near which the second product is displayed in the store; wherein the set of printed product information sheets are ordered based on the order indicator printed on each individual printed product information sheet, and wherein a first portion of the first printed product information sheet is removably attached to a second portion of the second printed product information sheet based on the first order indicator of the first printed product information sheet being consecutive to the second order indicator of the second printed product information sheet. 22. The ordered stack of claim 21, wherein the first printed product information sheet is removably attached by adhesive to the second printed product information sheet. 23. The ordered stack of claim 21, wherein the first printed product information sheet is removably attached by a glue binding at an edge of the first printed product information sheet to the second printed product information sheet. 24. The ordered stack of claim 21, wherein the first printed product information sheet is movably attached to the second printed product information sheet are ordered based on a first location at which the first printed product information sheet is to be placed according to the planogram of the store being adjacent to a second location at which the second printed product information sheet is to be placed according to the planogram of the store. 25. The ordered stack of claim 21, wherein the first printed product information sheet comprises a first connector configured to attach the first printed product information sheet to a structure in the store. 26. The ordered stack of claim 21, wherein the first product information printed on the first product information sheet comprises first product price label information, wherein the first product price label information comprises a description of the first product and a price of the first product. 27. The ordered stack of claim 21, wherein the first product information printed on the first product information sheet comprises first retailer-specific information, wherein the first retailer-specific information comprises one or more of: a promotion related to the first product or cross-sell information related to the first product. 28. The ordered stack of claim 21, wherein the first printed product information sheet has printed thereon first planogram information, the first planogram information comprising one or more of: textual information describing a first location at which the first printed product information sheet is to be placed in the store or a graphic depiction of the first location. 29. The ordered stack of claim 21, wherein the first printed product information sheet comprises third product information about a third product to be displayed in the store. | 3,600 |
13,033 | 13,033 | 15,287,043 | 3,669 | An aircraft maintenance bridging system and method are configured to determine at least one transition option that transitions one or more aircraft from a current maintenance program schedule to a new maintenance program schedule. The aircraft maintenance bridging method includes analyzing the current maintenance program schedule and the new maintenance program schedule with a maintenance bridging determination control unit, and determining the transition option(s), using the maintenance bridging determination control unit, for the aircraft based on analyzing the current maintenance program schedule and the new maintenance program schedule. | 1. An aircraft maintenance bridging system that is configured to determine at least one transition option that transitions one or more aircraft from a current maintenance program schedule to a new maintenance program schedule, the aircraft maintenance bridging system comprising:
a maintenance bridging determination control unit that is configured to analyze the current maintenance program schedule and the new maintenance program schedule and determine the at least one transition option for the one or more aircraft based on the analysis of the current maintenance program schedule and the new maintenance program schedule. 2. The aircraft maintenance bridging system of claim 1, further comprising a maintenance resource database in communication with the maintenance bridging determination control unit, wherein the maintenance resource database stores resource data of an aircraft operator, wherein the maintenance bridging determination control unit is configured to analyze the resource data in conjunction with the current maintenance program schedule and the new maintenance program schedule to determine the at least one transition option. 3. The aircraft maintenance bridging system of claim 2, wherein the resource data includes labor availability. 4. The aircraft maintenance bridging system of claim 2, wherein the resource data includes facilities availability. 5. The aircraft maintenance bridging system of claim 2, wherein the resource data includes parts availability. 6. The aircraft maintenance bridging system of claim 2, wherein the resource data includes equipment availability. 7. The aircraft maintenance bridging system of claim 2, wherein the resource data include aircraft use. 8. The aircraft maintenance bridging system of claim 1, wherein the one or more aircraft comprises a plurality of aircraft, wherein the current maintenance program schedule is different for at least two of the plurality of aircraft, and wherein the new maintenance program schedule is different for at least two of the plurality of aircraft. 9. The aircraft maintenance bridging system of claim 1, wherein the maintenance bridging determination control unit is configured to determine the at least one transition option based, in part, on one or more factor preferences. 10. The aircraft maintenance bridging system of claim 9, wherein the one or more factor preferences comprises one or more of reduced labor costs, reduced parts costs, reduced equipment costs, or reduced transition time. 11. An aircraft maintenance bridging method that is configured to determine at least one transition option that transitions one or more aircraft from a current maintenance program schedule to a new maintenance program schedule, the aircraft maintenance bridging method comprising:
analyzing the current maintenance program schedule and the new maintenance program schedule with a maintenance bridging determination control unit; and determining the at least one transition option, using the maintenance bridging determination control unit, for the one or more aircraft based on the analyzing the current maintenance program schedule and the new maintenance program schedule. 12. The aircraft maintenance bridging method of claim 11, further comprising:
storing resource data of an aircraft operator within a maintenance resource database; and communicatively coupling the maintenance bridging determination control unit to the maintenance resource database, wherein the analyzing comprises analyzing the resource data in conjunction with the current maintenance program schedule and the new maintenance program schedule to determine the at least one transition option. 13. The aircraft maintenance bridging method of claim 12, wherein the resource data includes labor availability. 14. The aircraft maintenance bridging method of claim 12, wherein the resource data includes facilities availability. 15. The aircraft maintenance bridging method of claim 12, wherein the resource data includes parts availability. 16. The aircraft maintenance bridging method of claim 12, wherein the resource data includes equipment availability. 17. The aircraft maintenance bridging method of claim 12, wherein the resource data include aircraft use. 18. The aircraft maintenance bridging method of claim 11, wherein the one or more aircraft comprises a plurality of aircraft, wherein the current maintenance program schedule is different for at least two of the plurality of aircraft, and wherein the new maintenance program schedule is different for at least two of the plurality of aircraft. 19. The aircraft maintenance bridging method of claim 11, wherein the determining comprises determining the at least one transition option based, in part, on one or more factor preferences, wherein the one or more factor preferences comprises one or more of reduced labor costs, reduced parts costs, reduced equipment costs, or reduced transition time. 20. An aircraft maintenance bridging system that is configured to determine a plurality of transition options that transition a plurality of aircraft from a plurality of current maintenance program schedules to a plurality of new maintenance program schedules, wherein the plurality of current maintenance program schedules are different for at least two of the plurality of aircraft, and wherein the plurality of new maintenance program schedules are different for at least two of the plurality of aircraft, the aircraft maintenance bridging system comprising:
a maintenance resource database that stores resource data of an aircraft operator; and a maintenance bridging determination control unit communicatively coupled to the maintenance resource database, wherein the maintenance bridging determination control unit is configured to:
analyze the plurality of current maintenance program schedules, the plurality of new maintenance program schedules, and the resource data, and
determine the plurality of transition options for the plurality of aircraft based on the analysis of the plurality of current maintenance program schedules, the plurality of new maintenance program schedules, the resource data, and one or more factor preferences, wherein the resource data includes labor availability, facilities availability, parts availability, equipment availability, and aircraft use, and wherein the one or more factor preferences comprises one or more of reduced labor costs, reduced parts costs, reduced equipment costs, or reduced transition time. | An aircraft maintenance bridging system and method are configured to determine at least one transition option that transitions one or more aircraft from a current maintenance program schedule to a new maintenance program schedule. The aircraft maintenance bridging method includes analyzing the current maintenance program schedule and the new maintenance program schedule with a maintenance bridging determination control unit, and determining the transition option(s), using the maintenance bridging determination control unit, for the aircraft based on analyzing the current maintenance program schedule and the new maintenance program schedule.1. An aircraft maintenance bridging system that is configured to determine at least one transition option that transitions one or more aircraft from a current maintenance program schedule to a new maintenance program schedule, the aircraft maintenance bridging system comprising:
a maintenance bridging determination control unit that is configured to analyze the current maintenance program schedule and the new maintenance program schedule and determine the at least one transition option for the one or more aircraft based on the analysis of the current maintenance program schedule and the new maintenance program schedule. 2. The aircraft maintenance bridging system of claim 1, further comprising a maintenance resource database in communication with the maintenance bridging determination control unit, wherein the maintenance resource database stores resource data of an aircraft operator, wherein the maintenance bridging determination control unit is configured to analyze the resource data in conjunction with the current maintenance program schedule and the new maintenance program schedule to determine the at least one transition option. 3. The aircraft maintenance bridging system of claim 2, wherein the resource data includes labor availability. 4. The aircraft maintenance bridging system of claim 2, wherein the resource data includes facilities availability. 5. The aircraft maintenance bridging system of claim 2, wherein the resource data includes parts availability. 6. The aircraft maintenance bridging system of claim 2, wherein the resource data includes equipment availability. 7. The aircraft maintenance bridging system of claim 2, wherein the resource data include aircraft use. 8. The aircraft maintenance bridging system of claim 1, wherein the one or more aircraft comprises a plurality of aircraft, wherein the current maintenance program schedule is different for at least two of the plurality of aircraft, and wherein the new maintenance program schedule is different for at least two of the plurality of aircraft. 9. The aircraft maintenance bridging system of claim 1, wherein the maintenance bridging determination control unit is configured to determine the at least one transition option based, in part, on one or more factor preferences. 10. The aircraft maintenance bridging system of claim 9, wherein the one or more factor preferences comprises one or more of reduced labor costs, reduced parts costs, reduced equipment costs, or reduced transition time. 11. An aircraft maintenance bridging method that is configured to determine at least one transition option that transitions one or more aircraft from a current maintenance program schedule to a new maintenance program schedule, the aircraft maintenance bridging method comprising:
analyzing the current maintenance program schedule and the new maintenance program schedule with a maintenance bridging determination control unit; and determining the at least one transition option, using the maintenance bridging determination control unit, for the one or more aircraft based on the analyzing the current maintenance program schedule and the new maintenance program schedule. 12. The aircraft maintenance bridging method of claim 11, further comprising:
storing resource data of an aircraft operator within a maintenance resource database; and communicatively coupling the maintenance bridging determination control unit to the maintenance resource database, wherein the analyzing comprises analyzing the resource data in conjunction with the current maintenance program schedule and the new maintenance program schedule to determine the at least one transition option. 13. The aircraft maintenance bridging method of claim 12, wherein the resource data includes labor availability. 14. The aircraft maintenance bridging method of claim 12, wherein the resource data includes facilities availability. 15. The aircraft maintenance bridging method of claim 12, wherein the resource data includes parts availability. 16. The aircraft maintenance bridging method of claim 12, wherein the resource data includes equipment availability. 17. The aircraft maintenance bridging method of claim 12, wherein the resource data include aircraft use. 18. The aircraft maintenance bridging method of claim 11, wherein the one or more aircraft comprises a plurality of aircraft, wherein the current maintenance program schedule is different for at least two of the plurality of aircraft, and wherein the new maintenance program schedule is different for at least two of the plurality of aircraft. 19. The aircraft maintenance bridging method of claim 11, wherein the determining comprises determining the at least one transition option based, in part, on one or more factor preferences, wherein the one or more factor preferences comprises one or more of reduced labor costs, reduced parts costs, reduced equipment costs, or reduced transition time. 20. An aircraft maintenance bridging system that is configured to determine a plurality of transition options that transition a plurality of aircraft from a plurality of current maintenance program schedules to a plurality of new maintenance program schedules, wherein the plurality of current maintenance program schedules are different for at least two of the plurality of aircraft, and wherein the plurality of new maintenance program schedules are different for at least two of the plurality of aircraft, the aircraft maintenance bridging system comprising:
a maintenance resource database that stores resource data of an aircraft operator; and a maintenance bridging determination control unit communicatively coupled to the maintenance resource database, wherein the maintenance bridging determination control unit is configured to:
analyze the plurality of current maintenance program schedules, the plurality of new maintenance program schedules, and the resource data, and
determine the plurality of transition options for the plurality of aircraft based on the analysis of the plurality of current maintenance program schedules, the plurality of new maintenance program schedules, the resource data, and one or more factor preferences, wherein the resource data includes labor availability, facilities availability, parts availability, equipment availability, and aircraft use, and wherein the one or more factor preferences comprises one or more of reduced labor costs, reduced parts costs, reduced equipment costs, or reduced transition time. | 3,600 |
13,034 | 13,034 | 14,270,644 | 3,649 | System and methods for countering credit card fraud comprising cardholder changeable card security code CVV2 (also known as CVC2/CID). It enables cardholder to optionally choose a CVV2 different from the one printed on the card, storing/recording it on card issuer database and from then on use it as a secret separate from the card, changing it as needed, for example on being notified of financial institution data breach, or after an online transaction that seemed risky or periodically as a security practice. Fraudulent authorization requests would be rejected when CVV2 submitted does not match cardholder changed value. This system may be implemented with no or modest change in existing credit cards; terminals, equipment, computer software and communication protocols used in transaction authorization. It may facilitate adoption by making cardholders active participants in fraud prevention with modest, optional, easy to comprehend change not tied to each transaction. | 1. A method for countering credit card fraud comprising cardholder changeable card security code known as CVV2. 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
Cardholder choosing a CVV2 value different from the one printed on the card on first change and a different new value for subsequent changes;
Cardholder recording the chosen CVV2 value with the card issuer;
Card issuer using most recently recorded CVV2 to verify CVV2 provided in transaction authorization requests that follow. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein recording the chosen CVV2 value with card issuer step is accomplished by the cardholder using a issuer provided facility over the Internet. 4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:
A web application on issuer's server;
Cardholder accessing the application via secure web session using a browser. 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the web application is a feature of online card management system. 6. The method of claim 3 further comprising:
Issuer provided application, also known as app, for mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets;
Cardholder using the app along with internet connectivity to securely communicate with issuer's server. 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the app is a feature of card account management app. 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising cardholders using CVV2 along with the card for authentication of transactions where currently there is no additional verification or additional verification is based on static information. 9. The method of claim 2 wherein certain specific chosen CVV2 values have specific purpose. | System and methods for countering credit card fraud comprising cardholder changeable card security code CVV2 (also known as CVC2/CID). It enables cardholder to optionally choose a CVV2 different from the one printed on the card, storing/recording it on card issuer database and from then on use it as a secret separate from the card, changing it as needed, for example on being notified of financial institution data breach, or after an online transaction that seemed risky or periodically as a security practice. Fraudulent authorization requests would be rejected when CVV2 submitted does not match cardholder changed value. This system may be implemented with no or modest change in existing credit cards; terminals, equipment, computer software and communication protocols used in transaction authorization. It may facilitate adoption by making cardholders active participants in fraud prevention with modest, optional, easy to comprehend change not tied to each transaction.1. A method for countering credit card fraud comprising cardholder changeable card security code known as CVV2. 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
Cardholder choosing a CVV2 value different from the one printed on the card on first change and a different new value for subsequent changes;
Cardholder recording the chosen CVV2 value with the card issuer;
Card issuer using most recently recorded CVV2 to verify CVV2 provided in transaction authorization requests that follow. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein recording the chosen CVV2 value with card issuer step is accomplished by the cardholder using a issuer provided facility over the Internet. 4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:
A web application on issuer's server;
Cardholder accessing the application via secure web session using a browser. 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the web application is a feature of online card management system. 6. The method of claim 3 further comprising:
Issuer provided application, also known as app, for mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets;
Cardholder using the app along with internet connectivity to securely communicate with issuer's server. 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the app is a feature of card account management app. 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising cardholders using CVV2 along with the card for authentication of transactions where currently there is no additional verification or additional verification is based on static information. 9. The method of claim 2 wherein certain specific chosen CVV2 values have specific purpose. | 3,600 |
13,035 | 13,035 | 14,972,174 | 3,688 | Techniques are provided for adjusting a predicted user selection rate (e.g., a “click-through” rate) of a content item. In one technique, a model is used to generate a predicted user selection rate of a first content item. A difference between (1) an observed user selection rate of the first content item and (2) a previous predicted user selection rate of the first content item is determined. The predicted user selection rate is modified, based on the difference, to generate an adjusted predicted user selection rate of the first content item. Then, based on the adjusted predicted user selection rate, a score of the first content item is generated. The first content item is displayed based on the score. For example, other content items may be scored in a similar fashion. The one or more content item with the highest scores are displayed. | 1. A method comprising:
determining a difference between (1) an observed user selection rate of a first content item and (2) a previous predicted user selection rate of the first content item; receiving, over a network, a request for one or more content items; in response to receiving the request:
identifying the first content item;
generating, using a model, a current predicted user selection rate of the first content item;
based on the difference and without using the model, generating an adjusted predicted user selection rate of the first content item by increasing or decreasing the current predicted user selection rate of the first content item;
generating, based on the adjusted predicted user selection rate, a score of the first content item;
causing the first content item to be displayed based on the score of the first content item;
wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
for each content item in a plurality of content items:
generating, using the model, a particular predicted user selection rate of said each content item;
determining, based on a particular difference between a particular observed user selection rate of said each content item and a particular previous user selection rate of said each content item;
modifying, based on the particular difference, the particular predicted user selection rate of said each content item to generate a particular adjusted predicted user selection rate of said each content item;
generating, based on the particular adjusted predicted user selection rate, a particular score of said each content item;
determining a ranking of the plurality of content items based on the particular score generated for each content item in the plurality of content items; causing the plurality of content items to be displayed concurrently based on the ranking. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein:
each content item in the plurality of content items is associated with a bid value; generating the particular score of said each content item comprises generating the particular score also based on the bid value associated with said each content item. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the observed user selection rate is a first observed user selection rate, the difference is a first difference, and the current predicted user selection rate is a first predicted user selection rate, the method further comprising, after causing the first content item to be displayed:
storing the first predicted user selection rate of the first content item; storing a second observed user selection rate of the first content item, wherein the second observed user selection rate of the first content item is different than the first observed user selection rate of the first content item; generating, using the model, a second predicted user selection rate of the first content item; determining a second difference between (3) the second observed user selection rate of the first content item and (4) the first predicted user selection rate of the first content item; generating, based on the second difference, a second adjusted predicted user selection rate of the first content item by increasing or decreasing the second predicted user selection rate of the first content item; generating, based on the second adjusted predicted user selection rate, a second score of the first content item; causing the first content item to be displayed based on the second score of the first content item. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
generating, using the model, a second predicted user selection rate of a second content item; determining whether to use user selection rate information related to one or more content items other than the second content item in determining an adjustment to the second predicted user selection rate; in response to determining to use user selection rate information related to one or more content items other than the second content item, determining a second difference between (1) a second observed user selection rate of the one or more content items and (2) a second previous predicted user selection rate of the one or more content items; generating, based on the second difference, a second adjusted predicted user selection rate of the second content item by increasing or decreasing the second predicted user selection rate of the second content item; generating, based on the second adjusted predicted user selection rate, a second score of the second content item; causing the second content item to be displayed based on the second score of the second content item. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein determining whether to use the user selection rate information comprises determining that no user selection rate information exists for the second content item. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjusted predicted user selection rate is a first adjusted user selection rate, further comprising:
prior to generating the score:
determining a variance value based on a distribution, and
generating, based on the variance value and the first adjusted predicted user selection rate, a second adjusted predicted user selection rate;
wherein generating the score comprises generating the score based on the second adjusted predicted user selection rate. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the score is a first score, the method further comprising:
generating a second score for a second content item that is different than the first content item, wherein the second score is not generated based on a predicted user selection rate of the second content item; wherein causing the first content item to be displayed comprises causing the first content item and the second content item to be displayed concurrently. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
prior to generating the first score:
determining an additional calibration value, and
generating, based on the additional calibration value and the adjusted predicted user selection rate, a second adjusted predicted user selection rate;
wherein generating the first score comprises generating the first score based on the second adjusted predicted user selection rate; wherein the second score is not generated based on the additional calibration value. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein:
the first content item is one of a plurality of content items; the method further comprising, for each content item in the plurality of content items, generating a different score for said each content item based on the additional calibration value and a predicted user selection rate of said each content item; causing the first content item to be displayed comprises causing the plurality of content items to be displayed concurrently based on the different score generated for each content item in the plurality of content items. 11. A system comprising:
one or more processors; one or more computer-readable media storing instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause:
determining a difference between (1) an observed user selection rate of a first content item and (2) a previous predicted user selection rate of the first content item;
receiving, over a network, a request for one or more content items;
in response to receiving the request:
identifying the first content item;
generating, using a model, a current predicted user selection rate of the first content item;
based on the difference and without using the model, generating an adjusted predicted user selection rate of the first content item by increasing or decreasing the current predicted user selection rate of the first content item;
generating, based on the adjusted predicted user selection rate, a score of the first content item;
causing the first content item to be displayed based on the score of the first content item. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause:
for each content item in a plurality of content items:
generating, using the model, a particular predicted user selection rate of said each content item;
determining, based on a particular difference between a particular observed user selection rate of said each content item and a particular previous user selection rate of said each content item;
modifying, based on the particular difference, the particular predicted user selection rate of said each content item to generate a particular adjusted predicted user selection rate of said each content item;
generating, based on the particular adjusted predicted user selection rate, a particular score of said each content item;
determining a ranking of the plurality of content items based on the particular score generated for each content item in the plurality of content items; causing the plurality of content items to be displayed concurrently based on the ranking. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein:
each content item in the plurality of content items is associated with a bid value; generating the particular score of said each content item comprises generating the particular score also based on the bid value associated with said each content item. 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the observed user selection rate is a first observed user selection rate, the difference is a first difference, and the current predicted user selection rate is a first predicted user selection rate, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause, after causing the first content item to be displayed:
storing the first predicted user selection rate of the first content item; storing a second observed user selection rate of the first content item, wherein the second observed user selection rate of the first content item is different than the first observed user selection rate of the first content item; generating, using the model, a second predicted user selection rate of the first content item; determining a second difference between (3) the second observed user selection rate of the first content item and (4) the first predicted user selection rate of the first content item; generating, based on the second difference, a second adjusted predicted user selection rate of the first content item by increasing or decreasing the second predicted user selection rate of the first content item; generating, based on the second adjusted predicted user selection rate, a second score of the first content item; causing the first content item to be displayed based on the second score of the first content item. 15. The system of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause:
generating, using the model, a second predicted user selection rate of a second content item; determining whether to use user selection rate information related to one or more content items other than the second content item in determining an adjustment to the second predicted user selection rate; in response to determining to use user selection rate information related to one or more content items other than the second content item, determining a second difference between (1) a second observed user selection rate of the one or more content items and (2) a second previous predicted user selection rate of the one or more content items; generating, based on the second difference, a second adjusted predicted user selection rate of the second content item by increasing or decreasing the second predicted user selection rate of the second content item; generating, based on the second adjusted predicted user selection rate, a second score of the second content item; causing the second content item to be displayed based on the second score of the second content item. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein determining whether to use the user selection rate information comprises determining that no user selection rate information exists for the second content item. 17. The system of claim 11, wherein the adjusted predicted user selection rate is a first adjusted user selection rate, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause:
prior to generating the score:
determining a variance value based on a distribution, and
generating, based on the variance value and the first adjusted predicted user selection rate, a second adjusted predicted user selection rate;
wherein generating the score comprises generating the score based on the second adjusted predicted user selection rate. 18. The system of claim 11, wherein the score is a first score, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause:
generating a second score for a second content item that is different than the first content item, wherein the second score is not generated based on a predicted user selection rate of the second content item; wherein causing the first content item to be displayed comprises causing the first content item and the second content item to be displayed concurrently. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause:
prior to generating the first score:
determining an additional calibration value, and
generating, based on the additional calibration value and the adjusted predicted user selection rate, a second adjusted predicted user selection rate;
wherein generating the first score comprises generating the first score based on the second adjusted predicted user selection rate; wherein the second score is not generated based on the additional calibration value. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein:
the first content item is one of a plurality of content items; the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause, for each content item in the plurality of content items, generating a different score for said each content item based on the additional calibration value and a predicted user selection rate of said each content item; causing the first content item to be displayed comprises causing the plurality of content items to be displayed concurrently based on the different score generated for each content item in the plurality of content items. | Techniques are provided for adjusting a predicted user selection rate (e.g., a “click-through” rate) of a content item. In one technique, a model is used to generate a predicted user selection rate of a first content item. A difference between (1) an observed user selection rate of the first content item and (2) a previous predicted user selection rate of the first content item is determined. The predicted user selection rate is modified, based on the difference, to generate an adjusted predicted user selection rate of the first content item. Then, based on the adjusted predicted user selection rate, a score of the first content item is generated. The first content item is displayed based on the score. For example, other content items may be scored in a similar fashion. The one or more content item with the highest scores are displayed.1. A method comprising:
determining a difference between (1) an observed user selection rate of a first content item and (2) a previous predicted user selection rate of the first content item; receiving, over a network, a request for one or more content items; in response to receiving the request:
identifying the first content item;
generating, using a model, a current predicted user selection rate of the first content item;
based on the difference and without using the model, generating an adjusted predicted user selection rate of the first content item by increasing or decreasing the current predicted user selection rate of the first content item;
generating, based on the adjusted predicted user selection rate, a score of the first content item;
causing the first content item to be displayed based on the score of the first content item;
wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
for each content item in a plurality of content items:
generating, using the model, a particular predicted user selection rate of said each content item;
determining, based on a particular difference between a particular observed user selection rate of said each content item and a particular previous user selection rate of said each content item;
modifying, based on the particular difference, the particular predicted user selection rate of said each content item to generate a particular adjusted predicted user selection rate of said each content item;
generating, based on the particular adjusted predicted user selection rate, a particular score of said each content item;
determining a ranking of the plurality of content items based on the particular score generated for each content item in the plurality of content items; causing the plurality of content items to be displayed concurrently based on the ranking. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein:
each content item in the plurality of content items is associated with a bid value; generating the particular score of said each content item comprises generating the particular score also based on the bid value associated with said each content item. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the observed user selection rate is a first observed user selection rate, the difference is a first difference, and the current predicted user selection rate is a first predicted user selection rate, the method further comprising, after causing the first content item to be displayed:
storing the first predicted user selection rate of the first content item; storing a second observed user selection rate of the first content item, wherein the second observed user selection rate of the first content item is different than the first observed user selection rate of the first content item; generating, using the model, a second predicted user selection rate of the first content item; determining a second difference between (3) the second observed user selection rate of the first content item and (4) the first predicted user selection rate of the first content item; generating, based on the second difference, a second adjusted predicted user selection rate of the first content item by increasing or decreasing the second predicted user selection rate of the first content item; generating, based on the second adjusted predicted user selection rate, a second score of the first content item; causing the first content item to be displayed based on the second score of the first content item. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
generating, using the model, a second predicted user selection rate of a second content item; determining whether to use user selection rate information related to one or more content items other than the second content item in determining an adjustment to the second predicted user selection rate; in response to determining to use user selection rate information related to one or more content items other than the second content item, determining a second difference between (1) a second observed user selection rate of the one or more content items and (2) a second previous predicted user selection rate of the one or more content items; generating, based on the second difference, a second adjusted predicted user selection rate of the second content item by increasing or decreasing the second predicted user selection rate of the second content item; generating, based on the second adjusted predicted user selection rate, a second score of the second content item; causing the second content item to be displayed based on the second score of the second content item. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein determining whether to use the user selection rate information comprises determining that no user selection rate information exists for the second content item. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjusted predicted user selection rate is a first adjusted user selection rate, further comprising:
prior to generating the score:
determining a variance value based on a distribution, and
generating, based on the variance value and the first adjusted predicted user selection rate, a second adjusted predicted user selection rate;
wherein generating the score comprises generating the score based on the second adjusted predicted user selection rate. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the score is a first score, the method further comprising:
generating a second score for a second content item that is different than the first content item, wherein the second score is not generated based on a predicted user selection rate of the second content item; wherein causing the first content item to be displayed comprises causing the first content item and the second content item to be displayed concurrently. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
prior to generating the first score:
determining an additional calibration value, and
generating, based on the additional calibration value and the adjusted predicted user selection rate, a second adjusted predicted user selection rate;
wherein generating the first score comprises generating the first score based on the second adjusted predicted user selection rate; wherein the second score is not generated based on the additional calibration value. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein:
the first content item is one of a plurality of content items; the method further comprising, for each content item in the plurality of content items, generating a different score for said each content item based on the additional calibration value and a predicted user selection rate of said each content item; causing the first content item to be displayed comprises causing the plurality of content items to be displayed concurrently based on the different score generated for each content item in the plurality of content items. 11. A system comprising:
one or more processors; one or more computer-readable media storing instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause:
determining a difference between (1) an observed user selection rate of a first content item and (2) a previous predicted user selection rate of the first content item;
receiving, over a network, a request for one or more content items;
in response to receiving the request:
identifying the first content item;
generating, using a model, a current predicted user selection rate of the first content item;
based on the difference and without using the model, generating an adjusted predicted user selection rate of the first content item by increasing or decreasing the current predicted user selection rate of the first content item;
generating, based on the adjusted predicted user selection rate, a score of the first content item;
causing the first content item to be displayed based on the score of the first content item. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause:
for each content item in a plurality of content items:
generating, using the model, a particular predicted user selection rate of said each content item;
determining, based on a particular difference between a particular observed user selection rate of said each content item and a particular previous user selection rate of said each content item;
modifying, based on the particular difference, the particular predicted user selection rate of said each content item to generate a particular adjusted predicted user selection rate of said each content item;
generating, based on the particular adjusted predicted user selection rate, a particular score of said each content item;
determining a ranking of the plurality of content items based on the particular score generated for each content item in the plurality of content items; causing the plurality of content items to be displayed concurrently based on the ranking. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein:
each content item in the plurality of content items is associated with a bid value; generating the particular score of said each content item comprises generating the particular score also based on the bid value associated with said each content item. 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the observed user selection rate is a first observed user selection rate, the difference is a first difference, and the current predicted user selection rate is a first predicted user selection rate, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause, after causing the first content item to be displayed:
storing the first predicted user selection rate of the first content item; storing a second observed user selection rate of the first content item, wherein the second observed user selection rate of the first content item is different than the first observed user selection rate of the first content item; generating, using the model, a second predicted user selection rate of the first content item; determining a second difference between (3) the second observed user selection rate of the first content item and (4) the first predicted user selection rate of the first content item; generating, based on the second difference, a second adjusted predicted user selection rate of the first content item by increasing or decreasing the second predicted user selection rate of the first content item; generating, based on the second adjusted predicted user selection rate, a second score of the first content item; causing the first content item to be displayed based on the second score of the first content item. 15. The system of claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause:
generating, using the model, a second predicted user selection rate of a second content item; determining whether to use user selection rate information related to one or more content items other than the second content item in determining an adjustment to the second predicted user selection rate; in response to determining to use user selection rate information related to one or more content items other than the second content item, determining a second difference between (1) a second observed user selection rate of the one or more content items and (2) a second previous predicted user selection rate of the one or more content items; generating, based on the second difference, a second adjusted predicted user selection rate of the second content item by increasing or decreasing the second predicted user selection rate of the second content item; generating, based on the second adjusted predicted user selection rate, a second score of the second content item; causing the second content item to be displayed based on the second score of the second content item. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein determining whether to use the user selection rate information comprises determining that no user selection rate information exists for the second content item. 17. The system of claim 11, wherein the adjusted predicted user selection rate is a first adjusted user selection rate, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause:
prior to generating the score:
determining a variance value based on a distribution, and
generating, based on the variance value and the first adjusted predicted user selection rate, a second adjusted predicted user selection rate;
wherein generating the score comprises generating the score based on the second adjusted predicted user selection rate. 18. The system of claim 11, wherein the score is a first score, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause:
generating a second score for a second content item that is different than the first content item, wherein the second score is not generated based on a predicted user selection rate of the second content item; wherein causing the first content item to be displayed comprises causing the first content item and the second content item to be displayed concurrently. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause:
prior to generating the first score:
determining an additional calibration value, and
generating, based on the additional calibration value and the adjusted predicted user selection rate, a second adjusted predicted user selection rate;
wherein generating the first score comprises generating the first score based on the second adjusted predicted user selection rate; wherein the second score is not generated based on the additional calibration value. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein:
the first content item is one of a plurality of content items; the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause, for each content item in the plurality of content items, generating a different score for said each content item based on the additional calibration value and a predicted user selection rate of said each content item; causing the first content item to be displayed comprises causing the plurality of content items to be displayed concurrently based on the different score generated for each content item in the plurality of content items. | 3,600 |
13,036 | 13,036 | 14,413,127 | 3,635 | An installation for distribution of granular or powder material via pneumatic transport comprising at least one dispensing hopper ( 3 ) for temporary storage of said granular or powder material, the dispensing hopper being suited to being, alternately, pressurized for emptying the dispensing hopper and depressurized to permit filling thereof, and a device for depressurizing said dispensing hopper. The depressurizing device comprises a depressurizing duct ( 12 ) connected to said dispensing hopper, a bag filter ( 11 ), having a maximum operating flow rate, connected to the depressurizing duct, and flow control means ( 15 ) for controlling the flow rate in said depressurizing duct through the bag filter. The bag filter ( 11 ) is suited to operating under pressure, and the flow control means ( 15 ) are located on the depressurizing duct ( 12 ) downstream of the bag filter ( 11 ) and are arranged to provide a flow rate which is at most equal to the maximum flow rate of the bag filter. Application in particular to an installation for injecting coal into a blast furnace. | 1-5. (canceled) 6. An installation for distribution of granular or powder material via pneumatic transport comprising at least one dispensing hopper for temporary storage of said granular or powder material, the dispensing hopper being suited to being, alternately, pressurized for emptying the dispensing hopper and depressurized to permit filling thereof, and a device for depressurizing said dispensing hopper, comprising
a depressurizing duct connected to said dispensing hopper, a bag filter , having a maximum operating flow rate, connected to said depressurizing duct, and flow control means for controlling the flow rate in said depressurizing duct through the bag filter,
characterized in that the bag filter is a filter suited to operating under pressure, and the flow control means are static control means without moving elements, located on the depressurizing duct downstream of the bag filter and comprise a plate with an orifice of predetermined cross-section or a de Laval nozzle of a predetermined cross-section and shape, arranged to permitting the passage of a maximum volumetric flow rate which is less than or equal to the maximum admissible flow rate for the bag filter. 7. An installation according to claim 6, wherein the flow control means are placed on the depressurizing duct downstream of an isolation valve . 8. An installation according to claim 6, wherein the flow control means are placed on the depressurizing duct upstream of an isolation valve . 9. An installation according to claim 6, wherein it is used for injecting powdered coal into a blast furnace. 10. An installation according to claim 6, wherein it comprises a main storage hopper and a plurality of dispensing hoppers connected to the main storage hopper in order to be filled periodically with granular or powder material via pneumatic transport from the main hopper, and each dispensing hopper comprises its own depressurizing device, with a pressurized bag filter mounted directly on each dispensing hopper. | An installation for distribution of granular or powder material via pneumatic transport comprising at least one dispensing hopper ( 3 ) for temporary storage of said granular or powder material, the dispensing hopper being suited to being, alternately, pressurized for emptying the dispensing hopper and depressurized to permit filling thereof, and a device for depressurizing said dispensing hopper. The depressurizing device comprises a depressurizing duct ( 12 ) connected to said dispensing hopper, a bag filter ( 11 ), having a maximum operating flow rate, connected to the depressurizing duct, and flow control means ( 15 ) for controlling the flow rate in said depressurizing duct through the bag filter. The bag filter ( 11 ) is suited to operating under pressure, and the flow control means ( 15 ) are located on the depressurizing duct ( 12 ) downstream of the bag filter ( 11 ) and are arranged to provide a flow rate which is at most equal to the maximum flow rate of the bag filter. Application in particular to an installation for injecting coal into a blast furnace.1-5. (canceled) 6. An installation for distribution of granular or powder material via pneumatic transport comprising at least one dispensing hopper for temporary storage of said granular or powder material, the dispensing hopper being suited to being, alternately, pressurized for emptying the dispensing hopper and depressurized to permit filling thereof, and a device for depressurizing said dispensing hopper, comprising
a depressurizing duct connected to said dispensing hopper, a bag filter , having a maximum operating flow rate, connected to said depressurizing duct, and flow control means for controlling the flow rate in said depressurizing duct through the bag filter,
characterized in that the bag filter is a filter suited to operating under pressure, and the flow control means are static control means without moving elements, located on the depressurizing duct downstream of the bag filter and comprise a plate with an orifice of predetermined cross-section or a de Laval nozzle of a predetermined cross-section and shape, arranged to permitting the passage of a maximum volumetric flow rate which is less than or equal to the maximum admissible flow rate for the bag filter. 7. An installation according to claim 6, wherein the flow control means are placed on the depressurizing duct downstream of an isolation valve . 8. An installation according to claim 6, wherein the flow control means are placed on the depressurizing duct upstream of an isolation valve . 9. An installation according to claim 6, wherein it is used for injecting powdered coal into a blast furnace. 10. An installation according to claim 6, wherein it comprises a main storage hopper and a plurality of dispensing hoppers connected to the main storage hopper in order to be filled periodically with granular or powder material via pneumatic transport from the main hopper, and each dispensing hopper comprises its own depressurizing device, with a pressurized bag filter mounted directly on each dispensing hopper. | 3,600 |
13,037 | 13,037 | 14,584,097 | 3,626 | Disclosed are various embodiments for securely storing and transmitting medical- or health-related information. According to various embodiments described herein, a computing device may enroll or register a client device or a peripheral device associated with the client device in response to the client device or the peripheral device complying with at least one compliance rule. Health information received from the client device or the peripheral device is accessed in response a request received from a requesting service for the health information, wherein the health information as received is encrypted according to a cryptographic key. A determination is made whether consent to send the health information to the requesting service has been provided by a user of the client device. If consent has been provided, the health information received from the client device or the peripheral device is sent to the requesting service. | 1. A system, comprising:
at least one computing device; program code that, when executed by the at least one computing device, causes the at least one computing device to at least:
receive a request from a requesting service for a transmission of health information generated by at least one of a client device or a peripheral device associated with the client device;
determine whether at least one compliance rule is satisfied by at least one of the client device or the peripheral device associated with the client device;
determine whether consent for the transmission of the health information generated by at least one of the client device or the peripheral device associated with the client device to the requesting service has been provided by a user of the client device, wherein the consent comprises a user input to the client device indicating that the user consents to the transmission of the health information generated by at least one of the client device or the peripheral device associated with the client device to the requesting service; and
in response to a determination that the at least one compliance rule is satisfied and that consent has been provided by the user of the client device, causing the health information to be transmitted to the requesting service. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising program code that causes the at least one computing device to at least receive a user password corresponding to the client device, wherein the user password is used to encrypt a cryptographic key prior to the transmission of the health information from the client device to the at least one computing device. 3. The system of claim 2, further comprising program code that causes the at least one computing device to at least:
decrypt the cryptographic key using at least the user password corresponding to the client device; and encrypt the cryptographic key using a requesting service password corresponding to the requesting service, wherein the requesting service is capable of accessing the cryptographic key using at least the requesting service password. 4. The system of claim 2, further comprising program code that causes the at least one computing device to at least encrypt the cryptographic key, as encrypted with the user password, using a requesting service password corresponding to the requesting service, wherein the requesting service is capable of accessing the cryptographic key using at least the requesting service password and the user password. 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising program code that causes the at least one computing device to at least, in response to consent not being providing by the user of the client device, obtain consent from the user by causing a display of a user interface in a display of the client device that prompts the user of the client device to provide a password. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the consent being providing by the user of the client device is obtained automatically based at least in part on a role associated with the requesting service and access predefined by the user in association with the role. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device comprises at least one biometric sensor. 8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium embodying a program executable in at least one computing device, comprising code that:
enrolls a client device or a peripheral device associated with the client device responsive to the client device or the peripheral device complying with at least one compliance rule; accesses health information received from the client device or the peripheral device as registered in response to a request received from a requesting service for the health information, wherein the health information as received is encrypted according to a cryptographic key; determines whether consent to send the health information to the requesting service has been provided by a user of the client device; and in response to the consent being providing by the user of the client device, cause a transmission of the health information as encrypted to the requesting service. 9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the program further comprises code that receives a user password corresponding to the client device, wherein the user password is used to encrypt the cryptographic key during transmission from the client device to the at least one computing device. 10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the program further comprises code that:
decrypts the cryptographic key using at least the user password corresponding to the client device; and encrypts the cryptographic key using a requesting service password corresponding to the requesting service, wherein the requesting service is capable of accessing the cryptographic key using at least the requesting service password. 11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the program further comprises code that encrypts the cryptographic key, as encrypted with the user password, using a requesting service password corresponding to the requesting service, wherein the requesting service is capable of accessing the cryptographic key using at least the requesting service password and the user password. 12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the program further comprises code that, in response to consent not being providing by the user of the client device, obtains consent from the user by causing a display of a user interface in a display of the client device that prompts the user of the client device to provide a password. 13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the consent being providing by the user of the client device is obtained automatically based at least in part on a role associated with the requesting service and access predefined by the user in association with the role. 14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the peripheral device comprises at least one biometric sensor. 15. A system, comprising:
a computing device; program code that, when executed by the computing device, causes the computing device to at least:
recognize, at the computing device, a state in which health information is conditionally transmitted to a requesting service, wherein the health information is specific to at least one person who is a user of a client device or a peripheral device from which the health information is acquired;
verify, at the computing device, that at least one condition for a transmission of the health information is satisfied, including:
determining that at least one compliance rule for transmitting the health information is satisfied; and
determining whether consent for the particular transmitting of the health information to the requesting service has been provided, where determining that consent has been provided is based on a communication between the computing device and the client device or peripheral device; and
in response to verifying that the at least one condition is satisfied, transmit, at the computing device, the health information to the requesting service. 16. The system of claim 15, further comprising program code that causes the at least one computing device to receive, at the computing device, a user password corresponding to the client device, wherein the user password is used to encrypt a cryptographic key used to encrypt the health information prior to the transmission. 17. The system of claim 16, further comprising program code that causes the at least one computing device to:
decrypt, at the computing device, the cryptographic key using at least the user password corresponding to the client device; and encrypt, at the computing device, the cryptographic key using a requesting service password corresponding to the requesting service, wherein the requesting service is capable of accessing the cryptographic key using at least the requesting service password. 18. The system of claim 15, wherein determining that the at least one compliance rule for transmitting the health information is satisfied further comprising determining whether the client device or the peripheral device associated with the client device complies with a predefined statutory constraint or a regulatory constraint. 19. The system of claim 15, further comprising, in response to consent not being providing by the user of the client device, obtaining, by the at least one computing device, the consent from the user by causing a display of a user interface in a display of the client device that prompts the user of the client device to provide a password. 20. The system of claim 15, wherein the consent being provided by the user of the client device is obtained automatically based at least in part on a role associated with the requesting service and access predefined by the user in association with the role. | Disclosed are various embodiments for securely storing and transmitting medical- or health-related information. According to various embodiments described herein, a computing device may enroll or register a client device or a peripheral device associated with the client device in response to the client device or the peripheral device complying with at least one compliance rule. Health information received from the client device or the peripheral device is accessed in response a request received from a requesting service for the health information, wherein the health information as received is encrypted according to a cryptographic key. A determination is made whether consent to send the health information to the requesting service has been provided by a user of the client device. If consent has been provided, the health information received from the client device or the peripheral device is sent to the requesting service.1. A system, comprising:
at least one computing device; program code that, when executed by the at least one computing device, causes the at least one computing device to at least:
receive a request from a requesting service for a transmission of health information generated by at least one of a client device or a peripheral device associated with the client device;
determine whether at least one compliance rule is satisfied by at least one of the client device or the peripheral device associated with the client device;
determine whether consent for the transmission of the health information generated by at least one of the client device or the peripheral device associated with the client device to the requesting service has been provided by a user of the client device, wherein the consent comprises a user input to the client device indicating that the user consents to the transmission of the health information generated by at least one of the client device or the peripheral device associated with the client device to the requesting service; and
in response to a determination that the at least one compliance rule is satisfied and that consent has been provided by the user of the client device, causing the health information to be transmitted to the requesting service. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising program code that causes the at least one computing device to at least receive a user password corresponding to the client device, wherein the user password is used to encrypt a cryptographic key prior to the transmission of the health information from the client device to the at least one computing device. 3. The system of claim 2, further comprising program code that causes the at least one computing device to at least:
decrypt the cryptographic key using at least the user password corresponding to the client device; and encrypt the cryptographic key using a requesting service password corresponding to the requesting service, wherein the requesting service is capable of accessing the cryptographic key using at least the requesting service password. 4. The system of claim 2, further comprising program code that causes the at least one computing device to at least encrypt the cryptographic key, as encrypted with the user password, using a requesting service password corresponding to the requesting service, wherein the requesting service is capable of accessing the cryptographic key using at least the requesting service password and the user password. 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising program code that causes the at least one computing device to at least, in response to consent not being providing by the user of the client device, obtain consent from the user by causing a display of a user interface in a display of the client device that prompts the user of the client device to provide a password. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the consent being providing by the user of the client device is obtained automatically based at least in part on a role associated with the requesting service and access predefined by the user in association with the role. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device comprises at least one biometric sensor. 8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium embodying a program executable in at least one computing device, comprising code that:
enrolls a client device or a peripheral device associated with the client device responsive to the client device or the peripheral device complying with at least one compliance rule; accesses health information received from the client device or the peripheral device as registered in response to a request received from a requesting service for the health information, wherein the health information as received is encrypted according to a cryptographic key; determines whether consent to send the health information to the requesting service has been provided by a user of the client device; and in response to the consent being providing by the user of the client device, cause a transmission of the health information as encrypted to the requesting service. 9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the program further comprises code that receives a user password corresponding to the client device, wherein the user password is used to encrypt the cryptographic key during transmission from the client device to the at least one computing device. 10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the program further comprises code that:
decrypts the cryptographic key using at least the user password corresponding to the client device; and encrypts the cryptographic key using a requesting service password corresponding to the requesting service, wherein the requesting service is capable of accessing the cryptographic key using at least the requesting service password. 11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the program further comprises code that encrypts the cryptographic key, as encrypted with the user password, using a requesting service password corresponding to the requesting service, wherein the requesting service is capable of accessing the cryptographic key using at least the requesting service password and the user password. 12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the program further comprises code that, in response to consent not being providing by the user of the client device, obtains consent from the user by causing a display of a user interface in a display of the client device that prompts the user of the client device to provide a password. 13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the consent being providing by the user of the client device is obtained automatically based at least in part on a role associated with the requesting service and access predefined by the user in association with the role. 14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the peripheral device comprises at least one biometric sensor. 15. A system, comprising:
a computing device; program code that, when executed by the computing device, causes the computing device to at least:
recognize, at the computing device, a state in which health information is conditionally transmitted to a requesting service, wherein the health information is specific to at least one person who is a user of a client device or a peripheral device from which the health information is acquired;
verify, at the computing device, that at least one condition for a transmission of the health information is satisfied, including:
determining that at least one compliance rule for transmitting the health information is satisfied; and
determining whether consent for the particular transmitting of the health information to the requesting service has been provided, where determining that consent has been provided is based on a communication between the computing device and the client device or peripheral device; and
in response to verifying that the at least one condition is satisfied, transmit, at the computing device, the health information to the requesting service. 16. The system of claim 15, further comprising program code that causes the at least one computing device to receive, at the computing device, a user password corresponding to the client device, wherein the user password is used to encrypt a cryptographic key used to encrypt the health information prior to the transmission. 17. The system of claim 16, further comprising program code that causes the at least one computing device to:
decrypt, at the computing device, the cryptographic key using at least the user password corresponding to the client device; and encrypt, at the computing device, the cryptographic key using a requesting service password corresponding to the requesting service, wherein the requesting service is capable of accessing the cryptographic key using at least the requesting service password. 18. The system of claim 15, wherein determining that the at least one compliance rule for transmitting the health information is satisfied further comprising determining whether the client device or the peripheral device associated with the client device complies with a predefined statutory constraint or a regulatory constraint. 19. The system of claim 15, further comprising, in response to consent not being providing by the user of the client device, obtaining, by the at least one computing device, the consent from the user by causing a display of a user interface in a display of the client device that prompts the user of the client device to provide a password. 20. The system of claim 15, wherein the consent being provided by the user of the client device is obtained automatically based at least in part on a role associated with the requesting service and access predefined by the user in association with the role. | 3,600 |
13,038 | 13,038 | 13,115,933 | 3,681 | The LOYALTY PROMOTION APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“L-PROMO”) transforms consumer credentials, consumer opt-in activities, and, merchant campaign setup inputs via L-PROMO components into a financial transaction and offer redemption outputs. In one implementation, a method is disclosed, comprising: receiving consumer identifying information from a consumer electronic wallet vehicle; receiving merchant information and a proposed transaction from a merchant terminal; initiating consumer payment by sending a payment approval to an electronic wallet account; receiving a request to apply a promotional offer; determining consumer eligibility to apply the promotional offer to the proposed transaction; applying the promotional offer to the proposed transaction by returning credits to the consumer based on terms of the promotional offer; sending transaction details to the consumer; and sending a message to a social network indicating the transaction on the consumer's social media page. | 1. A promotion redemption processor-implemented method, comprising:
receiving consumer identifying information from a consumer electronic wallet vehicle; receiving merchant information and a proposed transaction from a merchant terminal; initiating consumer payment by sending a payment approval to an electronic wallet account; receiving a request to apply a promotional offer; determining consumer eligibility to apply the promotional offer to the proposed transaction; applying the promotional offer to the proposed transaction by returning credits to the consumer based on terms of the promotional offer; sending transaction details to the consumer; and sending a message to a social network indicating the transaction on the consumer's social media page. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the consumer identification information comprises a card number. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the merchant information comprises a merchant ID. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the promotional offer is provided by the merchant. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the consumer receives the promotional offer in an email. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the consumer receives the promotional offer via social network news feeds. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the consumer receives the promotional offer via in-store messages. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the consumer receives the promotional offer via mobile messages. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving information related to consumer opt-in activities related to the promotional offer; presenting the promotional offer to the consumer. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the opt-in activities comprise click on a social media news feed related to the promotional offer. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the social media news feed is posted by a merchant on the merchant social media page. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the social media news feed is posted by a friend of the consumer's on the friend's social media page. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
retrieve a record of merchant offers; generating a query based on the received information on the record of merchant offers; obtaining a list of matched offers from the query; and sending the list of matched offers to the consumer. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the promotional offer comprise a loyalty requirement. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining whether the proposed transaction of the consumer satisfies the loyalty requirement. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the message is automatically populated on the consumer's social network page as a social news feed. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the social news feed comprises a link to a page describing the promotional offer. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the link directs to the merchant's social media page. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the link directs to a stand alone merchant's website. 17. The method of claim 1, further comprising retrieving consumer social media account credentials provided for registration, and sending the credentials to the social network for verification. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the returned credits are applied as a rebate amount. 19. A promotion redemption system, comprising:
means for receiving consumer identifying information from a consumer electronic wallet vehicle; means for receiving merchant information and a proposed transaction from a merchant terminal; means for initiating consumer payment by sending a payment approval to an electronic wallet account; means for receiving a request to apply a promotional offer; means for determining consumer eligibility to apply the promotional offer to the proposed transaction; means for applying the promotional offer to the proposed transaction by returning credits to the consumer based on terms of the promotional offer; means for sending transaction details to the consumer; and means for sending a message to a social network indicating the transaction on the consumer's social media page. 20. A promotion redemption processor-readable medium storing processor-issuable-and-generated instructions to:
receive consumer identifying information from a consumer electronic wallet vehicle; receive merchant information and a proposed transaction from a merchant terminal; initiate consumer payment by sending a payment approval to an electronic wallet account; receive a request to apply a promotional offer; determine consumer eligibility to apply the promotional offer to the proposed transaction; apply the promotional offer to the proposed transaction by returning credits to the consumer based on terms of the promotional offer; send transaction details to the consumer; and send a message to a social network indicating the transaction on the consumer's social media page. 21. A promotion redemption processor-implemented method, comprising:
receiving a consumer registration request; receiving consumer information for registration; creating a new account and establishing login credentials based on the received consumer information; prompting the consumer to provide social media account credentials; linking to a social media platform to verify the social media account credentials; and associating the social media account to the created new account. 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:
receiving consumer specification of interests. 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:
forming a query on registered merchants and promotional offers based on the received consumer interest. 24. The method of claim 22, further comprising linking a merchant social media page to the created new account based on the query. 25. The method of claim 22, further comprising adding a list of promotional offers to the created new account based on the query. 26. A merchant campaign processor-implemented method, comprising:
instantiating a merchant campaign component; establishing merchant campaign parameters via the merchant campaign component; generating and submitting promotional offers; receiving consumer opt-in activities indicative of usages of the promotional offers; analyzing campaign performance based on the received consumer activities; and adjusting campaign parameters based on the performance analytics. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the merchant campaign component is a web application. 28. The method of claim 26, wherein the merchant campaign component is an add-on tool to the merchant's social media page. 29. The method of claim 26, further comprising providing merchant information to enroll in a campaign management community. 30. The method of claim 26, wherein the merchant campaign parameters comprise offer types, target audience, duration, terms, budget. 31. The method of claim 26, further comprising establishing a campaign objective. 32. The method of claim 26, further comprising loading data from data sources to determine evaluative metrics indicating campaign performance. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the data sources comprises one of:
campaign component logs, Google analytics, social media logs. 34. The method of claim 32, wherein the evaluative metrics comprising a cost per event parameter. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the event comprises one of:
consumer awareness of an offer, consumer engagement of an offer, consumer usage of an offer, consumer sharing of an offer. 36. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving an offer redemption request without consumer triggering after the transaction. 37. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining an offer identifier associated with the offer; verifying whether the offer is valid based on the offer identifier; and determining a sponsor of the offer, wherein the sponsor may be one of a merchant, a third party, an offer issuer and a processing network. 38. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining consumer eligibility to apply the promotional offer to the proposed transaction comprises:
determining whether the consumer has sufficient loyalty to redeem the offer. 39. The method of claim 38, further comprising:
determining whether the offer permits loyalty point conversion; and prompting the consumer to authorize loyalty point conversion. 40. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
calculating the returning credits based on the offer; and automatically crediting the returning credits to the consumer without the consumer's triggering after the transaction. 41. The method of claim 40, further comprising:
obtaining payment of the returning credits from a sponsor of the offer. | The LOYALTY PROMOTION APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“L-PROMO”) transforms consumer credentials, consumer opt-in activities, and, merchant campaign setup inputs via L-PROMO components into a financial transaction and offer redemption outputs. In one implementation, a method is disclosed, comprising: receiving consumer identifying information from a consumer electronic wallet vehicle; receiving merchant information and a proposed transaction from a merchant terminal; initiating consumer payment by sending a payment approval to an electronic wallet account; receiving a request to apply a promotional offer; determining consumer eligibility to apply the promotional offer to the proposed transaction; applying the promotional offer to the proposed transaction by returning credits to the consumer based on terms of the promotional offer; sending transaction details to the consumer; and sending a message to a social network indicating the transaction on the consumer's social media page.1. A promotion redemption processor-implemented method, comprising:
receiving consumer identifying information from a consumer electronic wallet vehicle; receiving merchant information and a proposed transaction from a merchant terminal; initiating consumer payment by sending a payment approval to an electronic wallet account; receiving a request to apply a promotional offer; determining consumer eligibility to apply the promotional offer to the proposed transaction; applying the promotional offer to the proposed transaction by returning credits to the consumer based on terms of the promotional offer; sending transaction details to the consumer; and sending a message to a social network indicating the transaction on the consumer's social media page. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the consumer identification information comprises a card number. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the merchant information comprises a merchant ID. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the promotional offer is provided by the merchant. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the consumer receives the promotional offer in an email. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the consumer receives the promotional offer via social network news feeds. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the consumer receives the promotional offer via in-store messages. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the consumer receives the promotional offer via mobile messages. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving information related to consumer opt-in activities related to the promotional offer; presenting the promotional offer to the consumer. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the opt-in activities comprise click on a social media news feed related to the promotional offer. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the social media news feed is posted by a merchant on the merchant social media page. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the social media news feed is posted by a friend of the consumer's on the friend's social media page. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
retrieve a record of merchant offers; generating a query based on the received information on the record of merchant offers; obtaining a list of matched offers from the query; and sending the list of matched offers to the consumer. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the promotional offer comprise a loyalty requirement. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining whether the proposed transaction of the consumer satisfies the loyalty requirement. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the message is automatically populated on the consumer's social network page as a social news feed. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the social news feed comprises a link to a page describing the promotional offer. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the link directs to the merchant's social media page. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the link directs to a stand alone merchant's website. 17. The method of claim 1, further comprising retrieving consumer social media account credentials provided for registration, and sending the credentials to the social network for verification. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the returned credits are applied as a rebate amount. 19. A promotion redemption system, comprising:
means for receiving consumer identifying information from a consumer electronic wallet vehicle; means for receiving merchant information and a proposed transaction from a merchant terminal; means for initiating consumer payment by sending a payment approval to an electronic wallet account; means for receiving a request to apply a promotional offer; means for determining consumer eligibility to apply the promotional offer to the proposed transaction; means for applying the promotional offer to the proposed transaction by returning credits to the consumer based on terms of the promotional offer; means for sending transaction details to the consumer; and means for sending a message to a social network indicating the transaction on the consumer's social media page. 20. A promotion redemption processor-readable medium storing processor-issuable-and-generated instructions to:
receive consumer identifying information from a consumer electronic wallet vehicle; receive merchant information and a proposed transaction from a merchant terminal; initiate consumer payment by sending a payment approval to an electronic wallet account; receive a request to apply a promotional offer; determine consumer eligibility to apply the promotional offer to the proposed transaction; apply the promotional offer to the proposed transaction by returning credits to the consumer based on terms of the promotional offer; send transaction details to the consumer; and send a message to a social network indicating the transaction on the consumer's social media page. 21. A promotion redemption processor-implemented method, comprising:
receiving a consumer registration request; receiving consumer information for registration; creating a new account and establishing login credentials based on the received consumer information; prompting the consumer to provide social media account credentials; linking to a social media platform to verify the social media account credentials; and associating the social media account to the created new account. 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:
receiving consumer specification of interests. 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:
forming a query on registered merchants and promotional offers based on the received consumer interest. 24. The method of claim 22, further comprising linking a merchant social media page to the created new account based on the query. 25. The method of claim 22, further comprising adding a list of promotional offers to the created new account based on the query. 26. A merchant campaign processor-implemented method, comprising:
instantiating a merchant campaign component; establishing merchant campaign parameters via the merchant campaign component; generating and submitting promotional offers; receiving consumer opt-in activities indicative of usages of the promotional offers; analyzing campaign performance based on the received consumer activities; and adjusting campaign parameters based on the performance analytics. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the merchant campaign component is a web application. 28. The method of claim 26, wherein the merchant campaign component is an add-on tool to the merchant's social media page. 29. The method of claim 26, further comprising providing merchant information to enroll in a campaign management community. 30. The method of claim 26, wherein the merchant campaign parameters comprise offer types, target audience, duration, terms, budget. 31. The method of claim 26, further comprising establishing a campaign objective. 32. The method of claim 26, further comprising loading data from data sources to determine evaluative metrics indicating campaign performance. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the data sources comprises one of:
campaign component logs, Google analytics, social media logs. 34. The method of claim 32, wherein the evaluative metrics comprising a cost per event parameter. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the event comprises one of:
consumer awareness of an offer, consumer engagement of an offer, consumer usage of an offer, consumer sharing of an offer. 36. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving an offer redemption request without consumer triggering after the transaction. 37. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining an offer identifier associated with the offer; verifying whether the offer is valid based on the offer identifier; and determining a sponsor of the offer, wherein the sponsor may be one of a merchant, a third party, an offer issuer and a processing network. 38. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining consumer eligibility to apply the promotional offer to the proposed transaction comprises:
determining whether the consumer has sufficient loyalty to redeem the offer. 39. The method of claim 38, further comprising:
determining whether the offer permits loyalty point conversion; and prompting the consumer to authorize loyalty point conversion. 40. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
calculating the returning credits based on the offer; and automatically crediting the returning credits to the consumer without the consumer's triggering after the transaction. 41. The method of claim 40, further comprising:
obtaining payment of the returning credits from a sponsor of the offer. | 3,600 |
13,039 | 13,039 | 14,101,674 | 3,688 | In the present approach, a master computing system directs slave computing systems in the purchasing of advertising within one or more online advertising channels by building a set of models for predicting the outcome of advertising purchases based on data received from the advertising channels, evaluating those models to determine which one(s) to use, allocating an advertiser's budget across the slave systems and channels for a given time period, and adjusting those allocations during the time period based on performance results received from the slave systems. In turn, the slave systems attempt to purchase advertisements within their channels based on their allocation and adjustments and report performance results back to the master system. | 1. A method for directing online advertising across multiple online advertising channels, the method comprising:
preparing, by a master computing device, advertising buy data by calculating formulated data from channel data and separating the formulated data and channel data into three separate data sets; building, by the master computing device, predictive models using a first of the three separate data sets; choosing, by the master computing device, which of the predictive models to use by comparing results from running the predictive models using a second of the three separate data sets and eliminating those predictive models that indicate overfit when run using a third of the three separate data sets, predicting, by the master computing device, using the chosen predictive models, results of advertisements purchased in the multiple channels; allocating, by the master computing device, an advertising budget for a given time period for each of the multiple online advertising channels based on the predicted results; communicating the budget allocations across a network from the master computing device to one or more slave computing devices responsible for purchasing online advertisements within the channels; bidding, by the slave computing devices, for online advertisements within the channels based on the communicated budget allocations; communicating, across the network from the slave computing devices to the master computing device, performance results of the bidding for online advertisements; adjusting, by the master computing device, the budget allocation for one or more of the multiple online advertising channels based on the performance results; and communicating the adjusted budget allocation across the network from the master computing device to the slave computing devices responsible for purchasing advertisements within the one or more online advertising channels. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein channel data comprises cost of a purchased online advertisement, a number of impressions of the purchased online advertisement, a number of clicks on the purchased online advertisement, and a number of conversions of the purchased online advertisement. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein formulated data comprises cost per click, cost per conversion, conversion rate and click through rate. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein preparing advertising buy data further comprises cleaning up erroneous and inconsistent data. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the predictive models use machine learning algorithms. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein predicting using the chosen predictive models results of advertisements purchased in the multiple channels comprises using channel data and formulated data. 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising normalizing the formulated data based on one or more user provided weighting values. 8. The method of claim 7 wherein predicting using the chosen predictive models results of advertisements purchased in the multiple channels comprises using channel data and normalized formulated data. 9. The method of claim 1 further comprising repeating the steps of allocating, communicating, bidding, communicating and adjusting multiple times within the given time period. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the given time period is an update time period. 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the update time period is 24 hours. 12. A system for directing online advertising across multiple online advertising channels, the system comprising:
a master computing device comprising:
a data parser configured to prepare advertising buy data by calculating formulated data from channel data and separating the formulated data and channel data into three separate data sets;
a model builder configured to build predictive models using a first of the three separate data sets;
a model tester configured to choose which of the predictive models to use by comparing results from running the predictive models using a second of the three separate data sets and eliminating those predictive models that indicate overfit when run using a third of the three separate data sets; and
a prediction and allocation module configured to:
predict, using the chosen predictive models, results of advertisements purchased in the multiple channels; and
allocate an advertising budget for a given time period for each of the multiple online advertising channels based on the predicted results; and
multiple slave computing devices each configured to:
bid for online advertisements within one or more online advertising channel based on the budget allocation; and
communicate to the master computing device performance results of the bidding for online advertisements;
wherein the prediction and allocation module is further configured to adjust the budget allocation for one or more of the multiple online advertising channels based on the performance results. 13. The system of claim 12 wherein the data parser is further configured to clean up erroneous and inconsistent data. 14. The system of claim 12 wherein the prediction and allocation module configured to predict, using the chosen predictive models, results of advertisements purchased in the multiple channels comprises using channel data and formulated data. 15. The system of claim 12 wherein the master computing device further comprises a data normalizer configured to normalize the formulated data based on one or more user weighting value. 16. The system of claim 15 wherein the prediction and allocation module configured to predict, using the chosen predictive modules, results of advertisements purchased in the multiple channels comprises using channel data and normalized formulated data. 17. The system of claim 12 wherein the given time period is an update time period. 18. The system of claim 17 wherein the update time period is 24 hours. 19. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereupon computing instructions comprising:
a master code segment to prepare advertising buy data by calculating formulated data from channel data and separating the formulated data and channel data into three separate data sets; a master code segment to build predictive models using a first of the three separate data sets; a master code segment to choose which of the predictive models to use by comparing results from running the predictive models using a second of the three separate data sets and eliminating those predictive models that indicate overfit when run using a third of the three separate data sets, a master code segment to predict, using the chosen predictive models, results of advertisements purchased in the multiple channels; a master code segment to allocate an advertising budget for a given time period for each of the multiple online advertising channels based on the predicted results; a master code segment to communicate the budget allocations across a network from the master computing device to one or more slave computing devices responsible for purchasing online advertisements within the channels; a slave code segment to bid for online advertisements within the channels based on the communicated budget allocations; a slave code segment to communicate across the network from the slave computing devices to the master computing device performance results of the bidding for online advertisements; a master code segment to adjust the budget allocation for one or more of the multiple online advertising channels based on the performance results; and a master code segment for communicating the adjusted budget allocation across the network from the master computing device to the slave computing devices responsible for purchasing advertisements within the one or more online advertising channels. 20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 19 further having stored thereupon computing instructions comprising:
a master code segment to clean up erroneous and inconsistent data. 21. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 19 further having stored thereupon computing instructions comprising:
a master code segment to normalize the formulated data based on one or more user weighting value. | In the present approach, a master computing system directs slave computing systems in the purchasing of advertising within one or more online advertising channels by building a set of models for predicting the outcome of advertising purchases based on data received from the advertising channels, evaluating those models to determine which one(s) to use, allocating an advertiser's budget across the slave systems and channels for a given time period, and adjusting those allocations during the time period based on performance results received from the slave systems. In turn, the slave systems attempt to purchase advertisements within their channels based on their allocation and adjustments and report performance results back to the master system.1. A method for directing online advertising across multiple online advertising channels, the method comprising:
preparing, by a master computing device, advertising buy data by calculating formulated data from channel data and separating the formulated data and channel data into three separate data sets; building, by the master computing device, predictive models using a first of the three separate data sets; choosing, by the master computing device, which of the predictive models to use by comparing results from running the predictive models using a second of the three separate data sets and eliminating those predictive models that indicate overfit when run using a third of the three separate data sets, predicting, by the master computing device, using the chosen predictive models, results of advertisements purchased in the multiple channels; allocating, by the master computing device, an advertising budget for a given time period for each of the multiple online advertising channels based on the predicted results; communicating the budget allocations across a network from the master computing device to one or more slave computing devices responsible for purchasing online advertisements within the channels; bidding, by the slave computing devices, for online advertisements within the channels based on the communicated budget allocations; communicating, across the network from the slave computing devices to the master computing device, performance results of the bidding for online advertisements; adjusting, by the master computing device, the budget allocation for one or more of the multiple online advertising channels based on the performance results; and communicating the adjusted budget allocation across the network from the master computing device to the slave computing devices responsible for purchasing advertisements within the one or more online advertising channels. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein channel data comprises cost of a purchased online advertisement, a number of impressions of the purchased online advertisement, a number of clicks on the purchased online advertisement, and a number of conversions of the purchased online advertisement. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein formulated data comprises cost per click, cost per conversion, conversion rate and click through rate. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein preparing advertising buy data further comprises cleaning up erroneous and inconsistent data. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the predictive models use machine learning algorithms. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein predicting using the chosen predictive models results of advertisements purchased in the multiple channels comprises using channel data and formulated data. 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising normalizing the formulated data based on one or more user provided weighting values. 8. The method of claim 7 wherein predicting using the chosen predictive models results of advertisements purchased in the multiple channels comprises using channel data and normalized formulated data. 9. The method of claim 1 further comprising repeating the steps of allocating, communicating, bidding, communicating and adjusting multiple times within the given time period. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the given time period is an update time period. 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the update time period is 24 hours. 12. A system for directing online advertising across multiple online advertising channels, the system comprising:
a master computing device comprising:
a data parser configured to prepare advertising buy data by calculating formulated data from channel data and separating the formulated data and channel data into three separate data sets;
a model builder configured to build predictive models using a first of the three separate data sets;
a model tester configured to choose which of the predictive models to use by comparing results from running the predictive models using a second of the three separate data sets and eliminating those predictive models that indicate overfit when run using a third of the three separate data sets; and
a prediction and allocation module configured to:
predict, using the chosen predictive models, results of advertisements purchased in the multiple channels; and
allocate an advertising budget for a given time period for each of the multiple online advertising channels based on the predicted results; and
multiple slave computing devices each configured to:
bid for online advertisements within one or more online advertising channel based on the budget allocation; and
communicate to the master computing device performance results of the bidding for online advertisements;
wherein the prediction and allocation module is further configured to adjust the budget allocation for one or more of the multiple online advertising channels based on the performance results. 13. The system of claim 12 wherein the data parser is further configured to clean up erroneous and inconsistent data. 14. The system of claim 12 wherein the prediction and allocation module configured to predict, using the chosen predictive models, results of advertisements purchased in the multiple channels comprises using channel data and formulated data. 15. The system of claim 12 wherein the master computing device further comprises a data normalizer configured to normalize the formulated data based on one or more user weighting value. 16. The system of claim 15 wherein the prediction and allocation module configured to predict, using the chosen predictive modules, results of advertisements purchased in the multiple channels comprises using channel data and normalized formulated data. 17. The system of claim 12 wherein the given time period is an update time period. 18. The system of claim 17 wherein the update time period is 24 hours. 19. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereupon computing instructions comprising:
a master code segment to prepare advertising buy data by calculating formulated data from channel data and separating the formulated data and channel data into three separate data sets; a master code segment to build predictive models using a first of the three separate data sets; a master code segment to choose which of the predictive models to use by comparing results from running the predictive models using a second of the three separate data sets and eliminating those predictive models that indicate overfit when run using a third of the three separate data sets, a master code segment to predict, using the chosen predictive models, results of advertisements purchased in the multiple channels; a master code segment to allocate an advertising budget for a given time period for each of the multiple online advertising channels based on the predicted results; a master code segment to communicate the budget allocations across a network from the master computing device to one or more slave computing devices responsible for purchasing online advertisements within the channels; a slave code segment to bid for online advertisements within the channels based on the communicated budget allocations; a slave code segment to communicate across the network from the slave computing devices to the master computing device performance results of the bidding for online advertisements; a master code segment to adjust the budget allocation for one or more of the multiple online advertising channels based on the performance results; and a master code segment for communicating the adjusted budget allocation across the network from the master computing device to the slave computing devices responsible for purchasing advertisements within the one or more online advertising channels. 20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 19 further having stored thereupon computing instructions comprising:
a master code segment to clean up erroneous and inconsistent data. 21. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 19 further having stored thereupon computing instructions comprising:
a master code segment to normalize the formulated data based on one or more user weighting value. | 3,600 |
13,040 | 13,040 | 14,247,763 | 3,641 | Threaded metal inserts for polymer lower receivers and hybrid polymer lower receivers comprising one or more of such inserts, as well as kits and methods therefor are disclosed. A threaded metal insert has a substantially circular aperture configured with screw threads to releasably yet connectively interface with a separate traditionally threaded firearm component such as a buffer tube or a pistol grip screw. Inserts can be any overall shape so long as it can be integrally embedded within a traditionally threaded portion of a polymer lower receiver in a way that does not interfere with normal operation of an assembled firearm and leaves exposed the internal threading of the insert. Inserts can also comprise textural features on the exterior surface configured to permanently interface with and embed the an insert into molded polymer. A hybrid polymer and metal lower receiver is a stripped polymer lower receiver for an AR type firearm, such as the AR-15 or AR-10, having one or more such threaded metal inserts at least partially embedded in a portion thereof. | 1. A threaded insert for a polymer receiver for a firearm, comprising:
(a) an insert body sized and shaped to be at least partially embedded within said receiver; (b) an aperture extending linearly through at least a portion of said insert body; (c) screw threads for releasable connection with a traditionally threaded component of a receiver assembly for a firearm; and (d) an exterior circumference with one or more textural features configured to interface with and retain a polymer. 2. The threaded insert of claim 1, wherein said insert maintains the structural integrity of said receiver and does not interfere with normal use and operation of said firearm. 3. The threaded insert of claim 1, wherein said traditionally threaded component of a firearm receiver assembly is a buffer tube or a pistol grip retaining screw. 4. The threaded insert of claim 1, wherein said aperture is approximately 0.248 or 1.00 inches in diameter. 5. The threaded insert of claim 1, wherein said screw threads are mil-spec or comm-spec threads. 6. The threaded insert of claim 1, wherein said insert is made from a metallic material that enables said screw threads to withstand sustained contact with a metal buffer tube during repeated discharge of said firearm. 7. The threaded insert of claim 1, wherein said insert is substantially cylindrical or ring-shaped. 8. The threaded insert of claim 1, wherein said textural features comprise relief channels, relief cuts, notches, divots, depressions, knurling, cross-hatching, shallow holes, and pits. 9. The threaded insert of claim 1, wherein the exterior circumference of said insert comprises a combination of knurling and relief channels, relief cuts, or notches. 10. The threaded insert of claim 9, wherein said relief channels, relief cuts, or notches are disposed on said exterior surface at an angle substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis extending through said aperture. 11. The threaded insert of claim 1, wherein said insert is integrally molded or at least partially embedded within a portion of a polymer lower receiver for a firearm. 12. The threaded insert of claim 11, wherein said portion of a polymer lower receiver is a buffer tube collar or a pistol grip attachment point. 13. The threaded insert of claim 1, further comprising:
(e) a polymer lower receiver body having a buffer tube collar, a pistol grip attachment point, and a plurality of holes and recesses configured to receive and function with a plurality of operational components for a lower receiver assembly, said insert body being molded or at least partially embedded within a portion of said receiver body such that said screw threads are exposed. 14. The threaded insert of claim 13, wherein said portion of a polymer lower receiver is said buffer tube collar or said pistol grip attachment point. 15. The threaded insert of claim 13, wherein said threaded insert is configured for releasable connection with a buffer tube or a pistol grip retaining screw. 16. The threaded insert of claim 13, wherein said threaded insert does not obstruct or inhibit the use or function of said plurality of holes and recesses. 17. A lightweight, hybrid lower receiver for a firearm, comprising:
(a) a polymer lower receiver body having a buffer tube collar, a pistol grip attachment point, and a plurality of holes and recesses configured to receive and function with a plurality of operational components for a lower receiver assembly; and (b) at least one threaded insert sized and shaped to be at least partially embedded within a portion of said polymer lower receiver body, said threaded insert comprising:
(1) an aperture extending linearly through at least a portion of said insert;
(2) screw threads for releasable connection with a traditionally threaded component of a receiver assembly for said firearm; and
(3) an exterior circumference with one or more textural features configured to interface with and retain a polymer;
wherein said at least one threaded insert is at least partially embedded or integrally molded within a portion of said polymer lower receiver body such that said portion is reinforced by said threaded insert and said screw threads are exposed for use. 18. The hybrid lower receiver of claim 17, wherein said receiver comprises a first and a second threaded insert, said first threaded insert configured for releasable connection with a buffer tube and at least partially embedded within said buffer tube collar, said second threaded insert configured for releasable connection with a pistol grip retaining screw and at least partially embedded within said pistol grip attachment point. 19. The threaded insert of claim 18, wherein said hybrid receiver weighs between approximately 5.0 to 7.5 ounces. 20. A method of using a threaded insert to form a hybrid lower receiver, comprising:
(a) providing a threaded insert for a polymer lower receiver of a firearm; (b) positioning said insert in an injection mold for a polymer lower receiver body having a buffer tube collar, a pistol grip attachment point, and a plurality of holes and recesses configured to receive and function with a plurality of operational components for a lower receiver assembly, said mold configured to accept metallic components; and (c) injecting polymer into the mold under high pressure. 21. A hybrid lower receiver assembly kit for a firearm, comprising:
(a) a stripped hybrid polymer lower receiver for a firearm having one or more threaded metal inserts embedded therein; and (b) a plurality of operational components for a lower receiver assembly for said firearm. | Threaded metal inserts for polymer lower receivers and hybrid polymer lower receivers comprising one or more of such inserts, as well as kits and methods therefor are disclosed. A threaded metal insert has a substantially circular aperture configured with screw threads to releasably yet connectively interface with a separate traditionally threaded firearm component such as a buffer tube or a pistol grip screw. Inserts can be any overall shape so long as it can be integrally embedded within a traditionally threaded portion of a polymer lower receiver in a way that does not interfere with normal operation of an assembled firearm and leaves exposed the internal threading of the insert. Inserts can also comprise textural features on the exterior surface configured to permanently interface with and embed the an insert into molded polymer. A hybrid polymer and metal lower receiver is a stripped polymer lower receiver for an AR type firearm, such as the AR-15 or AR-10, having one or more such threaded metal inserts at least partially embedded in a portion thereof.1. A threaded insert for a polymer receiver for a firearm, comprising:
(a) an insert body sized and shaped to be at least partially embedded within said receiver; (b) an aperture extending linearly through at least a portion of said insert body; (c) screw threads for releasable connection with a traditionally threaded component of a receiver assembly for a firearm; and (d) an exterior circumference with one or more textural features configured to interface with and retain a polymer. 2. The threaded insert of claim 1, wherein said insert maintains the structural integrity of said receiver and does not interfere with normal use and operation of said firearm. 3. The threaded insert of claim 1, wherein said traditionally threaded component of a firearm receiver assembly is a buffer tube or a pistol grip retaining screw. 4. The threaded insert of claim 1, wherein said aperture is approximately 0.248 or 1.00 inches in diameter. 5. The threaded insert of claim 1, wherein said screw threads are mil-spec or comm-spec threads. 6. The threaded insert of claim 1, wherein said insert is made from a metallic material that enables said screw threads to withstand sustained contact with a metal buffer tube during repeated discharge of said firearm. 7. The threaded insert of claim 1, wherein said insert is substantially cylindrical or ring-shaped. 8. The threaded insert of claim 1, wherein said textural features comprise relief channels, relief cuts, notches, divots, depressions, knurling, cross-hatching, shallow holes, and pits. 9. The threaded insert of claim 1, wherein the exterior circumference of said insert comprises a combination of knurling and relief channels, relief cuts, or notches. 10. The threaded insert of claim 9, wherein said relief channels, relief cuts, or notches are disposed on said exterior surface at an angle substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis extending through said aperture. 11. The threaded insert of claim 1, wherein said insert is integrally molded or at least partially embedded within a portion of a polymer lower receiver for a firearm. 12. The threaded insert of claim 11, wherein said portion of a polymer lower receiver is a buffer tube collar or a pistol grip attachment point. 13. The threaded insert of claim 1, further comprising:
(e) a polymer lower receiver body having a buffer tube collar, a pistol grip attachment point, and a plurality of holes and recesses configured to receive and function with a plurality of operational components for a lower receiver assembly, said insert body being molded or at least partially embedded within a portion of said receiver body such that said screw threads are exposed. 14. The threaded insert of claim 13, wherein said portion of a polymer lower receiver is said buffer tube collar or said pistol grip attachment point. 15. The threaded insert of claim 13, wherein said threaded insert is configured for releasable connection with a buffer tube or a pistol grip retaining screw. 16. The threaded insert of claim 13, wherein said threaded insert does not obstruct or inhibit the use or function of said plurality of holes and recesses. 17. A lightweight, hybrid lower receiver for a firearm, comprising:
(a) a polymer lower receiver body having a buffer tube collar, a pistol grip attachment point, and a plurality of holes and recesses configured to receive and function with a plurality of operational components for a lower receiver assembly; and (b) at least one threaded insert sized and shaped to be at least partially embedded within a portion of said polymer lower receiver body, said threaded insert comprising:
(1) an aperture extending linearly through at least a portion of said insert;
(2) screw threads for releasable connection with a traditionally threaded component of a receiver assembly for said firearm; and
(3) an exterior circumference with one or more textural features configured to interface with and retain a polymer;
wherein said at least one threaded insert is at least partially embedded or integrally molded within a portion of said polymer lower receiver body such that said portion is reinforced by said threaded insert and said screw threads are exposed for use. 18. The hybrid lower receiver of claim 17, wherein said receiver comprises a first and a second threaded insert, said first threaded insert configured for releasable connection with a buffer tube and at least partially embedded within said buffer tube collar, said second threaded insert configured for releasable connection with a pistol grip retaining screw and at least partially embedded within said pistol grip attachment point. 19. The threaded insert of claim 18, wherein said hybrid receiver weighs between approximately 5.0 to 7.5 ounces. 20. A method of using a threaded insert to form a hybrid lower receiver, comprising:
(a) providing a threaded insert for a polymer lower receiver of a firearm; (b) positioning said insert in an injection mold for a polymer lower receiver body having a buffer tube collar, a pistol grip attachment point, and a plurality of holes and recesses configured to receive and function with a plurality of operational components for a lower receiver assembly, said mold configured to accept metallic components; and (c) injecting polymer into the mold under high pressure. 21. A hybrid lower receiver assembly kit for a firearm, comprising:
(a) a stripped hybrid polymer lower receiver for a firearm having one or more threaded metal inserts embedded therein; and (b) a plurality of operational components for a lower receiver assembly for said firearm. | 3,600 |
13,041 | 13,041 | 14,693,676 | 3,628 | A system receives data associated with an orphaned item, compares the data associated with the orphaned item to data in a database, generates a list of candidate items based on the comparison, and identifies the orphaned item as a function of the list of candidate items. | 1. A system comprising:
a computer processor; and a database coupled to the computer processor, the database comprising data relating to items; wherein the computer processor is operable to:
receive data associated with an orphaned item;
compare the data associated with the orphaned item to the data in a database;
generate a list of candidate items based on the comparison; and
identify the orphaned item as a function of the list of candidate items. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer processor is operable to:
receive scan data relating to a plurality of other items; and modify the list of candidate items as a function of the scan data. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the computer processor is operable to:
identify the plurality of other items by receiving notifications that the plurality of other items have been scanned in a facility; compare the identified other items to items on the list of candidate items; and remove an identified other item from the list of candidate items when the identified other item is scanned within the facility. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the items, orphaned item, and candidate items comprise luggage. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the data associated with the orphaned item comprise one or more of weight data, video data, range data, three dimensional data, measurement data, color data, brand data, type data, and features derived from these data. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the computer processor is operable to:
place the weight data, video data, range data, three dimensional data, measurement data, color data, brand data, type data, and features derived from these data into a vector; and execute a discriminative hash function on the vector to facilitate a fast search and comparisons on the list of candidate items. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the data associated with the orphaned item comprise dimension data received from a laser curtain scanner configured to scan items on a conveyor belt. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer processor is operable to:
store in a lost and found database the data associated with the orphaned item when the orphaned item was not identified as a function of the list of candidate items; and search the lost and found database in response to a customer inquiry for an item. 9. The system of claim 1, comprising:
a video sensing device operable to receive image data of the orphaned item; a weighing scale operable to receive weight data of the orphaned item; and a range sensing device operable to receive range data of the orphaned item; wherein the computer processor is operable to:
generate one or more dimensions of the orphaned item using the range data;
compare the image data, the weight data, and dimensions of the orphaned item to the data in the database;
generate the list of candidate items based on the comparison;
identify other items passing through a facility;
compare the identified other items to items on the list of candidate items;
remove an identified other item from the list of candidate items when the identified other item appears on the list of candidate items; and
identify the orphaned item as a function of one or more items remaining on the list of candidate items. 10. The system of claim 1, comprising a plurality of video sensing devices, the plurality of video sensing devices configured to track items as the items travel through a facility. 11. A system comprising:
a computer processor; a database coupled to the computer processor, the database comprising luggage data; a weighing scale coupled to the computer processor; and a range device coupled to the computer processor; wherein the computer processor is operable to:
receive weight data of orphaned luggage from the weighing scale;
receive range data of the orphaned luggage from the range sensing device;
generate a feature vector describing the orphaned luggage, the feature vector comprising one or more of weight data, range data, color data, brand data, type data, and features derived from these data of the orphaned luggage;
compare the feature vector of the orphaned luggage to the luggage data in the database;
generate a list of candidate luggage based on the comparison;
identify other luggage passing through a facility;
compare the identified other luggage to luggage on the list of candidate luggage;
remove an identified other luggage from the list of candidate luggage when the identified other luggage appears on the list of candidate luggage; and
identify the orphaned luggage as a function of luggage remaining on the list of candidate luggage. 12. The system of claim 11, comprising a plurality of video sensing devices, the plurality of video sensing devices configured to track luggage as the luggage travels through the facility. 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the computer processor is operable to execute a discriminative hash function on the feature vector to facilitate a fast search and comparisons on the list of candidate luggage. 14. A process comprising:
receiving data associated with orphaned luggage; comparing the data associated with the orphaned luggage to luggage data in a database; generating a list of candidate luggage based on the comparison; and identifying the orphaned luggage as a function of the list of candidate luggage. 15. The process of claim 14, comprising:
receiving scan data relating to a plurality of other luggage; and modifying the list of candidate luggage as a function of the scan data. 16. The process of claim 15, comprising:
identifying the plurality of other luggage by receiving notifications that the plurality of other luggage has been scanned in a facility; comparing the identified other luggage to luggage on the list of candidate luggage; and removing an identified other luggage from the list of candidate luggage when the identified other luggage is scanned within the facility. 17. The process of claim 14, wherein the data associated with the orphaned luggage comprises one or more of weight data, video data, range data, three dimensional data, measurement data, color data, brand data, type data, and features derived from these data. 18. The process of claim 17, comprising:
placing the weight data, video data, range data, three dimensional data, measurement data, color data, brand data, type data, and features derived from these data into a vector; and executing a discriminative hash function on the vector to facilitate a fast search and comparisons on the list of candidate luggage. 19. The process of claim 14, comprising storing in a lost and found database the data associated with the orphaned luggage when the orphaned luggage was not identified as a function of the list of candidate luggage. 20. The process of claim 19, comprising searching the lost and found database in response to a customer inquiry for luggage. | A system receives data associated with an orphaned item, compares the data associated with the orphaned item to data in a database, generates a list of candidate items based on the comparison, and identifies the orphaned item as a function of the list of candidate items.1. A system comprising:
a computer processor; and a database coupled to the computer processor, the database comprising data relating to items; wherein the computer processor is operable to:
receive data associated with an orphaned item;
compare the data associated with the orphaned item to the data in a database;
generate a list of candidate items based on the comparison; and
identify the orphaned item as a function of the list of candidate items. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer processor is operable to:
receive scan data relating to a plurality of other items; and modify the list of candidate items as a function of the scan data. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the computer processor is operable to:
identify the plurality of other items by receiving notifications that the plurality of other items have been scanned in a facility; compare the identified other items to items on the list of candidate items; and remove an identified other item from the list of candidate items when the identified other item is scanned within the facility. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the items, orphaned item, and candidate items comprise luggage. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the data associated with the orphaned item comprise one or more of weight data, video data, range data, three dimensional data, measurement data, color data, brand data, type data, and features derived from these data. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the computer processor is operable to:
place the weight data, video data, range data, three dimensional data, measurement data, color data, brand data, type data, and features derived from these data into a vector; and execute a discriminative hash function on the vector to facilitate a fast search and comparisons on the list of candidate items. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the data associated with the orphaned item comprise dimension data received from a laser curtain scanner configured to scan items on a conveyor belt. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer processor is operable to:
store in a lost and found database the data associated with the orphaned item when the orphaned item was not identified as a function of the list of candidate items; and search the lost and found database in response to a customer inquiry for an item. 9. The system of claim 1, comprising:
a video sensing device operable to receive image data of the orphaned item; a weighing scale operable to receive weight data of the orphaned item; and a range sensing device operable to receive range data of the orphaned item; wherein the computer processor is operable to:
generate one or more dimensions of the orphaned item using the range data;
compare the image data, the weight data, and dimensions of the orphaned item to the data in the database;
generate the list of candidate items based on the comparison;
identify other items passing through a facility;
compare the identified other items to items on the list of candidate items;
remove an identified other item from the list of candidate items when the identified other item appears on the list of candidate items; and
identify the orphaned item as a function of one or more items remaining on the list of candidate items. 10. The system of claim 1, comprising a plurality of video sensing devices, the plurality of video sensing devices configured to track items as the items travel through a facility. 11. A system comprising:
a computer processor; a database coupled to the computer processor, the database comprising luggage data; a weighing scale coupled to the computer processor; and a range device coupled to the computer processor; wherein the computer processor is operable to:
receive weight data of orphaned luggage from the weighing scale;
receive range data of the orphaned luggage from the range sensing device;
generate a feature vector describing the orphaned luggage, the feature vector comprising one or more of weight data, range data, color data, brand data, type data, and features derived from these data of the orphaned luggage;
compare the feature vector of the orphaned luggage to the luggage data in the database;
generate a list of candidate luggage based on the comparison;
identify other luggage passing through a facility;
compare the identified other luggage to luggage on the list of candidate luggage;
remove an identified other luggage from the list of candidate luggage when the identified other luggage appears on the list of candidate luggage; and
identify the orphaned luggage as a function of luggage remaining on the list of candidate luggage. 12. The system of claim 11, comprising a plurality of video sensing devices, the plurality of video sensing devices configured to track luggage as the luggage travels through the facility. 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the computer processor is operable to execute a discriminative hash function on the feature vector to facilitate a fast search and comparisons on the list of candidate luggage. 14. A process comprising:
receiving data associated with orphaned luggage; comparing the data associated with the orphaned luggage to luggage data in a database; generating a list of candidate luggage based on the comparison; and identifying the orphaned luggage as a function of the list of candidate luggage. 15. The process of claim 14, comprising:
receiving scan data relating to a plurality of other luggage; and modifying the list of candidate luggage as a function of the scan data. 16. The process of claim 15, comprising:
identifying the plurality of other luggage by receiving notifications that the plurality of other luggage has been scanned in a facility; comparing the identified other luggage to luggage on the list of candidate luggage; and removing an identified other luggage from the list of candidate luggage when the identified other luggage is scanned within the facility. 17. The process of claim 14, wherein the data associated with the orphaned luggage comprises one or more of weight data, video data, range data, three dimensional data, measurement data, color data, brand data, type data, and features derived from these data. 18. The process of claim 17, comprising:
placing the weight data, video data, range data, three dimensional data, measurement data, color data, brand data, type data, and features derived from these data into a vector; and executing a discriminative hash function on the vector to facilitate a fast search and comparisons on the list of candidate luggage. 19. The process of claim 14, comprising storing in a lost and found database the data associated with the orphaned luggage when the orphaned luggage was not identified as a function of the list of candidate luggage. 20. The process of claim 19, comprising searching the lost and found database in response to a customer inquiry for luggage. | 3,600 |
13,042 | 13,042 | 13,916,510 | 3,682 | An advertiser computer system is described. A key phrase advertising index includes a plurality of key phrases. A relational data generator generates a set of related suggestions for each key phrase. An advertisement construction module stores an advertisement for each respective key phrase and inserts the related suggestions for the respective key phrase in the advertisement. A bidding engine is used for bidding on a key phrase on a search engine computer system. A user at a user computer system selects one of the related suggestions and a related suggestion execution engine receives the request signal from the user computer system. | 1. A method of advertising comprising:
storing, in an advertiser computer system, a plurality of key phrases; generating, with the advertiser computer system, a set of related suggestions based on and for each respective key phrase; storing, with the advertiser computer system, an advertisement for each respective key phrase; inserting, with the advertiser computer system, the related suggestions for the respective key phrase into the advertisement for the respective key phrase; bidding, with the advertiser computer system, for a key phrase on a search engine computer system corresponding to the key phrase on the advertiser computer system; uploading, with the advertiser computer system, the advertisement with the related suggestions onto the search engine computer system, the search engine computer system receiving a query and, if the bidding is successful and the query is related to the key phrase that the bidding was for, transmitting the advertisement with the related suggestions to a user computer system, a user at the user computer system selecting one of the related suggestions, each related suggestion having a respective hyperlink that sends a request signal from the user computer system to the advertiser computer system; receiving, with the advertiser computer system, the request signal from the user computer system; and causing, with the advertiser computer system, transmission of a response signal to the user computer system in response to the request signal. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
storing, with the advertiser computer system, the key phrases in a key phrase advertising index; and storing, with the advertiser computer system, a relational data structure with key phrases and relational suggestions related to the key phrases, wherein the related suggestions that are generated are extracted from the relational database based on a matching of each key phrase in the advertising index to a respective key phrase in the relational database. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein transmission of the response signal to the user computer system includes redirecting the user computer system to a web page of another computer system other than the advertiser computer system or the search engine computer system. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmission of the response signal to the user computer system includes transmission of search results to the user computer system based on the respective related suggestion. 5. An advertiser computer system that includes:
a processor; a computer-readable medium connected to the processor; a network interface device connected to the processor; and a set of data stored on the computer-readable medium, including:
a key phrase advertising index that includes a plurality of key phrases;
a relational data generator executable by the processor to generate a set of related suggestions based on and for each respective key phrase;
an advertisement and keyword store;
an advertisement construction module storing an advertisement for each respective key phrase and inserting the related suggestions for the respective key phrase in the advertisement and keyword store;
a bidding engine bidding for a key phrase on a search engine computer system corresponding to the key phrase on the advertiser computer system and uploading the advertisement with the related suggestions onto the search engine computer system, the search engine computer system receiving a query and, if the bidding is successful and the query is related to a key phrase that the bidding was for, transmitting the advertisement with the related suggestions to a user computer system, a user at the user computer system selecting one of the related suggestions, each related suggestion having a respective hyperlink that sends a request signal from the user computer system to the advertiser computer system; and
a related suggestion execution engine receiving the request signal from the user computer system and causing transmission of a response signal to the user computer system in response to the request signal. 6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:
a relational data structure with key phrases and relational suggestions related to the key phrases, wherein the related suggestions that are generated are extracted from the relational database based on a matching of each key phrase in the advertising index to a respective key phrase in the relational database. 7. The system of claim 5, wherein the response signal to the user computer system includes redirecting the user computer system to a web page of another computer system other than the advertiser computer system or the search engine computer system. 8. The system of claim 5, wherein the transmission of the response signal to the user computer system includes transmission of search results to the user computer system based on the respective related suggestion. 9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a set of instructions which, when executed by a processor of a computer performs a method of advertising comprising:
storing, in an advertiser computer system, a plurality of key phrases; generating, with the advertiser computer system, a set of related suggestions based on and for each respective key phrase; storing, with the advertiser computer system, an advertisement for each respective key phrase; inserting, with the advertiser computer system, the related suggestions for the respective key phrase into the advertisement for the respective key phrase; bidding, with the advertiser computer system, for a key phrase on a search engine computer system corresponding to the key phrase on the advertiser computer system; uploading, with the advertiser computer system, the advertisement with the related suggestions onto the search engine computer system, the search engine computer system receiving a query and, if the bidding is successful and the query is related to the key phrase that the bidding was for, transmitting the advertisement with the related suggestions to a user computer system, a user at the user computer system selecting one of the related suggestions, each related suggestion having a respective hyperlink that sends a request signal from the user computer system to the advertiser computer system; receiving, with the advertiser computer system, the request signal from the user computer system; and causing, with the advertiser computer system, transmission of a response signal to the user computer system in response to the request signal. | An advertiser computer system is described. A key phrase advertising index includes a plurality of key phrases. A relational data generator generates a set of related suggestions for each key phrase. An advertisement construction module stores an advertisement for each respective key phrase and inserts the related suggestions for the respective key phrase in the advertisement. A bidding engine is used for bidding on a key phrase on a search engine computer system. A user at a user computer system selects one of the related suggestions and a related suggestion execution engine receives the request signal from the user computer system.1. A method of advertising comprising:
storing, in an advertiser computer system, a plurality of key phrases; generating, with the advertiser computer system, a set of related suggestions based on and for each respective key phrase; storing, with the advertiser computer system, an advertisement for each respective key phrase; inserting, with the advertiser computer system, the related suggestions for the respective key phrase into the advertisement for the respective key phrase; bidding, with the advertiser computer system, for a key phrase on a search engine computer system corresponding to the key phrase on the advertiser computer system; uploading, with the advertiser computer system, the advertisement with the related suggestions onto the search engine computer system, the search engine computer system receiving a query and, if the bidding is successful and the query is related to the key phrase that the bidding was for, transmitting the advertisement with the related suggestions to a user computer system, a user at the user computer system selecting one of the related suggestions, each related suggestion having a respective hyperlink that sends a request signal from the user computer system to the advertiser computer system; receiving, with the advertiser computer system, the request signal from the user computer system; and causing, with the advertiser computer system, transmission of a response signal to the user computer system in response to the request signal. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
storing, with the advertiser computer system, the key phrases in a key phrase advertising index; and storing, with the advertiser computer system, a relational data structure with key phrases and relational suggestions related to the key phrases, wherein the related suggestions that are generated are extracted from the relational database based on a matching of each key phrase in the advertising index to a respective key phrase in the relational database. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein transmission of the response signal to the user computer system includes redirecting the user computer system to a web page of another computer system other than the advertiser computer system or the search engine computer system. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmission of the response signal to the user computer system includes transmission of search results to the user computer system based on the respective related suggestion. 5. An advertiser computer system that includes:
a processor; a computer-readable medium connected to the processor; a network interface device connected to the processor; and a set of data stored on the computer-readable medium, including:
a key phrase advertising index that includes a plurality of key phrases;
a relational data generator executable by the processor to generate a set of related suggestions based on and for each respective key phrase;
an advertisement and keyword store;
an advertisement construction module storing an advertisement for each respective key phrase and inserting the related suggestions for the respective key phrase in the advertisement and keyword store;
a bidding engine bidding for a key phrase on a search engine computer system corresponding to the key phrase on the advertiser computer system and uploading the advertisement with the related suggestions onto the search engine computer system, the search engine computer system receiving a query and, if the bidding is successful and the query is related to a key phrase that the bidding was for, transmitting the advertisement with the related suggestions to a user computer system, a user at the user computer system selecting one of the related suggestions, each related suggestion having a respective hyperlink that sends a request signal from the user computer system to the advertiser computer system; and
a related suggestion execution engine receiving the request signal from the user computer system and causing transmission of a response signal to the user computer system in response to the request signal. 6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:
a relational data structure with key phrases and relational suggestions related to the key phrases, wherein the related suggestions that are generated are extracted from the relational database based on a matching of each key phrase in the advertising index to a respective key phrase in the relational database. 7. The system of claim 5, wherein the response signal to the user computer system includes redirecting the user computer system to a web page of another computer system other than the advertiser computer system or the search engine computer system. 8. The system of claim 5, wherein the transmission of the response signal to the user computer system includes transmission of search results to the user computer system based on the respective related suggestion. 9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a set of instructions which, when executed by a processor of a computer performs a method of advertising comprising:
storing, in an advertiser computer system, a plurality of key phrases; generating, with the advertiser computer system, a set of related suggestions based on and for each respective key phrase; storing, with the advertiser computer system, an advertisement for each respective key phrase; inserting, with the advertiser computer system, the related suggestions for the respective key phrase into the advertisement for the respective key phrase; bidding, with the advertiser computer system, for a key phrase on a search engine computer system corresponding to the key phrase on the advertiser computer system; uploading, with the advertiser computer system, the advertisement with the related suggestions onto the search engine computer system, the search engine computer system receiving a query and, if the bidding is successful and the query is related to the key phrase that the bidding was for, transmitting the advertisement with the related suggestions to a user computer system, a user at the user computer system selecting one of the related suggestions, each related suggestion having a respective hyperlink that sends a request signal from the user computer system to the advertiser computer system; receiving, with the advertiser computer system, the request signal from the user computer system; and causing, with the advertiser computer system, transmission of a response signal to the user computer system in response to the request signal. | 3,600 |
13,043 | 13,043 | 13,898,679 | 3,695 | Disclosed is a method for enrolling a voiceprint in a fraudster database, the method comprising: a) defining a fraud model comprising at least one hypothesis indicative of a fraudulent transaction; b) processing audio data based on the fraud model to identify at least one suspect voiceprint in the audio data suspected of belonging to a fraudster; and c) enrolling the at least one suspect voiceprint in the fraudster database. | 1-20. (canceled) 21. A method for enrolling a voiceprint into a fraudster database, the method comprising:
storing a fraud model in a memory device; receiving at a fraud detection engine a batch of transactions before detection of a fraud for transactions in the batch, each transaction including audio data and a caller identity; processing the batch of transactions to extract a subset of the batch of transactions based on the fraud model, the processing performed using a selection engine; processing the audio data of each of the extracted transactions using a voice processing engine to identify a group of transactions in the extracted transactions, the identified group of transactions including audio data characteristic of a unique individual who has called multiple times; processing the caller identities of the identified group of transactions using the voice processing engine to determine that the unique individual has used multiple caller identities; generating a voiceprint from the audio data of the identified group of transactions using the voice processing engine; and enrolling the generated voiceprint into the fraudster database using an enrollment engine. 22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the fraud model comprises transactions related to a phone number pattern belonging to a specific geographical location. 23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the fraud model comprises transactions related to a specific action requested by the caller. 24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the specific action is change of address. 25. The method according to claim 21, wherein processing the audio data of each of the extracted transactions comprises generating a score for each transaction and comparing scores to determine a likelihood that two callers are the same individual. 26. The method according to claim 21, wherein fraud model comprises at least one of a predetermined time period, random sampling, calls made to a same phone number, calls received from a same phone number, calls made to a specific phone number pattern, all calls for a same account, calls received from a specific phone number pattern, call forwarded calls, calls from a specific service provider, similar transactions, and specific out-of-pattern transactions. 27. The method according to claim 21, wherein the fraud model comprises transactions related to a specific geographical location. 28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the geographic location comprises at least one of a billing address, a place of shipment, a zip code, and an address on an account. 29. A system for early detection of fraudsters, the system comprising:
a device memory for storing a fraud model; an early detection engine configured to receive a batch of transactions before the system receives a fraud report for transactions in the batch, each transaction including caller audio data and caller identity data; a selection engine configured to extract a subset of transactions from the batch of transactions based on the fraud model; a voice processing engine configured to process the caller audio data and caller identity data of the subset of transactions extracted from the batch to:
identify a group of transactions including audio data characteristic of a unique individual who has called multiple times using more than one caller identities, and
generate a voiceprint from the audio data of the identified group of transactions; and
an enrollment engine configured to enroll the generated voiceprint into the fraudster database. 30. The system according to claim 29, wherein the caller audio data includes a voiceprint. 31. The system according to claim 29, wherein the batch of caller audio data is recorded by a third party on behalf of an enterprise. 32. The system according to claim 29, wherein the fraud model includes transactions that exceed a predetermined value. 33. The system according to claim 29, wherein the fraud model includes comparing an expected channel associated with a phone number and a detected channel. 34. The system according to claim 33, wherein the voice processing engine is further configured to analyze audio signal characteristics to determine the detected channel. 35. The system according to claim 29, wherein the fraud model includes calls from frequently used Automatic Number Identifications. 36. The system according to claim 29, wherein the fraud model includes determining if a call is received from a VOIP, landline, or mobile service provider. 37. The system according to claim 29, wherein the fraud model includes calls received from the same phone number. 38. A non-transitory computer readable storage media having a program embodied thereon, the program being executable by a processor to perform a method for enrolling voiceprints into a database of suspected fraudsters, the method comprising:
analyzing caller audio data in a batch of transactions related to calls to identify a plurality of groups of multiple calls, each group characteristic of a unique individual; determining from caller identity data for each of the identified groups of multiple calls if the transactions related to the group of multiple calls include multiple caller identities; and enrolling a voiceprint of the unique individual into the database of suspected fraudsters. 39. The system according to claim 38, wherein the analyzing caller audio data is performed before receiving a fraud report for the batch of transactions. 40. The system according to claim 38, further comprising extracting a subset of transactions from the batch of transactions by analyzing audio signal characteristics of the call audio data for channel detection. | Disclosed is a method for enrolling a voiceprint in a fraudster database, the method comprising: a) defining a fraud model comprising at least one hypothesis indicative of a fraudulent transaction; b) processing audio data based on the fraud model to identify at least one suspect voiceprint in the audio data suspected of belonging to a fraudster; and c) enrolling the at least one suspect voiceprint in the fraudster database.1-20. (canceled) 21. A method for enrolling a voiceprint into a fraudster database, the method comprising:
storing a fraud model in a memory device; receiving at a fraud detection engine a batch of transactions before detection of a fraud for transactions in the batch, each transaction including audio data and a caller identity; processing the batch of transactions to extract a subset of the batch of transactions based on the fraud model, the processing performed using a selection engine; processing the audio data of each of the extracted transactions using a voice processing engine to identify a group of transactions in the extracted transactions, the identified group of transactions including audio data characteristic of a unique individual who has called multiple times; processing the caller identities of the identified group of transactions using the voice processing engine to determine that the unique individual has used multiple caller identities; generating a voiceprint from the audio data of the identified group of transactions using the voice processing engine; and enrolling the generated voiceprint into the fraudster database using an enrollment engine. 22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the fraud model comprises transactions related to a phone number pattern belonging to a specific geographical location. 23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the fraud model comprises transactions related to a specific action requested by the caller. 24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the specific action is change of address. 25. The method according to claim 21, wherein processing the audio data of each of the extracted transactions comprises generating a score for each transaction and comparing scores to determine a likelihood that two callers are the same individual. 26. The method according to claim 21, wherein fraud model comprises at least one of a predetermined time period, random sampling, calls made to a same phone number, calls received from a same phone number, calls made to a specific phone number pattern, all calls for a same account, calls received from a specific phone number pattern, call forwarded calls, calls from a specific service provider, similar transactions, and specific out-of-pattern transactions. 27. The method according to claim 21, wherein the fraud model comprises transactions related to a specific geographical location. 28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the geographic location comprises at least one of a billing address, a place of shipment, a zip code, and an address on an account. 29. A system for early detection of fraudsters, the system comprising:
a device memory for storing a fraud model; an early detection engine configured to receive a batch of transactions before the system receives a fraud report for transactions in the batch, each transaction including caller audio data and caller identity data; a selection engine configured to extract a subset of transactions from the batch of transactions based on the fraud model; a voice processing engine configured to process the caller audio data and caller identity data of the subset of transactions extracted from the batch to:
identify a group of transactions including audio data characteristic of a unique individual who has called multiple times using more than one caller identities, and
generate a voiceprint from the audio data of the identified group of transactions; and
an enrollment engine configured to enroll the generated voiceprint into the fraudster database. 30. The system according to claim 29, wherein the caller audio data includes a voiceprint. 31. The system according to claim 29, wherein the batch of caller audio data is recorded by a third party on behalf of an enterprise. 32. The system according to claim 29, wherein the fraud model includes transactions that exceed a predetermined value. 33. The system according to claim 29, wherein the fraud model includes comparing an expected channel associated with a phone number and a detected channel. 34. The system according to claim 33, wherein the voice processing engine is further configured to analyze audio signal characteristics to determine the detected channel. 35. The system according to claim 29, wherein the fraud model includes calls from frequently used Automatic Number Identifications. 36. The system according to claim 29, wherein the fraud model includes determining if a call is received from a VOIP, landline, or mobile service provider. 37. The system according to claim 29, wherein the fraud model includes calls received from the same phone number. 38. A non-transitory computer readable storage media having a program embodied thereon, the program being executable by a processor to perform a method for enrolling voiceprints into a database of suspected fraudsters, the method comprising:
analyzing caller audio data in a batch of transactions related to calls to identify a plurality of groups of multiple calls, each group characteristic of a unique individual; determining from caller identity data for each of the identified groups of multiple calls if the transactions related to the group of multiple calls include multiple caller identities; and enrolling a voiceprint of the unique individual into the database of suspected fraudsters. 39. The system according to claim 38, wherein the analyzing caller audio data is performed before receiving a fraud report for the batch of transactions. 40. The system according to claim 38, further comprising extracting a subset of transactions from the batch of transactions by analyzing audio signal characteristics of the call audio data for channel detection. | 3,600 |
13,044 | 13,044 | 15,589,226 | 3,624 | Provided is a process including: receiving a tank-nearly-full message indicating that a tank at an oil or gas related facility is or will be ready for a truck to unload and transport fluid accumulating in the tank; in response to the tank-nearly-full message, creating a tank-run record; sending a description of the tank-run to a mobile device of a driver of an oilfield truck; receiving, from the mobile device of the driver of the oilfield truck, a tank-run claimed message indicating that the driver will drive to the oil or gas related facility and transport at least some of the fluid accumulating in the tank; and after the tank-run claimed message, performing steps including: confirming that the tank-run has not yet been claimed; after the confirmation, designating the tank-run as claimed by the driver; and sending confirmation to the mobile device of the driver. | 1. One or more tangible, non-transitory, machine-readable media storing instructions that when executed by a mobile computing device and a computer-implemented run-ticket processing system effectuate operations comprising:
forming an electronic run ticket with a native mobile application executing on a mobile computing device of an oil-or-gas-field trucker at least in part by:
receiving information entered into the native mobile application by the trucker during a tank run, the tank run including the transport of fluid between oil or gas related facilities, the tank run being described, at least in part, by the electronic run ticket; and
wirelesses obtaining, with the native mobile application, a tank identifier of a fluid-holding tank at one of the oil or gas related facilities from a wireless signal including the tank identifier, the wireless signal including the tank identifier being transmitted from the one of the oil or gas related facilities to the mobile computing device of the oil-or-gas-field trucker, wherein:
preloaded data used by the native mobile application to construct a mobile user interface to receive the information used to form the electronic run ticket is cached on the mobile computing device before the trucker arrives at the one of the oil or gas related facilities, and the preloaded data is used by the native mobile application to construct the mobile user interface in the absence of cellular network access by the mobile computing device of the trucker at the one of the oil or gas related facilities; or
at least part of the electronic run ticket is obtained in the absence of cellular network access and cached on the mobile computing device, and the native mobile application causes the at least part of the electronic run ticket to be accessed in cache memory after the mobile computing device regains cellular network access;
sending the electronic run ticket, from the mobile computing device, via a network, to a server configured to convey the electronic run ticket into a run ticket processing workflow hosted by a run-ticket-processing computer system; receiving, with the run-ticket-processing computer system, via the network and the server, the electronic run ticket; sending, from the run-ticket-processing computer system, to an oil-or-gas facility operator computing device, via a network, the electronic run ticket, wherein the oil-or-gas facility operator computing device is caused, by the run-ticket-processing computer system, to display a user interface having a first input by which the electronic run ticket is approved and a second input by which the electronic run ticket is rejected; receiving, with the run-ticket-processing computer system, from the oil-or-gas facility operator computing device, a value indicative of a user input into the user interface on the oil-or-gas facility operator computing device; and updating, with the workflow hosting computer system, a workflow record of the electronic run ticket in memory based on the value indicative of the user input. 2. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein:
the electronic run ticket is received from the mobile computing device by an application program interface server of the run-ticket-processing computer system; and the electronic run ticket is sent to the oil-or-gas facility operator computing device by a web server of the run-ticket-processing computer system, the web server being a different server from the application program interface server. 3. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein both:
preloaded data used by the native mobile application to construct the mobile user interface to receive the information used to form the electronic run ticket is cached on the mobile computing device before the trucker arrives at the one of the oil or gas related facilities, and the preloaded data is used by the native mobile application to construct the mobile user interface in the absence of cellular network access by the mobile computing device of the trucker at the one of the oil or gas related facilities; and at least part of the electronic run ticket is obtained in the absence of cellular network access and cached on the mobile computing device, and the native mobile application causes the at least part of the electronic run ticket to be accessed in cache memory after the mobile computing device regains cellular network access. 4. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein wirelesses obtaining, with the native mobile application, the tank identifier of the fluid-holding tank at one of the oil or gas related facilities from the wireless signal including the tank identifier comprises:
sensing an optical code with the mobile computing device. 5. The one or more media of claim 4, wherein sensing the optical code comprises:
scanning a barcode with the mobile computing device. 6. The one or more media of claim 4, wherein sensing the optical code comprises:
scanning a QR code with the mobile computing device. 7. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein wirelesses obtaining, with the native mobile application, the tank identifier of the fluid-holding tank at one of the oil or gas related facilities from the wireless signal including the tank identifier comprises:
sensing a near-field communication (NFC) radio signal with an NFC transceiver of the mobile computing device. 8. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein wirelesses obtaining, with the native mobile application, the tank identifier of the fluid-holding tank at one of the oil or gas related facilities from the wireless signal including the tank identifier comprises:
receiving a radio beacon transmitted by a transmitter at the one of the oil or gas related facilities. 9. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein:
the native mobile application is configured to create both salt water transport electronic run tickets and oil transport electronic run tickets; the run-ticket-processing computer system is configured to track roles and permissions of employees of a given oil or gas field operator having an account with the run-ticket-processing computer system; the run-ticket-processing computer system is configured to cause user computing devices to present user interfaces by which users view task lists of tasks in electronic run ticket workflows and select electronic run tickets for which the respective user's interaction is needed to advance the selected electronic run ticket through a respective workflow; and the run-ticket-processing computer system is configured to export electronic run tickets from completed workflows in a serialized data format suitable for import into another application. 10. The one or more media of claim 1, the operations comprising:
obtaining an identifier of an account associated with the workflow hosting computer system; accessing, based on the identifier of the account, a template with a middleware module of the run-ticket-processing computer system based on the template being associated with the identifier of the account; and formatting the electronic run ticket based on the template into a system-specific data format of an accounting system or an enterprise resource planning system. 11. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein:
the run-ticket-processing computer system is configured to provide one or more user interfaces by which different entities that process the electronic run ticket view the electronic run ticket, enter edits to the electronic run ticket, approve the electronic run ticket, comment on the electronic run ticket, and view the status and comments associated with the electronic run ticket. 12. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein:
the run-ticket-processing computer system is configured to provide online access to the electronic run tickets to a well operator or disposal facility operator for invoicing purposes and to provide one or more user interfaces by which users track conveyance of fluid through an oil or gas field. 13. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein:
at least some fields of the mobile user interface for forming the electronic run ticket are pre-populated by the native mobile application. 14. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein:
the native mobile application is configured to cause the mobile computing device to sense a geolocation of the mobile computing device and cause the sensed geolocation to be correlated with respective geolocations of fluid handling sites retrieved by the mobile computing device from a remote server. 15. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein:
the native mobile application is configured to suggest completed values upon partial entry of data to the oil-or-gas-field trucker as an option for submission during data entry. 16. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein the native mobile application is configured to:
receive an entry for a field of data from the oil-or-gas-field trucker; cause the entry to be compared to a plurality of known valid entries for the field with steps for comparing; and based on the comparison, suggest a corrected entry for the field of data. 17. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein the native mobile application is configured to form the electronic run ticket by populating the electronic run ticket with:
data obtained from a remote server providing to the native mobile application a set of oil or gas related facilities under an operator's account; context provided during a tank run by wirelesses obtaining, with the native mobile application, the tank identifier of the fluid-holding tank; and the information entered into the native mobile application by the trucker. 18. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein:
the native mobile application is configured to perform steps for monitoring a geolocation of the trucker and taking actions related to the geolocation; and the run-ticket-processing computer system is configured to perform steps for hosting a ticket processing workflow. 19. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein the native mobile application is configured to:
interface with an in-vehicle monitoring system of a vehicle of the trucker; poll a plurality of registers of an on-board computer of the vehicle of the trucker; and determine, based on responsive values, compliance with one or more criteria. 20. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein:
the native mobile application or the run-ticket-processing computer system is configured to obtain, a sensed value indicative of an amount of fluid transfer from a sensor at the one of the oil or gas related facilities; and compared the sensed value indicative of the amount of fluid transfer to a trucker-entered value to identify a potentially anomalous entry; and in response to identifying a potentially anomalous entry, cause a user interface to be presented that includes an input to elect to replace the trucker-entered value with the sensed value. | Provided is a process including: receiving a tank-nearly-full message indicating that a tank at an oil or gas related facility is or will be ready for a truck to unload and transport fluid accumulating in the tank; in response to the tank-nearly-full message, creating a tank-run record; sending a description of the tank-run to a mobile device of a driver of an oilfield truck; receiving, from the mobile device of the driver of the oilfield truck, a tank-run claimed message indicating that the driver will drive to the oil or gas related facility and transport at least some of the fluid accumulating in the tank; and after the tank-run claimed message, performing steps including: confirming that the tank-run has not yet been claimed; after the confirmation, designating the tank-run as claimed by the driver; and sending confirmation to the mobile device of the driver.1. One or more tangible, non-transitory, machine-readable media storing instructions that when executed by a mobile computing device and a computer-implemented run-ticket processing system effectuate operations comprising:
forming an electronic run ticket with a native mobile application executing on a mobile computing device of an oil-or-gas-field trucker at least in part by:
receiving information entered into the native mobile application by the trucker during a tank run, the tank run including the transport of fluid between oil or gas related facilities, the tank run being described, at least in part, by the electronic run ticket; and
wirelesses obtaining, with the native mobile application, a tank identifier of a fluid-holding tank at one of the oil or gas related facilities from a wireless signal including the tank identifier, the wireless signal including the tank identifier being transmitted from the one of the oil or gas related facilities to the mobile computing device of the oil-or-gas-field trucker, wherein:
preloaded data used by the native mobile application to construct a mobile user interface to receive the information used to form the electronic run ticket is cached on the mobile computing device before the trucker arrives at the one of the oil or gas related facilities, and the preloaded data is used by the native mobile application to construct the mobile user interface in the absence of cellular network access by the mobile computing device of the trucker at the one of the oil or gas related facilities; or
at least part of the electronic run ticket is obtained in the absence of cellular network access and cached on the mobile computing device, and the native mobile application causes the at least part of the electronic run ticket to be accessed in cache memory after the mobile computing device regains cellular network access;
sending the electronic run ticket, from the mobile computing device, via a network, to a server configured to convey the electronic run ticket into a run ticket processing workflow hosted by a run-ticket-processing computer system; receiving, with the run-ticket-processing computer system, via the network and the server, the electronic run ticket; sending, from the run-ticket-processing computer system, to an oil-or-gas facility operator computing device, via a network, the electronic run ticket, wherein the oil-or-gas facility operator computing device is caused, by the run-ticket-processing computer system, to display a user interface having a first input by which the electronic run ticket is approved and a second input by which the electronic run ticket is rejected; receiving, with the run-ticket-processing computer system, from the oil-or-gas facility operator computing device, a value indicative of a user input into the user interface on the oil-or-gas facility operator computing device; and updating, with the workflow hosting computer system, a workflow record of the electronic run ticket in memory based on the value indicative of the user input. 2. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein:
the electronic run ticket is received from the mobile computing device by an application program interface server of the run-ticket-processing computer system; and the electronic run ticket is sent to the oil-or-gas facility operator computing device by a web server of the run-ticket-processing computer system, the web server being a different server from the application program interface server. 3. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein both:
preloaded data used by the native mobile application to construct the mobile user interface to receive the information used to form the electronic run ticket is cached on the mobile computing device before the trucker arrives at the one of the oil or gas related facilities, and the preloaded data is used by the native mobile application to construct the mobile user interface in the absence of cellular network access by the mobile computing device of the trucker at the one of the oil or gas related facilities; and at least part of the electronic run ticket is obtained in the absence of cellular network access and cached on the mobile computing device, and the native mobile application causes the at least part of the electronic run ticket to be accessed in cache memory after the mobile computing device regains cellular network access. 4. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein wirelesses obtaining, with the native mobile application, the tank identifier of the fluid-holding tank at one of the oil or gas related facilities from the wireless signal including the tank identifier comprises:
sensing an optical code with the mobile computing device. 5. The one or more media of claim 4, wherein sensing the optical code comprises:
scanning a barcode with the mobile computing device. 6. The one or more media of claim 4, wherein sensing the optical code comprises:
scanning a QR code with the mobile computing device. 7. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein wirelesses obtaining, with the native mobile application, the tank identifier of the fluid-holding tank at one of the oil or gas related facilities from the wireless signal including the tank identifier comprises:
sensing a near-field communication (NFC) radio signal with an NFC transceiver of the mobile computing device. 8. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein wirelesses obtaining, with the native mobile application, the tank identifier of the fluid-holding tank at one of the oil or gas related facilities from the wireless signal including the tank identifier comprises:
receiving a radio beacon transmitted by a transmitter at the one of the oil or gas related facilities. 9. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein:
the native mobile application is configured to create both salt water transport electronic run tickets and oil transport electronic run tickets; the run-ticket-processing computer system is configured to track roles and permissions of employees of a given oil or gas field operator having an account with the run-ticket-processing computer system; the run-ticket-processing computer system is configured to cause user computing devices to present user interfaces by which users view task lists of tasks in electronic run ticket workflows and select electronic run tickets for which the respective user's interaction is needed to advance the selected electronic run ticket through a respective workflow; and the run-ticket-processing computer system is configured to export electronic run tickets from completed workflows in a serialized data format suitable for import into another application. 10. The one or more media of claim 1, the operations comprising:
obtaining an identifier of an account associated with the workflow hosting computer system; accessing, based on the identifier of the account, a template with a middleware module of the run-ticket-processing computer system based on the template being associated with the identifier of the account; and formatting the electronic run ticket based on the template into a system-specific data format of an accounting system or an enterprise resource planning system. 11. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein:
the run-ticket-processing computer system is configured to provide one or more user interfaces by which different entities that process the electronic run ticket view the electronic run ticket, enter edits to the electronic run ticket, approve the electronic run ticket, comment on the electronic run ticket, and view the status and comments associated with the electronic run ticket. 12. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein:
the run-ticket-processing computer system is configured to provide online access to the electronic run tickets to a well operator or disposal facility operator for invoicing purposes and to provide one or more user interfaces by which users track conveyance of fluid through an oil or gas field. 13. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein:
at least some fields of the mobile user interface for forming the electronic run ticket are pre-populated by the native mobile application. 14. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein:
the native mobile application is configured to cause the mobile computing device to sense a geolocation of the mobile computing device and cause the sensed geolocation to be correlated with respective geolocations of fluid handling sites retrieved by the mobile computing device from a remote server. 15. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein:
the native mobile application is configured to suggest completed values upon partial entry of data to the oil-or-gas-field trucker as an option for submission during data entry. 16. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein the native mobile application is configured to:
receive an entry for a field of data from the oil-or-gas-field trucker; cause the entry to be compared to a plurality of known valid entries for the field with steps for comparing; and based on the comparison, suggest a corrected entry for the field of data. 17. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein the native mobile application is configured to form the electronic run ticket by populating the electronic run ticket with:
data obtained from a remote server providing to the native mobile application a set of oil or gas related facilities under an operator's account; context provided during a tank run by wirelesses obtaining, with the native mobile application, the tank identifier of the fluid-holding tank; and the information entered into the native mobile application by the trucker. 18. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein:
the native mobile application is configured to perform steps for monitoring a geolocation of the trucker and taking actions related to the geolocation; and the run-ticket-processing computer system is configured to perform steps for hosting a ticket processing workflow. 19. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein the native mobile application is configured to:
interface with an in-vehicle monitoring system of a vehicle of the trucker; poll a plurality of registers of an on-board computer of the vehicle of the trucker; and determine, based on responsive values, compliance with one or more criteria. 20. The one or more media of claim 1, wherein:
the native mobile application or the run-ticket-processing computer system is configured to obtain, a sensed value indicative of an amount of fluid transfer from a sensor at the one of the oil or gas related facilities; and compared the sensed value indicative of the amount of fluid transfer to a trucker-entered value to identify a potentially anomalous entry; and in response to identifying a potentially anomalous entry, cause a user interface to be presented that includes an input to elect to replace the trucker-entered value with the sensed value. | 3,600 |
13,045 | 13,045 | 13,770,087 | 3,625 | Methods and systems are provided herewith for exchanging and/or rating works of art. A value for each of a plurality of portfolios of art owned by a plurality of participants is determined. Each portfolio of art comprises one or more works of art. The value of a particular work of art may be determined by a processor based on rating information and/or a value of another work of art. Ownership interests of the plurality of portfolios of art are pooled in a legal ownership entity having an initial total number of shares. For each participant, an initial participant value and quantity of shares is determined, e.g., based on the determined value of the respective participant's portfolio. An indicia of the respective quantity of shares is transmitted to each respective participant. In various embodiments, participants may buy and sell usage and ownership interests in the portfolios of art. | 1-15. (canceled) 16. A method, comprising:
receiving by at least one processor rating information about at least one category for each of a plurality of works of art, the plurality of works of art comprising at least one first work of art and a second work of art, the rating information comprising at least one first rating in at least one category for the at least one first work of art and a second rating in the at least one category for the second work of art, each category comprising at least one of a genre of art, historical time period, style of art, an artist, a medium of art, a color scheme of art, and a field of art; receiving by the at least one processor a determined value of the at least one first work of art; and determining by the at least one processor a current value of a second work of art based on the rating information and the determined value of the at least one first work of art. 17. (canceled) 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
determining by the at least one processor a current value of each of a subset of the plurality of works of art, the subset having a rating in at least one second category; determining by the at least one processor a current value of each of the subset of the plurality of works of art; determining by the at least one processor an aggregate value of the subset of the plurality of works of art; creating by the at least one processor an exchange-tradable fund (ETF) comprising a plurality of shares, the ETF having a value that tracks the aggregate value of the subset of the plurality of works of art; and causing by the at least one processor one or more shares of the ETF to be traded on an electronic exchange in electronic communication with the at least one processor. 19. (canceled) 20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
after determining the current value of the second work of art, receiving by the at least one processor subsequent rating information concerning the second work of art, the subsequent rating information comprising at least one third rating in at least one category for the second work of art, the at least one category comprising at least one of a genre of art, historical time period, style of art, an artist, a medium of art, a color scheme of art, and a field of art; determining by the at least one processor an updated value of the at least one second work of art based at least in part on the determined current value and the subsequent rating information, in which the determined value is an appraisal value determined by an art appraiser. 21. An apparatus, comprising:
at least one processor; and a memory that stores instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
determine a value for each of a plurality of portfolios of art owned by a plurality of participants,
in which each portfolio of art comprises one or more works of art, and
in which each portfolio of art is owned by a respective participant;
pool ownership interests of the plurality of portfolios of art in a legal ownership entity having an initial total number of shares;
for each participant, determine an initial participant value based on the determined value of each portfolio of art owned by the respective participant;
determine a respective quantity of shares of the legal ownership entity to each respective participant based on the participant value determined for the participant; and
transmit an indicia of the respective quantity of shares to each respective participant. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, in which the portfolio of art consists of one or more works of art. 23. The apparatus of claim 21, in which the quantity of shares issued to a respective participant divided by the total initial quantity of shares is substantially equal to the participant value determined for the respective participant divided by the sum of the initial participant values for each of the plurality of participants. 24. The apparatus of claim 21, in which the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
after issuing the quantity of shares, receive a request from a user to contribute at least one work of art to the legal ownership entity; determine a value for the at least one work of art; pool an ownership interest of the work of art in the legal ownership entity; determine an initial participant value for the user based on the determined value of the at least one work of art; and transmit an indicia of a quantity of shares of the legal ownership entity to the user based on the initial participant value determined for the user, in which, upon issuance of the quantity of shares to the user, the quantity of shares issued to the user divided by the total number of shares in the legal ownership entity is substantially proportional to the initial participant value divided by a determined total value of the legal ownership entity. 25. (canceled) 26. The apparatus of claim 21, in which the act of pooling the ownership interest of the work of art in the legal ownership entity comprises causing the ownership interest to be pooled in the legal ownership entity, and in which the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
cause a specific one of the plurality of works of art to be offered for sale; receive from a plurality of bidders a plurality of bids for the specific work of art; cause the specific work of art to be sold to a specific one of the plurality of bidders at a price of a bid of the specific bidder. 27. The apparatus of claim 21, in which the act of determining a value for each portfolio of art comprises estimating a current market price of at least one of the works of art in the portfolio. 28. The apparatus of claim 21, in which the plurality of participants comprises a first participant and the plurality of portfolios of art comprises at least one first work of art possessed by the first participant and at least one second work of art, in which the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
receive from the first participant a request for the at least one second work of art; determine a first art allotment value for the first participant based on a quantity of shares in an account of the first participant; determine a first present value for the at least one first work of art and a second present value for the at least one second work of art; determine that the first allotment value is at least as large as the sum of the first present value and the second present value; based on determining that the first allotment value is at least as large as the sum of the first present value and the second present value, transmit to the first participant a confirmation that the at least one second work of art will be transferred to the first participant. 29. The apparatus of claim 21, in which the plurality of participants comprises a first participant and the plurality of portfolios of art comprises at least one first work of art possessed by the first participant and at least one second work of art, in which the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
receive from the first participant a request to exchange the at least first work of art for the at least one second work of art; determine a first present value for the at least one first work of art and a second present value for the at least one second work of art; compare the first present value to the second present value; and transmit to the first participant a confirmation that the at least one first work of art will be exchanged for the at least one second work of art. 30. The apparatus of claim 21, in which the plurality of participants comprises a first participant and the plurality of portfolios of art comprises at least one first work of art possessed by the first participant, in which the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
determine a first art allotment value for the first participant based on a quantity of shares in an account of the first participant; determine a total value of any works of art in the plurality of portfolios that is possessed by the first participant; determine a first allotment credit value based on a difference between the first art allotment value less the total value; 31. The apparatus of claim 30, in which the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
receive from the first participant a request to transfer at least a portion of the first allotment credit value to a user; and based on the request, transfer the portion of the first allotment credit value from an account of the participant user to an account of the user, the account being stored in a database electronically coupled to the at least one processor. 32. The apparatus of claim 31, in which the user is one of the plurality of participants. 33. The apparatus of claim 31, in which the user is not one of the plurality of participants, and in which the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
create an account of the user in a database electronically coupled to the at least one processor. 34. The apparatus of claim 21, in which the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
receive a plurality of bids to purchase at least one share of the legal ownership entity, each bid specifying a bid price and a quantity of shares of the legal ownership entity; receive a plurality of offers to sell at least one share of the legal ownership entity, each offer specifying an offer price and a quantity of shares of the legal ownership entity; match at least one bid with at least one offer; execute a trade of a trade quantity of shares at a trade price based on the matching. 35. The apparatus of claim 21, in which the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
create an exchange-tradable fund (ETF) comprising a plurality of shares, the ETF having a value that tracks a market value of the legal ownership entity; receive an indication that a user has paid an amount for at least one share of the ETF; and transmit an indicia of ownership of the at least one share to the user or an agent of the user based on the indication. 36. A apparatus, comprising:
receive rating information about at least one category for each of a plurality of works of art, the plurality of works of art comprising at least one first work of art and a second work of art, the rating information comprising at least one first rating in at least one category for the at least one first work of art and a second rating in the at least one category for the second work of art, each category comprising at least one of a genre of art, historical time period, style of art, an artist, a medium of art, a color scheme of art, and a field of art; receive a determined value of the at least one first work of art; and determine a current value of a second work of art based on the rating information and the determined value. 37. (canceled) 38. The apparatus of claim 36, in which the determined value is an appraisal value determined by an art appraiser, and in which the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
determine a current value of each of a subset of the plurality of works of art, the subset having a rating in at least one second category; determine a current value of each of the subset of the plurality of works of art; determine an aggregate value of the subset of the plurality of works of art; create an exchange-tradable fund (ETF) comprising a plurality of shares, the ETF having a value that tracks the aggregate value of the subset of the plurality of works of art; and cause one or more shares of the ETF to be traded on an electronic exchange in electronic communication with the at least one processor. 39. (canceled) 40. The apparatus of claim 36, in which the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
after determining the current value of the second work of art, receive subsequent rating information concerning the second work of art, the subsequent rating information comprising at least one third rating in at least one category for the second work of art, the at least one category comprising at least one of a genre of art, historical time period, style of art, an artist, a medium of art, a color scheme of art, and a field of art; determine an updated value of the at least one second work of art based at least in part on the determined current value and the subsequent rating information. | Methods and systems are provided herewith for exchanging and/or rating works of art. A value for each of a plurality of portfolios of art owned by a plurality of participants is determined. Each portfolio of art comprises one or more works of art. The value of a particular work of art may be determined by a processor based on rating information and/or a value of another work of art. Ownership interests of the plurality of portfolios of art are pooled in a legal ownership entity having an initial total number of shares. For each participant, an initial participant value and quantity of shares is determined, e.g., based on the determined value of the respective participant's portfolio. An indicia of the respective quantity of shares is transmitted to each respective participant. In various embodiments, participants may buy and sell usage and ownership interests in the portfolios of art.1-15. (canceled) 16. A method, comprising:
receiving by at least one processor rating information about at least one category for each of a plurality of works of art, the plurality of works of art comprising at least one first work of art and a second work of art, the rating information comprising at least one first rating in at least one category for the at least one first work of art and a second rating in the at least one category for the second work of art, each category comprising at least one of a genre of art, historical time period, style of art, an artist, a medium of art, a color scheme of art, and a field of art; receiving by the at least one processor a determined value of the at least one first work of art; and determining by the at least one processor a current value of a second work of art based on the rating information and the determined value of the at least one first work of art. 17. (canceled) 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
determining by the at least one processor a current value of each of a subset of the plurality of works of art, the subset having a rating in at least one second category; determining by the at least one processor a current value of each of the subset of the plurality of works of art; determining by the at least one processor an aggregate value of the subset of the plurality of works of art; creating by the at least one processor an exchange-tradable fund (ETF) comprising a plurality of shares, the ETF having a value that tracks the aggregate value of the subset of the plurality of works of art; and causing by the at least one processor one or more shares of the ETF to be traded on an electronic exchange in electronic communication with the at least one processor. 19. (canceled) 20. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
after determining the current value of the second work of art, receiving by the at least one processor subsequent rating information concerning the second work of art, the subsequent rating information comprising at least one third rating in at least one category for the second work of art, the at least one category comprising at least one of a genre of art, historical time period, style of art, an artist, a medium of art, a color scheme of art, and a field of art; determining by the at least one processor an updated value of the at least one second work of art based at least in part on the determined current value and the subsequent rating information, in which the determined value is an appraisal value determined by an art appraiser. 21. An apparatus, comprising:
at least one processor; and a memory that stores instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
determine a value for each of a plurality of portfolios of art owned by a plurality of participants,
in which each portfolio of art comprises one or more works of art, and
in which each portfolio of art is owned by a respective participant;
pool ownership interests of the plurality of portfolios of art in a legal ownership entity having an initial total number of shares;
for each participant, determine an initial participant value based on the determined value of each portfolio of art owned by the respective participant;
determine a respective quantity of shares of the legal ownership entity to each respective participant based on the participant value determined for the participant; and
transmit an indicia of the respective quantity of shares to each respective participant. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, in which the portfolio of art consists of one or more works of art. 23. The apparatus of claim 21, in which the quantity of shares issued to a respective participant divided by the total initial quantity of shares is substantially equal to the participant value determined for the respective participant divided by the sum of the initial participant values for each of the plurality of participants. 24. The apparatus of claim 21, in which the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
after issuing the quantity of shares, receive a request from a user to contribute at least one work of art to the legal ownership entity; determine a value for the at least one work of art; pool an ownership interest of the work of art in the legal ownership entity; determine an initial participant value for the user based on the determined value of the at least one work of art; and transmit an indicia of a quantity of shares of the legal ownership entity to the user based on the initial participant value determined for the user, in which, upon issuance of the quantity of shares to the user, the quantity of shares issued to the user divided by the total number of shares in the legal ownership entity is substantially proportional to the initial participant value divided by a determined total value of the legal ownership entity. 25. (canceled) 26. The apparatus of claim 21, in which the act of pooling the ownership interest of the work of art in the legal ownership entity comprises causing the ownership interest to be pooled in the legal ownership entity, and in which the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
cause a specific one of the plurality of works of art to be offered for sale; receive from a plurality of bidders a plurality of bids for the specific work of art; cause the specific work of art to be sold to a specific one of the plurality of bidders at a price of a bid of the specific bidder. 27. The apparatus of claim 21, in which the act of determining a value for each portfolio of art comprises estimating a current market price of at least one of the works of art in the portfolio. 28. The apparatus of claim 21, in which the plurality of participants comprises a first participant and the plurality of portfolios of art comprises at least one first work of art possessed by the first participant and at least one second work of art, in which the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
receive from the first participant a request for the at least one second work of art; determine a first art allotment value for the first participant based on a quantity of shares in an account of the first participant; determine a first present value for the at least one first work of art and a second present value for the at least one second work of art; determine that the first allotment value is at least as large as the sum of the first present value and the second present value; based on determining that the first allotment value is at least as large as the sum of the first present value and the second present value, transmit to the first participant a confirmation that the at least one second work of art will be transferred to the first participant. 29. The apparatus of claim 21, in which the plurality of participants comprises a first participant and the plurality of portfolios of art comprises at least one first work of art possessed by the first participant and at least one second work of art, in which the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
receive from the first participant a request to exchange the at least first work of art for the at least one second work of art; determine a first present value for the at least one first work of art and a second present value for the at least one second work of art; compare the first present value to the second present value; and transmit to the first participant a confirmation that the at least one first work of art will be exchanged for the at least one second work of art. 30. The apparatus of claim 21, in which the plurality of participants comprises a first participant and the plurality of portfolios of art comprises at least one first work of art possessed by the first participant, in which the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
determine a first art allotment value for the first participant based on a quantity of shares in an account of the first participant; determine a total value of any works of art in the plurality of portfolios that is possessed by the first participant; determine a first allotment credit value based on a difference between the first art allotment value less the total value; 31. The apparatus of claim 30, in which the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
receive from the first participant a request to transfer at least a portion of the first allotment credit value to a user; and based on the request, transfer the portion of the first allotment credit value from an account of the participant user to an account of the user, the account being stored in a database electronically coupled to the at least one processor. 32. The apparatus of claim 31, in which the user is one of the plurality of participants. 33. The apparatus of claim 31, in which the user is not one of the plurality of participants, and in which the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
create an account of the user in a database electronically coupled to the at least one processor. 34. The apparatus of claim 21, in which the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
receive a plurality of bids to purchase at least one share of the legal ownership entity, each bid specifying a bid price and a quantity of shares of the legal ownership entity; receive a plurality of offers to sell at least one share of the legal ownership entity, each offer specifying an offer price and a quantity of shares of the legal ownership entity; match at least one bid with at least one offer; execute a trade of a trade quantity of shares at a trade price based on the matching. 35. The apparatus of claim 21, in which the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
create an exchange-tradable fund (ETF) comprising a plurality of shares, the ETF having a value that tracks a market value of the legal ownership entity; receive an indication that a user has paid an amount for at least one share of the ETF; and transmit an indicia of ownership of the at least one share to the user or an agent of the user based on the indication. 36. A apparatus, comprising:
receive rating information about at least one category for each of a plurality of works of art, the plurality of works of art comprising at least one first work of art and a second work of art, the rating information comprising at least one first rating in at least one category for the at least one first work of art and a second rating in the at least one category for the second work of art, each category comprising at least one of a genre of art, historical time period, style of art, an artist, a medium of art, a color scheme of art, and a field of art; receive a determined value of the at least one first work of art; and determine a current value of a second work of art based on the rating information and the determined value. 37. (canceled) 38. The apparatus of claim 36, in which the determined value is an appraisal value determined by an art appraiser, and in which the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
determine a current value of each of a subset of the plurality of works of art, the subset having a rating in at least one second category; determine a current value of each of the subset of the plurality of works of art; determine an aggregate value of the subset of the plurality of works of art; create an exchange-tradable fund (ETF) comprising a plurality of shares, the ETF having a value that tracks the aggregate value of the subset of the plurality of works of art; and cause one or more shares of the ETF to be traded on an electronic exchange in electronic communication with the at least one processor. 39. (canceled) 40. The apparatus of claim 36, in which the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
after determining the current value of the second work of art, receive subsequent rating information concerning the second work of art, the subsequent rating information comprising at least one third rating in at least one category for the second work of art, the at least one category comprising at least one of a genre of art, historical time period, style of art, an artist, a medium of art, a color scheme of art, and a field of art; determine an updated value of the at least one second work of art based at least in part on the determined current value and the subsequent rating information. | 3,600 |
13,046 | 13,046 | 14,292,513 | 3,696 | The subject matter disclosed herein provides methods for generating alerts. The method may maintain one or more alerts for one or more merchants. Each alert may have one or more conditions relating to one or more chargebacks. The one or more chargebacks may represent a return of funds to one or more purchasers for a purchase from the one or more merchants. For each alert, a determination may be made as to whether the one or more conditions are satisfied, and the alert may be sent to the one or more merchants based on the determination. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described. | 1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions to configure a processor to perform operations comprising:
maintaining one or more alerts for one or more merchants, each alert having one or more conditions relating to one or more chargebacks, the one or more chargebacks representing a return of funds to one or more purchasers for a purchase from the one or more merchants; and for each alert,
determining whether the one or more conditions is satisfied; and
sending the alert to the one or more merchants based on the determining. 2. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein at least one of the conditions is satisfied when a quantity of chargebacks exceeds a threshold value during a predetermined period of time. 3. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein the quantity of chargebacks relates to a specific account. 4. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein at least one of the conditions is satisfied when a quantity of chargebacks for a first account is greater than a quantity of chargebacks for a second account during a predetermined period of time. 5. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein at least one of the conditions is satisfied when a quantity of chargebacks is greater than a total number of transactions during a predetermined period of time. 6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein at least one of the conditions is satisfied when a chargeback amount is a predetermined percentage greater than a transaction dollar amount during a predetermined period of time. 7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the alert is sent to the one or more merchants via a text message or an e-mail. 8. A method comprising:
maintaining one or more alerts for one or more merchants, each alert having one or more conditions relating to one or more chargebacks, the one or more chargebacks representing a return of funds to one or more purchasers for a purchase from the one or more merchants; and for each alert,
determining whether the one or more conditions is satisfied; and
sending the alert to the one or more merchants based on the determining,
wherein the maintaining, the determining, and the sending are performed by at least one processor. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein at least one of the conditions is satisfied when a quantity of chargebacks exceeds a threshold value during a predetermined period of time. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the quantity of chargebacks relates to a specific account. 11. The method of claim 8, wherein at least one of the conditions is satisfied when a quantity of chargebacks for a first account is greater than a quantity of chargebacks for a second account during a predetermined period of time. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein at least one of the conditions is satisfied when a quantity of chargebacks is greater than a total number of transactions during a predetermined period of time. 13. The method of claim 8, wherein at least one of the conditions is satisfied when a chargeback amount is a predetermined percentage greater than a transaction dollar amount during a predetermined period of time. 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the alert is sent to the one or more merchants via a text message or an e-mail. 15. A system comprising:
a processor; and a memory, wherein the processor and the memory are configured to perform operations comprising: maintaining one or more alerts for one or more merchants, each alert having one or more conditions relating to one or more chargebacks, the one or more chargebacks representing a return of funds to one or more purchasers for a purchase from the one or more merchants; and for each alert,
determining whether the one or more conditions is satisfied; and
sending the alert to the one or more merchants based on the determining. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one of the conditions is satisfied when a quantity of chargebacks exceeds a threshold value during a predetermined period of time. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one of the conditions is satisfied when a quantity of chargebacks for a first account is greater than a quantity of chargebacks for a second account during a predetermined period of time. 18. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one of the conditions is satisfied when a quantity of chargebacks is greater than a total number of transactions during a predetermined period of time. 19. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one of the conditions is satisfied when a chargeback amount is a predetermined percentage greater than a transaction dollar amount during a predetermined period of time. 20. The system of claim 15, wherein the alert is sent to the one or more merchants via a text message or an e-mail. | The subject matter disclosed herein provides methods for generating alerts. The method may maintain one or more alerts for one or more merchants. Each alert may have one or more conditions relating to one or more chargebacks. The one or more chargebacks may represent a return of funds to one or more purchasers for a purchase from the one or more merchants. For each alert, a determination may be made as to whether the one or more conditions are satisfied, and the alert may be sent to the one or more merchants based on the determination. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions to configure a processor to perform operations comprising:
maintaining one or more alerts for one or more merchants, each alert having one or more conditions relating to one or more chargebacks, the one or more chargebacks representing a return of funds to one or more purchasers for a purchase from the one or more merchants; and for each alert,
determining whether the one or more conditions is satisfied; and
sending the alert to the one or more merchants based on the determining. 2. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein at least one of the conditions is satisfied when a quantity of chargebacks exceeds a threshold value during a predetermined period of time. 3. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein the quantity of chargebacks relates to a specific account. 4. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein at least one of the conditions is satisfied when a quantity of chargebacks for a first account is greater than a quantity of chargebacks for a second account during a predetermined period of time. 5. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein at least one of the conditions is satisfied when a quantity of chargebacks is greater than a total number of transactions during a predetermined period of time. 6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein at least one of the conditions is satisfied when a chargeback amount is a predetermined percentage greater than a transaction dollar amount during a predetermined period of time. 7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the alert is sent to the one or more merchants via a text message or an e-mail. 8. A method comprising:
maintaining one or more alerts for one or more merchants, each alert having one or more conditions relating to one or more chargebacks, the one or more chargebacks representing a return of funds to one or more purchasers for a purchase from the one or more merchants; and for each alert,
determining whether the one or more conditions is satisfied; and
sending the alert to the one or more merchants based on the determining,
wherein the maintaining, the determining, and the sending are performed by at least one processor. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein at least one of the conditions is satisfied when a quantity of chargebacks exceeds a threshold value during a predetermined period of time. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the quantity of chargebacks relates to a specific account. 11. The method of claim 8, wherein at least one of the conditions is satisfied when a quantity of chargebacks for a first account is greater than a quantity of chargebacks for a second account during a predetermined period of time. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein at least one of the conditions is satisfied when a quantity of chargebacks is greater than a total number of transactions during a predetermined period of time. 13. The method of claim 8, wherein at least one of the conditions is satisfied when a chargeback amount is a predetermined percentage greater than a transaction dollar amount during a predetermined period of time. 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the alert is sent to the one or more merchants via a text message or an e-mail. 15. A system comprising:
a processor; and a memory, wherein the processor and the memory are configured to perform operations comprising: maintaining one or more alerts for one or more merchants, each alert having one or more conditions relating to one or more chargebacks, the one or more chargebacks representing a return of funds to one or more purchasers for a purchase from the one or more merchants; and for each alert,
determining whether the one or more conditions is satisfied; and
sending the alert to the one or more merchants based on the determining. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one of the conditions is satisfied when a quantity of chargebacks exceeds a threshold value during a predetermined period of time. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one of the conditions is satisfied when a quantity of chargebacks for a first account is greater than a quantity of chargebacks for a second account during a predetermined period of time. 18. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one of the conditions is satisfied when a quantity of chargebacks is greater than a total number of transactions during a predetermined period of time. 19. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one of the conditions is satisfied when a chargeback amount is a predetermined percentage greater than a transaction dollar amount during a predetermined period of time. 20. The system of claim 15, wherein the alert is sent to the one or more merchants via a text message or an e-mail. | 3,600 |
13,047 | 13,047 | 12,361,343 | 3,685 | Subject matter disclosed herein relates to video content editing, and in particular, to video review workflow. | 1. A method, comprising:
performing, by a server computer:
initiating a review cycle in response to receiving a request including information for a workflow schedule from a video editor on a computer for a review initiator;
customizing said workflow schedule according to said received information, wherein said customizing comprises specifying one or more tasks to be completed by one or more reviewers with respect to one or more video clips;
in response to the request to initiate the review, transmitting, to respective review applications on respective one or more computers for said one or more reviewers, a respective notification of a respective task of said one or more tasks according to said workflow schedule;
in response to receiving a respective indication that each respective task is complete from each review application of said one or more computers for said one or more reviewers, uploading respective comments from the respective review applications of said one or more computers;
synchronizing said respective comments with said one or more video clips;
transmitting, to the video editor on said computer for the review initiator, a task indicating that the review cycle is complete, such that the task appears within the video editor on said computer for the review initiator; and
providing the synchronized comments to said video editor on said computer for the review initiator. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein after said workflow schedule is customized:
messaging said one or more reviewers or said one or more editors regarding said one or more tasks with respect to said one or more video clips; and providing said one or more video clips to said one or more reviewers or said one or more editors for completion of said one or more tasks in accordance with said workflow schedule. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said synchronizing comprises associating said comments with said one or more video clips, and wherein said comments are each associated with a same time code. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
maintaining said comments in a database; and associating said maintained comments with a time corresponding to the one or more video clips. 5. The method of claim 1,
wherein a task for a first reviewer comprises commenting upon said one or more video clips, wherein a task for a second reviewer comprises commenting upon said one or more video clips, and wherein, prior to completion of the workflow schedule, a comment from the first reviewer is provided to the second reviewer while both the first reviewer and the second reviewer are online. 6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
transmitting said maintained comments to said one or more reviewers or said one or more editors. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
creating new video content by combining said one or more video clips with said comments; and encrypting said new video content. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
managing digital rights for said encrypted new video content. 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
implementing levels of user permission access to said encrypted new video content. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining and implementing one or more video formats for said one or more video clips. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said one or more video formats are determined based at least in part on devices employed by said one or more editors or said one or more reviewers. 12. A system, comprising:
one or more computers; and a memory storing program instructions that when executed by the one or more computers causes the one or more computers to perform:
initiating a review cycle in response to receiving a request including information for a workflow schedule from a video editor on a computer for a review initiator;
customizing said workflow schedule according to said received information, wherein said customizing comprises:
specifying one or more tasks to be completed by one or more reviewers with respect to one or more video clips, and
in response to the request to initiate the review, transmitting, to respective review applications on respective one or more computers for said one or more reviewers, a respective notification of a respective task of said one or more tasks according to said workflow schedule;
in response to receiving a respective indication that each respective task is complete, from each review application of said one or more computers for said one or more reviewers, uploading respective comments from the respective review applications of said one or more computers;
synchronizing said respective comments with said one or more video clips;
transmitting, to the video editor on said computer for the review initiator, a task indicating that the review cycle is complete, such that the task appears within the video editor on said computer for the review initiator; and
providing the synchronized comments to said video editor on said computer for the review initiator. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein said program instructions, when executed by the one or more computers further causes the one or more computers to perform:
messaging said one or more reviewers or said one or more editors regarding said one or more tasks with respect to said one or more video clips after said workflow schedule is created; and providing said one or more video clips to said one or more reviewers or one or more editors for completion of said one or more tasks in accordance with said workflow schedule. 14. The system of claim 12, wherein said synchronizing comprises associating said comments with said one or more video clips, and wherein said comments are each associated with a same time code. 15.-22. (canceled) 23. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform:
initiating a review cycle in response to receiving a request including information for a workflow schedule from a video editor on a computer for a review initiator; customizing said workflow schedule according to said received information, wherein said customizing comprises specifying one or more tasks to be completed by one or more reviewers with respect to one or more video clips; in response to the request to initiate the review, transmitting, to respective review applications on respective one or more computers for said one or more reviewers, a respective notification of a respective task of said one or more tasks according to said workflow schedule; in response to receiving a respective indication that each respective task is complete from each review application of said one or more computers for said one or more reviewers, uploading respective comments from the respective review applications of said one or more computers; synchronizing said respective comments with said one or more video clips; transmitting, to the video editor on said computer for the review initiator, a task indicating that the review cycle is complete, such that the task appears within the video editor on said computer for the review initiator; and providing the synchronized comments to said video editor on said computer for the review initiator. 24. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 23, wherein said instructions, when executed by said computer, further cause said computer to perform:
messaging said one or more reviewers or said one or more editors regarding said one or more tasks with respect to said one or more video clips; and providing said one or more video clips to said one or more reviewers or said one or more editors for the completion of said one or more tasks in accordance with said workflow schedule. 25. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 23, wherein said instructions, when executed by said computer, further cause said computer to perform:
synchronizing comments by said one or more reviewers or said one or more editors with said one or more video clips,
wherein said synchronizing comprises associating the comments with said one or more video clips, and
wherein said comments are each associated with a same time code. 26. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
a process management engine executing on the server computer performing:
determining available bandwidth between the server computer and a given computer of said one or more computers for said one or more reviewers; and
in response to said determining available bandwidth, changing stream quality of said one or more video clips to be higher or lower in accord with the available bandwidth. 27. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
a process management engine executing on the server computer performing:
determining, in response to said receiving the request to initiate the review, said one or more reviewers based on one or more of past review cycles, past requests, or availability of reviewers. 28. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining, in response to said receiving the request to initiate the review, an order in which said one or more reviewers are assigned tasks. 29. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining a format compatibility of a given computer of said one or more computers for said one or more reviewers; in response to said determining the format compatibility of the given computer, transforming a video format of the one or more video clips into a video format compatible with the format compatibility of the given computer; and repeating said determining the format compatibility and said transforming the video format for each remaining computer of the one or more computers. | Subject matter disclosed herein relates to video content editing, and in particular, to video review workflow.1. A method, comprising:
performing, by a server computer:
initiating a review cycle in response to receiving a request including information for a workflow schedule from a video editor on a computer for a review initiator;
customizing said workflow schedule according to said received information, wherein said customizing comprises specifying one or more tasks to be completed by one or more reviewers with respect to one or more video clips;
in response to the request to initiate the review, transmitting, to respective review applications on respective one or more computers for said one or more reviewers, a respective notification of a respective task of said one or more tasks according to said workflow schedule;
in response to receiving a respective indication that each respective task is complete from each review application of said one or more computers for said one or more reviewers, uploading respective comments from the respective review applications of said one or more computers;
synchronizing said respective comments with said one or more video clips;
transmitting, to the video editor on said computer for the review initiator, a task indicating that the review cycle is complete, such that the task appears within the video editor on said computer for the review initiator; and
providing the synchronized comments to said video editor on said computer for the review initiator. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein after said workflow schedule is customized:
messaging said one or more reviewers or said one or more editors regarding said one or more tasks with respect to said one or more video clips; and providing said one or more video clips to said one or more reviewers or said one or more editors for completion of said one or more tasks in accordance with said workflow schedule. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said synchronizing comprises associating said comments with said one or more video clips, and wherein said comments are each associated with a same time code. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
maintaining said comments in a database; and associating said maintained comments with a time corresponding to the one or more video clips. 5. The method of claim 1,
wherein a task for a first reviewer comprises commenting upon said one or more video clips, wherein a task for a second reviewer comprises commenting upon said one or more video clips, and wherein, prior to completion of the workflow schedule, a comment from the first reviewer is provided to the second reviewer while both the first reviewer and the second reviewer are online. 6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
transmitting said maintained comments to said one or more reviewers or said one or more editors. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
creating new video content by combining said one or more video clips with said comments; and encrypting said new video content. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
managing digital rights for said encrypted new video content. 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
implementing levels of user permission access to said encrypted new video content. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining and implementing one or more video formats for said one or more video clips. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said one or more video formats are determined based at least in part on devices employed by said one or more editors or said one or more reviewers. 12. A system, comprising:
one or more computers; and a memory storing program instructions that when executed by the one or more computers causes the one or more computers to perform:
initiating a review cycle in response to receiving a request including information for a workflow schedule from a video editor on a computer for a review initiator;
customizing said workflow schedule according to said received information, wherein said customizing comprises:
specifying one or more tasks to be completed by one or more reviewers with respect to one or more video clips, and
in response to the request to initiate the review, transmitting, to respective review applications on respective one or more computers for said one or more reviewers, a respective notification of a respective task of said one or more tasks according to said workflow schedule;
in response to receiving a respective indication that each respective task is complete, from each review application of said one or more computers for said one or more reviewers, uploading respective comments from the respective review applications of said one or more computers;
synchronizing said respective comments with said one or more video clips;
transmitting, to the video editor on said computer for the review initiator, a task indicating that the review cycle is complete, such that the task appears within the video editor on said computer for the review initiator; and
providing the synchronized comments to said video editor on said computer for the review initiator. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein said program instructions, when executed by the one or more computers further causes the one or more computers to perform:
messaging said one or more reviewers or said one or more editors regarding said one or more tasks with respect to said one or more video clips after said workflow schedule is created; and providing said one or more video clips to said one or more reviewers or one or more editors for completion of said one or more tasks in accordance with said workflow schedule. 14. The system of claim 12, wherein said synchronizing comprises associating said comments with said one or more video clips, and wherein said comments are each associated with a same time code. 15.-22. (canceled) 23. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform:
initiating a review cycle in response to receiving a request including information for a workflow schedule from a video editor on a computer for a review initiator; customizing said workflow schedule according to said received information, wherein said customizing comprises specifying one or more tasks to be completed by one or more reviewers with respect to one or more video clips; in response to the request to initiate the review, transmitting, to respective review applications on respective one or more computers for said one or more reviewers, a respective notification of a respective task of said one or more tasks according to said workflow schedule; in response to receiving a respective indication that each respective task is complete from each review application of said one or more computers for said one or more reviewers, uploading respective comments from the respective review applications of said one or more computers; synchronizing said respective comments with said one or more video clips; transmitting, to the video editor on said computer for the review initiator, a task indicating that the review cycle is complete, such that the task appears within the video editor on said computer for the review initiator; and providing the synchronized comments to said video editor on said computer for the review initiator. 24. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 23, wherein said instructions, when executed by said computer, further cause said computer to perform:
messaging said one or more reviewers or said one or more editors regarding said one or more tasks with respect to said one or more video clips; and providing said one or more video clips to said one or more reviewers or said one or more editors for the completion of said one or more tasks in accordance with said workflow schedule. 25. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 23, wherein said instructions, when executed by said computer, further cause said computer to perform:
synchronizing comments by said one or more reviewers or said one or more editors with said one or more video clips,
wherein said synchronizing comprises associating the comments with said one or more video clips, and
wherein said comments are each associated with a same time code. 26. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
a process management engine executing on the server computer performing:
determining available bandwidth between the server computer and a given computer of said one or more computers for said one or more reviewers; and
in response to said determining available bandwidth, changing stream quality of said one or more video clips to be higher or lower in accord with the available bandwidth. 27. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
a process management engine executing on the server computer performing:
determining, in response to said receiving the request to initiate the review, said one or more reviewers based on one or more of past review cycles, past requests, or availability of reviewers. 28. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining, in response to said receiving the request to initiate the review, an order in which said one or more reviewers are assigned tasks. 29. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining a format compatibility of a given computer of said one or more computers for said one or more reviewers; in response to said determining the format compatibility of the given computer, transforming a video format of the one or more video clips into a video format compatible with the format compatibility of the given computer; and repeating said determining the format compatibility and said transforming the video format for each remaining computer of the one or more computers. | 3,600 |
13,048 | 13,048 | 14,495,952 | 3,679 | A system for bringing producing oil and gas from a subsea gathering manifold or wellhead, including a loop having an upper end at the surface and a lower end below the surface, the loop rotatable around a closed path, and production vessels attached to the cable loop, each production vessel having a hollow interior, the weight of the plurality of production vessels sufficient, when filled with seawater, to cause the production vessels to sink, the plurality of production vessels each having an inlet pipe. The system also includes a plurality of receivers attached to the production gathering manifold or wellhead that receive production fluid, the receivers engaging production vessels and filling them with well fluid while seawater is discharged from the production vessels, the production fluid having a lower density than ambient seawater so that the production vessels become buoyant when filled with the production fluid. | 1. A system for bringing produced oil and gas from a subsea wellhead to a sea surface, the system comprising:
a cable loop having an upper end at or adjacent a sea surface and a lower end below the sea surface, the loop rotatable around a closed path; a plurality of production vessels attached to the cable loop, each production vessel having a hollow interior that can be filled with seawater, the weight of the plurality of production vessels sufficient, when filled with seawater, to cause the production vessels to sink, the plurality of production vessels each having an inlet pipe attached thereto; and a plurality of receivers in communication with a subsea wellhead that receive production fluid from the subsea wellhead, the plurality of receivers configured to engage the plurality of production vessels and fill them with production fluid while seawater in the production vessels is discharged from the production vessels, the production fluid having a lower density than ambient seawater, thereby causing the production vessels to become buoyant. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a gear attached to the cable loop to help rotate the cable loop. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of production vessels comprises:
a cylindrical body with having walls surrounding a hollow cavity; and a piston housed within the cylindrical hollow body and dividing the hollow void into two parts, the piston in sealed engagement with the walls of the cylindrical body and having a first position and a second position; wherein the piston creates a vacuum in a portion of the hollow cavity as it moves from the first to the second position, which vacuum draws production fluid into the hollow cavity of the cylindrical body through the inlet pipe. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of production vessels further comprise:
a vent between the hollow cavity of each production vessel and the ambient environment to allow seawater to exit each production vessel as the piston moves from the first to the second position. 5. The system of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of production vessels further comprise:
a piston lock to maintain the piston in the first position until the piston lock is released. 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a rotating valve that receives production fluid from a well; a plurality of production hoses in fluid communication with the rotating valve, and extending from the rotating valve to the plurality of receivers. 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a platform located at the sea surface and adjacent a portion of the cable loop for receiving production fluid carried by the plurality of production vessels; and a rotating valve located adjacent a wellhead and an alternate portion of the cable, the rotating valve for delivering production fluid to the production vessels; wherein the rotating valve is not located directly beneath the platform. 8. The system of claim 3, wherein the piston is powered to move between the first and second positions by hydraulics or electricity. 9. A method of producing oil and gas from a well, the method comprising:
a) attaching a plurality of production vessels to a closed cable loop that extends from a sea surface to a subsea location; b) transporting the plurality of production vessels from the sea surface to the subsea location, the plurality of production vessels having hollow cavities containing seawater so that they are not buoyant; c) filling the hollow cavities of the plurality of vessels with production fluid at the subsea location, the production fluid displacing the seawater contained in the hollow cavities of the production vessels, so that the production vessels become buoyant and rise to the sea surface; and d) rotating the closed cable loop as the production vessels move from the sea surface to the subsea location and back to the sea surface. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
separating a hollow cavity within each production vessel, with a piston, into a seawater containing portion and a production fluid containing portion, the piston sealing the seawater containing portion from the production fluid containing portion; positioning the piston in a first position adjacent an end of the hollow cavity so that the seawater containing portion is more voluminous than the production fluid containing portion; moving the piston from the first position to a second position remote from the end of the hollow cavity so that the production fluid containing portion increases in volume; and filling the production fluid containing portion of the hollow cavity with production fluid as the piston moves from the first position to the second position. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
discharging the seawater from the seawater containing portion of the hollow cavity through vents in the production vessel as the piston moves from the first position to the second position. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein step c) further comprises:
filling multiple production vessels with production fluid simultaneously by fluidly connecting each of the multiple production vessels to a separate production hose in fluid communication with a well. 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
locking the piston of each production vessel in the first position as the production vessel is transported from the sea surface to the subsea location. 14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
draining the production fluid from the production vessels when the production vessels return to the sea surface from the subsea location; and refilling the production vessels with seawater. 15. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
detaching the production fluid filled production vessels from the closed cable loop when the production vessels return to the sea surface from the subsea location; attaching new seawater filled production vessels to the closed cable loop in place of the detached production fluid filled production vessels. 16. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
driving the rotation of the closed cable loop using a gear attached to the closed cable loop. | A system for bringing producing oil and gas from a subsea gathering manifold or wellhead, including a loop having an upper end at the surface and a lower end below the surface, the loop rotatable around a closed path, and production vessels attached to the cable loop, each production vessel having a hollow interior, the weight of the plurality of production vessels sufficient, when filled with seawater, to cause the production vessels to sink, the plurality of production vessels each having an inlet pipe. The system also includes a plurality of receivers attached to the production gathering manifold or wellhead that receive production fluid, the receivers engaging production vessels and filling them with well fluid while seawater is discharged from the production vessels, the production fluid having a lower density than ambient seawater so that the production vessels become buoyant when filled with the production fluid.1. A system for bringing produced oil and gas from a subsea wellhead to a sea surface, the system comprising:
a cable loop having an upper end at or adjacent a sea surface and a lower end below the sea surface, the loop rotatable around a closed path; a plurality of production vessels attached to the cable loop, each production vessel having a hollow interior that can be filled with seawater, the weight of the plurality of production vessels sufficient, when filled with seawater, to cause the production vessels to sink, the plurality of production vessels each having an inlet pipe attached thereto; and a plurality of receivers in communication with a subsea wellhead that receive production fluid from the subsea wellhead, the plurality of receivers configured to engage the plurality of production vessels and fill them with production fluid while seawater in the production vessels is discharged from the production vessels, the production fluid having a lower density than ambient seawater, thereby causing the production vessels to become buoyant. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a gear attached to the cable loop to help rotate the cable loop. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of production vessels comprises:
a cylindrical body with having walls surrounding a hollow cavity; and a piston housed within the cylindrical hollow body and dividing the hollow void into two parts, the piston in sealed engagement with the walls of the cylindrical body and having a first position and a second position; wherein the piston creates a vacuum in a portion of the hollow cavity as it moves from the first to the second position, which vacuum draws production fluid into the hollow cavity of the cylindrical body through the inlet pipe. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of production vessels further comprise:
a vent between the hollow cavity of each production vessel and the ambient environment to allow seawater to exit each production vessel as the piston moves from the first to the second position. 5. The system of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of production vessels further comprise:
a piston lock to maintain the piston in the first position until the piston lock is released. 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a rotating valve that receives production fluid from a well; a plurality of production hoses in fluid communication with the rotating valve, and extending from the rotating valve to the plurality of receivers. 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a platform located at the sea surface and adjacent a portion of the cable loop for receiving production fluid carried by the plurality of production vessels; and a rotating valve located adjacent a wellhead and an alternate portion of the cable, the rotating valve for delivering production fluid to the production vessels; wherein the rotating valve is not located directly beneath the platform. 8. The system of claim 3, wherein the piston is powered to move between the first and second positions by hydraulics or electricity. 9. A method of producing oil and gas from a well, the method comprising:
a) attaching a plurality of production vessels to a closed cable loop that extends from a sea surface to a subsea location; b) transporting the plurality of production vessels from the sea surface to the subsea location, the plurality of production vessels having hollow cavities containing seawater so that they are not buoyant; c) filling the hollow cavities of the plurality of vessels with production fluid at the subsea location, the production fluid displacing the seawater contained in the hollow cavities of the production vessels, so that the production vessels become buoyant and rise to the sea surface; and d) rotating the closed cable loop as the production vessels move from the sea surface to the subsea location and back to the sea surface. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
separating a hollow cavity within each production vessel, with a piston, into a seawater containing portion and a production fluid containing portion, the piston sealing the seawater containing portion from the production fluid containing portion; positioning the piston in a first position adjacent an end of the hollow cavity so that the seawater containing portion is more voluminous than the production fluid containing portion; moving the piston from the first position to a second position remote from the end of the hollow cavity so that the production fluid containing portion increases in volume; and filling the production fluid containing portion of the hollow cavity with production fluid as the piston moves from the first position to the second position. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
discharging the seawater from the seawater containing portion of the hollow cavity through vents in the production vessel as the piston moves from the first position to the second position. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein step c) further comprises:
filling multiple production vessels with production fluid simultaneously by fluidly connecting each of the multiple production vessels to a separate production hose in fluid communication with a well. 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
locking the piston of each production vessel in the first position as the production vessel is transported from the sea surface to the subsea location. 14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
draining the production fluid from the production vessels when the production vessels return to the sea surface from the subsea location; and refilling the production vessels with seawater. 15. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
detaching the production fluid filled production vessels from the closed cable loop when the production vessels return to the sea surface from the subsea location; attaching new seawater filled production vessels to the closed cable loop in place of the detached production fluid filled production vessels. 16. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
driving the rotation of the closed cable loop using a gear attached to the closed cable loop. | 3,600 |
13,049 | 13,049 | 14,448,336 | 3,626 | Disclosed are a system and method to recover from a large out-of-control condition in a clinical diagnostic process. Upon detection of a large out-of-control condition, a CUSUM rule is designed to predict if specimen test data was produced during the occurrence of that condition. Specimen test data is re-evaluated and the CUSUM rule is applied to determine whether to accept or reject the test results. Upon completion of the re-evaluation, old test results identified as being invalid are replaced with the new, re-evaluated results and the new results are published if publication did not occur previously. | 1. A computer-implemented method for automatically detecting and correcting large out-of-control conditions in a clinical diagnostic process, comprising:
receiving notification of an out-of-control condition from a laboratory instrument; analyzing specimen test data from said laboratory instrument to determine a scope of potential error caused by said out-of-control condition; designing a CUSUM rule to predict if a specimen test data point was produced while the large out-of-control condition existed; re-evaluating at least a portion of previously tested specimens to generate new test data; applying said CUSUM rule to accept or reject the re-evaluated test data; replacing at least a portion of previously tested specimen data with said new test data. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said analyzing said specimen test data comprises:
estimating a magnitude of said out of control condition, estimating a probability of a specimen evaluation being incorrect, computing a predicted number of incorrect test results, and combinations thereof. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said designing a CUSUM rule comprises calculating an average relative error and determining a decision interval based at least in part on said average relative error. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising calculating an expected number or evaluations to false rejection, and wherein said determining a decision interval is base at least in part on said average relative error, said expected numbers of evaluations to false rejection, and combinations thereof. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said applying a CUSUM rule comprises calculating a composite specimen test value, calculating a one-sided upper CUSUM value, and calculating a one-sided lower CUSUM value. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said test data comprises patient data. 7. A system for automatically and correcting large out-of-control conditions in a clinical diagnostic process, comprising:
one more laboratory instruments operable to acquire test data; a computer system operable to communicate with and receive test data from said laboratory instruments, said computer system having a processor operable to: receive notification of an out-of-control condition from a laboratory instrument; analyze specimen test data from said laboratory instrument to determine a scope of potential error caused by said out-of-control condition; design a CUSUM rule predict if specimen test data was produced during the out-of-control condition; re-evaluate at least a portion of previously tested specimens to generate new test data; and apply said CUSUM rule to accept or reject the re-evaluated test data. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein said applying a CUSUM rule comprises calculating a composite specimen test value, calculating a one-sided upper CUSUM value, and calculating a one-sided lower CUSUM value. 9. The system of claim 7, wherein said test data comprises patient data. 10. The system of claim 7, wherein said analyze said specimen test data comprises:
estimating a magnitude of said out of control condition, estimating a probability of a specimen evaluation being incorrect, computing a predicted number of incorrect test results, and combinations thereof. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein said estimating a magnitude of said out of control condition comprises evaluating quality control specimens and determining an allowable total error based on bias and historic imprecision data. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said estimating a probability of a specimen evaluation being incorrect comprises calculating a normal cumulative distribution. 13. The system of claim 7, wherein said processor is further operable to:
replace at least a portion of said specimen test data with re-evaluated specimen data. 14. The system of claim 7, wherein said processor is further operable to:
generate a report identifying re-evaluated specimen data. 15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method for automatically detecting and correcting large out-of-control conditions in a clinical diagnostic process, the method comprising:
receiving notification of an out-of-control condition from a laboratory instrument; analyzing specimen test data from said laboratory instrument to determine a scope of potential error caused by said out-of-control condition; designing a CUSUM rule to predict if a specimen test data point was produced during the large out-of-control condition; re-evaluating at least a portion of previously tested specimens to generate new test data; applying said CUSUM rule to accept or reject the re-evaluated test data; replacing at least a portion of previously tested specimen data with said new test data. 16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein said analyzing said specimen test data comprises:
estimating a magnitude of said out of control condition, estimating a probability of a specimen evaluation being incorrect, computing a predicted number of incorrect test results, and combinations thereof. 17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein said designing a CUSUM rule comprises calculating an average relative error and determining a decision interval based at least in part on said average relative error. 18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein said decision interval is selected from a predetermined lookup table. 19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, further comprising calculating an expected number or evaluations to false rejection, and wherein said determining a decision interval is base at least in part on said average relative error, said expected numbers of evaluations to false rejection, and combinations thereof. 20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein said applying a CUSUM rule comprises calculating a composite specimen test value, calculating a one-sided upper CUSUM value, and calculating a one-sided lower CUSUM value. 21. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein said test data comprises patient data. | Disclosed are a system and method to recover from a large out-of-control condition in a clinical diagnostic process. Upon detection of a large out-of-control condition, a CUSUM rule is designed to predict if specimen test data was produced during the occurrence of that condition. Specimen test data is re-evaluated and the CUSUM rule is applied to determine whether to accept or reject the test results. Upon completion of the re-evaluation, old test results identified as being invalid are replaced with the new, re-evaluated results and the new results are published if publication did not occur previously.1. A computer-implemented method for automatically detecting and correcting large out-of-control conditions in a clinical diagnostic process, comprising:
receiving notification of an out-of-control condition from a laboratory instrument; analyzing specimen test data from said laboratory instrument to determine a scope of potential error caused by said out-of-control condition; designing a CUSUM rule to predict if a specimen test data point was produced while the large out-of-control condition existed; re-evaluating at least a portion of previously tested specimens to generate new test data; applying said CUSUM rule to accept or reject the re-evaluated test data; replacing at least a portion of previously tested specimen data with said new test data. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said analyzing said specimen test data comprises:
estimating a magnitude of said out of control condition, estimating a probability of a specimen evaluation being incorrect, computing a predicted number of incorrect test results, and combinations thereof. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said designing a CUSUM rule comprises calculating an average relative error and determining a decision interval based at least in part on said average relative error. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising calculating an expected number or evaluations to false rejection, and wherein said determining a decision interval is base at least in part on said average relative error, said expected numbers of evaluations to false rejection, and combinations thereof. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said applying a CUSUM rule comprises calculating a composite specimen test value, calculating a one-sided upper CUSUM value, and calculating a one-sided lower CUSUM value. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said test data comprises patient data. 7. A system for automatically and correcting large out-of-control conditions in a clinical diagnostic process, comprising:
one more laboratory instruments operable to acquire test data; a computer system operable to communicate with and receive test data from said laboratory instruments, said computer system having a processor operable to: receive notification of an out-of-control condition from a laboratory instrument; analyze specimen test data from said laboratory instrument to determine a scope of potential error caused by said out-of-control condition; design a CUSUM rule predict if specimen test data was produced during the out-of-control condition; re-evaluate at least a portion of previously tested specimens to generate new test data; and apply said CUSUM rule to accept or reject the re-evaluated test data. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein said applying a CUSUM rule comprises calculating a composite specimen test value, calculating a one-sided upper CUSUM value, and calculating a one-sided lower CUSUM value. 9. The system of claim 7, wherein said test data comprises patient data. 10. The system of claim 7, wherein said analyze said specimen test data comprises:
estimating a magnitude of said out of control condition, estimating a probability of a specimen evaluation being incorrect, computing a predicted number of incorrect test results, and combinations thereof. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein said estimating a magnitude of said out of control condition comprises evaluating quality control specimens and determining an allowable total error based on bias and historic imprecision data. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said estimating a probability of a specimen evaluation being incorrect comprises calculating a normal cumulative distribution. 13. The system of claim 7, wherein said processor is further operable to:
replace at least a portion of said specimen test data with re-evaluated specimen data. 14. The system of claim 7, wherein said processor is further operable to:
generate a report identifying re-evaluated specimen data. 15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method for automatically detecting and correcting large out-of-control conditions in a clinical diagnostic process, the method comprising:
receiving notification of an out-of-control condition from a laboratory instrument; analyzing specimen test data from said laboratory instrument to determine a scope of potential error caused by said out-of-control condition; designing a CUSUM rule to predict if a specimen test data point was produced during the large out-of-control condition; re-evaluating at least a portion of previously tested specimens to generate new test data; applying said CUSUM rule to accept or reject the re-evaluated test data; replacing at least a portion of previously tested specimen data with said new test data. 16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein said analyzing said specimen test data comprises:
estimating a magnitude of said out of control condition, estimating a probability of a specimen evaluation being incorrect, computing a predicted number of incorrect test results, and combinations thereof. 17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein said designing a CUSUM rule comprises calculating an average relative error and determining a decision interval based at least in part on said average relative error. 18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein said decision interval is selected from a predetermined lookup table. 19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, further comprising calculating an expected number or evaluations to false rejection, and wherein said determining a decision interval is base at least in part on said average relative error, said expected numbers of evaluations to false rejection, and combinations thereof. 20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein said applying a CUSUM rule comprises calculating a composite specimen test value, calculating a one-sided upper CUSUM value, and calculating a one-sided lower CUSUM value. 21. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein said test data comprises patient data. | 3,600 |
13,050 | 13,050 | 15,174,102 | 3,657 | A guide assembly for a disc brake. The guide assembly includes a receiving portion of a brake carrier that receives a sleeve portion of a guide pin. The sleeve portion and receiving portion have corresponding non-circular cross-sectional profiles that restrict rotation of the sleeve portion relative to the brake carrier when the sleeve portion is received and aligned in the receiving portion. The present invention further relates to a disc brake that includes a brake carrier, a caliper, and at least one guide assembly and a method of manufacture. | 1. A guide assembly for a disc brake comprising:
a guide pin that has a sleeve that includes a sleeve portion; and a receiving portion of a brake carrier that receives the sleeve portion; wherein the sleeve portion and receiving portion have corresponding non-circular cross-sectional profiles that cooperate to restrict rotation of the sleeve relative to the brake carrier when the sleeve portion is received and aligned in the receiving portion. 2. The guide assembly of claim 1 wherein the non-circular cross-sectional profile of the sleeve portion is defined by an outer edge of the sleeve portion and the sleeve portion further comprises a circular outer edge region and a non-circular outer edge region. 3. The guide assembly of claim 2 wherein the non-circular outer edge region is a linear outer edge region. 4. The guide assembly of claim 2 wherein the non-circular cross-sectional profile of the receiving portion is defined by an inner edge of the receiving portion and the receiving portion further comprises:
a circular inner edge region corresponding to the circular outer edge region of the sleeve portion; and
a non-circular inner edge region corresponding to the non-circular outer edge region of the sleeve portion. 5. The guide assembly of claim 4 wherein the non-circular inner edge region is a linear inner edge region. 6. The guide assembly of claim 4 wherein the receiving portion further comprises a first transition inner edge region at a first junction between the circular inner edge region and the non-circular inner edge region; and
wherein the first transition inner edge region abuts the sleeve portion so as to restrict rotation of the sleeve portion in a first rotational direction when the sleeve portion is received and aligned in the receiving portion. 7. The guide assembly of claim 6 wherein the sleeve portion further comprises a first chamfered outer edge region at a first junction between the circular outer edge region and the non-circular outer edge region; and
wherein the first transition inner edge region of the receiving portion abuts the first chamfered outer edge region of the sleeve portion so as to restrict rotation in the first rotational direction when the sleeve portion is received and aligned in the receiving portion. 8. The guide assembly of claim 6 wherein the receiving portion further comprises a second transition inner edge region at a second junction between the circular inner edge region and non-circular inner edge region;
wherein the second transition inner edge region abuts the sleeve portion so as to restrict rotation of a second rotational direction when the sleeve portion is received and aligned in the receiving portion. 9. The guide assembly of claim 8 wherein the sleeve portion further comprises a second chamfered outer edge region at a second junction between the circular outer edge region and the non-circular outer edge region; and
wherein the second transition inner edge region of the receiving portion abuts the second chamfered outer edge region of the sleeve portion so as to restrict rotation in the second rotational direction when the sleeve portion is received and aligned in the receiving portion. 10. The guide assembly of claim 1 wherein the sleeve portion is a flange arranged at a first end of the sleeve. 11. The guide assembly of claim 1 wherein the receiving portion is a recess disposed in the brake carrier. 12. The guide assembly of claim 1 wherein:
the guide pin further comprises a fastener to secure the guide pin to the brake carrier; and
the guide assembly further comprises a bore disposed in the brake carrier that receives the fastener, the bore being arranged in the receiving portion. 13. A disc brake comprising:
a brake carrier that has a receiving portion; a caliper; and a guide assembly for slidably mounting the caliper with respect to the brake carrier, wherein the guide assembly includes a guide pin that has a sleeve that includes a sleeve portion; wherein the receiving portion receives the sleeve portion and the sleeve portion and receiving portion have corresponding non-circular cross-sectional profiles that restrict rotation of the sleeve relative to the brake carrier when the sleeve portion is received and aligned in the receiving portion. 14. A method for manufacturing a receiving portion in a brake carrier for receiving a sleeve portion of a guide sleeve, wherein the receiving portion is a recess disposed in the brake carrier, comprising:
cutting the recess in the brake carrier with a circular inner edge region and a non- circular inner edge region. 15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:
moving a cutting tool in a circular path to define the circular inner edge region; and
moving the cutting tool in a non-circular path to define the non-circular inner edge region. 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the non-circular path is a linear path when the non-circular inner edge region is a linear inner edge region. 17. The method of claim 15 further comprising moving the cutting tool from the circular path to the non-circular path to define a transition inner edge region between the circular inner edge region and the non-circular inner edge region. | A guide assembly for a disc brake. The guide assembly includes a receiving portion of a brake carrier that receives a sleeve portion of a guide pin. The sleeve portion and receiving portion have corresponding non-circular cross-sectional profiles that restrict rotation of the sleeve portion relative to the brake carrier when the sleeve portion is received and aligned in the receiving portion. The present invention further relates to a disc brake that includes a brake carrier, a caliper, and at least one guide assembly and a method of manufacture.1. A guide assembly for a disc brake comprising:
a guide pin that has a sleeve that includes a sleeve portion; and a receiving portion of a brake carrier that receives the sleeve portion; wherein the sleeve portion and receiving portion have corresponding non-circular cross-sectional profiles that cooperate to restrict rotation of the sleeve relative to the brake carrier when the sleeve portion is received and aligned in the receiving portion. 2. The guide assembly of claim 1 wherein the non-circular cross-sectional profile of the sleeve portion is defined by an outer edge of the sleeve portion and the sleeve portion further comprises a circular outer edge region and a non-circular outer edge region. 3. The guide assembly of claim 2 wherein the non-circular outer edge region is a linear outer edge region. 4. The guide assembly of claim 2 wherein the non-circular cross-sectional profile of the receiving portion is defined by an inner edge of the receiving portion and the receiving portion further comprises:
a circular inner edge region corresponding to the circular outer edge region of the sleeve portion; and
a non-circular inner edge region corresponding to the non-circular outer edge region of the sleeve portion. 5. The guide assembly of claim 4 wherein the non-circular inner edge region is a linear inner edge region. 6. The guide assembly of claim 4 wherein the receiving portion further comprises a first transition inner edge region at a first junction between the circular inner edge region and the non-circular inner edge region; and
wherein the first transition inner edge region abuts the sleeve portion so as to restrict rotation of the sleeve portion in a first rotational direction when the sleeve portion is received and aligned in the receiving portion. 7. The guide assembly of claim 6 wherein the sleeve portion further comprises a first chamfered outer edge region at a first junction between the circular outer edge region and the non-circular outer edge region; and
wherein the first transition inner edge region of the receiving portion abuts the first chamfered outer edge region of the sleeve portion so as to restrict rotation in the first rotational direction when the sleeve portion is received and aligned in the receiving portion. 8. The guide assembly of claim 6 wherein the receiving portion further comprises a second transition inner edge region at a second junction between the circular inner edge region and non-circular inner edge region;
wherein the second transition inner edge region abuts the sleeve portion so as to restrict rotation of a second rotational direction when the sleeve portion is received and aligned in the receiving portion. 9. The guide assembly of claim 8 wherein the sleeve portion further comprises a second chamfered outer edge region at a second junction between the circular outer edge region and the non-circular outer edge region; and
wherein the second transition inner edge region of the receiving portion abuts the second chamfered outer edge region of the sleeve portion so as to restrict rotation in the second rotational direction when the sleeve portion is received and aligned in the receiving portion. 10. The guide assembly of claim 1 wherein the sleeve portion is a flange arranged at a first end of the sleeve. 11. The guide assembly of claim 1 wherein the receiving portion is a recess disposed in the brake carrier. 12. The guide assembly of claim 1 wherein:
the guide pin further comprises a fastener to secure the guide pin to the brake carrier; and
the guide assembly further comprises a bore disposed in the brake carrier that receives the fastener, the bore being arranged in the receiving portion. 13. A disc brake comprising:
a brake carrier that has a receiving portion; a caliper; and a guide assembly for slidably mounting the caliper with respect to the brake carrier, wherein the guide assembly includes a guide pin that has a sleeve that includes a sleeve portion; wherein the receiving portion receives the sleeve portion and the sleeve portion and receiving portion have corresponding non-circular cross-sectional profiles that restrict rotation of the sleeve relative to the brake carrier when the sleeve portion is received and aligned in the receiving portion. 14. A method for manufacturing a receiving portion in a brake carrier for receiving a sleeve portion of a guide sleeve, wherein the receiving portion is a recess disposed in the brake carrier, comprising:
cutting the recess in the brake carrier with a circular inner edge region and a non- circular inner edge region. 15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:
moving a cutting tool in a circular path to define the circular inner edge region; and
moving the cutting tool in a non-circular path to define the non-circular inner edge region. 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the non-circular path is a linear path when the non-circular inner edge region is a linear inner edge region. 17. The method of claim 15 further comprising moving the cutting tool from the circular path to the non-circular path to define a transition inner edge region between the circular inner edge region and the non-circular inner edge region. | 3,600 |
13,051 | 13,051 | 14,090,650 | 3,692 | Disclosed herein are processor-based systems and computer-implemented methods for identification, sourcing, and acquisition of distressed debt. At least one embodiment provides amalgamated debt information associated with an indebted entity, which may owe debt to multiple disparate lending entities. Often, debt information involving these lending entities is maintained in a number of unassociated and disparate data sources, to which access may be restricted on a subscriber basis. To provide amalgamated debt information associated with the indebted entity, a computer platform is programmed to carry out at least one of searching and receiving debt information that is associated with the indebted entity and that identifies some or all of the multiple disparate lending entities. The platform is programmed to amalgamate and organize the debt information, and to present the amalgamated-and-organized debt information via a user interface, providing consolidated access to the unassociated and disparate data sources. | 1. A computing system for facilitating the identification, sourcing, and acquisition of distressed debt, the computing system comprising:
at least one user interface; at least one communication interface; at least one processor; and data storage having stored thereon instructions executable by the at least one processor for carrying out a set of functions, the set of functions including:
the computing system receiving loan-profile data records from at least one loan-profile data source, wherein each received loan-profile data record is associated with an original loan from a respective original lender to a respective original borrower for a respective original loan amount, and wherein each received loan-profile data record includes data that reflects one or more loan characteristics of the loan associated with that loan-profile data record;
the computing system storing at least a subset of the received loan-profile data records in a manner that is organized at least according to at least one loan characteristic included in the respective received loan-profile data records;
the computing system receiving special-purpose-vehicle-(SPV)-modeling data records from at least one SPV-modeling data source;
the computing system mining at least a subset of the received SPV-modeling data records to extract therefrom and store associations between respective original loans and respective downstream pieces of said respective original loans, wherein the associations include identifications of respective downstream lending institutions currently holding said respective downstream pieces of said respective original loans;
the computing system presenting via the at least one user interface (i) access to the stored subset of received loan-profile data records according to the manner in which the subset is stored and (ii) access to the stored associations between respective original loans and respective downstream pieces of said respective original loans, wherein said access to the loan-profile data records and said access to the stored associations are correlated with one another by at least one loan characteristic; and
the computing system providing via the at least one user interface a single display comprising respective points of access to respective cross-referenced displays of stored data, wherein the cross-referenced displays include displays that respectively pertain to target companies, target loans, target pieces of target loans, and a distressed-loan universe. 2. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the at least one user interface comprises at least one visual display. 3. The computing system of claim 1, wherein receiving loan-profile data records from at least one loan-profile data source comprises at least one of (i) at least one loan-profile data record being manually downloaded and (ii) at least one loan-profile data record being downloaded in at least one automated manner. 4. The computing system of claim 3, wherein said at least one automated manner involves at least one of execution of at least one macro, execution of a least one script, and execution of at least one batch download. 5. The computing system of claim 1, wherein storing at least the subset of the received loan-profile data records in the manner that is organized at least according to at least one loan characteristic included in the respective received loan-profile data records comprises at least one of (i) at least one loan-profile data record being manually stored in that manner and (ii) at least one loan-profile data record being stored in that manner in at least one automated manner. 6. The computing system of claim 5, wherein said at least one automated manner involves at least one of file-type conversion, batch file-type conversion, optical character recognition (OCR), and parsing. 7. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the at least one loan characteristic included in the respective received loan-profile data records includes one or more of original lender, original borrower, original loan amount, transaction type, transaction date, and agent bank. 8. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the manner in which the respective received loan-profile data records are organized comprises at least one of (i) a file-naming convention wherein the file names reflects at least one such loan characteristic and (ii) a folder structure wherein the folder contents are determined at least in part by said contents having in common at least one such loan characteristic. 9. The computing system of claim 8, wherein said folder structure comprises at least two different hierarchical levels of organization respectively organized by two different such loan characteristics. 10. The computing system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the received SPV-modeling data records pertains to an SPV selected from the group consisting of a collateralized loan obligation (CLO), a collateralized debt obligation (CDO), and a collateralized mortgage obligation (CMO). 11. The computing system of claim 1, wherein receiving SPV-modeling data records comprises receiving updated data feeds and responsively updating at least one stored association. 12. The computing system of claim 1, further comprising a target tracker, wherein the target tracker comprises a target data store and a target user interface, wherein the target data store comprises target-company profile records and the stored loan-profile records, and wherein the target user interface provides access to said target-company profile records and stored loan-profile records. 13. The computing system of claim 1, further comprising a sourcing tracker, wherein the sourcing tracker comprises a sourcing data store and a sourcing user interface, wherein the sourcing data store comprises and the sourcing user interface provides access to at least one of contact information, communication-history information, and planned-communication information for one or more contacts at one or more downstream lending institutions, wherein the sourcing user-interface provides said access in a manner that is correlated with the stored associations that pertain respectively to the downstream lending institutions respectively associated with said contacts. 14. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the cross-referenced displays further include at least one of a display that pertains to transaction due diligence, a display that pertains to research and reporting, and a display that pertains to transaction profile data. 15. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the cross-referenced displays further include a display that pertains to transaction due diligence, a display that pertains to research and reporting, and a display that pertains to transaction profile data. 16. The computing system of claim 15, wherein the cross-referenced displays are arranged on the at least one user interface in a visual sequence that parallels a chronological sequence of a control-investing transaction. 17. The computing system of claim 1, further comprising a portfolio-company-reporting function. 18. A method facilitating the identification, sourcing, and acquisition of distressed debt, the method carried out by a computing system comprising at least one user interface, at least one communication interface, at least one processor, and data storage having stored thereon instructions executable by the at least one processor for carrying out the method, the method comprising:
the computing system receiving loan-profile data records from at least one loan-profile data source, wherein each received loan-profile data record is associated with an original loan from a respective original lender to a respective original borrower for a respective original loan amount, and wherein each received loan-profile data record includes data that reflects one or more loan characteristics of the loan associated with that loan-profile data record; the computing system storing at least a subset of the received loan-profile data records in a manner that is organized at least according to at least one loan characteristic included in the respective received loan-profile data records; the computing system receiving special-purpose-vehicle-(SPV)-modeling data records from at least one SPV-modeling data source; the computing system mining at least a subset of the received SPV-modeling data records to extract therefrom and store associations between respective original loans and respective downstream pieces of said respective original loans, wherein the associations include identifications of respective downstream lending institutions currently holding said respective downstream pieces of said respective original loans; the computing system presenting via the at least one user interface (i) access to the stored subset of received loan-profile data records according to the manner in which the subset is stored and (ii) access to the stored associations between respective original loans and respective downstream pieces of said respective original loans, wherein said access to the loan-profile data records and said access to the stored associations are correlated with one another by at least one loan characteristic; and the computing system providing via the at least one user interface a single display comprising respective points of access to respective cross-referenced displays of stored data, wherein the cross-referenced displays include displays that respectively pertain to target companies, target loans, target pieces of target loans, and a distressed-loan universe. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one user interface comprises at least one visual display. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein receiving loan-profile data records from at least one loan-profile data source comprises at least one of (i) at least one loan-profile data record being manually downloaded and (ii) at least one loan-profile data record being downloaded in at least one automated manner. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein said at least one automated manner involves at least one of execution of at least one macro, execution of a least one script, and execution of at least one batch download. 22. The method of claim 18, wherein storing at least the subset of the received loan-profile data records in the manner that is organized at least according to at least one loan characteristic included in the respective received loan-profile data records comprises at least one of (i) at least one loan-profile data record being manually stored in that manner and (ii) at least one loan-profile data record being stored in that manner in at least one automated manner. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein said at least one automated manner involves at least one of file-type conversion, batch file-type conversion, optical character recognition (OCR), and parsing. 24. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one loan characteristic included in the respective received loan-profile data records includes one or more of original lender, original borrower, original loan amount, transaction type, transaction date, and agent bank. 25. The method of claim 18, wherein the manner in which the respective received loan-profile data records are organized comprises at least one of (i) a file-naming convention wherein the file names reflects at least one such loan characteristic and (ii) a folder structure wherein the folder contents are determined at least in part by said contents having in common at least one such loan characteristic. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein said folder structure comprises at least two different hierarchical levels of organization respectively organized by two different such loan characteristics. 27. The method of claim 18, wherein at least one of the received SPV-modeling data records pertains to an SPV selected from the group consisting of a collateralized loan obligation (CLO), a collateralized debt obligation (CDO), and a collateralized mortgage obligation (CMO). 28. The method of claim 18, wherein receiving SPV-modeling data records comprises receiving updated data feeds and responsively updating at least one stored association. 29. The method of claim 18, further comprising the computing system providing a target tracker, wherein the target tracker comprises a target data store and a target user interface, wherein the target data store comprises target-company profile records and the stored loan-profile records, and wherein the target user interface provides access to said target-company profile records and stored loan-profile records. 30. The method of claim 18, further comprising the computing system providing a sourcing tracker, wherein the sourcing tracker comprises a sourcing data store and a sourcing user interface, wherein the sourcing data store comprises and the sourcing user interface provides access to at least one of contact information, communication-history information, and planned-communication information for one or more contacts at one or more downstream lending institutions, wherein the sourcing user-interface provides said access in a manner that is correlated with the stored associations that pertain respectively to the downstream lending institutions respectively associated with said contacts. 31. The method of claim 18, wherein the cross-referenced displays further include at least one of a display that pertains to transaction due diligence, a display that pertains to research and reporting, and a display that pertains to transaction profile data. 32. The method of claim 18, wherein the cross-referenced displays further include a display that pertains to transaction due diligence, a display that pertains to research and reporting, and a display that pertains to transaction profile data. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the cross-referenced displays are arranged on the at least one user interface in a visual sequence that parallels a chronological sequence of a control-investing transaction. 34. The method of claim 18, further comprising the computing system providing a portfolio-company-reporting function. | Disclosed herein are processor-based systems and computer-implemented methods for identification, sourcing, and acquisition of distressed debt. At least one embodiment provides amalgamated debt information associated with an indebted entity, which may owe debt to multiple disparate lending entities. Often, debt information involving these lending entities is maintained in a number of unassociated and disparate data sources, to which access may be restricted on a subscriber basis. To provide amalgamated debt information associated with the indebted entity, a computer platform is programmed to carry out at least one of searching and receiving debt information that is associated with the indebted entity and that identifies some or all of the multiple disparate lending entities. The platform is programmed to amalgamate and organize the debt information, and to present the amalgamated-and-organized debt information via a user interface, providing consolidated access to the unassociated and disparate data sources.1. A computing system for facilitating the identification, sourcing, and acquisition of distressed debt, the computing system comprising:
at least one user interface; at least one communication interface; at least one processor; and data storage having stored thereon instructions executable by the at least one processor for carrying out a set of functions, the set of functions including:
the computing system receiving loan-profile data records from at least one loan-profile data source, wherein each received loan-profile data record is associated with an original loan from a respective original lender to a respective original borrower for a respective original loan amount, and wherein each received loan-profile data record includes data that reflects one or more loan characteristics of the loan associated with that loan-profile data record;
the computing system storing at least a subset of the received loan-profile data records in a manner that is organized at least according to at least one loan characteristic included in the respective received loan-profile data records;
the computing system receiving special-purpose-vehicle-(SPV)-modeling data records from at least one SPV-modeling data source;
the computing system mining at least a subset of the received SPV-modeling data records to extract therefrom and store associations between respective original loans and respective downstream pieces of said respective original loans, wherein the associations include identifications of respective downstream lending institutions currently holding said respective downstream pieces of said respective original loans;
the computing system presenting via the at least one user interface (i) access to the stored subset of received loan-profile data records according to the manner in which the subset is stored and (ii) access to the stored associations between respective original loans and respective downstream pieces of said respective original loans, wherein said access to the loan-profile data records and said access to the stored associations are correlated with one another by at least one loan characteristic; and
the computing system providing via the at least one user interface a single display comprising respective points of access to respective cross-referenced displays of stored data, wherein the cross-referenced displays include displays that respectively pertain to target companies, target loans, target pieces of target loans, and a distressed-loan universe. 2. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the at least one user interface comprises at least one visual display. 3. The computing system of claim 1, wherein receiving loan-profile data records from at least one loan-profile data source comprises at least one of (i) at least one loan-profile data record being manually downloaded and (ii) at least one loan-profile data record being downloaded in at least one automated manner. 4. The computing system of claim 3, wherein said at least one automated manner involves at least one of execution of at least one macro, execution of a least one script, and execution of at least one batch download. 5. The computing system of claim 1, wherein storing at least the subset of the received loan-profile data records in the manner that is organized at least according to at least one loan characteristic included in the respective received loan-profile data records comprises at least one of (i) at least one loan-profile data record being manually stored in that manner and (ii) at least one loan-profile data record being stored in that manner in at least one automated manner. 6. The computing system of claim 5, wherein said at least one automated manner involves at least one of file-type conversion, batch file-type conversion, optical character recognition (OCR), and parsing. 7. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the at least one loan characteristic included in the respective received loan-profile data records includes one or more of original lender, original borrower, original loan amount, transaction type, transaction date, and agent bank. 8. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the manner in which the respective received loan-profile data records are organized comprises at least one of (i) a file-naming convention wherein the file names reflects at least one such loan characteristic and (ii) a folder structure wherein the folder contents are determined at least in part by said contents having in common at least one such loan characteristic. 9. The computing system of claim 8, wherein said folder structure comprises at least two different hierarchical levels of organization respectively organized by two different such loan characteristics. 10. The computing system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the received SPV-modeling data records pertains to an SPV selected from the group consisting of a collateralized loan obligation (CLO), a collateralized debt obligation (CDO), and a collateralized mortgage obligation (CMO). 11. The computing system of claim 1, wherein receiving SPV-modeling data records comprises receiving updated data feeds and responsively updating at least one stored association. 12. The computing system of claim 1, further comprising a target tracker, wherein the target tracker comprises a target data store and a target user interface, wherein the target data store comprises target-company profile records and the stored loan-profile records, and wherein the target user interface provides access to said target-company profile records and stored loan-profile records. 13. The computing system of claim 1, further comprising a sourcing tracker, wherein the sourcing tracker comprises a sourcing data store and a sourcing user interface, wherein the sourcing data store comprises and the sourcing user interface provides access to at least one of contact information, communication-history information, and planned-communication information for one or more contacts at one or more downstream lending institutions, wherein the sourcing user-interface provides said access in a manner that is correlated with the stored associations that pertain respectively to the downstream lending institutions respectively associated with said contacts. 14. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the cross-referenced displays further include at least one of a display that pertains to transaction due diligence, a display that pertains to research and reporting, and a display that pertains to transaction profile data. 15. The computing system of claim 1, wherein the cross-referenced displays further include a display that pertains to transaction due diligence, a display that pertains to research and reporting, and a display that pertains to transaction profile data. 16. The computing system of claim 15, wherein the cross-referenced displays are arranged on the at least one user interface in a visual sequence that parallels a chronological sequence of a control-investing transaction. 17. The computing system of claim 1, further comprising a portfolio-company-reporting function. 18. A method facilitating the identification, sourcing, and acquisition of distressed debt, the method carried out by a computing system comprising at least one user interface, at least one communication interface, at least one processor, and data storage having stored thereon instructions executable by the at least one processor for carrying out the method, the method comprising:
the computing system receiving loan-profile data records from at least one loan-profile data source, wherein each received loan-profile data record is associated with an original loan from a respective original lender to a respective original borrower for a respective original loan amount, and wherein each received loan-profile data record includes data that reflects one or more loan characteristics of the loan associated with that loan-profile data record; the computing system storing at least a subset of the received loan-profile data records in a manner that is organized at least according to at least one loan characteristic included in the respective received loan-profile data records; the computing system receiving special-purpose-vehicle-(SPV)-modeling data records from at least one SPV-modeling data source; the computing system mining at least a subset of the received SPV-modeling data records to extract therefrom and store associations between respective original loans and respective downstream pieces of said respective original loans, wherein the associations include identifications of respective downstream lending institutions currently holding said respective downstream pieces of said respective original loans; the computing system presenting via the at least one user interface (i) access to the stored subset of received loan-profile data records according to the manner in which the subset is stored and (ii) access to the stored associations between respective original loans and respective downstream pieces of said respective original loans, wherein said access to the loan-profile data records and said access to the stored associations are correlated with one another by at least one loan characteristic; and the computing system providing via the at least one user interface a single display comprising respective points of access to respective cross-referenced displays of stored data, wherein the cross-referenced displays include displays that respectively pertain to target companies, target loans, target pieces of target loans, and a distressed-loan universe. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one user interface comprises at least one visual display. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein receiving loan-profile data records from at least one loan-profile data source comprises at least one of (i) at least one loan-profile data record being manually downloaded and (ii) at least one loan-profile data record being downloaded in at least one automated manner. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein said at least one automated manner involves at least one of execution of at least one macro, execution of a least one script, and execution of at least one batch download. 22. The method of claim 18, wherein storing at least the subset of the received loan-profile data records in the manner that is organized at least according to at least one loan characteristic included in the respective received loan-profile data records comprises at least one of (i) at least one loan-profile data record being manually stored in that manner and (ii) at least one loan-profile data record being stored in that manner in at least one automated manner. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein said at least one automated manner involves at least one of file-type conversion, batch file-type conversion, optical character recognition (OCR), and parsing. 24. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one loan characteristic included in the respective received loan-profile data records includes one or more of original lender, original borrower, original loan amount, transaction type, transaction date, and agent bank. 25. The method of claim 18, wherein the manner in which the respective received loan-profile data records are organized comprises at least one of (i) a file-naming convention wherein the file names reflects at least one such loan characteristic and (ii) a folder structure wherein the folder contents are determined at least in part by said contents having in common at least one such loan characteristic. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein said folder structure comprises at least two different hierarchical levels of organization respectively organized by two different such loan characteristics. 27. The method of claim 18, wherein at least one of the received SPV-modeling data records pertains to an SPV selected from the group consisting of a collateralized loan obligation (CLO), a collateralized debt obligation (CDO), and a collateralized mortgage obligation (CMO). 28. The method of claim 18, wherein receiving SPV-modeling data records comprises receiving updated data feeds and responsively updating at least one stored association. 29. The method of claim 18, further comprising the computing system providing a target tracker, wherein the target tracker comprises a target data store and a target user interface, wherein the target data store comprises target-company profile records and the stored loan-profile records, and wherein the target user interface provides access to said target-company profile records and stored loan-profile records. 30. The method of claim 18, further comprising the computing system providing a sourcing tracker, wherein the sourcing tracker comprises a sourcing data store and a sourcing user interface, wherein the sourcing data store comprises and the sourcing user interface provides access to at least one of contact information, communication-history information, and planned-communication information for one or more contacts at one or more downstream lending institutions, wherein the sourcing user-interface provides said access in a manner that is correlated with the stored associations that pertain respectively to the downstream lending institutions respectively associated with said contacts. 31. The method of claim 18, wherein the cross-referenced displays further include at least one of a display that pertains to transaction due diligence, a display that pertains to research and reporting, and a display that pertains to transaction profile data. 32. The method of claim 18, wherein the cross-referenced displays further include a display that pertains to transaction due diligence, a display that pertains to research and reporting, and a display that pertains to transaction profile data. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the cross-referenced displays are arranged on the at least one user interface in a visual sequence that parallels a chronological sequence of a control-investing transaction. 34. The method of claim 18, further comprising the computing system providing a portfolio-company-reporting function. | 3,600 |
13,052 | 13,052 | 14,951,247 | 3,625 | The present invention relates to a method of recommending a gas station, and more particularly, to a method and device of recommending a gas station associated with a payment application which is able to manage information on the current amount of fuel in the vehicle, recommend an optimum gas station associated with the payment application when it is determined that fueling is needed, and guide a user to the optimum gas station. The method of recommending a gas station associated with a payment application includes receiving, by a service server, destination information from a terminal; calculating, by the service server, an amount of necessary fuel based on the destination information and vehicle information for the terminal; comparing, by the service server, an amount of remaining fuel for the terminal and the calculated amount of necessary fuel to determine whether fueling is needed; when the fueling is needed, extracting, by the service server, information on a recommended gas station from information on gas stations located on a moving route to a destination based on payment-related information for the terminal; and providing, by the service server, the extracted information on the recommended gas station to the terminal. | 1. A method of recommending a gas station associated with a payment application, the method comprising:
receiving, by a service server, destination information from a terminal; calculating, by the service server, an amount of necessary fuel based on the destination information and vehicle information for the terminal; comparing, by the service server, an amount of remaining fuel for the terminal and the calculated amount of necessary fuel to determine whether fueling is needed; when the fueling is needed, extracting, by the service server, information on a recommended gas station from information on gas stations located on a moving route to a destination based on payment-related information for the terminal; and providing, by the service server, the extracted information on the recommended gas station to the terminal. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving and storing, by the service server, the vehicle information and information on the amount of remaining fuel from the terminal, before receiving the destination information, 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
after storing the vehicle information and the information on the amount of remaining fuel, receiving, by the service server, information on an amount of fuel to be consumed based on a moving distance from start to stop from the terminal; and correcting, by the service server, the amount of remaining fuel based on the information on the amount of fuel to be consumed. 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
after storing the vehicle information and the information on the amount of remaining fuel, receiving, by the service server, fueling information generated after fueling payment using the payment application from the terminal; and correcting the amount of remaining fuel based on the fueling information. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the extracting of the information on the recommended gas station comprises:
requesting, by the service server, the payment application of the terminal for payment-related information including information on a service membership card of the terminal to obtain the payment-related information; and after checking, by the service server, the information on a service membership card of the terminal, extracting information on a gas station having a highest discount rate from information on gas stations located on the moving route based on the information on the service membership card of the terminal as the recommended gas station, or extracting information on a certain gas station as information on the recommended gas station in consideration of a usage pattern of the service membership card of the terminal by the service server. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:
when a gas station which provides a service benefit based on the information on the service membership card of the terminal does not exist among gas stations located on the moving route, extracting, by the service server, information on the recommended gas station from information on gas stations located within a certain radius of the moving route; and correcting, by the service server, the moving route to move to the recommended gas station, and guiding the terminal thereto. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising exhibiting, by the service server, a message for inputting the amount of remaining fuel to the terminal when fueling information is not received through the payment application from the terminal, after providing the extracted information on the recommended gas station, 8. A computer-readable medium, wherein a program which executes a method of recommending a gas station associated with a payment application, the method comprising:
receiving, by a service server, destination information from a terminal; calculating, by the service server, an amount of necessary fuel based on the destination information and vehicle information for the terminal; comparing, by the service server, an amount of remaining fuel for the terminal and the calculated amount of necessary fuel to determine whether fueling is needed; when the fueling is needed, extracting, by the service server, information on a recommended gas station from information on gas stations located on a moving route to a destination based on payment-related information for the terminal; and providing, by the service server, the extracted information on the recommended gas station to the terminal. 9. A service server comprising:
an information obtaining module configured to receive and obtain destination information, vehicle information and information on an amount of remaining fuel from a terminal; a remaining fuel amount calculating module configured to correct and calculate the amount of remaining fuel based on fueling information generated by a payment application of the terminal; a necessary fuel amount calculating module configured to calculate the amount of necessary fuel based on the destination information and the vehicle information; and a service processing module configured to compare the amount of remaining fuel for the terminal and the calculated amount of necessary fuel to determine whether fueling is needed, and when the fueling is needed, configured to extract information on a recommended gas station from information on gas stations located on a moving route to a destination based on payment-related information for the terminal. 10. The service server of claim 9, further comprising a search supporting module configured to transmit information on the recommended gas station to the terminal. | The present invention relates to a method of recommending a gas station, and more particularly, to a method and device of recommending a gas station associated with a payment application which is able to manage information on the current amount of fuel in the vehicle, recommend an optimum gas station associated with the payment application when it is determined that fueling is needed, and guide a user to the optimum gas station. The method of recommending a gas station associated with a payment application includes receiving, by a service server, destination information from a terminal; calculating, by the service server, an amount of necessary fuel based on the destination information and vehicle information for the terminal; comparing, by the service server, an amount of remaining fuel for the terminal and the calculated amount of necessary fuel to determine whether fueling is needed; when the fueling is needed, extracting, by the service server, information on a recommended gas station from information on gas stations located on a moving route to a destination based on payment-related information for the terminal; and providing, by the service server, the extracted information on the recommended gas station to the terminal.1. A method of recommending a gas station associated with a payment application, the method comprising:
receiving, by a service server, destination information from a terminal; calculating, by the service server, an amount of necessary fuel based on the destination information and vehicle information for the terminal; comparing, by the service server, an amount of remaining fuel for the terminal and the calculated amount of necessary fuel to determine whether fueling is needed; when the fueling is needed, extracting, by the service server, information on a recommended gas station from information on gas stations located on a moving route to a destination based on payment-related information for the terminal; and providing, by the service server, the extracted information on the recommended gas station to the terminal. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving and storing, by the service server, the vehicle information and information on the amount of remaining fuel from the terminal, before receiving the destination information, 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
after storing the vehicle information and the information on the amount of remaining fuel, receiving, by the service server, information on an amount of fuel to be consumed based on a moving distance from start to stop from the terminal; and correcting, by the service server, the amount of remaining fuel based on the information on the amount of fuel to be consumed. 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
after storing the vehicle information and the information on the amount of remaining fuel, receiving, by the service server, fueling information generated after fueling payment using the payment application from the terminal; and correcting the amount of remaining fuel based on the fueling information. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the extracting of the information on the recommended gas station comprises:
requesting, by the service server, the payment application of the terminal for payment-related information including information on a service membership card of the terminal to obtain the payment-related information; and after checking, by the service server, the information on a service membership card of the terminal, extracting information on a gas station having a highest discount rate from information on gas stations located on the moving route based on the information on the service membership card of the terminal as the recommended gas station, or extracting information on a certain gas station as information on the recommended gas station in consideration of a usage pattern of the service membership card of the terminal by the service server. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:
when a gas station which provides a service benefit based on the information on the service membership card of the terminal does not exist among gas stations located on the moving route, extracting, by the service server, information on the recommended gas station from information on gas stations located within a certain radius of the moving route; and correcting, by the service server, the moving route to move to the recommended gas station, and guiding the terminal thereto. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising exhibiting, by the service server, a message for inputting the amount of remaining fuel to the terminal when fueling information is not received through the payment application from the terminal, after providing the extracted information on the recommended gas station, 8. A computer-readable medium, wherein a program which executes a method of recommending a gas station associated with a payment application, the method comprising:
receiving, by a service server, destination information from a terminal; calculating, by the service server, an amount of necessary fuel based on the destination information and vehicle information for the terminal; comparing, by the service server, an amount of remaining fuel for the terminal and the calculated amount of necessary fuel to determine whether fueling is needed; when the fueling is needed, extracting, by the service server, information on a recommended gas station from information on gas stations located on a moving route to a destination based on payment-related information for the terminal; and providing, by the service server, the extracted information on the recommended gas station to the terminal. 9. A service server comprising:
an information obtaining module configured to receive and obtain destination information, vehicle information and information on an amount of remaining fuel from a terminal; a remaining fuel amount calculating module configured to correct and calculate the amount of remaining fuel based on fueling information generated by a payment application of the terminal; a necessary fuel amount calculating module configured to calculate the amount of necessary fuel based on the destination information and the vehicle information; and a service processing module configured to compare the amount of remaining fuel for the terminal and the calculated amount of necessary fuel to determine whether fueling is needed, and when the fueling is needed, configured to extract information on a recommended gas station from information on gas stations located on a moving route to a destination based on payment-related information for the terminal. 10. The service server of claim 9, further comprising a search supporting module configured to transmit information on the recommended gas station to the terminal. | 3,600 |
13,053 | 13,053 | 14,479,300 | 3,683 | Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system and computer program product for forecast predictability and accountability in a CRM system. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for forecast predictability and accountability in a CRM system includes retrieving into memory of a computer from a database of a CRM system, different CRM records, each of the records indicating closed-won business opportunities and different characteristics of the closed-won business opportunities. The method also includes grouping in the memory the closed-won opportunities according to common characteristic. Total revenues for each grouping of the closed-won opportunities can be computed and it can be determined from the total revenues of each grouping, a characteristic associated with a greatest amount of total revenues compared to groupings of other characteristics. Finally, a higher priority can be assigned in the CRM system to new business opportunities having the determined characteristic. | 1. A method for forecast predictability and accountability in a customer relationship management (CRM) system, the method comprising:
retrieving into memory of a computer from a database of a CRM system, different CRM records, the records indicating closed-won business opportunities and different characteristics of the closed-won business opportunities; grouping in the memory the closed-won opportunities according to common characteristic; computing total revenues for each grouping of the closed-won opportunities; determining from the total revenues of each grouping, a characteristic associated with a greatest amount of total revenues compared to groupings of other characteristics; and, assigning a higher priority in the CRM system to new business opportunities having the determined characteristic. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic is a lead source. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
additionally computing a total number of the closed-won opportunities associated with each grouping; and, assigning a higher priority in the CRM system to each new business opportunity stemming from a characteristic of the grouping with a highest number of closed-won opportunities. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic is an industry for each new business opportunity. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic is a range of corporate size for each new business opportunity. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic is a range of corporate revenues for each new business opportunity. 7. A customer relationship management (CRM) data processing system configured for forecast predictability and accountability, the system comprising:
a host computing system comprising at least one computer with memory and at least one processor; a CRM system executing in the memory of the host computing system; a data store of CRM data accessible by the CRM system; and, a forecast predictability and accountability module coupled to the CRM system and the data store, the module comprising program code enabled upon execution in the memory of the system to retrieve into memory from the data store different CRM records, the records indicating closed-won business opportunities and different characteristics of the closed-won business opportunities, to group in the memory the closed-won opportunities according to common characteristic, to compute total revenues for each grouping of the closed-won opportunities, to determine from the total revenues of each grouping, a characteristic associated with a greatest amount of total revenues compared to groupings of other characteristics and to assign a higher priority in the CRM system to new business opportunities having the determined characteristic. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the characteristic is a lead source. 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the program code is further enabled to additionally compute a total number of the closed-won opportunities associated with each grouping and to assign a higher priority in the CRM system to each new business opportunity stemming from a characteristic of the grouping with a highest number of closed-won opportunities. 10. The system of claim 7, wherein the characteristic is an industry for each new business opportunity. 11. The system of claim 7, wherein the characteristic is a range of corporate size for each new business opportunity. 12. The system of claim 7, wherein the characteristic is a range of corporate revenues for each new business opportunity. 13. A computer program product for forecast predictability and accountability in a customer relationship management (CRM) system, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a device to cause the device to perform a method comprising:
retrieving by the device into memory of a computer from a database of a CRM system, different CRM records, the records indicating closed-won business opportunities and different characteristics of the closed-won business opportunities; grouping by the device in the memory the closed-won opportunities according to common characteristic; computing by the device total revenues for each grouping of the closed-won opportunities; determining by the device from the total revenues of each grouping, a characteristic associated with a greatest amount of total revenues compared to groupings of other characteristics; and, assigning by the device a higher priority in the CRM system to new business opportunities having the determined characteristic. 14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the characteristic is a lead source. 15. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising:
additionally computing by the device a total number of the closed-won opportunities associated with each grouping; and, assigning by the device a higher priority in the CRM system to each new business opportunity stemming from a characteristic of the grouping with a highest number of closed-won opportunities. 16. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the characteristic is an industry for each new business opportunity. 17. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the characteristic is a range of corporate size for each new business opportunity. 18. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the characteristic is a range of corporate revenues for each new business opportunity. | Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system and computer program product for forecast predictability and accountability in a CRM system. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for forecast predictability and accountability in a CRM system includes retrieving into memory of a computer from a database of a CRM system, different CRM records, each of the records indicating closed-won business opportunities and different characteristics of the closed-won business opportunities. The method also includes grouping in the memory the closed-won opportunities according to common characteristic. Total revenues for each grouping of the closed-won opportunities can be computed and it can be determined from the total revenues of each grouping, a characteristic associated with a greatest amount of total revenues compared to groupings of other characteristics. Finally, a higher priority can be assigned in the CRM system to new business opportunities having the determined characteristic.1. A method for forecast predictability and accountability in a customer relationship management (CRM) system, the method comprising:
retrieving into memory of a computer from a database of a CRM system, different CRM records, the records indicating closed-won business opportunities and different characteristics of the closed-won business opportunities; grouping in the memory the closed-won opportunities according to common characteristic; computing total revenues for each grouping of the closed-won opportunities; determining from the total revenues of each grouping, a characteristic associated with a greatest amount of total revenues compared to groupings of other characteristics; and, assigning a higher priority in the CRM system to new business opportunities having the determined characteristic. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic is a lead source. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
additionally computing a total number of the closed-won opportunities associated with each grouping; and, assigning a higher priority in the CRM system to each new business opportunity stemming from a characteristic of the grouping with a highest number of closed-won opportunities. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic is an industry for each new business opportunity. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic is a range of corporate size for each new business opportunity. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic is a range of corporate revenues for each new business opportunity. 7. A customer relationship management (CRM) data processing system configured for forecast predictability and accountability, the system comprising:
a host computing system comprising at least one computer with memory and at least one processor; a CRM system executing in the memory of the host computing system; a data store of CRM data accessible by the CRM system; and, a forecast predictability and accountability module coupled to the CRM system and the data store, the module comprising program code enabled upon execution in the memory of the system to retrieve into memory from the data store different CRM records, the records indicating closed-won business opportunities and different characteristics of the closed-won business opportunities, to group in the memory the closed-won opportunities according to common characteristic, to compute total revenues for each grouping of the closed-won opportunities, to determine from the total revenues of each grouping, a characteristic associated with a greatest amount of total revenues compared to groupings of other characteristics and to assign a higher priority in the CRM system to new business opportunities having the determined characteristic. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the characteristic is a lead source. 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the program code is further enabled to additionally compute a total number of the closed-won opportunities associated with each grouping and to assign a higher priority in the CRM system to each new business opportunity stemming from a characteristic of the grouping with a highest number of closed-won opportunities. 10. The system of claim 7, wherein the characteristic is an industry for each new business opportunity. 11. The system of claim 7, wherein the characteristic is a range of corporate size for each new business opportunity. 12. The system of claim 7, wherein the characteristic is a range of corporate revenues for each new business opportunity. 13. A computer program product for forecast predictability and accountability in a customer relationship management (CRM) system, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a device to cause the device to perform a method comprising:
retrieving by the device into memory of a computer from a database of a CRM system, different CRM records, the records indicating closed-won business opportunities and different characteristics of the closed-won business opportunities; grouping by the device in the memory the closed-won opportunities according to common characteristic; computing by the device total revenues for each grouping of the closed-won opportunities; determining by the device from the total revenues of each grouping, a characteristic associated with a greatest amount of total revenues compared to groupings of other characteristics; and, assigning by the device a higher priority in the CRM system to new business opportunities having the determined characteristic. 14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the characteristic is a lead source. 15. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising:
additionally computing by the device a total number of the closed-won opportunities associated with each grouping; and, assigning by the device a higher priority in the CRM system to each new business opportunity stemming from a characteristic of the grouping with a highest number of closed-won opportunities. 16. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the characteristic is an industry for each new business opportunity. 17. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the characteristic is a range of corporate size for each new business opportunity. 18. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the characteristic is a range of corporate revenues for each new business opportunity. | 3,600 |
13,054 | 13,054 | 14,481,772 | 3,697 | The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for producing financial goal planning having two dimensional and three dimensional graphical representations for financial goals. | 1. A method of financial goal planning within a computing environment comprising:
receiving a financial goal from a user via a computing terminal wherein the financial goal comprises an amount value and a time value that are stored in computer memory; receiving a priority value from a user via the computing terminal corresponding to the financial goal; determining a context for the financial goal based at least in part on the amount value and the priority value; wherein a context for the financial goal is graphically represented to a user via the computer terminal having a digital display by a two dimensional polygon that has an area corresponding to the amount value; determining a relative position of the polygon along a distance-converging graphic based at least in part on the time value and the context such that placement within the distance-converging graphic portrays passage of time via the digital display; and displaying on the digital display the relative position of the polygon along the distance-converging graphic to a user. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of financial goals corresponding to a plurality of polygons and wherein each of the plurality of polygons have areas that are proportional to their corresponding amount value. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the distance-converging graphic comprises converging bounding lines such that when displayed two dimensionally the bounding lines converge in an upward direction. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the relative position of a plurality of polygons is displayed between the converging bounding lines and ordered according to the time values corresponding to a plurality of financial goals corresponding to the plurality of polygons. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the area of the polygons are proportional to their position on the distance-converging graphic. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the areas of the polygons have a maximum that is determined by a logarithmic factor such that maximum area of any of the polygons is limited. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the areas of the polygons have a minimum that is determined by a logarithmic factor such that minimum area of any of the polygons is limited. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises determining the areas of the polygons based on available display size. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying motion relative to the distance-converging graphic such that a user perceives traveling along the distance-converging graphic at a rate of travel. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein a rate of travel for the moving graphic is determined by meeting a predetermined threshold corresponding to financial goals. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein, the rate of travel is positive in a perceived forward motion. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the rate of travel is negative in a perceived backward motion along the distance converging graphic. 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a zoom level input from a user and causing perceived travel along the distance converging graphic. 14. A system for financial goal planning within a computing environment, said computer environment comprising a computer, a network, computer storage and memory, and processors for performing the processes of:
receiving a financial goal from a user via a computing terminal wherein the financial goal comprises an amount value and a time value that are stored in computer memory; receiving a priority value from a user via the computing terminal corresponding to the financial goal; determining a context for the financial goal based at least in part on the amount value and the priority value; wherein a context for the financial goal is graphically represented to a user via the computer terminal having a digital display by a two dimensional polygon that has an area corresponding to the amount value; determining a relative position of the polygon along a distance-converging graphic based at least in part on the time value and the context such that placement within the distance-converging graphic portrays passage of time via the digital display; and displaying on the digital display the relative position of the polygon along the distance-converging graphic to a user. 15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of financial goals corresponding to a plurality of polygons and wherein each of the plurality of polygons have areas that are proportional to their corresponding amount value. 16. The system of claim 14, wherein the distance-converging graphic comprises converging bounding lines such that when displayed two dimensionally the bounding lines converge in an upward direction. 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the relative position of a plurality of polygons is displayed between the converging bounding lines and ordered according to the time values corresponding to a plurality of financial goals corresponding to the plurality of polygons. 18. The system of claim 14, wherein the area of the polygons are proportional to their position on the distance-converging graphic. 19. The system of claim 14, wherein the areas of the polygons have a maximum that is determined by a logarithmic factor such that maximum area of any of the polygons is limited. 20. The system of claim 14, wherein the areas of the polygons have a minimum that is determined by a logarithmic factor such that minimum area of any of the polygons is limited. 21. The system of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises determining the areas of the polygons based on available display size. 22. The system of claim 14, further comprising displaying motion relative to the distance-converging graphic such that a user perceives traveling along the distance-converging graphic at a rate of travel. 23. The system of claim 14, wherein a rate of travel for the moving graphic is determined by meeting a predetermined threshold corresponding to financial goals. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein, the rate of travel is positive in a perceived forward motion. 25. The system of claim 23, wherein the rate of travel is negative in a perceived backward motion along the distance converging graphic. 26. The system of claim 14, further comprising receiving a zoom level input from a user and causing perceived travel along the distance converging graphic. | The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for producing financial goal planning having two dimensional and three dimensional graphical representations for financial goals.1. A method of financial goal planning within a computing environment comprising:
receiving a financial goal from a user via a computing terminal wherein the financial goal comprises an amount value and a time value that are stored in computer memory; receiving a priority value from a user via the computing terminal corresponding to the financial goal; determining a context for the financial goal based at least in part on the amount value and the priority value; wherein a context for the financial goal is graphically represented to a user via the computer terminal having a digital display by a two dimensional polygon that has an area corresponding to the amount value; determining a relative position of the polygon along a distance-converging graphic based at least in part on the time value and the context such that placement within the distance-converging graphic portrays passage of time via the digital display; and displaying on the digital display the relative position of the polygon along the distance-converging graphic to a user. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of financial goals corresponding to a plurality of polygons and wherein each of the plurality of polygons have areas that are proportional to their corresponding amount value. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the distance-converging graphic comprises converging bounding lines such that when displayed two dimensionally the bounding lines converge in an upward direction. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the relative position of a plurality of polygons is displayed between the converging bounding lines and ordered according to the time values corresponding to a plurality of financial goals corresponding to the plurality of polygons. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the area of the polygons are proportional to their position on the distance-converging graphic. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the areas of the polygons have a maximum that is determined by a logarithmic factor such that maximum area of any of the polygons is limited. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the areas of the polygons have a minimum that is determined by a logarithmic factor such that minimum area of any of the polygons is limited. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises determining the areas of the polygons based on available display size. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying motion relative to the distance-converging graphic such that a user perceives traveling along the distance-converging graphic at a rate of travel. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein a rate of travel for the moving graphic is determined by meeting a predetermined threshold corresponding to financial goals. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein, the rate of travel is positive in a perceived forward motion. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the rate of travel is negative in a perceived backward motion along the distance converging graphic. 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a zoom level input from a user and causing perceived travel along the distance converging graphic. 14. A system for financial goal planning within a computing environment, said computer environment comprising a computer, a network, computer storage and memory, and processors for performing the processes of:
receiving a financial goal from a user via a computing terminal wherein the financial goal comprises an amount value and a time value that are stored in computer memory; receiving a priority value from a user via the computing terminal corresponding to the financial goal; determining a context for the financial goal based at least in part on the amount value and the priority value; wherein a context for the financial goal is graphically represented to a user via the computer terminal having a digital display by a two dimensional polygon that has an area corresponding to the amount value; determining a relative position of the polygon along a distance-converging graphic based at least in part on the time value and the context such that placement within the distance-converging graphic portrays passage of time via the digital display; and displaying on the digital display the relative position of the polygon along the distance-converging graphic to a user. 15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of financial goals corresponding to a plurality of polygons and wherein each of the plurality of polygons have areas that are proportional to their corresponding amount value. 16. The system of claim 14, wherein the distance-converging graphic comprises converging bounding lines such that when displayed two dimensionally the bounding lines converge in an upward direction. 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the relative position of a plurality of polygons is displayed between the converging bounding lines and ordered according to the time values corresponding to a plurality of financial goals corresponding to the plurality of polygons. 18. The system of claim 14, wherein the area of the polygons are proportional to their position on the distance-converging graphic. 19. The system of claim 14, wherein the areas of the polygons have a maximum that is determined by a logarithmic factor such that maximum area of any of the polygons is limited. 20. The system of claim 14, wherein the areas of the polygons have a minimum that is determined by a logarithmic factor such that minimum area of any of the polygons is limited. 21. The system of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises determining the areas of the polygons based on available display size. 22. The system of claim 14, further comprising displaying motion relative to the distance-converging graphic such that a user perceives traveling along the distance-converging graphic at a rate of travel. 23. The system of claim 14, wherein a rate of travel for the moving graphic is determined by meeting a predetermined threshold corresponding to financial goals. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein, the rate of travel is positive in a perceived forward motion. 25. The system of claim 23, wherein the rate of travel is negative in a perceived backward motion along the distance converging graphic. 26. The system of claim 14, further comprising receiving a zoom level input from a user and causing perceived travel along the distance converging graphic. | 3,600 |
13,055 | 13,055 | 13,964,408 | 3,686 | Methods, systems, and computer-storage media are provided for enabling a user to dynamically create associations and take actions with respect to a clinical finding associated with a patient. After selecting a clinical finding that is of interest in a first workflow application, a graphical user interface is automatically presented. The graphical user interface includes trending information for the clinical finding as well as information related to the clinical finding. The graphical user interface enables a clinician to associate the clinical finding with a current patient problem or a possible diagnosis related to the clinical finding. Additionally, the graphical user interface enables the clinician to take actions with respect to the clinical finding. | 1. One or more computer-storage media having computer-useable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to display a graphical user interface (GUI) for enabling a user to dynamically create associations and take actions with respect to a clinical finding associated with a patient, the GUI comprising:
an first display area configured to display both a current problem list for the patient comprising one or more selectable declared clinical problems and a possible diagnoses list comprising one or more selectable possible diagnoses related to the clinical finding, selection of at least one of the one or more selectable clinical problems or at least one of the one or more possible diagnoses creating an association between the clinical finding and the selected item in the patient's electronic medical record; and a second display area configured to display one or more clinical actions, selection of at least one of the one or more clinical actions enabling a user to initiate at least one of the one or more clinical actions with respect to the clinical finding without navigating away from the GUI. 2. The GUI of claim 1, wherein the GUI is initiated upon selection of the clinical finding presented on a second GUI. 3. The GUI of claim 2, wherein the GUI overlies content associated with the second GUI. 4. The GUI of claim 1, wherein the first display area further comprises a textual input area configured to receive textual input from a user regarding the association between the clinical finding and the selected item. 5. The GUI of claim 1, wherein the one or more clinical actions comprise at least order actions, document actions, and message actions. 6. One or more computer-storage media having computer-useable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to display a graphical user interface (GUI) for dynamically creating associations and taking actions with respect to a clinical finding associated with a patient, the GUI comprising:
a related information display area configured to display trending information for the clinical finding; an association display area configured to display both a current problem list for the patient and one or more possible diagnoses related to the clinical finding; and an action display area configured to display one or more actions related to the clinical finding. 7. The GUI of claim 6, wherein the related information display area further comprises a related labs area configured to display one or more lab values determined to be related to the clinical finding. 8. The GUI of claim 7, wherein the related information display area further comprises a medication display area configured to display one or more medications that are currently being taken by the patient, the one or more medications determined to be related to the clinical finding. 9. The GUI of claim 8, wherein the one or more lab values and the one or more medications are determined to be related to the clinical finding based on reference materials. 10. The GUI of claim 8, wherein the one or more lab values and the one or more medications are determined to be related to the clinical finding based on explicit clinician preferences. 11. The GUI of claim 6, wherein the trending information is presented in association with a timeline. 12. The GUI of claim 11, wherein the timeline includes one or more icons overlaid on the timeline at points in time, the one or more icons representing clinical actions taken at the points in time, the clinical actions related to the clinical finding. 13. The GUI of claim 12, wherein the one or more icons are actionable, wherein taking action with respect to at least one of the one or more icons initiates presentation of information associated with the at least one icon. 14. The GUI of claim 6, wherein the clinical finding comprises at least one of a lab value, a procedure result, a medication, or a clinical document. 15. One or more computer-storage media having computer-useable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to display a graphical user interface (GUI) for enabling a user to dynamically create associations and take actions with respect to a clinical finding associated with a patient, the GUI comprising:
a related information display area configured to display at least trending information related to the clinical finding and lab values determined to be related to the clinical finding; an association display area configured to display at least a current problem list comprising one or more selectable declared clinical problems for the patient, a possible diagnoses list comprising one or more selectable possible diagnoses related to the clinical finding, and one or more input areas configured to receive textual inputs, selection of at least one of the one or more selectable clinical problems or at least one of the one or more possible diagnoses creating an association between the clinical finding and the selected item in the patient's electronic medical record; and an action display area configured to display one or more clinical action tabs, selection of which enables a user to take action with respect to the clinical finding. 16. The GUI of claim 15, wherein the one or more clinical action tabs comprise an order action tab, a document action tab, a message action tab, and a history action tab. 17. The GUI of claim 16, wherein selection of the order action tab initiates presentation of an ordering screen comprising one or more suggested orders related to the clinical finding. 18. The GUI of claim 17, wherein the one or more suggested orders include one or more order sets related to the clinical finding. 19. The GUI of claim 16, wherein selection of the document action tab enables a user to associate the clinical finding with one or more existing clinical documents. 20. The GUI of claim 16, wherein selection of the message action tab initiates presentation of a messaging screen that includes one or more predefined messaging templates. | Methods, systems, and computer-storage media are provided for enabling a user to dynamically create associations and take actions with respect to a clinical finding associated with a patient. After selecting a clinical finding that is of interest in a first workflow application, a graphical user interface is automatically presented. The graphical user interface includes trending information for the clinical finding as well as information related to the clinical finding. The graphical user interface enables a clinician to associate the clinical finding with a current patient problem or a possible diagnosis related to the clinical finding. Additionally, the graphical user interface enables the clinician to take actions with respect to the clinical finding.1. One or more computer-storage media having computer-useable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to display a graphical user interface (GUI) for enabling a user to dynamically create associations and take actions with respect to a clinical finding associated with a patient, the GUI comprising:
an first display area configured to display both a current problem list for the patient comprising one or more selectable declared clinical problems and a possible diagnoses list comprising one or more selectable possible diagnoses related to the clinical finding, selection of at least one of the one or more selectable clinical problems or at least one of the one or more possible diagnoses creating an association between the clinical finding and the selected item in the patient's electronic medical record; and a second display area configured to display one or more clinical actions, selection of at least one of the one or more clinical actions enabling a user to initiate at least one of the one or more clinical actions with respect to the clinical finding without navigating away from the GUI. 2. The GUI of claim 1, wherein the GUI is initiated upon selection of the clinical finding presented on a second GUI. 3. The GUI of claim 2, wherein the GUI overlies content associated with the second GUI. 4. The GUI of claim 1, wherein the first display area further comprises a textual input area configured to receive textual input from a user regarding the association between the clinical finding and the selected item. 5. The GUI of claim 1, wherein the one or more clinical actions comprise at least order actions, document actions, and message actions. 6. One or more computer-storage media having computer-useable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to display a graphical user interface (GUI) for dynamically creating associations and taking actions with respect to a clinical finding associated with a patient, the GUI comprising:
a related information display area configured to display trending information for the clinical finding; an association display area configured to display both a current problem list for the patient and one or more possible diagnoses related to the clinical finding; and an action display area configured to display one or more actions related to the clinical finding. 7. The GUI of claim 6, wherein the related information display area further comprises a related labs area configured to display one or more lab values determined to be related to the clinical finding. 8. The GUI of claim 7, wherein the related information display area further comprises a medication display area configured to display one or more medications that are currently being taken by the patient, the one or more medications determined to be related to the clinical finding. 9. The GUI of claim 8, wherein the one or more lab values and the one or more medications are determined to be related to the clinical finding based on reference materials. 10. The GUI of claim 8, wherein the one or more lab values and the one or more medications are determined to be related to the clinical finding based on explicit clinician preferences. 11. The GUI of claim 6, wherein the trending information is presented in association with a timeline. 12. The GUI of claim 11, wherein the timeline includes one or more icons overlaid on the timeline at points in time, the one or more icons representing clinical actions taken at the points in time, the clinical actions related to the clinical finding. 13. The GUI of claim 12, wherein the one or more icons are actionable, wherein taking action with respect to at least one of the one or more icons initiates presentation of information associated with the at least one icon. 14. The GUI of claim 6, wherein the clinical finding comprises at least one of a lab value, a procedure result, a medication, or a clinical document. 15. One or more computer-storage media having computer-useable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to display a graphical user interface (GUI) for enabling a user to dynamically create associations and take actions with respect to a clinical finding associated with a patient, the GUI comprising:
a related information display area configured to display at least trending information related to the clinical finding and lab values determined to be related to the clinical finding; an association display area configured to display at least a current problem list comprising one or more selectable declared clinical problems for the patient, a possible diagnoses list comprising one or more selectable possible diagnoses related to the clinical finding, and one or more input areas configured to receive textual inputs, selection of at least one of the one or more selectable clinical problems or at least one of the one or more possible diagnoses creating an association between the clinical finding and the selected item in the patient's electronic medical record; and an action display area configured to display one or more clinical action tabs, selection of which enables a user to take action with respect to the clinical finding. 16. The GUI of claim 15, wherein the one or more clinical action tabs comprise an order action tab, a document action tab, a message action tab, and a history action tab. 17. The GUI of claim 16, wherein selection of the order action tab initiates presentation of an ordering screen comprising one or more suggested orders related to the clinical finding. 18. The GUI of claim 17, wherein the one or more suggested orders include one or more order sets related to the clinical finding. 19. The GUI of claim 16, wherein selection of the document action tab enables a user to associate the clinical finding with one or more existing clinical documents. 20. The GUI of claim 16, wherein selection of the message action tab initiates presentation of a messaging screen that includes one or more predefined messaging templates. | 3,600 |
13,056 | 13,056 | 14,580,040 | 3,625 | Methods and systems for facilitating initiation of resupply orders for consumable commodities include using a stand-alone electronic or audio-generating device incorporated into retail product packaging. The stand-alone device is equipped with a rudimentary processor or logic circuit, a memory, and a wireless transmitter. A simple user interface/activation device such as a push button or membrane switch is coupled to the logic circuit or processor. The stand-alone device is incorporated into or with product packaging, and may be configured with a resupply code at or after a point of sale. A user may activate the user interface of the device when the product needs resupplying, causing the resupply code to be transmitted to an access point or terminal that initiates a reorder sequence for the product. | 1. A method comprising:
associating, in a memory of a computer server, a scheme identifier to an automated ordering scheme identifying a commodity, a quantity of the commodity, and a physical shipping address for a user account identified by an account identifier; encoding the scheme identifier in a code-provision device supplied with the commodity to the physical shipping address; receiving a transmission from a client device, the transmission including digital information encoding the scheme identifier; and automatically placing a purchase order according to the automated ordering scheme, in response to receiving the transmission. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically placing the order is further performed in response to receiving information encoding account identifier from the client device. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital information encoding the scheme identifier comprising an image captured by a camera. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the encoding results in an optical code object. 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising printing the optical code object on a label. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising placing the label on a surface of packaging for the commodity, positioned to be concealed until a predetermined amount of the commodity is consumed. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the encoding results in a digital code suitable for storing in a memory of the code-provision device. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising configuring code for storing in a memory of the code-provision device, the code comprising instructions for causing the code-provision device to detect change in a package configuration. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising configuring the code for causing the code-provision device to transmit the scheme identifier in response to detecting the change. 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising configuring the code for causing the code-provision device to transmit the scheme identifier via a wireless radio medium to a client device. 11. An apparatus comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor; wherein the memory holds program instructions, that when executed by the processor, causes the apparatus to perform:
associating, in a computer memory, a scheme identifier to an automated ordering scheme identifying a commodity, a quantity of the commodity, and a physical shipping address for a user account identified by an account identifier; encoding the scheme identifier in a code-provision device supplied with the commodity to the physical shipping address; receiving a transmission from a client device, the transmission including digital information encoding the scheme identifier; and automatically placing a purchase order according to the automated ordering scheme, in response to receiving the transmission. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the memory holds further program instructions for automatically placing the order further in response to receiving information encoding account identifier from the client device. 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the memory holds further program instructions for receiving the digital information encoding the scheme identifier comprising an image captured by a camera. 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the memory holds further program instructions for encoding the scheme identifier in an optical code object. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the memory holds further program instructions for printing the optical code object on a label. 16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the memory holds further program instructions for encoding the scheme identifier in a digital code suitable for storing in a memory of the code-provision device. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the memory holds further program instructions for configuring a memory of the code-provision device, causing the code-provision device to detect change in a package configuration. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the memory holds further program instructions for configuring a memory of the code-provision device, causing the code-provision device to transmit the scheme identifier in response to detecting the change. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the memory holds further program instructions for configuring a memory of the code-provision device, causing the code-provision device to transmit the scheme identifier via a wireless radio medium to a client device. 20. An apparatus comprising:
means for associating, in a computer memory, a scheme identifier to an automated ordering scheme identifying a commodity, a quantity of the commodity, and a physical shipping address for a user account identified by an account identifier; means for encoding the scheme identifier in a code-provision device supplied with the commodity to the physical shipping address; means for receiving a transmission from a client device, the transmission including digital information encoding the scheme identifier; and means for automatically placing a purchase order according to the automated ordering scheme, in response to receiving the transmission. | Methods and systems for facilitating initiation of resupply orders for consumable commodities include using a stand-alone electronic or audio-generating device incorporated into retail product packaging. The stand-alone device is equipped with a rudimentary processor or logic circuit, a memory, and a wireless transmitter. A simple user interface/activation device such as a push button or membrane switch is coupled to the logic circuit or processor. The stand-alone device is incorporated into or with product packaging, and may be configured with a resupply code at or after a point of sale. A user may activate the user interface of the device when the product needs resupplying, causing the resupply code to be transmitted to an access point or terminal that initiates a reorder sequence for the product.1. A method comprising:
associating, in a memory of a computer server, a scheme identifier to an automated ordering scheme identifying a commodity, a quantity of the commodity, and a physical shipping address for a user account identified by an account identifier; encoding the scheme identifier in a code-provision device supplied with the commodity to the physical shipping address; receiving a transmission from a client device, the transmission including digital information encoding the scheme identifier; and automatically placing a purchase order according to the automated ordering scheme, in response to receiving the transmission. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically placing the order is further performed in response to receiving information encoding account identifier from the client device. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital information encoding the scheme identifier comprising an image captured by a camera. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the encoding results in an optical code object. 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising printing the optical code object on a label. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising placing the label on a surface of packaging for the commodity, positioned to be concealed until a predetermined amount of the commodity is consumed. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the encoding results in a digital code suitable for storing in a memory of the code-provision device. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising configuring code for storing in a memory of the code-provision device, the code comprising instructions for causing the code-provision device to detect change in a package configuration. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising configuring the code for causing the code-provision device to transmit the scheme identifier in response to detecting the change. 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising configuring the code for causing the code-provision device to transmit the scheme identifier via a wireless radio medium to a client device. 11. An apparatus comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor; wherein the memory holds program instructions, that when executed by the processor, causes the apparatus to perform:
associating, in a computer memory, a scheme identifier to an automated ordering scheme identifying a commodity, a quantity of the commodity, and a physical shipping address for a user account identified by an account identifier; encoding the scheme identifier in a code-provision device supplied with the commodity to the physical shipping address; receiving a transmission from a client device, the transmission including digital information encoding the scheme identifier; and automatically placing a purchase order according to the automated ordering scheme, in response to receiving the transmission. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the memory holds further program instructions for automatically placing the order further in response to receiving information encoding account identifier from the client device. 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the memory holds further program instructions for receiving the digital information encoding the scheme identifier comprising an image captured by a camera. 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the memory holds further program instructions for encoding the scheme identifier in an optical code object. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the memory holds further program instructions for printing the optical code object on a label. 16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the memory holds further program instructions for encoding the scheme identifier in a digital code suitable for storing in a memory of the code-provision device. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the memory holds further program instructions for configuring a memory of the code-provision device, causing the code-provision device to detect change in a package configuration. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the memory holds further program instructions for configuring a memory of the code-provision device, causing the code-provision device to transmit the scheme identifier in response to detecting the change. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the memory holds further program instructions for configuring a memory of the code-provision device, causing the code-provision device to transmit the scheme identifier via a wireless radio medium to a client device. 20. An apparatus comprising:
means for associating, in a computer memory, a scheme identifier to an automated ordering scheme identifying a commodity, a quantity of the commodity, and a physical shipping address for a user account identified by an account identifier; means for encoding the scheme identifier in a code-provision device supplied with the commodity to the physical shipping address; means for receiving a transmission from a client device, the transmission including digital information encoding the scheme identifier; and means for automatically placing a purchase order according to the automated ordering scheme, in response to receiving the transmission. | 3,600 |
13,057 | 13,057 | 15,042,678 | 3,675 | A self-releasing panel support latch allows easy installation of an aesthetic panel, for example a ceiling panel, over an access opening in an aircraft interior and easy removal of the panel from over the opening without the use of any tools or release mechanisms. | 1. A latch that releasably supports a panel, the latch comprising:
a housing having first and second side flanges with a space between the first and second side flanges; first and second slots extending into the respective first and second side flanges, the first and second slots being configured to receive a panel strike that has been manually positioned in the first and second slots; and, a strike hold in the space between the first and second side flanges, the strike hold being moveable in the space between a locked position of the strike hold in the first and second slots and an unlocked position of the strike hold in the first and second slots where the strike hold is configured to be moved to the locked position of the strike hold in the first and second slots in response to a panel strike being manually moved into the first and second slots and manually released in the first and second slots, and the strike hold is configured to be moved to the unlocked position of the strike hold in the first and second slots in response to a panel strike in the first and second slots being manually moved upwardly in the first and second slots. 2. The latch of claim 1, further comprising:
a spring in the space between the first side flange and the second side flange, the spring being operatively connected with the strike hold and biasing the strike hold toward the locked position of the strike hold in the first and second slots. 3. The latch of claim 2, further comprising:
first and second pin holes in the respective first and second side flanges; and, a pin on the strike hold, the pin extending into the first and second pin holes in the respective first and second side flanges. 4. The latch of claim 3, further comprising:
the first and second pin holes in the respective first and second side flanges being oblong; and, the pin on the strike hold extending into the first and second pin holes being configured for translatory reciprocating movements through the first and second pin holes. 5. The latch of claim 4, further comprising:
the pin being a first pin of a pair of pins on the strike hold; and, the pair of pins extending into the first and second pin holes of the respective first and second side flanges. 6. The latch of claim 3, further comprising:
the first and second pin holes in the respective first and second side flanges being circular; and, the pin on the strike hold extending into the first and second pin holes being configured for rotating movements in opposite directions in the first and second pin holes of the respective first and second side flanges. 7. The latch of claim 1, further comprising:
the first and second slots being configured to receive a strike of an aircraft ceiling panel in the first and second slots. 8. The latch of claim 1, further comprising:
the first and second side flanges having respective first and second bottom edges; and, the first and second slots extend vertically upwardly from the respective first and second bottom edges of the respective first and second side flanges. 9. The latch of claim 8, further comprising:
the first and second slots in the respective first and second side flanges extending vertically upwardly from the respective first and second bottom edges and into the respective first and second side flanges; and, the first and second slots then extending horizontally through the respective first and second side flanges. 10. The latch of claim 1, further comprising:
a strike hold release/reset device on the housing, the strike hold release/reset device being automatically operable to hold the strike hold in the unlocked position of the strike hold in the first and second slots in response to a panel strike being manually moved into the first and second slots, and the strike hold release/reset device being manually operable to release the strike hold from the unlocked position in the first and second slots and reset the strike hold in the locked position in the first and second slots in response to manual manipulation of the strike hold release/reset device. 11. A latch that releasably supports a flange, the latch comprising:
a housing configured for being attached to a structure adjacent an opening that is covered by a removable panel; a first side flange on the housing; a second side flange on the housing, the first side flange and the second side flange being parallel with there being a space between the first side flange and the second side flange; the first side flange having a first bottom edge; the second side flange having a second bottom edge; the first side flange having a first slot extending upwardly through the first bottom edge of the first side flange and into the first side flange; the second side flange having a second slot extending upwardly through the second bottom edge of the second side flange and into the second side flange; the first side flange having a first pin hole in the first side flange; the second side flange having a second pin hole in the second side flange; a strike hold in the space between the first side flange and the second side flange, the strike holding being moveable in the space between a locked position of the strike hold in the first slot and the second slot and an unlocked position of the strike hold in the first slot and the second slot where the locked position of the strike hold in the first slot and the second slot is below the unlocked position of the strike hold in the first slot and the second slot; a pin on the strike hold, the pin extending into the first pin hole in the first side flange and the pin extending into the second pin hole in the second side flange; and, a spring in the space between the first side flange and the second side flange, the spring being operatively connected with the strike hold and biasing the strike hold toward the locked position of the strike hold in the first slot and the second slot. 12. The latch of claim 11, further comprising:
the first pin hole in the first side flange being oblong; the second pin hole in the second side flange being oblong; and, the pin being configured for linear, reciprocating movements through the first pin hole in the first side flange and the second pin hole in the second side flange. 13. The latch of claim 12, further comprising:
the pin being one pin of a pair of pins on the strike hold; and, the pair of pins on the strike hold extend into the first pin hole in the first side flange and the pair of pins on the strike hold extend into the second pin hole in the second side flange. 14. The latch of claim 11, further comprising:
the first pin hole in the first side flange being circular; the second pin hole in the second side flange being circular; and, the pin being configured for rotating movements in opposite directions in the first pin hole in the first side flange and the second pin hole in the second side flange. 15. The latch of claim 11, further comprising:
the first slot in the first side flange and the second slot in the second side flange being configured for receiving a strike of an aircraft ceiling panel in the first slot and the second slot; and, the strike hold being moveable from the locked position to the unlocked position of the strike hole in the first slot and the second slot in response to the strike moving upwardly in the first slot and the second slot by the aircraft ceiling panel being manually moved upwardly. 16. The latch of claim 11, further comprising:
the first slot in the first side flange extending vertically upwardly from the first bottom edge of the first side flange and into the first side flange; and, the second slot in the second side flange extending vertically upwardly from the second bottom edge of the second side flange and into the second side flange. 17. The latch of claim 11, further comprising:
the first slot in the first side flange extending vertically upwardly from the first bottom edge of the first side flange and into the first side flange, and then the first slot in the first side flange extending horizontally through the first side flange; and, the second slot in the second side flange extending vertically upwardly from the second bottom edge of the second side flange and into the second side flange, and then the second slot in the second side flange extending horizontally through the second side flange. 18. The latch of claim 11, further comprising:
a strike hold release/reset device on the housing, the strike hold release/reset device being automatically operable to hold the strike hold in the unlocked position of the strike hold in the first and second slots in response to a panel strike being manually moved into the first and second slots, and the strike hold release/reset device being manually operable to release the strike hold from the unlocked position and being manually operable to reset the strike hold in the locked position of the strike hold in the first and second slots in response to manual manipulation of the strike hold release/reset device. 19. A method of releasably attaching a panel over a panel opening comprising:
attaching the panel over the panel opening by manually inserting a panel strike on the panel into a slot of a latch that is operable to removably attach the panel connected to the panel strike over an opening adjacent the latch; moving a strike hold on the latch from a locked position in the slot to an unlocked position in the slot in response to the manually inserting of the panel strike into the slot; manually releasing the panel strike in the slot; and, biasing the strike hold from the unlocked position in the slot to the locked position in the slot, thereby attaching the panel over the panel opening. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:
removing the panel from over the panel opening by manually moving the panel strike upwardly in the slot of the latch and thereby moving the strike hold from the locked position of the strike hold in the slot to the unlocked position of the strike hole in the slot, thereby enabling the panel strike to be removed from the slot and the panel to be removed from over the panel opening. | A self-releasing panel support latch allows easy installation of an aesthetic panel, for example a ceiling panel, over an access opening in an aircraft interior and easy removal of the panel from over the opening without the use of any tools or release mechanisms.1. A latch that releasably supports a panel, the latch comprising:
a housing having first and second side flanges with a space between the first and second side flanges; first and second slots extending into the respective first and second side flanges, the first and second slots being configured to receive a panel strike that has been manually positioned in the first and second slots; and, a strike hold in the space between the first and second side flanges, the strike hold being moveable in the space between a locked position of the strike hold in the first and second slots and an unlocked position of the strike hold in the first and second slots where the strike hold is configured to be moved to the locked position of the strike hold in the first and second slots in response to a panel strike being manually moved into the first and second slots and manually released in the first and second slots, and the strike hold is configured to be moved to the unlocked position of the strike hold in the first and second slots in response to a panel strike in the first and second slots being manually moved upwardly in the first and second slots. 2. The latch of claim 1, further comprising:
a spring in the space between the first side flange and the second side flange, the spring being operatively connected with the strike hold and biasing the strike hold toward the locked position of the strike hold in the first and second slots. 3. The latch of claim 2, further comprising:
first and second pin holes in the respective first and second side flanges; and, a pin on the strike hold, the pin extending into the first and second pin holes in the respective first and second side flanges. 4. The latch of claim 3, further comprising:
the first and second pin holes in the respective first and second side flanges being oblong; and, the pin on the strike hold extending into the first and second pin holes being configured for translatory reciprocating movements through the first and second pin holes. 5. The latch of claim 4, further comprising:
the pin being a first pin of a pair of pins on the strike hold; and, the pair of pins extending into the first and second pin holes of the respective first and second side flanges. 6. The latch of claim 3, further comprising:
the first and second pin holes in the respective first and second side flanges being circular; and, the pin on the strike hold extending into the first and second pin holes being configured for rotating movements in opposite directions in the first and second pin holes of the respective first and second side flanges. 7. The latch of claim 1, further comprising:
the first and second slots being configured to receive a strike of an aircraft ceiling panel in the first and second slots. 8. The latch of claim 1, further comprising:
the first and second side flanges having respective first and second bottom edges; and, the first and second slots extend vertically upwardly from the respective first and second bottom edges of the respective first and second side flanges. 9. The latch of claim 8, further comprising:
the first and second slots in the respective first and second side flanges extending vertically upwardly from the respective first and second bottom edges and into the respective first and second side flanges; and, the first and second slots then extending horizontally through the respective first and second side flanges. 10. The latch of claim 1, further comprising:
a strike hold release/reset device on the housing, the strike hold release/reset device being automatically operable to hold the strike hold in the unlocked position of the strike hold in the first and second slots in response to a panel strike being manually moved into the first and second slots, and the strike hold release/reset device being manually operable to release the strike hold from the unlocked position in the first and second slots and reset the strike hold in the locked position in the first and second slots in response to manual manipulation of the strike hold release/reset device. 11. A latch that releasably supports a flange, the latch comprising:
a housing configured for being attached to a structure adjacent an opening that is covered by a removable panel; a first side flange on the housing; a second side flange on the housing, the first side flange and the second side flange being parallel with there being a space between the first side flange and the second side flange; the first side flange having a first bottom edge; the second side flange having a second bottom edge; the first side flange having a first slot extending upwardly through the first bottom edge of the first side flange and into the first side flange; the second side flange having a second slot extending upwardly through the second bottom edge of the second side flange and into the second side flange; the first side flange having a first pin hole in the first side flange; the second side flange having a second pin hole in the second side flange; a strike hold in the space between the first side flange and the second side flange, the strike holding being moveable in the space between a locked position of the strike hold in the first slot and the second slot and an unlocked position of the strike hold in the first slot and the second slot where the locked position of the strike hold in the first slot and the second slot is below the unlocked position of the strike hold in the first slot and the second slot; a pin on the strike hold, the pin extending into the first pin hole in the first side flange and the pin extending into the second pin hole in the second side flange; and, a spring in the space between the first side flange and the second side flange, the spring being operatively connected with the strike hold and biasing the strike hold toward the locked position of the strike hold in the first slot and the second slot. 12. The latch of claim 11, further comprising:
the first pin hole in the first side flange being oblong; the second pin hole in the second side flange being oblong; and, the pin being configured for linear, reciprocating movements through the first pin hole in the first side flange and the second pin hole in the second side flange. 13. The latch of claim 12, further comprising:
the pin being one pin of a pair of pins on the strike hold; and, the pair of pins on the strike hold extend into the first pin hole in the first side flange and the pair of pins on the strike hold extend into the second pin hole in the second side flange. 14. The latch of claim 11, further comprising:
the first pin hole in the first side flange being circular; the second pin hole in the second side flange being circular; and, the pin being configured for rotating movements in opposite directions in the first pin hole in the first side flange and the second pin hole in the second side flange. 15. The latch of claim 11, further comprising:
the first slot in the first side flange and the second slot in the second side flange being configured for receiving a strike of an aircraft ceiling panel in the first slot and the second slot; and, the strike hold being moveable from the locked position to the unlocked position of the strike hole in the first slot and the second slot in response to the strike moving upwardly in the first slot and the second slot by the aircraft ceiling panel being manually moved upwardly. 16. The latch of claim 11, further comprising:
the first slot in the first side flange extending vertically upwardly from the first bottom edge of the first side flange and into the first side flange; and, the second slot in the second side flange extending vertically upwardly from the second bottom edge of the second side flange and into the second side flange. 17. The latch of claim 11, further comprising:
the first slot in the first side flange extending vertically upwardly from the first bottom edge of the first side flange and into the first side flange, and then the first slot in the first side flange extending horizontally through the first side flange; and, the second slot in the second side flange extending vertically upwardly from the second bottom edge of the second side flange and into the second side flange, and then the second slot in the second side flange extending horizontally through the second side flange. 18. The latch of claim 11, further comprising:
a strike hold release/reset device on the housing, the strike hold release/reset device being automatically operable to hold the strike hold in the unlocked position of the strike hold in the first and second slots in response to a panel strike being manually moved into the first and second slots, and the strike hold release/reset device being manually operable to release the strike hold from the unlocked position and being manually operable to reset the strike hold in the locked position of the strike hold in the first and second slots in response to manual manipulation of the strike hold release/reset device. 19. A method of releasably attaching a panel over a panel opening comprising:
attaching the panel over the panel opening by manually inserting a panel strike on the panel into a slot of a latch that is operable to removably attach the panel connected to the panel strike over an opening adjacent the latch; moving a strike hold on the latch from a locked position in the slot to an unlocked position in the slot in response to the manually inserting of the panel strike into the slot; manually releasing the panel strike in the slot; and, biasing the strike hold from the unlocked position in the slot to the locked position in the slot, thereby attaching the panel over the panel opening. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:
removing the panel from over the panel opening by manually moving the panel strike upwardly in the slot of the latch and thereby moving the strike hold from the locked position of the strike hold in the slot to the unlocked position of the strike hole in the slot, thereby enabling the panel strike to be removed from the slot and the panel to be removed from over the panel opening. | 3,600 |
13,058 | 13,058 | 14,079,365 | 3,696 | Example financial conversation management systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method receives a request from a user and identifies financial data associated with the user. The method determines an answer to the request from the user and infers a user intent based on the financial data associated with the user. An offer is selected for the user based on the user intent. | 1. A method comprising:
receiving a request from a user; identifying financial data associated with the user; determining an answer to the request from the user based on the financial data associated with the user; inferring, using one or more processors, a user intent based on the financial data associated with the user and on the request; and selecting an offer for the user based on the user intent. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein inferring a user intent is further based on the answer to the request from the user. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining an answer to the request from the user includes analyzing the financial data associated with the user. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating the answer and the offer to the user. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a current geographic location associated with the user, and wherein inferring a user intent is further based on the current geographic location. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a current time, and wherein determining a user intent is further based on the current time. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the financial data associated with the user includes financial history data associated with an account associated with the user. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting an offer for the user based on the user intent includes communicating the request, the answer to the request, and the financial data associated with the user to an offer manager. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the offer manager is associated with a financial institution that received the request from the user. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising extracting a plurality of intent parameters from the request, wherein inferring a user intent is further based on the plurality of intent parameters. 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising requesting additional information from the user to clarify the user intent. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the request from the user is a natural language request. 13. A method comprising:
receiving a natural language request from a user; identifying financial data associated with the user responsive to the request; determining an answer to the natural language request from the user; inferring, using one or more processors, a user intent based on the financial data associated with the user; determining a confidence level associated with the user intent; determining whether the confidence level exceeds a confidence threshold; and responsive to determining that the confidence level exceeds the confidence threshold, selecting an offer for the user based on the user intent. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein responsive to determining that the confidence level does not exceed the confidence threshold, requesting additional information from the user regarding the request. 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising communicating the selected offer to the user responsive to determining that the confidence level exceeds the confidence threshold. 16. The method of claim 13, further comprising determining a current geographic location associated with the user, and wherein inferring a user intent is further based on the current geographic location. 17. The method of claim 13, further comprising determining a current time, and wherein inferring a user intent is further based on the current time. 18. The method of claim 13, wherein selecting an offer for the user based on the user intent includes communicating the natural language request, the answer to the request, and the financial data associated with the user to an offer manager. 19. The method of claim 13, wherein determining a confidence level associated with the user intent includes identifying the user's response to previous offers. 20. A financial conversation management system comprising:
a memory configured to store data associated with at least one user conversation; and one or more processors coupled to the memory, the one or more processors configured to:
receive a request from a user;
identify purchase data associated with the user, responsive to the request;
determine a current geographic location associated with the user;
determine an answer to the request from the user;
infer a user intent based on the purchase data associated with the user and the current geographic location of the user; and
select an offer for the user based on the user intent. | Example financial conversation management systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method receives a request from a user and identifies financial data associated with the user. The method determines an answer to the request from the user and infers a user intent based on the financial data associated with the user. An offer is selected for the user based on the user intent.1. A method comprising:
receiving a request from a user; identifying financial data associated with the user; determining an answer to the request from the user based on the financial data associated with the user; inferring, using one or more processors, a user intent based on the financial data associated with the user and on the request; and selecting an offer for the user based on the user intent. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein inferring a user intent is further based on the answer to the request from the user. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining an answer to the request from the user includes analyzing the financial data associated with the user. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating the answer and the offer to the user. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a current geographic location associated with the user, and wherein inferring a user intent is further based on the current geographic location. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a current time, and wherein determining a user intent is further based on the current time. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the financial data associated with the user includes financial history data associated with an account associated with the user. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting an offer for the user based on the user intent includes communicating the request, the answer to the request, and the financial data associated with the user to an offer manager. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the offer manager is associated with a financial institution that received the request from the user. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising extracting a plurality of intent parameters from the request, wherein inferring a user intent is further based on the plurality of intent parameters. 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising requesting additional information from the user to clarify the user intent. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the request from the user is a natural language request. 13. A method comprising:
receiving a natural language request from a user; identifying financial data associated with the user responsive to the request; determining an answer to the natural language request from the user; inferring, using one or more processors, a user intent based on the financial data associated with the user; determining a confidence level associated with the user intent; determining whether the confidence level exceeds a confidence threshold; and responsive to determining that the confidence level exceeds the confidence threshold, selecting an offer for the user based on the user intent. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein responsive to determining that the confidence level does not exceed the confidence threshold, requesting additional information from the user regarding the request. 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising communicating the selected offer to the user responsive to determining that the confidence level exceeds the confidence threshold. 16. The method of claim 13, further comprising determining a current geographic location associated with the user, and wherein inferring a user intent is further based on the current geographic location. 17. The method of claim 13, further comprising determining a current time, and wherein inferring a user intent is further based on the current time. 18. The method of claim 13, wherein selecting an offer for the user based on the user intent includes communicating the natural language request, the answer to the request, and the financial data associated with the user to an offer manager. 19. The method of claim 13, wherein determining a confidence level associated with the user intent includes identifying the user's response to previous offers. 20. A financial conversation management system comprising:
a memory configured to store data associated with at least one user conversation; and one or more processors coupled to the memory, the one or more processors configured to:
receive a request from a user;
identify purchase data associated with the user, responsive to the request;
determine a current geographic location associated with the user;
determine an answer to the request from the user;
infer a user intent based on the purchase data associated with the user and the current geographic location of the user; and
select an offer for the user based on the user intent. | 3,600 |
13,059 | 13,059 | 15,255,787 | 3,697 | Systems, methods, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for evaluating device usage and generating one or more outputs based on the device usage are provided. For instance, data from one or more sensors within a user personal mobile device may be received and processed to determine movement associated with the device. In addition, an amount of usage (e.g., hours, minutes, etc.) associated with the device may be received. In some examples information regarding the device or user of the device may be received. In some examples, application usage and/or types of applications used may also be received. This data may be processed and a likelihood of damage to the device may be determined. Based on this likelihood, one or more outputs may be determined. | 1. A device usage and output generating system comprising:
a first plurality of sensors within a mobile device; a processing unit comprising a processor; and a memory unit storing computer-executable instructions, which when executed by the processing unit, cause a device usage and output generating computing device to:
receive, from the first plurality of sensors, raw movement sensor data related to movement of the mobile device, the raw movement sensor data including electronic signals;
evaluate a signature of the electronic signals of the received movement sensor data related to movement of the mobile device;
based on the signature of the electronic signals of the received raw movement sensor data, determine a type of activity performed with the mobile device;
receive, from a usage monitoring device within the mobile device, data related to usage of the mobile device;
analyze each application executing on the mobile device to determine a category of each application;
receive, from the usage monitoring device within the mobile device, data related to an amount of time applications of a first category are executing on the mobile device during a predefined time period;
query a database to retrieve information related to the mobile device;
processing the received raw movement sensor data related to movement of the mobile device, the determined type of activity performed with the mobile device, the received data related to usage of the mobile device, the received data related to the amount of time applications of the first category are executing on the mobile device during a predefined time period, and the retrieved information related to the mobile device to determine a risk of breakage to the mobile device; and
compare the determined risk of breakage to a plurality of damage thresholds to determine an insurance premium to insure the mobile device. 2. The device usage and output determination system of claim 1, wherein processing the received raw movement sensor data related to movement of the device includes applying a filter to the data to remove data collected when the device is not moving. 3. (canceled) 4. The device usage and output determination system of claim 1, wherein the determining the type of activity performed with the mobile device includes determining, based on the signature, that a user performed a running activity with the mobile device. 5. The device usage and output determination system of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of sensors includes at least one of a pressure sensor and a proximity sensor, and wherein the memory unit further includes computer-executable instructions, which when executed by the processing unit, cause the device usage and output generating computing device to:
receive data from the at least one of the proximity sensor and the pressure sensor; analyze the data from the at least one of the proximity sensor and the pressure sensor to determine whether the mobile device is within a protective case for at least a threshold amount of time; and determine the risk of breakage to the mobile device further based on the determination of whether the mobile device is within the protective case for at least a threshold amount of time. 6. The device usage and output determination system of claim 1, further including instructions that, when executed, cause the device usage and output determination computing device to:
receive global positioning system (GPS) location data for a current location of the mobile device; and determine the risk of breakage to the mobile device further based on the current location of the mobile device. 7. The device usage and output determination system of claim 1, wherein receiving, from the usage monitoring device within the mobile device, data related to an amount of time applications of a first category are executing on the mobile device during a predefined time period further includes:
identifying a plurality of applications executing on the mobile device for at least a threshold amount of time; determining a type of each application executing on the mobile device for at least the threshold amount of time; identifying a number of applications of the first type executing on the mobile device for at least the threshold amount of time; and determining the risk of breakage to the mobile device based on the number of applications of the first type executing on the mobile device for at least the threshold amount of time. 8. The device usage and output determination system of claim 1, further including instructions that, when executed, cause the device usage and output determination computing device to:
receive, from a second plurality of sensors within a vehicle, vehicle operational and performance data; and determine the risk of breakage to the mobile device based further on the received vehicle operational and performance data. 9. A device usage and output determination server, comprising:
a processor; and at least one memory coupled to the processor and storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the device usage and output determination server to:
receive, from a first plurality of sensors in a mobile device, raw movement sensor data related to movement of the mobile device, the raw movement sensor data including electronic signals;
filtering the received raw movement sensor data related to movement of the mobile device to remove data collected when the mobile device is not moving and generating filtered movement data;
evaluate a signature of the filtered movement data;
based on the signature of the filtered movement data, determine a type of activity performed with the mobile device;
receive, from a usage monitoring device within the mobile device, data related to usage of the mobile device;
analyze each application executing on the mobile device to determine a category of each application;
receive, from the usage monitoring device within the mobile device, data related to an amount of time applications of a first category are executing on the mobile device during a predefined time period;
query a database to retrieve information related to the mobile device;
process the received raw movement sensor data related to movement of the mobile device, the determined type of activity performed with the mobile device, the received data related to usage of the mobile device, the received data related to the amount of time applications of the first category are executing on the mobile device during a predefined time period, and the retrieved information related to the mobile device to determine a risk of breakage to the mobile device; and
compare the determined risk of breakage to a plurality of damage thresholds to determine an insurance premium to insure the mobile device. 10. (canceled) 11. The device usage and output determination server of claim 9, wherein the determining the type of activity performed with the mobile device includes determining, based on the signature, that a user performed a running activity with the mobile device. 12. The device usage and output determination server of claim 9, wherein the first plurality of sensors includes at least one of a pressure sensor and a proximity sensor, and wherein the memory unit further includes computer-executable instructions, which when executed by the processing unit, cause the device usage and output generating server to:
receive data from the at least one of the proximity sensor and the pressure sensor; analyze the data from the at least one of the proximity sensor and the pressure sensor to determine whether the mobile device is within a protective case for at least a threshold amount of time; and determine the risk of breakage to the mobile device further based on the determination of whether the mobile device is within the protective case for at least a threshold amount of time. 13. The device usage and output determination server of claim 9, further including instructions that, when executed, cause the device usage and output determination server to:
receive global positioning system (GPS) location data for a current location of the mobile device; and determine the risk of breakage to the mobile device further based on the current location of the mobile device. 14. The device usage and output determination server of claim 9, wherein receiving, from the usage monitoring device within the mobile device, data related to types of applications used during a predefined time period further includes:
identifying a plurality of applications executing on the mobile device for at least a threshold amount of time; determining a type of each application executing on the mobile device for at least the threshold amount of time; identifying a number of applications of the first type executing on the mobile device for at least the threshold amount of time; and determining the risk of breakage to the mobile device based on the number of applications of the first type executing on the mobile device for at least the threshold amount of time. 15. The device usage and output determination server of claim 9, further including instructions that, when executed, cause the device usage and output determination server to:
receive, from a second plurality of sensors within a vehicle, vehicle operational and performance data; and determine the risk of breakage to the mobile device based further on the received vehicle operational and performance data. 16. A method of evaluating device usage to determine an output, comprising:
receiving, by a device usage and output determination server and from a first plurality of sensors in a mobile device, raw movement sensor data related to movement of the mobile device, the raw movement sensor data including electronic signals; evaluating, by the device usage and output determination server, a signature of the electronic signals of the received movement sensor data related to movement of the mobile device; based on the signature of the electronic signals of the received raw movement sensor data, determining, by the device usage and output determination server, a type of activity performed with the mobile device; receiving, by the device usage and output determination server and from a usage monitoring device within the mobile device, data related to usage of the mobile device; analyzing each application executing on the mobile device to determine a category of each application; receiving, by the device usage and output determination server and from the usage monitoring device within the mobile device, data related to an amount of time applications of a first category are executing on the mobile device during a predefined time period; querying, by the device usage and output determination server, a database to retrieve information related to the mobile device; processing, by the device usage and output determination server, the received raw movement sensor data related to movement of the mobile device, the determined type of activity performed with the mobile device, the received data related to usage of the mobile device, the received data related to the amount of time applications of the first category are executing on the mobile device during a predefined time period, and the retrieved information related to the mobile device to determine a risk of breakage to the mobile device; and comparing, by the device usage and output determination server, the determined risk of breakage to a plurality of damage thresholds to determine an insurance premium to insure the mobile device. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein processing the received raw movement sensor data related to movement of the device includes applying a filter to the data to remove data collected when the device is not moving. 18. (canceled) 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the determining the type of activity performed with the mobile device includes determining, based on the signature, that a user performed a running activity with the mobile device. 20. The method of claim 16, further including:
receiving, by the device usage and output determination server, global positioning system (GPS) location data for a current location of the mobile device; and determining, by the device usage and output determination server, the risk of breakage to the mobile device further based on the current location of the mobile device. | Systems, methods, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for evaluating device usage and generating one or more outputs based on the device usage are provided. For instance, data from one or more sensors within a user personal mobile device may be received and processed to determine movement associated with the device. In addition, an amount of usage (e.g., hours, minutes, etc.) associated with the device may be received. In some examples information regarding the device or user of the device may be received. In some examples, application usage and/or types of applications used may also be received. This data may be processed and a likelihood of damage to the device may be determined. Based on this likelihood, one or more outputs may be determined.1. A device usage and output generating system comprising:
a first plurality of sensors within a mobile device; a processing unit comprising a processor; and a memory unit storing computer-executable instructions, which when executed by the processing unit, cause a device usage and output generating computing device to:
receive, from the first plurality of sensors, raw movement sensor data related to movement of the mobile device, the raw movement sensor data including electronic signals;
evaluate a signature of the electronic signals of the received movement sensor data related to movement of the mobile device;
based on the signature of the electronic signals of the received raw movement sensor data, determine a type of activity performed with the mobile device;
receive, from a usage monitoring device within the mobile device, data related to usage of the mobile device;
analyze each application executing on the mobile device to determine a category of each application;
receive, from the usage monitoring device within the mobile device, data related to an amount of time applications of a first category are executing on the mobile device during a predefined time period;
query a database to retrieve information related to the mobile device;
processing the received raw movement sensor data related to movement of the mobile device, the determined type of activity performed with the mobile device, the received data related to usage of the mobile device, the received data related to the amount of time applications of the first category are executing on the mobile device during a predefined time period, and the retrieved information related to the mobile device to determine a risk of breakage to the mobile device; and
compare the determined risk of breakage to a plurality of damage thresholds to determine an insurance premium to insure the mobile device. 2. The device usage and output determination system of claim 1, wherein processing the received raw movement sensor data related to movement of the device includes applying a filter to the data to remove data collected when the device is not moving. 3. (canceled) 4. The device usage and output determination system of claim 1, wherein the determining the type of activity performed with the mobile device includes determining, based on the signature, that a user performed a running activity with the mobile device. 5. The device usage and output determination system of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of sensors includes at least one of a pressure sensor and a proximity sensor, and wherein the memory unit further includes computer-executable instructions, which when executed by the processing unit, cause the device usage and output generating computing device to:
receive data from the at least one of the proximity sensor and the pressure sensor; analyze the data from the at least one of the proximity sensor and the pressure sensor to determine whether the mobile device is within a protective case for at least a threshold amount of time; and determine the risk of breakage to the mobile device further based on the determination of whether the mobile device is within the protective case for at least a threshold amount of time. 6. The device usage and output determination system of claim 1, further including instructions that, when executed, cause the device usage and output determination computing device to:
receive global positioning system (GPS) location data for a current location of the mobile device; and determine the risk of breakage to the mobile device further based on the current location of the mobile device. 7. The device usage and output determination system of claim 1, wherein receiving, from the usage monitoring device within the mobile device, data related to an amount of time applications of a first category are executing on the mobile device during a predefined time period further includes:
identifying a plurality of applications executing on the mobile device for at least a threshold amount of time; determining a type of each application executing on the mobile device for at least the threshold amount of time; identifying a number of applications of the first type executing on the mobile device for at least the threshold amount of time; and determining the risk of breakage to the mobile device based on the number of applications of the first type executing on the mobile device for at least the threshold amount of time. 8. The device usage and output determination system of claim 1, further including instructions that, when executed, cause the device usage and output determination computing device to:
receive, from a second plurality of sensors within a vehicle, vehicle operational and performance data; and determine the risk of breakage to the mobile device based further on the received vehicle operational and performance data. 9. A device usage and output determination server, comprising:
a processor; and at least one memory coupled to the processor and storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the device usage and output determination server to:
receive, from a first plurality of sensors in a mobile device, raw movement sensor data related to movement of the mobile device, the raw movement sensor data including electronic signals;
filtering the received raw movement sensor data related to movement of the mobile device to remove data collected when the mobile device is not moving and generating filtered movement data;
evaluate a signature of the filtered movement data;
based on the signature of the filtered movement data, determine a type of activity performed with the mobile device;
receive, from a usage monitoring device within the mobile device, data related to usage of the mobile device;
analyze each application executing on the mobile device to determine a category of each application;
receive, from the usage monitoring device within the mobile device, data related to an amount of time applications of a first category are executing on the mobile device during a predefined time period;
query a database to retrieve information related to the mobile device;
process the received raw movement sensor data related to movement of the mobile device, the determined type of activity performed with the mobile device, the received data related to usage of the mobile device, the received data related to the amount of time applications of the first category are executing on the mobile device during a predefined time period, and the retrieved information related to the mobile device to determine a risk of breakage to the mobile device; and
compare the determined risk of breakage to a plurality of damage thresholds to determine an insurance premium to insure the mobile device. 10. (canceled) 11. The device usage and output determination server of claim 9, wherein the determining the type of activity performed with the mobile device includes determining, based on the signature, that a user performed a running activity with the mobile device. 12. The device usage and output determination server of claim 9, wherein the first plurality of sensors includes at least one of a pressure sensor and a proximity sensor, and wherein the memory unit further includes computer-executable instructions, which when executed by the processing unit, cause the device usage and output generating server to:
receive data from the at least one of the proximity sensor and the pressure sensor; analyze the data from the at least one of the proximity sensor and the pressure sensor to determine whether the mobile device is within a protective case for at least a threshold amount of time; and determine the risk of breakage to the mobile device further based on the determination of whether the mobile device is within the protective case for at least a threshold amount of time. 13. The device usage and output determination server of claim 9, further including instructions that, when executed, cause the device usage and output determination server to:
receive global positioning system (GPS) location data for a current location of the mobile device; and determine the risk of breakage to the mobile device further based on the current location of the mobile device. 14. The device usage and output determination server of claim 9, wherein receiving, from the usage monitoring device within the mobile device, data related to types of applications used during a predefined time period further includes:
identifying a plurality of applications executing on the mobile device for at least a threshold amount of time; determining a type of each application executing on the mobile device for at least the threshold amount of time; identifying a number of applications of the first type executing on the mobile device for at least the threshold amount of time; and determining the risk of breakage to the mobile device based on the number of applications of the first type executing on the mobile device for at least the threshold amount of time. 15. The device usage and output determination server of claim 9, further including instructions that, when executed, cause the device usage and output determination server to:
receive, from a second plurality of sensors within a vehicle, vehicle operational and performance data; and determine the risk of breakage to the mobile device based further on the received vehicle operational and performance data. 16. A method of evaluating device usage to determine an output, comprising:
receiving, by a device usage and output determination server and from a first plurality of sensors in a mobile device, raw movement sensor data related to movement of the mobile device, the raw movement sensor data including electronic signals; evaluating, by the device usage and output determination server, a signature of the electronic signals of the received movement sensor data related to movement of the mobile device; based on the signature of the electronic signals of the received raw movement sensor data, determining, by the device usage and output determination server, a type of activity performed with the mobile device; receiving, by the device usage and output determination server and from a usage monitoring device within the mobile device, data related to usage of the mobile device; analyzing each application executing on the mobile device to determine a category of each application; receiving, by the device usage and output determination server and from the usage monitoring device within the mobile device, data related to an amount of time applications of a first category are executing on the mobile device during a predefined time period; querying, by the device usage and output determination server, a database to retrieve information related to the mobile device; processing, by the device usage and output determination server, the received raw movement sensor data related to movement of the mobile device, the determined type of activity performed with the mobile device, the received data related to usage of the mobile device, the received data related to the amount of time applications of the first category are executing on the mobile device during a predefined time period, and the retrieved information related to the mobile device to determine a risk of breakage to the mobile device; and comparing, by the device usage and output determination server, the determined risk of breakage to a plurality of damage thresholds to determine an insurance premium to insure the mobile device. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein processing the received raw movement sensor data related to movement of the device includes applying a filter to the data to remove data collected when the device is not moving. 18. (canceled) 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the determining the type of activity performed with the mobile device includes determining, based on the signature, that a user performed a running activity with the mobile device. 20. The method of claim 16, further including:
receiving, by the device usage and output determination server, global positioning system (GPS) location data for a current location of the mobile device; and determining, by the device usage and output determination server, the risk of breakage to the mobile device further based on the current location of the mobile device. | 3,600 |
13,060 | 13,060 | 12,650,302 | 3,627 | A unified service model method is used for Business Service Management of a computing infrastructure. In the model, service offerings are defined for a business service, and one or more service level targets are associated with each of these offerings. The business service is associated with one or more technical services that support the business service. These technical services are delivered by actual component in a computing infrastructure. In the model, service offerings are associated with the technical services, and service level targets are associated with each of these offerings. A customer defined in the model subscribes to one of the service offerings of the business service. As business services are provided, the unified service model combines the service offerings tying the business and technical services to the associated service level targets, and administrators can manage the services and IT components using the unified service model. | 1. A service model method for Business Service Management in a computing infrastructure, the method comprising:
defining a first offering for a business service in a computing infrastructure, the first offering defined in a service model stored in a database and defined by at least one computer programmed with a Business Service Management function; associating a first target with the first offering in the service model using the at least one computer, the first target defining a first service level for the first offering; associating a first customer with the first offering for the business service using the at least one computer; associating a first technical service with the first offering in the service model using the at least one computer, the first technical service delivered by at least one first component in the computing infrastructure; defining a second offering for the first technical service in the service model using the at least one computer; associating a second target with the second offering in the service model using the at least one computer, the second target defining a second service level for the second offering; and managing the business service, the first technical service, and the at least one first component in the computing infrastructure for the first customer with the at least one computer by using the first and second offerings and the first and second targets. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first target defines a time limit for handling an incident or a request related to the first offering. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first target defines an availability level or a capacity level expected for the first offering. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first target defines a response time expected for the first offering. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first offering links a first service utility in the business service to a first service warranty in the first target; and wherein the first technical offering links a second service utility in the first technical service to a second service warranty in the second target. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein associating the first customer with the first offering comprises defining a first contract in the service model, the first contract associating the first customer with the first offering. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first contract defines a time frame in which the first offering is available to the first customer. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein defining the first contract comprises defining a first measure to track a first event occurring in the service model. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first event comprises an incident; and wherein managing comprises:
tracking the incident using at least the first target, and maintaining an accounting for the tracked incident using the first measure. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first measure comprises a value assigned to the accounting when the tracked incident causes the first target to be missed. 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the first event comprises a request; and wherein managing comprises:
tracking the request using at least the first target, and maintaining an accounting for the tracked request using the first measure. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the first event comprises a usage; and wherein managing comprises:
tracking the usage, and maintaining an accounting for the tracked usage by using the first measure. 13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
associating a second customer to the first offering using the first contract in the service model; and defining a second measure in the first contract to track a second event occurring in the service model relative to the second customer. 14. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
defining a second contract in the service model; and associating a second customer with the first business offering using the second contract. 15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
defining a third offering for a second technical service, the third offering defined with the at least one computer in the service model stored in the database, the second technical service delivered by at least one second component in the computing infrastructure; associating a third target with the third offering in the service model using the at least one computer, the third target defining a third service level for the third offering; and associating the second technical service to the first offering using the at least one computer. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
associating a second customer to the first offering in the service model using the at least one computer; and associating the second customer to the second technical services in the service model using the at least one computer. 17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
defining a third offering for the business service, the third offering defined with the at least one computer in the service model stored in the database; associating a third target with the third offering in the service model using the at least one computer, the third target defining a third service level for the third offering; and associating a second customer to the third offering using the at least one computer. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first offering is different from the third offering. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the first target is different from the third target. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein associating the business service with the first technical service comprises associating the first and third offerings with the first technical service. 21. The method of claim 17, wherein associating the business service with the first technical service comprises associating the first offering with the first technical service; and wherein the method comprises associating the third offering with a second technical service different from the first technical service. 22. A programmable storage device having programmed instructions stored thereon for causing a programmable control device to perform a Business Service Management method according to claim 1. 23. A networked computer system, comprising:
a plurality of computers communicatively coupled together, at least one of the computers being programmed to perform at least a portion of a Business Service Management method according to claim 1, wherein the method of claim 1 is performed collectively by the computers. | A unified service model method is used for Business Service Management of a computing infrastructure. In the model, service offerings are defined for a business service, and one or more service level targets are associated with each of these offerings. The business service is associated with one or more technical services that support the business service. These technical services are delivered by actual component in a computing infrastructure. In the model, service offerings are associated with the technical services, and service level targets are associated with each of these offerings. A customer defined in the model subscribes to one of the service offerings of the business service. As business services are provided, the unified service model combines the service offerings tying the business and technical services to the associated service level targets, and administrators can manage the services and IT components using the unified service model.1. A service model method for Business Service Management in a computing infrastructure, the method comprising:
defining a first offering for a business service in a computing infrastructure, the first offering defined in a service model stored in a database and defined by at least one computer programmed with a Business Service Management function; associating a first target with the first offering in the service model using the at least one computer, the first target defining a first service level for the first offering; associating a first customer with the first offering for the business service using the at least one computer; associating a first technical service with the first offering in the service model using the at least one computer, the first technical service delivered by at least one first component in the computing infrastructure; defining a second offering for the first technical service in the service model using the at least one computer; associating a second target with the second offering in the service model using the at least one computer, the second target defining a second service level for the second offering; and managing the business service, the first technical service, and the at least one first component in the computing infrastructure for the first customer with the at least one computer by using the first and second offerings and the first and second targets. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first target defines a time limit for handling an incident or a request related to the first offering. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first target defines an availability level or a capacity level expected for the first offering. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first target defines a response time expected for the first offering. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first offering links a first service utility in the business service to a first service warranty in the first target; and wherein the first technical offering links a second service utility in the first technical service to a second service warranty in the second target. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein associating the first customer with the first offering comprises defining a first contract in the service model, the first contract associating the first customer with the first offering. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first contract defines a time frame in which the first offering is available to the first customer. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein defining the first contract comprises defining a first measure to track a first event occurring in the service model. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first event comprises an incident; and wherein managing comprises:
tracking the incident using at least the first target, and maintaining an accounting for the tracked incident using the first measure. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first measure comprises a value assigned to the accounting when the tracked incident causes the first target to be missed. 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the first event comprises a request; and wherein managing comprises:
tracking the request using at least the first target, and maintaining an accounting for the tracked request using the first measure. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the first event comprises a usage; and wherein managing comprises:
tracking the usage, and maintaining an accounting for the tracked usage by using the first measure. 13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
associating a second customer to the first offering using the first contract in the service model; and defining a second measure in the first contract to track a second event occurring in the service model relative to the second customer. 14. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
defining a second contract in the service model; and associating a second customer with the first business offering using the second contract. 15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
defining a third offering for a second technical service, the third offering defined with the at least one computer in the service model stored in the database, the second technical service delivered by at least one second component in the computing infrastructure; associating a third target with the third offering in the service model using the at least one computer, the third target defining a third service level for the third offering; and associating the second technical service to the first offering using the at least one computer. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
associating a second customer to the first offering in the service model using the at least one computer; and associating the second customer to the second technical services in the service model using the at least one computer. 17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
defining a third offering for the business service, the third offering defined with the at least one computer in the service model stored in the database; associating a third target with the third offering in the service model using the at least one computer, the third target defining a third service level for the third offering; and associating a second customer to the third offering using the at least one computer. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first offering is different from the third offering. 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the first target is different from the third target. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein associating the business service with the first technical service comprises associating the first and third offerings with the first technical service. 21. The method of claim 17, wherein associating the business service with the first technical service comprises associating the first offering with the first technical service; and wherein the method comprises associating the third offering with a second technical service different from the first technical service. 22. A programmable storage device having programmed instructions stored thereon for causing a programmable control device to perform a Business Service Management method according to claim 1. 23. A networked computer system, comprising:
a plurality of computers communicatively coupled together, at least one of the computers being programmed to perform at least a portion of a Business Service Management method according to claim 1, wherein the method of claim 1 is performed collectively by the computers. | 3,600 |
13,061 | 13,061 | 13,843,504 | 3,682 | A method for page personalization is provided, including the following method operations: identifying a user operating a client; receiving a request for page data from the client; determining a user profile associated with the user; for each of a plurality of articles, predicting a display time of the article when presented to the user, based on the user profile and features of the article; determining selected articles from the plurality of articles based on the predicted display times; assembling the page data, the page data defining a page when rendered by the client, the rendered page defining references to the selected articles; sending the page data to the client; wherein the method is executed by a processor | 1. A method for page personalization, comprising:
identifying a user operating a client; receiving a request for page data from the client; determining a user profile associated with the user; for each of a plurality of articles, predicting a display time of the article when presented to the user, based on the user profile and features of the article; determining selected articles from the plurality of articles based on the predicted display times; assembling the page data, the page data defining a page when rendered by the client, the rendered page defining references to the selected articles; sending the page data to the client; wherein the method is executed by a processor. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the predicted display time of the article is defined by an expected time that the article will be actively displayed in a browser session of the user. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the features of the article include one or more of article key words, article length, or multimedia content. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the user profile includes determining a login status of the user. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising, determining a priority order of the selected articles on the page based on the predicted display times of the selected articles. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the user profile includes one or more of age, gender, or location. 7. A method for presenting an advertisement on a page, comprising:
receiving a request for page data from a client; assembling the page data, the page data defining a page when rendered by the client, the rendered page including a content item and an advertisement; sending the page data to the client for rendering on the client; tracking display time of the page; determining a cost to be paid by an advertiser based on the tracked display time of the page; wherein the method is executed by a processor. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the display time of the page is defined by a time that the page is actively displayed in a browser session of the user. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the cost to be paid by the advertiser is defined by a cost per unit display time associated with the advertisement and the tracked display time of the page. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein assembling the page data includes selecting the advertisement based at least in part on the cost per unit display time associated with the advertisement. 11. The method of claim 7, wherein tracking display time of the page includes analyzing one or more of a page unhide event, a page hide event, a page unload event. 12. The method of claim 7, further comprising, accessing a user profile, wherein assembling the page data includes selecting the advertisement based at least in part on the user profile. 13. A method for page personalization, comprising:
analyzing attention history of a user, wherein analyzing attention history includes determining dwell times of articles presented to the user, each dwell time of an article defining a duration of time the article was actively displayed during a browser session of the user; determining a user profile of the user based on the analysis of the browsing history; receiving a request for page data from a client associated with the user; retrieving the user profile of the user; selecting one or more articles from a plurality of articles for presentation to the user, based on the user profile and features of the plurality of articles; assembling the page data, the page data defining a page when rendered by the client, the rendered page defining references to the selected articles; sending the page data to the client; wherein the method is executed by a processor. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the user profile of the user includes assigning weights based on the determined dwell times, the weights corresponding to one or more of the features of the plurality of articles. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the features of the articles include one or more of article key words, article length, or multimedia content. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein retrieving the user profile is in response to determining a logged in status of the user. 17. The method of claim 13, further comprising, determining a priority order of the selected articles on the page based on the predicted display times of the selected articles. 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the user profile includes one or more of age, gender, or location. | A method for page personalization is provided, including the following method operations: identifying a user operating a client; receiving a request for page data from the client; determining a user profile associated with the user; for each of a plurality of articles, predicting a display time of the article when presented to the user, based on the user profile and features of the article; determining selected articles from the plurality of articles based on the predicted display times; assembling the page data, the page data defining a page when rendered by the client, the rendered page defining references to the selected articles; sending the page data to the client; wherein the method is executed by a processor1. A method for page personalization, comprising:
identifying a user operating a client; receiving a request for page data from the client; determining a user profile associated with the user; for each of a plurality of articles, predicting a display time of the article when presented to the user, based on the user profile and features of the article; determining selected articles from the plurality of articles based on the predicted display times; assembling the page data, the page data defining a page when rendered by the client, the rendered page defining references to the selected articles; sending the page data to the client; wherein the method is executed by a processor. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the predicted display time of the article is defined by an expected time that the article will be actively displayed in a browser session of the user. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the features of the article include one or more of article key words, article length, or multimedia content. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the user profile includes determining a login status of the user. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising, determining a priority order of the selected articles on the page based on the predicted display times of the selected articles. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the user profile includes one or more of age, gender, or location. 7. A method for presenting an advertisement on a page, comprising:
receiving a request for page data from a client; assembling the page data, the page data defining a page when rendered by the client, the rendered page including a content item and an advertisement; sending the page data to the client for rendering on the client; tracking display time of the page; determining a cost to be paid by an advertiser based on the tracked display time of the page; wherein the method is executed by a processor. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the display time of the page is defined by a time that the page is actively displayed in a browser session of the user. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the cost to be paid by the advertiser is defined by a cost per unit display time associated with the advertisement and the tracked display time of the page. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein assembling the page data includes selecting the advertisement based at least in part on the cost per unit display time associated with the advertisement. 11. The method of claim 7, wherein tracking display time of the page includes analyzing one or more of a page unhide event, a page hide event, a page unload event. 12. The method of claim 7, further comprising, accessing a user profile, wherein assembling the page data includes selecting the advertisement based at least in part on the user profile. 13. A method for page personalization, comprising:
analyzing attention history of a user, wherein analyzing attention history includes determining dwell times of articles presented to the user, each dwell time of an article defining a duration of time the article was actively displayed during a browser session of the user; determining a user profile of the user based on the analysis of the browsing history; receiving a request for page data from a client associated with the user; retrieving the user profile of the user; selecting one or more articles from a plurality of articles for presentation to the user, based on the user profile and features of the plurality of articles; assembling the page data, the page data defining a page when rendered by the client, the rendered page defining references to the selected articles; sending the page data to the client; wherein the method is executed by a processor. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the user profile of the user includes assigning weights based on the determined dwell times, the weights corresponding to one or more of the features of the plurality of articles. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the features of the articles include one or more of article key words, article length, or multimedia content. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein retrieving the user profile is in response to determining a logged in status of the user. 17. The method of claim 13, further comprising, determining a priority order of the selected articles on the page based on the predicted display times of the selected articles. 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the user profile includes one or more of age, gender, or location. | 3,600 |
13,062 | 13,062 | 14,010,394 | 3,696 | Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for providing real time analytics and monitoring to a user of a securities trading system. In one embodiment, a list of one or more securities may be selected from a trading blotter and a widget engine may obtain one or more analytics for the list of one or more securities based on real time market and/or transaction cost data. The widget engine may display a graphical representation of the analytics in a manner that compliments the workflow of a trader. The graphical representation may be automatically updated based on real-time market data. | 1. A method of providing real time analytics to a user of a securities trading system, comprising:
(a) receiving from said securities trading system one or more records corresponding to a list of one or more securities and a request for an analytic for said one or more securities, said analytic selected from a predetermined set of one or more analytics; (b) receiving via a digital communication network real-time market data for said one or more securities; (c) obtaining said requested analytic based on said one or more records and said real-time market data; (d) sending to a widget engine information for said widget engine to display in a pre-determined display area a graphical representation of said requested analytic; (e) detecting an update of at least one of said records and said market data; and (f) sending to said widget engine updated information for said widget engine to display in a pre-determined display area an updated graphical representation of said requested analytic based on said updated data. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
(g) waiting for a predetermined period of time; and (h) repeating steps (e) and (f) after said predetermined period of time. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said predetermined display area includes a pop up window. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said predetermined display area includes a portion of a display area coupled to said securities trading system. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
(g) receiving from a user interface coupled to said graphical representation of said requested analytic a request to modify a record in said securities trading system; and (h) sending to said securities trading system information describing said requested modification. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
(g) receiving historical data for said one or more securities, wherein obtaining said requested analytic includes obtaining said requested analytic based in part on said historical data. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said market data includes transaction data for said list of one or more securities. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said step of detecting an update of said market data comprises receiving from said securities trading system data indicating an update of said transaction data. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining said requested analytic comprises:
obtaining from said real-time market data a real-time value of a specified variable for a security, obtaining an empirical distribution of values of said specified variable; comparing said real-time value with said empirical distribution of values to determine whether the condition of said security is abnormal. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said empirical distribution of values is a distribution of real-time values of said specified variable for a peer group of said security. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein said empirical distribution of values is a distribution of historical values of said specified variable for said security over a specified period of time. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein said specified variable is a relation between an estimated value of an attribute for a security and a real-time value of said attribute for said security. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein said list of one or more securities includes a plurality of securities. 14. A computer program product for providing real time analytics to a user of a securities trading system, said computer program product comprising a digital storage media and a set of machine readable instructions stored on said digital storage media, wherein said instructions are executable by a computer to:
(a) receive from said securities trading system one or more records corresponding to a list of one or more securities and a request for an analytic for said one or more securities, said analytic selected from a predetermined set of one or more analytics; (b) receive via a digital communication network real-time market data for said one or more securities; (c) obtain said requested analytic based on said records and real-time market data; (d) send to a widget engine information for said widget engine to display in a pre-determined display area a graphical representation of said requested analytic; (e) detect an update of at least one of said one or more records and said market data; and (f) send to said widget engine updated information for said widget engine to display in a pre-determined display area an updated graphical representation of said requested analytic based on said updated data. 15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein said instructions are further executable by a computer to:
(g) wait for a predetermined period of time; and (h) repeat steps (e) and (f) after said predetermined period of time. 16. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein said predetermined display area includes a pop up window. 17. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein said predetermined display area includes a portion of a display area coupled to said securities trading system. 18. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein said instructions are further executable by a computer to:
(g) receive from a user interface coupled to said graphical representation of said requested analytic a request to modify a record in said securities trading system; and (h) send to said securities trading system information describing said requested modification. 19. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein said instructions are further executable by a computer to:
(g) receive historical data for said one or more securities, wherein obtaining said requested analytic includes obtaining said requested analytic based at least in part on said historical data. 20. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein said market data includes transaction data for said list of one or more securities. 21. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein said step of detecting an update of said market data includes receiving from said securities trading system data indicating and update of said transaction data. 22. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein obtaining said requested analytic comprises:
obtaining from said real-time market data a real-time value of a specified variable for a security, obtaining an empirical distribution of values of said specified variable; comparing said real-time value with said empirical distribution of values to determine whether the condition of said security is abnormal. 23. The computer program product of claim 22, wherein said empirical distribution of values is a distribution of real-time values of said specified variable for a peer group of said security. 24. The computer program product of claim 22, wherein said empirical distribution of values is a distribution of historical values of said specified variable for said security over a specified period of time. 25. The computer program product of claim 22, wherein said specified variable is a relation between an estimated value of an attribute for a security and a real-time value of said attribute for said security. 26. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein said list of one or more securities includes a plurality of securities. | Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for providing real time analytics and monitoring to a user of a securities trading system. In one embodiment, a list of one or more securities may be selected from a trading blotter and a widget engine may obtain one or more analytics for the list of one or more securities based on real time market and/or transaction cost data. The widget engine may display a graphical representation of the analytics in a manner that compliments the workflow of a trader. The graphical representation may be automatically updated based on real-time market data.1. A method of providing real time analytics to a user of a securities trading system, comprising:
(a) receiving from said securities trading system one or more records corresponding to a list of one or more securities and a request for an analytic for said one or more securities, said analytic selected from a predetermined set of one or more analytics; (b) receiving via a digital communication network real-time market data for said one or more securities; (c) obtaining said requested analytic based on said one or more records and said real-time market data; (d) sending to a widget engine information for said widget engine to display in a pre-determined display area a graphical representation of said requested analytic; (e) detecting an update of at least one of said records and said market data; and (f) sending to said widget engine updated information for said widget engine to display in a pre-determined display area an updated graphical representation of said requested analytic based on said updated data. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
(g) waiting for a predetermined period of time; and (h) repeating steps (e) and (f) after said predetermined period of time. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said predetermined display area includes a pop up window. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said predetermined display area includes a portion of a display area coupled to said securities trading system. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
(g) receiving from a user interface coupled to said graphical representation of said requested analytic a request to modify a record in said securities trading system; and (h) sending to said securities trading system information describing said requested modification. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
(g) receiving historical data for said one or more securities, wherein obtaining said requested analytic includes obtaining said requested analytic based in part on said historical data. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said market data includes transaction data for said list of one or more securities. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said step of detecting an update of said market data comprises receiving from said securities trading system data indicating an update of said transaction data. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining said requested analytic comprises:
obtaining from said real-time market data a real-time value of a specified variable for a security, obtaining an empirical distribution of values of said specified variable; comparing said real-time value with said empirical distribution of values to determine whether the condition of said security is abnormal. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said empirical distribution of values is a distribution of real-time values of said specified variable for a peer group of said security. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein said empirical distribution of values is a distribution of historical values of said specified variable for said security over a specified period of time. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein said specified variable is a relation between an estimated value of an attribute for a security and a real-time value of said attribute for said security. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein said list of one or more securities includes a plurality of securities. 14. A computer program product for providing real time analytics to a user of a securities trading system, said computer program product comprising a digital storage media and a set of machine readable instructions stored on said digital storage media, wherein said instructions are executable by a computer to:
(a) receive from said securities trading system one or more records corresponding to a list of one or more securities and a request for an analytic for said one or more securities, said analytic selected from a predetermined set of one or more analytics; (b) receive via a digital communication network real-time market data for said one or more securities; (c) obtain said requested analytic based on said records and real-time market data; (d) send to a widget engine information for said widget engine to display in a pre-determined display area a graphical representation of said requested analytic; (e) detect an update of at least one of said one or more records and said market data; and (f) send to said widget engine updated information for said widget engine to display in a pre-determined display area an updated graphical representation of said requested analytic based on said updated data. 15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein said instructions are further executable by a computer to:
(g) wait for a predetermined period of time; and (h) repeat steps (e) and (f) after said predetermined period of time. 16. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein said predetermined display area includes a pop up window. 17. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein said predetermined display area includes a portion of a display area coupled to said securities trading system. 18. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein said instructions are further executable by a computer to:
(g) receive from a user interface coupled to said graphical representation of said requested analytic a request to modify a record in said securities trading system; and (h) send to said securities trading system information describing said requested modification. 19. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein said instructions are further executable by a computer to:
(g) receive historical data for said one or more securities, wherein obtaining said requested analytic includes obtaining said requested analytic based at least in part on said historical data. 20. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein said market data includes transaction data for said list of one or more securities. 21. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein said step of detecting an update of said market data includes receiving from said securities trading system data indicating and update of said transaction data. 22. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein obtaining said requested analytic comprises:
obtaining from said real-time market data a real-time value of a specified variable for a security, obtaining an empirical distribution of values of said specified variable; comparing said real-time value with said empirical distribution of values to determine whether the condition of said security is abnormal. 23. The computer program product of claim 22, wherein said empirical distribution of values is a distribution of real-time values of said specified variable for a peer group of said security. 24. The computer program product of claim 22, wherein said empirical distribution of values is a distribution of historical values of said specified variable for said security over a specified period of time. 25. The computer program product of claim 22, wherein said specified variable is a relation between an estimated value of an attribute for a security and a real-time value of said attribute for said security. 26. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein said list of one or more securities includes a plurality of securities. | 3,600 |
13,063 | 13,063 | 13,868,108 | 3,623 | A user agent of a user obtains private information that is restricted from being disclosed to third parties except the user and the user agent. This private information is analyzed to predict a product that the user desires to purchase. An identity of the user and an identity of the product are provided to a third party without disclosing any of the private information to the third party. | 1. A method executed by a user agent on an electronic device, comprising:
obtaining, by the user agent, private information about a user; determining, by the user agent, that the private information is restricted from being disclosed to any party except the user and the user agent; analyzing, by the user agent, the private information in order to predict a product that the user desires to purchase; providing, by the user agent, an identity of the user and an identity of the product to an advertiser without disclosing any of the private information to a third party including the advertiser; and displaying, on the electronic device, an advertisement for the product received from an advertiser, wherein the user agent is an intelligent personal assistant of the user. 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
selling, by the user agent, the identity of the user and the identity of the product to the advertiser without disclosing any of the private information to the advertiser;
playing the advertisement on the electronic device in exchange for the user receiving money from the advertiser. 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
grant, from the user and to the user agent, authorization to purchase products on behalf of the user;
purchase, by the user agent, the product for the user without knowledge of the user that the user agent purchases the product for the user. 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
disclosing, by the user agent, the identity of the user and the identity of the product to a social network to which the user is a member without disclosing any of the private information to any third party including the social network;
presenting the product at the social network to members of the social network as a recommendation for a gift for the user. 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
providing, via a natural language communication user interface from the user agent to the user, spoken words that identify a list of products that the user agent believes the user desires to receive;
receiving, via the natural language communication user interface from the user to the user agent, spoken words that accept a product in the list of products, reject a product in the list of products, and modify a product in the list of products. 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
analyzing, by the user agent, the private information in order to predict a list of products that the user desires to purchase;
receiving plural advertisements from the advertiser;
comparing, by the user agent, the plural advertisements with a list of products that the user desires to obtain; and
preventing some of the plural advertisements from being displayed to the user. 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
providing, by the user agent, the identity of the user and the identity of the product to another user agent of another user without disclosing any of the private information to any third party including the other user agent and the other user;
receiving the product from the other user agent as a gift from the other user to the user. 8. A computer system, comprising:
one or more memories that store instructions; and a processing unit that executes the instructions to: obtain, with an intelligent personal assistant of a user and from the user, private information about the user; determine that the private information is restricted from being known by a third party except the user and the intelligent personal assistant of the user; determine a product that the user desires based on an analysis of the private information; disclose the user and the product to a social network to which the user is member without disclosing any of the private information to the third party including the social network and members of the social network; and present the product at the social network to the members of the social network as a recommendation for a gift for the user. 9. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the processing unit further executes the instructions to:
provide the identity of the user and the identity of the product to an intelligent personal assistant of another user without disclosing any of the private information to the third party including the intelligent personal assistant of the other user. 10. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the processor further executes the instructions to:
purchase the product as a surprise gift for the user such that the user is not aware that the intelligent personal assistant is making the purchase of the product for the user. 11. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the processing unit further executes the instructions to:
sell the identity of the user and the identity of the product to an advertiser without disclosing any of the private information to the advertiser; play an advertisement on the electronic device in exchange for the user receiving money from the advertiser for the identity of the user and the identity of the product. 12. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the processing unit further executes the instructions to:
display a thumbnail picture of the product on a desktop an electronic device of the user; provide, upon receiving a click on the thumbnail picture, the private information used in the analysis to determine the product. 13. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the processing unit further executes the instructions to:
receive instructions from the user on how to improve the analysis of the private information to more accurately determine products that the user desires. 14. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the private information originates from the user when the user talks to the intelligent personal assistant of the user. 15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions that cause a computer system to execute a method, comprising:
obtain, with a user agent that is a personal assistant of a user and from the user, private information about user; determine that the private information is prohibited from being known by a third party except the user and the user agent; analyze the private information to predict a product that the user desires to purchase at a future time; grant, from the user and to the user agent, authorization to purchase products on behalf of the user; and purchase, by the user agent, the product for the user without knowledge of the user that the user agent purchases the product for the user and without disclosing any of the private information to a third party including an entity from whom the product is purchased. 16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions of claim 15 further to cause the computer system to execute the method comprising:
disclose the user and the product to a social network to which the user is member without disclosing any of the private information to the third party including the social network and members of the social network; and
present the product at the social network to the members of the social network as a recommendation for a gift for the user. 17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions of claim 15 further to cause the computer system to execute the method comprising:
sell an identity of the user and an identity of the product to an advertiser without disclosing any of the private information to the advertiser;
play an advertisement on an electronic device of the user in exchange for the user receiving money from the advertiser. 18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions of claim 15 further to cause the computer system to execute the method comprising:
analyze the private information to determine a probability greater than fifty percent that the user desires to purchase the product at the future time. 19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions of claim 15 further to cause the computer system to execute the method comprising:
analyze keywords extracted from a text that the user sends in order to predict the product that the user desires to purchase at the future time. 20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions of claim 15 further to cause the computer system to execute the method comprising:
receive the private information from the user when the user speaks to the user agent. | A user agent of a user obtains private information that is restricted from being disclosed to third parties except the user and the user agent. This private information is analyzed to predict a product that the user desires to purchase. An identity of the user and an identity of the product are provided to a third party without disclosing any of the private information to the third party.1. A method executed by a user agent on an electronic device, comprising:
obtaining, by the user agent, private information about a user; determining, by the user agent, that the private information is restricted from being disclosed to any party except the user and the user agent; analyzing, by the user agent, the private information in order to predict a product that the user desires to purchase; providing, by the user agent, an identity of the user and an identity of the product to an advertiser without disclosing any of the private information to a third party including the advertiser; and displaying, on the electronic device, an advertisement for the product received from an advertiser, wherein the user agent is an intelligent personal assistant of the user. 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
selling, by the user agent, the identity of the user and the identity of the product to the advertiser without disclosing any of the private information to the advertiser;
playing the advertisement on the electronic device in exchange for the user receiving money from the advertiser. 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
grant, from the user and to the user agent, authorization to purchase products on behalf of the user;
purchase, by the user agent, the product for the user without knowledge of the user that the user agent purchases the product for the user. 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
disclosing, by the user agent, the identity of the user and the identity of the product to a social network to which the user is a member without disclosing any of the private information to any third party including the social network;
presenting the product at the social network to members of the social network as a recommendation for a gift for the user. 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
providing, via a natural language communication user interface from the user agent to the user, spoken words that identify a list of products that the user agent believes the user desires to receive;
receiving, via the natural language communication user interface from the user to the user agent, spoken words that accept a product in the list of products, reject a product in the list of products, and modify a product in the list of products. 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
analyzing, by the user agent, the private information in order to predict a list of products that the user desires to purchase;
receiving plural advertisements from the advertiser;
comparing, by the user agent, the plural advertisements with a list of products that the user desires to obtain; and
preventing some of the plural advertisements from being displayed to the user. 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
providing, by the user agent, the identity of the user and the identity of the product to another user agent of another user without disclosing any of the private information to any third party including the other user agent and the other user;
receiving the product from the other user agent as a gift from the other user to the user. 8. A computer system, comprising:
one or more memories that store instructions; and a processing unit that executes the instructions to: obtain, with an intelligent personal assistant of a user and from the user, private information about the user; determine that the private information is restricted from being known by a third party except the user and the intelligent personal assistant of the user; determine a product that the user desires based on an analysis of the private information; disclose the user and the product to a social network to which the user is member without disclosing any of the private information to the third party including the social network and members of the social network; and present the product at the social network to the members of the social network as a recommendation for a gift for the user. 9. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the processing unit further executes the instructions to:
provide the identity of the user and the identity of the product to an intelligent personal assistant of another user without disclosing any of the private information to the third party including the intelligent personal assistant of the other user. 10. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the processor further executes the instructions to:
purchase the product as a surprise gift for the user such that the user is not aware that the intelligent personal assistant is making the purchase of the product for the user. 11. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the processing unit further executes the instructions to:
sell the identity of the user and the identity of the product to an advertiser without disclosing any of the private information to the advertiser; play an advertisement on the electronic device in exchange for the user receiving money from the advertiser for the identity of the user and the identity of the product. 12. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the processing unit further executes the instructions to:
display a thumbnail picture of the product on a desktop an electronic device of the user; provide, upon receiving a click on the thumbnail picture, the private information used in the analysis to determine the product. 13. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the processing unit further executes the instructions to:
receive instructions from the user on how to improve the analysis of the private information to more accurately determine products that the user desires. 14. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the private information originates from the user when the user talks to the intelligent personal assistant of the user. 15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions that cause a computer system to execute a method, comprising:
obtain, with a user agent that is a personal assistant of a user and from the user, private information about user; determine that the private information is prohibited from being known by a third party except the user and the user agent; analyze the private information to predict a product that the user desires to purchase at a future time; grant, from the user and to the user agent, authorization to purchase products on behalf of the user; and purchase, by the user agent, the product for the user without knowledge of the user that the user agent purchases the product for the user and without disclosing any of the private information to a third party including an entity from whom the product is purchased. 16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions of claim 15 further to cause the computer system to execute the method comprising:
disclose the user and the product to a social network to which the user is member without disclosing any of the private information to the third party including the social network and members of the social network; and
present the product at the social network to the members of the social network as a recommendation for a gift for the user. 17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions of claim 15 further to cause the computer system to execute the method comprising:
sell an identity of the user and an identity of the product to an advertiser without disclosing any of the private information to the advertiser;
play an advertisement on an electronic device of the user in exchange for the user receiving money from the advertiser. 18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions of claim 15 further to cause the computer system to execute the method comprising:
analyze the private information to determine a probability greater than fifty percent that the user desires to purchase the product at the future time. 19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions of claim 15 further to cause the computer system to execute the method comprising:
analyze keywords extracted from a text that the user sends in order to predict the product that the user desires to purchase at the future time. 20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions of claim 15 further to cause the computer system to execute the method comprising:
receive the private information from the user when the user speaks to the user agent. | 3,600 |
13,064 | 13,064 | 13,449,931 | 3,683 | Systems and methods for providing recommendations directed to cultural events, such as films, theatre shows, concerts, etc., via an online site are described. The systems and methods may also be used to provide recommendations for restaurants, books, television shows or other subjects. The system and method include a trainable recommendation engine that collects, aggregates, and combines trusted recommendations to create a personalized list of recommended events. Algorithms are used to gather and aggregate individual reviews of events and event listings, restaurants, books or other subjects from the Internet, aggregate the likes and dislikes of individuals who provide reviews to generate customized recommendations for the user, and constantly improve each user's experience by identifying likeminded individuals within the system. | 1. A method for providing recommendations for cultural events of interest to a user comprising the steps of:
(a) receiving a rating of one or more cultural events by a user indicating whether the user liked or disliked the cultural event; (b) analyzing reviews of cultural events by one or more individual reviewers to determine whether they liked or disliked the one or more cultural events; (c) rating the reviews by the one or more individual reviewers to indicate whether the one or more reviewers liked or disliked the cultural event; (d) comparing the rating of the one or more cultural event by the user against the rating of the one or more cultural events by the individual reviewers to determine the degree of affinity for cultural events between the user and each of the one or more individual reviewers; and (e) generating a list of cultural events that the user is likely to like or dislike. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of calculating a score rating the likelihood that the user will like or dislike the cultural event using an algorithm based upon the degree of affinity between the user and the individual reviewers. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the rating of the reviews of the one or more individual reviewers provides an indication of the degree to which the reviewer liked or disliked the cultural event. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the affinity score is determined based upon the number of times the user and the reviewer agree in liking or disliking one or more cultural events. 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of generating a weighting score to identify the cultural events that the user is more probably going to like. 6. A system for generating a list of cultural events likely to be of interest to a user comprising:
a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable instructions for instructing at least one computer system to generate a list of recommended cultural events; and a server having an operating system for executing the computer-readable instructions, wherein the server is in communication with one or more users over a network. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the server is in communication with one or more review editors over a network. 8. The system of claim 6 or 7 wherein the network is an Internet Protocol network. 9. A method for providing a user information about a cultural event comprising the steps of;
(a) providing a wireless device capable of scanning QR codes and having a recommendation system application; (b) scanning the QR code and transmitting the QR code to the recommendation system; (c) comparing the URL associated with the QR code to the URL codes in a database in the recommendation system; (d) if the URL is present in the database, sending a unique page to the user with information on the event; (e) if the URL is not present in the database, directing the user to the URL associated with the QR code. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein if the URL is not present in the database, the URL is added to the database. 11. A method for providing a user of a cultural event recommendation system with cultural events that are recommended for two or more users of the recommendation system comprising the steps of:
(a) inputting by a first user of the recommendation system the names of one or more other users of the recommendation system; (b) receiving from the recommendation system information regarding the one or more user names input to the recommendation system; (c) providing the first user with a list of cultural events for which the users each have a high affinity score. | Systems and methods for providing recommendations directed to cultural events, such as films, theatre shows, concerts, etc., via an online site are described. The systems and methods may also be used to provide recommendations for restaurants, books, television shows or other subjects. The system and method include a trainable recommendation engine that collects, aggregates, and combines trusted recommendations to create a personalized list of recommended events. Algorithms are used to gather and aggregate individual reviews of events and event listings, restaurants, books or other subjects from the Internet, aggregate the likes and dislikes of individuals who provide reviews to generate customized recommendations for the user, and constantly improve each user's experience by identifying likeminded individuals within the system.1. A method for providing recommendations for cultural events of interest to a user comprising the steps of:
(a) receiving a rating of one or more cultural events by a user indicating whether the user liked or disliked the cultural event; (b) analyzing reviews of cultural events by one or more individual reviewers to determine whether they liked or disliked the one or more cultural events; (c) rating the reviews by the one or more individual reviewers to indicate whether the one or more reviewers liked or disliked the cultural event; (d) comparing the rating of the one or more cultural event by the user against the rating of the one or more cultural events by the individual reviewers to determine the degree of affinity for cultural events between the user and each of the one or more individual reviewers; and (e) generating a list of cultural events that the user is likely to like or dislike. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of calculating a score rating the likelihood that the user will like or dislike the cultural event using an algorithm based upon the degree of affinity between the user and the individual reviewers. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the rating of the reviews of the one or more individual reviewers provides an indication of the degree to which the reviewer liked or disliked the cultural event. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the affinity score is determined based upon the number of times the user and the reviewer agree in liking or disliking one or more cultural events. 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of generating a weighting score to identify the cultural events that the user is more probably going to like. 6. A system for generating a list of cultural events likely to be of interest to a user comprising:
a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable instructions for instructing at least one computer system to generate a list of recommended cultural events; and a server having an operating system for executing the computer-readable instructions, wherein the server is in communication with one or more users over a network. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the server is in communication with one or more review editors over a network. 8. The system of claim 6 or 7 wherein the network is an Internet Protocol network. 9. A method for providing a user information about a cultural event comprising the steps of;
(a) providing a wireless device capable of scanning QR codes and having a recommendation system application; (b) scanning the QR code and transmitting the QR code to the recommendation system; (c) comparing the URL associated with the QR code to the URL codes in a database in the recommendation system; (d) if the URL is present in the database, sending a unique page to the user with information on the event; (e) if the URL is not present in the database, directing the user to the URL associated with the QR code. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein if the URL is not present in the database, the URL is added to the database. 11. A method for providing a user of a cultural event recommendation system with cultural events that are recommended for two or more users of the recommendation system comprising the steps of:
(a) inputting by a first user of the recommendation system the names of one or more other users of the recommendation system; (b) receiving from the recommendation system information regarding the one or more user names input to the recommendation system; (c) providing the first user with a list of cultural events for which the users each have a high affinity score. | 3,600 |
13,065 | 13,065 | 15,303,134 | 3,656 | The present invention relates to a hydrostatic bearing providing a foot part supporting a load-carrying unit, a head part, and body part forming a lower chamber and an upper chamber. A lower member is supported by the load-carrying unit and arranged inside the lower chamber. An upper member is controllable by a pressurizing fluid and arranged inside the upper chamber. The lower member is controllably moveable along a central axis of the hydrostatic bearing between a retracted state. The lower member is distanced from the upper member, and an extended state. The lower member is also in contact with the upper member. The hydrostatic bearing acts both as a conventional slave bearing and a conventional master bearing. | 1. A hydrostatic bearing for supporting a telescope comprising:
a foot part supporting a load-carrying unit, a head part having a first surface adapted to receive an external load (W) and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a body part arranged in between the foot part and the head part, the body part forming a lower chamber and an upper chamber, the upper chamber being provided with an inlet for a pressurizing fluid, a lower member supportable by the load-carrying unit and arranged inside the lower chamber, the lower member providing a first end surface facing away from the load-carrying unit and a second end surface facing the load-carrying unit, an upper member controllable by the pressurizing fluid and arranged inside the upper chamber, the upper member providing a first end surface facing the second surface of the head part and a second end surface facing the first end surface of the lower member, wherein the lower member is controllably moveable along a central axis (A) between a retracted state, where the first end surface of the lower member is distanced from the second end surface of the upper member, and an extended state, and wherein the first end surface of the lower member is in contact with the second end surface of the upper member. 2. The hydrostatic bearing according to claim 1, wherein the lower member comprises a lower hydraulic piston compressing the load-carrying unit when the lower member is in its retracted state. 3. The hydrostatic bearing according to claim 1, wherein the upper member comprises an upper hydraulic piston supporting the applied external load when the lower member is in its retracted state. 4. The hydrostatic bearing according to claim 1, wherein the head part further comprises a main recess for lubricating fluid being arranged on the first surface of the head part. 5. The hydrostatic bearing according to claim 4, further comprising a pump for supplying lubricating fluid to the main recess. 6. The hydrostatic bearing according to claim 5, wherein the pump is arranged in the head part. 7. The hydrostatic bearing according to claim 1, wherein the head part further comprises at least one sub-recess being connected to the main recess via a flow restrictor for adjusting a flow of lubricating fluid between the main recess and the at least one sub-recess, wherein the at least one sub-recess also is arranged on the first surface of the head part. 8. The hydrostatic bearing according to claim 7, wherein the head part comprises four sub-recesses being symmetrically arranged about the main recess. 9. The hydrostatic bearing according to claim 1, wherein the lower chamber also is provided with an inlet for a pressurizing fluid. 10. The hydrostatic bearing according to claim 9, wherein the inlet for a pressurizing fluid of the lower chamber is fluidly connected to the inlet for a pressurizing fluid of the upper chamber. 11. The hydrostatic bearing according to claim 1, wherein the load-carrying unit consists of at least one of mechanical springs and an electro-mechanical actuator. 12. A telescope arrangement comprising:
at least one hydrostatic bearing having a foot part supporting a load-carrying unit,
a head part having a first surface adapted to receive an external load (W) and a second surface opposite to the first surface,
a body part arranged in between the foot part and the head part, the body part forming a lower chamber and an upper chamber, the upper chamber being provided with an inlet for a pressurizing fluid,
a lower member supportable by the load-carrying unit and arranged inside the lower chamber, the lower member providing a first end surface facing away from the load-carrying unit and a second end surface facing the load-carrying unit,
an upper member controllable by the pressurizing fluid and arranged inside the upper chamber, the upper member providing a first end surface facing the second surface of the head part and a second end surface facing the first end surface of the lower member, wherein
the lower member is controllably moveable along a central axis (A) between a retracted state, where the first end surface of the lower member is distanced from the second end surface of the upper member, and an extended state, and wherein
the first end surface of the lower member is in contact with the second end surface of the upper member. | The present invention relates to a hydrostatic bearing providing a foot part supporting a load-carrying unit, a head part, and body part forming a lower chamber and an upper chamber. A lower member is supported by the load-carrying unit and arranged inside the lower chamber. An upper member is controllable by a pressurizing fluid and arranged inside the upper chamber. The lower member is controllably moveable along a central axis of the hydrostatic bearing between a retracted state. The lower member is distanced from the upper member, and an extended state. The lower member is also in contact with the upper member. The hydrostatic bearing acts both as a conventional slave bearing and a conventional master bearing.1. A hydrostatic bearing for supporting a telescope comprising:
a foot part supporting a load-carrying unit, a head part having a first surface adapted to receive an external load (W) and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a body part arranged in between the foot part and the head part, the body part forming a lower chamber and an upper chamber, the upper chamber being provided with an inlet for a pressurizing fluid, a lower member supportable by the load-carrying unit and arranged inside the lower chamber, the lower member providing a first end surface facing away from the load-carrying unit and a second end surface facing the load-carrying unit, an upper member controllable by the pressurizing fluid and arranged inside the upper chamber, the upper member providing a first end surface facing the second surface of the head part and a second end surface facing the first end surface of the lower member, wherein the lower member is controllably moveable along a central axis (A) between a retracted state, where the first end surface of the lower member is distanced from the second end surface of the upper member, and an extended state, and wherein the first end surface of the lower member is in contact with the second end surface of the upper member. 2. The hydrostatic bearing according to claim 1, wherein the lower member comprises a lower hydraulic piston compressing the load-carrying unit when the lower member is in its retracted state. 3. The hydrostatic bearing according to claim 1, wherein the upper member comprises an upper hydraulic piston supporting the applied external load when the lower member is in its retracted state. 4. The hydrostatic bearing according to claim 1, wherein the head part further comprises a main recess for lubricating fluid being arranged on the first surface of the head part. 5. The hydrostatic bearing according to claim 4, further comprising a pump for supplying lubricating fluid to the main recess. 6. The hydrostatic bearing according to claim 5, wherein the pump is arranged in the head part. 7. The hydrostatic bearing according to claim 1, wherein the head part further comprises at least one sub-recess being connected to the main recess via a flow restrictor for adjusting a flow of lubricating fluid between the main recess and the at least one sub-recess, wherein the at least one sub-recess also is arranged on the first surface of the head part. 8. The hydrostatic bearing according to claim 7, wherein the head part comprises four sub-recesses being symmetrically arranged about the main recess. 9. The hydrostatic bearing according to claim 1, wherein the lower chamber also is provided with an inlet for a pressurizing fluid. 10. The hydrostatic bearing according to claim 9, wherein the inlet for a pressurizing fluid of the lower chamber is fluidly connected to the inlet for a pressurizing fluid of the upper chamber. 11. The hydrostatic bearing according to claim 1, wherein the load-carrying unit consists of at least one of mechanical springs and an electro-mechanical actuator. 12. A telescope arrangement comprising:
at least one hydrostatic bearing having a foot part supporting a load-carrying unit,
a head part having a first surface adapted to receive an external load (W) and a second surface opposite to the first surface,
a body part arranged in between the foot part and the head part, the body part forming a lower chamber and an upper chamber, the upper chamber being provided with an inlet for a pressurizing fluid,
a lower member supportable by the load-carrying unit and arranged inside the lower chamber, the lower member providing a first end surface facing away from the load-carrying unit and a second end surface facing the load-carrying unit,
an upper member controllable by the pressurizing fluid and arranged inside the upper chamber, the upper member providing a first end surface facing the second surface of the head part and a second end surface facing the first end surface of the lower member, wherein
the lower member is controllably moveable along a central axis (A) between a retracted state, where the first end surface of the lower member is distanced from the second end surface of the upper member, and an extended state, and wherein
the first end surface of the lower member is in contact with the second end surface of the upper member. | 3,600 |
13,066 | 13,066 | 13,045,257 | 3,629 | A retention management system identifies, analyzes, and evaluates student information collected by the enterprise resource planning systems and learning management systems. The retention management system applies an algorithm to collected information and locates students that are struggling before they are lost to attrition. The retention management system also provides tools to allow personnel at the academic institution to communicate with students, implement plans to correct current problems with student, and to predict and prevent future problems. | 1. A workflow method for student retention management, the method comprising:
enabling users to create alerts concerning retention issues for students; and displaying the alerts to institutional personnel including types of the alerts and student names for the student for whom the alerts were created. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the types of the alerts include academic, financial and social types. 3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the types of the alerts include academic grades and academic attendance. 4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alerts are displayed along with dates of creation, users submitting the alerts and relationships of the users to the students. 5. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising enabling users to assign follow-ups for the alerts including designating assignee to perform the follow-ups. 6. A method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising tracking a status of the follow-ups as being pending or completed. 7. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising enabling users to add interventions with the students including specifying types of interventions performed. 8. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising enabling users to select students and then displaying alerts associated with the students. 9. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising enabling users to select students and then displaying alerts, follow-ups and interventions associated with the students. 10. A method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising enabling users to add further alerts and interventions for the selected students. 11. A system for student retention management, the system comprising:
a user interface that enables users to create alerts concerning retention issues for students; and a retention management system that displays the alerts to institutional personnel including types of the alerts and student names for the student for whom the alerts were created. 12. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the types of the alerts include academic, financial and social types. 13. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the types of the alerts include academic grades and academic attendance. 14. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the alerts are displayed along with dates of creation, users submitting the alerts and relationships of the users to the students. 15. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the user interface enables users to assign follow-ups for the alerts including designating assignee to perform the follow-ups. 16. A system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the retention management system tracks a status of the follow-ups as being pending or completed. 17. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the user interface enables users to add interventions with the students including specifying types of interventions performed. 18. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the user interface enables users to select students and then displays alerts associated with the students. 19. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the user interface enables users to select students and then display alerts, follow-ups and interventions associated with the students. 20. A system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the user interface enables users to add further alerts and interventions for the selected students. 21. A workflow method for student retention management, the method comprising:
enabling users to create interventions concerning retention issues for students; and displaying the interventions to institutional personnel including specifying contact with the student for whom the interventions were created. 22. A method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising enabling users to specify student responses to the interventions. 23. A method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising enabling users to add textual notes concerning the interventions. 24. A system for student retention management, the system comprising:
a user interface that enables users to create interventions concerning retention issues for students and specifying contact with the student for whom the interventions were created; and a retention management system that displays the interventions to institutional personnel. 25. A workflow method for student retention management, the method comprising:
enabling users to create follow-ups concerning retention issues for students; and displaying the follow-ups to institutional personnel including personnel designated to perform the follow-ups. 26. A system for student retention management, comprising:
a user interface that enables users to create follow-ups concerning retention issues for students; and a retention management system that displays the follow-ups to institutional personnel including personnel designated to perform the follow-ups. 27. A method of generating alert messages in an academic retention management system, the method comprising:
retrieving and displaying student information; enabling selection of students; enabling the population of alert forms with information related to retention concerns with respect to the selected students; and submitting the alert forms to the retention management system to create corresponding alerts. 28. A method according to claim 27, further comprising:
creating alert messages from information in the alert forms; and transmitting the alert messages to assignees in the retention management system. 29. A method according to claim 27, further comprising enabling closure of the alerts. 30. A method according to claim 27, further comprising:
enabling the creation of follow-ups for the alerts; enabling assignment of the follow-ups to personnel; transmitting the alert messages to the assigned assignees personnel. 31. A method according to claim 27, further comprising displaying recent pending follow-ups assigned to a user accessing the system. 32. A method according to claim 27, further comprising enabling user entry of student relationships, each student having student relationships from which follow-up may be assigned. | A retention management system identifies, analyzes, and evaluates student information collected by the enterprise resource planning systems and learning management systems. The retention management system applies an algorithm to collected information and locates students that are struggling before they are lost to attrition. The retention management system also provides tools to allow personnel at the academic institution to communicate with students, implement plans to correct current problems with student, and to predict and prevent future problems.1. A workflow method for student retention management, the method comprising:
enabling users to create alerts concerning retention issues for students; and displaying the alerts to institutional personnel including types of the alerts and student names for the student for whom the alerts were created. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the types of the alerts include academic, financial and social types. 3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the types of the alerts include academic grades and academic attendance. 4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alerts are displayed along with dates of creation, users submitting the alerts and relationships of the users to the students. 5. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising enabling users to assign follow-ups for the alerts including designating assignee to perform the follow-ups. 6. A method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising tracking a status of the follow-ups as being pending or completed. 7. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising enabling users to add interventions with the students including specifying types of interventions performed. 8. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising enabling users to select students and then displaying alerts associated with the students. 9. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising enabling users to select students and then displaying alerts, follow-ups and interventions associated with the students. 10. A method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising enabling users to add further alerts and interventions for the selected students. 11. A system for student retention management, the system comprising:
a user interface that enables users to create alerts concerning retention issues for students; and a retention management system that displays the alerts to institutional personnel including types of the alerts and student names for the student for whom the alerts were created. 12. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the types of the alerts include academic, financial and social types. 13. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the types of the alerts include academic grades and academic attendance. 14. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the alerts are displayed along with dates of creation, users submitting the alerts and relationships of the users to the students. 15. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the user interface enables users to assign follow-ups for the alerts including designating assignee to perform the follow-ups. 16. A system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the retention management system tracks a status of the follow-ups as being pending or completed. 17. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the user interface enables users to add interventions with the students including specifying types of interventions performed. 18. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the user interface enables users to select students and then displays alerts associated with the students. 19. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the user interface enables users to select students and then display alerts, follow-ups and interventions associated with the students. 20. A system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the user interface enables users to add further alerts and interventions for the selected students. 21. A workflow method for student retention management, the method comprising:
enabling users to create interventions concerning retention issues for students; and displaying the interventions to institutional personnel including specifying contact with the student for whom the interventions were created. 22. A method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising enabling users to specify student responses to the interventions. 23. A method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising enabling users to add textual notes concerning the interventions. 24. A system for student retention management, the system comprising:
a user interface that enables users to create interventions concerning retention issues for students and specifying contact with the student for whom the interventions were created; and a retention management system that displays the interventions to institutional personnel. 25. A workflow method for student retention management, the method comprising:
enabling users to create follow-ups concerning retention issues for students; and displaying the follow-ups to institutional personnel including personnel designated to perform the follow-ups. 26. A system for student retention management, comprising:
a user interface that enables users to create follow-ups concerning retention issues for students; and a retention management system that displays the follow-ups to institutional personnel including personnel designated to perform the follow-ups. 27. A method of generating alert messages in an academic retention management system, the method comprising:
retrieving and displaying student information; enabling selection of students; enabling the population of alert forms with information related to retention concerns with respect to the selected students; and submitting the alert forms to the retention management system to create corresponding alerts. 28. A method according to claim 27, further comprising:
creating alert messages from information in the alert forms; and transmitting the alert messages to assignees in the retention management system. 29. A method according to claim 27, further comprising enabling closure of the alerts. 30. A method according to claim 27, further comprising:
enabling the creation of follow-ups for the alerts; enabling assignment of the follow-ups to personnel; transmitting the alert messages to the assigned assignees personnel. 31. A method according to claim 27, further comprising displaying recent pending follow-ups assigned to a user accessing the system. 32. A method according to claim 27, further comprising enabling user entry of student relationships, each student having student relationships from which follow-up may be assigned. | 3,600 |
13,067 | 13,067 | 14,984,566 | 3,679 | A fitting for attaching flexible tube to rigid tube comprises a fluid passageway, a tubular metal body, and a polymeric body. The fluid passageway extends through the tubular metal body and the polymeric body is interlocked with the metal body. The polymeric body encircles the fluid passageway and the metal body. A portion of the polymeric body that encircles the metal body forms a male fitting that comprises at least one annular rib or barb and that is configured and adapted to snugly slip into the end of a flexible tube with a press fit. A portion of the polymeric body extends beyond the metal body along the fluid passageway and defines a female socket that is configured and adapted to snugly receive an end of a rigid tube. The socket is configured and adapted to be solvent bondable to polymeric material. | 1. A fitting for attaching flexible tube to rigid tube, the fitting comprising:
a fluid passageway; a tubular metal body, the fluid passageway extending through the tubular metal body; and a polymeric body interlocked with the metal body, the polymeric body encircling the fluid passageway and the metal body, a portion of the polymeric body that encircles the metal body forming a male fitting, the male fitting comprising at least one annular rib or barb and being configured and adapted to snugly slip into the end of a flexible tube with a press fit, a portion of the polymeric body extending beyond the metal body along the fluid passageway and defining a female socket configured and adapted to snugly receive an end of a rigid tube, the socket being configured and adapted to be solvent bondable to polymeric material. 2. A fitting in accordance with claim 1 wherein the fluid passageway is linear and the male fitting is aligned with the female socket. 3. A fitting in accordance with claim 2 wherein the fitting has a uniform cross-section revolved about an axis. 4. A fitting in accordance with claim 1 wherein the metal body has an internal surface that is exposed to the fluid passageway. 5. A fitting in accordance with claim 1 wherein the metal body is a sleeve spacer having an annular flange, the sleeve spacer defines an axis of symmetry of the metal body, and the flange is flanked on axially opposite sides by the polymeric material in a manner interlocking the polymeric body to the metal body. 6. A fitting in accordance with claim 5 wherein the sleeve spacer has axially opposite end faces and at least a portion of each of the axial end faces of the sleeve is exposed. 7. A fitting in accordance with claim 1 wherein the metal body has an inner surface, an outer surface, and opposite end surfaces, and the outer surface of the metal body is completely enshrouded by the polymeric body. 8. A fitting in accordance with claim 1 wherein the fitting is configured and adapted to attach a flexible tube having an inner diameter to a rigid tube having the same inner diameter. 9. A fitting in accordance with claim 1 wherein the metal body is formed of brass and the polymeric body is formed of CPVC. 10. A method of forming a fitting for attaching flexible tube to rigid tube, the method comprising:
overmolding a metal sleeve with a polymeric material, the metal sleeve having an axis of symmetry, the overmolding securing the polymeric material and the metal sleeve to each other, the polymeric material thereafter encircling the metal sleeve and the axis of symmetry and forming a female socket spaced from the metal sleeve that is configured and adapted to snugly receive an end of a rigid tube, the polymeric material and the socket being configured and adapted to be solvent bondable to polymeric material, the fitting having a fluid passageway that extends through the female socket and the metal sleeve, a portion of the polymeric material that encircles the metal sleeve forming at least one annular rib or barb and being configured and adapted to snugly slip into the end of a flexible tube with press fit. 11. A method of forming a fitting in accordance with claim 10 wherein the overmolding occurs in a manner such that the female socket is axially aligned with the metal sleeve and the axis of symmetry. 12. A method of forming a fitting in accordance with claim 11 wherein the overmolding occurs in a manner such that the fitting has a uniform cross-section revolved about the axis of symmetry. 13. A method of forming a fitting in accordance with claim 10 wherein the metal sleeve comprises an annular flange, and the overmolding occurs in a manner such that the flange is flanked on axially opposite sides by the polymeric material in manner interlocking the polymeric material to the metal sleeve. 14. A method of forming a fitting in accordance with claim 13 wherein the metal sleeve has axially opposite end faces, and the overmolding occurs in a manner such that at least a portion of each of the axial end faces of the sleeve is exposed. | A fitting for attaching flexible tube to rigid tube comprises a fluid passageway, a tubular metal body, and a polymeric body. The fluid passageway extends through the tubular metal body and the polymeric body is interlocked with the metal body. The polymeric body encircles the fluid passageway and the metal body. A portion of the polymeric body that encircles the metal body forms a male fitting that comprises at least one annular rib or barb and that is configured and adapted to snugly slip into the end of a flexible tube with a press fit. A portion of the polymeric body extends beyond the metal body along the fluid passageway and defines a female socket that is configured and adapted to snugly receive an end of a rigid tube. The socket is configured and adapted to be solvent bondable to polymeric material.1. A fitting for attaching flexible tube to rigid tube, the fitting comprising:
a fluid passageway; a tubular metal body, the fluid passageway extending through the tubular metal body; and a polymeric body interlocked with the metal body, the polymeric body encircling the fluid passageway and the metal body, a portion of the polymeric body that encircles the metal body forming a male fitting, the male fitting comprising at least one annular rib or barb and being configured and adapted to snugly slip into the end of a flexible tube with a press fit, a portion of the polymeric body extending beyond the metal body along the fluid passageway and defining a female socket configured and adapted to snugly receive an end of a rigid tube, the socket being configured and adapted to be solvent bondable to polymeric material. 2. A fitting in accordance with claim 1 wherein the fluid passageway is linear and the male fitting is aligned with the female socket. 3. A fitting in accordance with claim 2 wherein the fitting has a uniform cross-section revolved about an axis. 4. A fitting in accordance with claim 1 wherein the metal body has an internal surface that is exposed to the fluid passageway. 5. A fitting in accordance with claim 1 wherein the metal body is a sleeve spacer having an annular flange, the sleeve spacer defines an axis of symmetry of the metal body, and the flange is flanked on axially opposite sides by the polymeric material in a manner interlocking the polymeric body to the metal body. 6. A fitting in accordance with claim 5 wherein the sleeve spacer has axially opposite end faces and at least a portion of each of the axial end faces of the sleeve is exposed. 7. A fitting in accordance with claim 1 wherein the metal body has an inner surface, an outer surface, and opposite end surfaces, and the outer surface of the metal body is completely enshrouded by the polymeric body. 8. A fitting in accordance with claim 1 wherein the fitting is configured and adapted to attach a flexible tube having an inner diameter to a rigid tube having the same inner diameter. 9. A fitting in accordance with claim 1 wherein the metal body is formed of brass and the polymeric body is formed of CPVC. 10. A method of forming a fitting for attaching flexible tube to rigid tube, the method comprising:
overmolding a metal sleeve with a polymeric material, the metal sleeve having an axis of symmetry, the overmolding securing the polymeric material and the metal sleeve to each other, the polymeric material thereafter encircling the metal sleeve and the axis of symmetry and forming a female socket spaced from the metal sleeve that is configured and adapted to snugly receive an end of a rigid tube, the polymeric material and the socket being configured and adapted to be solvent bondable to polymeric material, the fitting having a fluid passageway that extends through the female socket and the metal sleeve, a portion of the polymeric material that encircles the metal sleeve forming at least one annular rib or barb and being configured and adapted to snugly slip into the end of a flexible tube with press fit. 11. A method of forming a fitting in accordance with claim 10 wherein the overmolding occurs in a manner such that the female socket is axially aligned with the metal sleeve and the axis of symmetry. 12. A method of forming a fitting in accordance with claim 11 wherein the overmolding occurs in a manner such that the fitting has a uniform cross-section revolved about the axis of symmetry. 13. A method of forming a fitting in accordance with claim 10 wherein the metal sleeve comprises an annular flange, and the overmolding occurs in a manner such that the flange is flanked on axially opposite sides by the polymeric material in manner interlocking the polymeric material to the metal sleeve. 14. A method of forming a fitting in accordance with claim 13 wherein the metal sleeve has axially opposite end faces, and the overmolding occurs in a manner such that at least a portion of each of the axial end faces of the sleeve is exposed. | 3,600 |
13,068 | 13,068 | 11,749,672 | 3,621 | In one embodiment, computerized systems and methods for nutritional planning are disclosed that may comprise providing a database coupled to a central terminal, storing in the database a plurality of records comprising nutritional information related to products available for purchase using a loyalty profile, and associating in the database the nutritional information with products purchased using the loyalty profile. These systems and methods may further comprise identifying deficiencies in a nutritional profile and displaying products which compensate for deficiencies. | 1. A computerized method for nutritional planning, the method comprising:
providing a database coupled to a central terminal; storing in the database a plurality of records comprising nutritional information related to products available for purchase using a loyalty profile; associating in the database the nutritional information related to products available for purchase using the loyalty profile with products purchased using the loyalty profile; identifying deficiencies in the products purchased with the loyalty profile based upon standardized intake guidelines; and displaying products available which compensate for deficiencies. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising using at least one loyalty card to access the loyalty profile. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending the nutritional information associated with the loyalty profile to a networked remote terminal through electronic mail. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the nutritional information includes dietary information obtained by the manufacturer of products purchased using the loyalty card. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying at least one product that compensates for deficiencies. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising customizing a meal, a product, or a combination of products to compensate for deficiencies. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising generating a shopping list, item location, and availability. 8. A computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program code for managing nutrition planning data, the program code causing a computer to execute a method comprising:
controlling a first database, a second database, and a third database with a central processor; storing in the first database a plurality of records comprising loyalty card data for a loyalty card profile; storing in the second database a plurality of records comprising product information of products purchased using the loyalty card profile; storing in a third database a plurality of records comprising nutritional intake guidelines; generating a report by aggregating data from the second database with the loyalty card profile found in the first database; comparing the report with the nutritional intake guidelines; and sending the results of the comparison of the report and nutritional intake guidelines. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the report is sent through an Internet connection, a web browser, or through electronic mail. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the nutritional intake guidelines are the Food and Drug Administration recommended daily allowance or the U.S. Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines. 11. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing a listing of products or meals that will compensate for any deficiencies in nutritional intake. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising generating a shopping cart listing items to prepare provided meals. 13. A system for managing nutritional plan data, the system comprising:
a database coupled to a central processor; a storage module configured to store in the database a plurality of records comprising a purchase record of products purchased with a loyalty card and nutritional information for products available for purchase with the loyalty card; a data processing module configured to compare the purchase record of products purchased with the loyalty card with the nutritional information for products available for purchase with the loyalty card, determine if deficiencies are present according to a standardized measurement, and propose products which compensate for the deficiencies; and an output module for transmitting results from the central processor, wherein the central processor is configured to receive a request for nutritional information regarding the purchase record of products purchased with the loyalty card and generate a report based upon the deficiencies determined by the data processing module. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the loyalty card data comprises a user defined loyalty card profile. 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the report is transmitted over an internet connection. 16. The system of claim 13, further comprising a module for creating customized reports. 17. The system of claim 14, further comprising a street map module for locating physical stores. 18. The system of claim 14, further comprising a local store mapping module for locating items within physical stores. 19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a preparation module for providing methods of preparing products purchased with the loyalty card. 20. The system of claim 13, further comprising an alternatives module for providing alternatives to products purchased with the loyalty card. | In one embodiment, computerized systems and methods for nutritional planning are disclosed that may comprise providing a database coupled to a central terminal, storing in the database a plurality of records comprising nutritional information related to products available for purchase using a loyalty profile, and associating in the database the nutritional information with products purchased using the loyalty profile. These systems and methods may further comprise identifying deficiencies in a nutritional profile and displaying products which compensate for deficiencies.1. A computerized method for nutritional planning, the method comprising:
providing a database coupled to a central terminal; storing in the database a plurality of records comprising nutritional information related to products available for purchase using a loyalty profile; associating in the database the nutritional information related to products available for purchase using the loyalty profile with products purchased using the loyalty profile; identifying deficiencies in the products purchased with the loyalty profile based upon standardized intake guidelines; and displaying products available which compensate for deficiencies. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising using at least one loyalty card to access the loyalty profile. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending the nutritional information associated with the loyalty profile to a networked remote terminal through electronic mail. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the nutritional information includes dietary information obtained by the manufacturer of products purchased using the loyalty card. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying at least one product that compensates for deficiencies. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising customizing a meal, a product, or a combination of products to compensate for deficiencies. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising generating a shopping list, item location, and availability. 8. A computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program code for managing nutrition planning data, the program code causing a computer to execute a method comprising:
controlling a first database, a second database, and a third database with a central processor; storing in the first database a plurality of records comprising loyalty card data for a loyalty card profile; storing in the second database a plurality of records comprising product information of products purchased using the loyalty card profile; storing in a third database a plurality of records comprising nutritional intake guidelines; generating a report by aggregating data from the second database with the loyalty card profile found in the first database; comparing the report with the nutritional intake guidelines; and sending the results of the comparison of the report and nutritional intake guidelines. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the report is sent through an Internet connection, a web browser, or through electronic mail. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the nutritional intake guidelines are the Food and Drug Administration recommended daily allowance or the U.S. Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines. 11. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing a listing of products or meals that will compensate for any deficiencies in nutritional intake. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising generating a shopping cart listing items to prepare provided meals. 13. A system for managing nutritional plan data, the system comprising:
a database coupled to a central processor; a storage module configured to store in the database a plurality of records comprising a purchase record of products purchased with a loyalty card and nutritional information for products available for purchase with the loyalty card; a data processing module configured to compare the purchase record of products purchased with the loyalty card with the nutritional information for products available for purchase with the loyalty card, determine if deficiencies are present according to a standardized measurement, and propose products which compensate for the deficiencies; and an output module for transmitting results from the central processor, wherein the central processor is configured to receive a request for nutritional information regarding the purchase record of products purchased with the loyalty card and generate a report based upon the deficiencies determined by the data processing module. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the loyalty card data comprises a user defined loyalty card profile. 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the report is transmitted over an internet connection. 16. The system of claim 13, further comprising a module for creating customized reports. 17. The system of claim 14, further comprising a street map module for locating physical stores. 18. The system of claim 14, further comprising a local store mapping module for locating items within physical stores. 19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a preparation module for providing methods of preparing products purchased with the loyalty card. 20. The system of claim 13, further comprising an alternatives module for providing alternatives to products purchased with the loyalty card. | 3,600 |
13,069 | 13,069 | 14,327,816 | 3,695 | A method and system for an electronic commodities trading marketplace along with ancillary tools provide an electronic trading center for world market commodity importers, exporters, and the intermediaries and processors between them. This trading center is offered through its website centered around a 24-hour exchange that provides trading markets for commodities such as coffee, sugar, cocoa and cotton. The scalable system provides aggregated third party services linked to both front and back office operations. These services can include items such as live futures quotes and real-time news, futures brokerage, banking and finance links and resources, and a suite of applications tailored to members' specific risk-management and end-to-end contract execution needs. The system also provides access to shipping related services such as freight brokerage, direct booking for liner transport, load and discharge supervision and laboratory testing. | 1. A method for providing commodity trading over the Internet comprising the steps of:
providing a trading engine configured to:
receive a plurality of orders, each order associated with one of a plurality of traders,
identify a pair of matching orders from among the plurality of orders, and
automatically execute the matching pair without requiring manual intervention by a trader;
receiving information relating to at least one of news, securities prices, weather impacting the commodity trading; providing a portion of the received information to one or more of the traders. establishing communications links with one or more banks involved in commodity transactions and one or more financial institutions; permitting the traders to have access to one or both of banking services and financing services over the communications links; and providing the traders with access to external or internal service providers related to completing the execution of the matching pair. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the trading engine is further configured to notify one or more or the traders associated with the matching orders regarding a potential trade involving the matching orders. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:
forwarding data relating to executed orders to electronic futures brokerages to permit clearing of the executed orders. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the banking services include at least one of: issuing letters of credit, confirming letters of credit, payment against documents, wire transfers, monthly invoices, and futures booker invoices. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the financial institutions include at least one of: trade houses, banks, and capital markets hedge funds/investors. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the financial services include at least one of: structure flexible payment and pre-finance alternatives. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the service providers include at least one of: freight providers, laboratory testing, and vessel agents. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the services providers provide one or more of the following services: quotes for shipping routes, freight brokerage, third party liner freight services, and vessel agency. 9. A method for establishing an electronic commodity marketplace, comprising the steps of:
permitting access to the online marketplace to a plurality of types of commodity trading participants; receiving selections of trading partners from a particular participant relating to other participants with which the particular participant will deal with in the marketplace; receiving a plurality of trade orders or counter proposals, each from any of the participants; and providing information regarding each trade order or counter proposal to all participants. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of types comprises more than one of producers, exporting associations, processors/refiners, trade houses, importers, and buying agencies; 11. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of:
identifying to a first participant detailed information about a first trade order or counter proposal from a second participant only if the second participant and the first participant have identified each other as trading partners. 12. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of:
storing a set of automatic trading rules, each set associated with a participant; identifying a first trade order or counter proposal matching a predetermined set of criteria; and responding to a first trade order or counter proposal with a second counter proposal in accordance with the set of automatic trading rules. 13. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of:
storing a set of order templates, each set associated with a participant and each template comprising one or more modifiable default parameters; identifying one of the set of order templates to initiate a first trade order or counter proposal; populating the one order template with the one or more modifiable default parameters; receiving input from the participant revising and accepting the populated one order template; and submitting the first trade order or counter proposal based on the revised template. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the modifiable default parameters include commodity quality, commodity shipment times, commodity delivery points, commodity amounts, if-then statements relating to automatic trades involving acceptance of modified terms, and converting contract terms to different pricing mechanism. 15. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of:
providing electronic confirmations of executed orders to each participant of the executed order. 16. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of:
pushing to each participant an update of that participant's market position. 17. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of:
forwarding notification of an executed trade to an accounting service. 18. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of:
forwarding notification of an executed trade to a freight forwarding service. 19. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of:
associating with each participant a membership level; and filtering information forwarded to a particular participant based on the membership level associated with that particular participant. 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the information filtered includes one or more of trading screens, industry-related reports, polls, forums, chats, bulletin boards, and real-time news. | A method and system for an electronic commodities trading marketplace along with ancillary tools provide an electronic trading center for world market commodity importers, exporters, and the intermediaries and processors between them. This trading center is offered through its website centered around a 24-hour exchange that provides trading markets for commodities such as coffee, sugar, cocoa and cotton. The scalable system provides aggregated third party services linked to both front and back office operations. These services can include items such as live futures quotes and real-time news, futures brokerage, banking and finance links and resources, and a suite of applications tailored to members' specific risk-management and end-to-end contract execution needs. The system also provides access to shipping related services such as freight brokerage, direct booking for liner transport, load and discharge supervision and laboratory testing.1. A method for providing commodity trading over the Internet comprising the steps of:
providing a trading engine configured to:
receive a plurality of orders, each order associated with one of a plurality of traders,
identify a pair of matching orders from among the plurality of orders, and
automatically execute the matching pair without requiring manual intervention by a trader;
receiving information relating to at least one of news, securities prices, weather impacting the commodity trading; providing a portion of the received information to one or more of the traders. establishing communications links with one or more banks involved in commodity transactions and one or more financial institutions; permitting the traders to have access to one or both of banking services and financing services over the communications links; and providing the traders with access to external or internal service providers related to completing the execution of the matching pair. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the trading engine is further configured to notify one or more or the traders associated with the matching orders regarding a potential trade involving the matching orders. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:
forwarding data relating to executed orders to electronic futures brokerages to permit clearing of the executed orders. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the banking services include at least one of: issuing letters of credit, confirming letters of credit, payment against documents, wire transfers, monthly invoices, and futures booker invoices. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the financial institutions include at least one of: trade houses, banks, and capital markets hedge funds/investors. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the financial services include at least one of: structure flexible payment and pre-finance alternatives. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the service providers include at least one of: freight providers, laboratory testing, and vessel agents. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the services providers provide one or more of the following services: quotes for shipping routes, freight brokerage, third party liner freight services, and vessel agency. 9. A method for establishing an electronic commodity marketplace, comprising the steps of:
permitting access to the online marketplace to a plurality of types of commodity trading participants; receiving selections of trading partners from a particular participant relating to other participants with which the particular participant will deal with in the marketplace; receiving a plurality of trade orders or counter proposals, each from any of the participants; and providing information regarding each trade order or counter proposal to all participants. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of types comprises more than one of producers, exporting associations, processors/refiners, trade houses, importers, and buying agencies; 11. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of:
identifying to a first participant detailed information about a first trade order or counter proposal from a second participant only if the second participant and the first participant have identified each other as trading partners. 12. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of:
storing a set of automatic trading rules, each set associated with a participant; identifying a first trade order or counter proposal matching a predetermined set of criteria; and responding to a first trade order or counter proposal with a second counter proposal in accordance with the set of automatic trading rules. 13. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of:
storing a set of order templates, each set associated with a participant and each template comprising one or more modifiable default parameters; identifying one of the set of order templates to initiate a first trade order or counter proposal; populating the one order template with the one or more modifiable default parameters; receiving input from the participant revising and accepting the populated one order template; and submitting the first trade order or counter proposal based on the revised template. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the modifiable default parameters include commodity quality, commodity shipment times, commodity delivery points, commodity amounts, if-then statements relating to automatic trades involving acceptance of modified terms, and converting contract terms to different pricing mechanism. 15. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of:
providing electronic confirmations of executed orders to each participant of the executed order. 16. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of:
pushing to each participant an update of that participant's market position. 17. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of:
forwarding notification of an executed trade to an accounting service. 18. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of:
forwarding notification of an executed trade to a freight forwarding service. 19. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of:
associating with each participant a membership level; and filtering information forwarded to a particular participant based on the membership level associated with that particular participant. 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the information filtered includes one or more of trading screens, industry-related reports, polls, forums, chats, bulletin boards, and real-time news. | 3,600 |
13,070 | 13,070 | 13,464,408 | 3,697 | A system for transferring web content between a customer's user terminal and a web service over the Internet including an access network connected to the user terminal, a proxy server connected to the access network and the Internet, and a billing system. The billing system maintains accounts for the customers, each account having a prepaid balance. When a request for content transfer is received by the proxy server, the proxy server determines the cost to the user terminal for presentation to the customer. If the customer elects to continue with the transfer, the cost is deducted from his account and the transfer is effectuated. | 1. A system for providing web content over the Internet to a user terminal, said user terminal including at least one user application for exchanging web content with a remote content server connected to the Internet, said system comprising:
an access network connected to the user terminal; a proxy server providing access from said access network to the Internet; and a billing member coupled to said proxy server, said billing member managing an account associated with the customer; wherein, in response to, a request for the transfer of the web content by the customer through the user terminal, the proxy server sends a tag to the customer indicating to the customer the costs charged for delivering the web content, and in response to an acceptance by the customer, the proxy server and the billing member cooperate to debit said account with said costs and to deliver said content. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the; web content is downloaded from the content server to the user terminal. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the web content is uploaded from the user terminal to the content server. 4. The system of claim 1 wherein said web content includes several components and wherein the customer is presented with a plurality of said tags, each tag including the respective cost associated with transfer of the respective component. 5. The system of claim 1 wherein in response to the request, the web content is transmitted from the content server to the proxy server and the proxy server generates said tag for the user terminal. 6. The system of claim 5 wherein said proxy server includes a proxy request processing application that receives the request and transmits in response a proxy request to the content server. 7. The system of claim 6 wherein said proxy server further includes a content tagging module receiving the web content and generating the tag based on the web content. 8. The system of claim 7 wherein said proxy server includes a content storage receiving and storing the content. 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the user terminal includes a show case module receiving said tag and presenting the tag to the customer. 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the user terminal includes a content display module displaying the content to the customer 11. The system of claim 1 wherein the user terminal is provided with a plurality of user applications; each application being activated selectively by the customer for exchanging respective web content. 12. The system of claim 11 wherein said proxy server includes a plurality of proxy applications, each proxy application corresponding to one of the user applications. 13. The system of claim 1 wherein said access network is a mobile cellular network. 14. A method of providing a content transfer between the user terminal of a customer and a remote content server over the Internet, wherein said user terminal includes a user application for performing content transfer and wherein the customer is associated with a respective account with a prepaid balance, the account being maintained by a billing system, said account comprising the steps of:
transmitting by an access network a request for transfer of web content from the customer to a proxy server; determining by said proxy server the cost for transmitting said content through said access network; transmitting by said proxy server a signal to the user terminal, said signal including information indicating said cost for presentation to the customer; receiving by said proxy server a command from the user to proceed with the transfer; causing said billing system to debit the account of the customer for the cost; and effectuating the transfer of the content between the user terminal and the content server through said proxy server. 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the web, content is uploaded from the user terminal to the remote content server. 16. The method of claim 14 wherein the web content is downloaded from the content server to the user terminal. 17. The method of claim 14 wherein the proxy server includes a proxy application, and wherein in response to the request, the proxy application transmits a proxy application request to the content server. 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the proxy server receives the web content in response to the proxy application request. 19. The method of claim 17 further comprising determining said cost based on said web content. 20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the storing said web content on said proxy server. 21. The method of claim 14 wherein said, web content includes several components, each component being associated with a respective cost for exchanging said component over said access network, further transmitting to said user terminal said tags for presentation to the customer. 22. The method of claim 21 further comprising receiving a tagged content request from the user terminal identifying only some of said contents and transmitting by the proxy server only the components corresponding to said tagged content request. 23. The method of claim 14 further comprising accepting prepayment funds by said billing system into said content before content transfer. | A system for transferring web content between a customer's user terminal and a web service over the Internet including an access network connected to the user terminal, a proxy server connected to the access network and the Internet, and a billing system. The billing system maintains accounts for the customers, each account having a prepaid balance. When a request for content transfer is received by the proxy server, the proxy server determines the cost to the user terminal for presentation to the customer. If the customer elects to continue with the transfer, the cost is deducted from his account and the transfer is effectuated.1. A system for providing web content over the Internet to a user terminal, said user terminal including at least one user application for exchanging web content with a remote content server connected to the Internet, said system comprising:
an access network connected to the user terminal; a proxy server providing access from said access network to the Internet; and a billing member coupled to said proxy server, said billing member managing an account associated with the customer; wherein, in response to, a request for the transfer of the web content by the customer through the user terminal, the proxy server sends a tag to the customer indicating to the customer the costs charged for delivering the web content, and in response to an acceptance by the customer, the proxy server and the billing member cooperate to debit said account with said costs and to deliver said content. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the; web content is downloaded from the content server to the user terminal. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the web content is uploaded from the user terminal to the content server. 4. The system of claim 1 wherein said web content includes several components and wherein the customer is presented with a plurality of said tags, each tag including the respective cost associated with transfer of the respective component. 5. The system of claim 1 wherein in response to the request, the web content is transmitted from the content server to the proxy server and the proxy server generates said tag for the user terminal. 6. The system of claim 5 wherein said proxy server includes a proxy request processing application that receives the request and transmits in response a proxy request to the content server. 7. The system of claim 6 wherein said proxy server further includes a content tagging module receiving the web content and generating the tag based on the web content. 8. The system of claim 7 wherein said proxy server includes a content storage receiving and storing the content. 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the user terminal includes a show case module receiving said tag and presenting the tag to the customer. 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the user terminal includes a content display module displaying the content to the customer 11. The system of claim 1 wherein the user terminal is provided with a plurality of user applications; each application being activated selectively by the customer for exchanging respective web content. 12. The system of claim 11 wherein said proxy server includes a plurality of proxy applications, each proxy application corresponding to one of the user applications. 13. The system of claim 1 wherein said access network is a mobile cellular network. 14. A method of providing a content transfer between the user terminal of a customer and a remote content server over the Internet, wherein said user terminal includes a user application for performing content transfer and wherein the customer is associated with a respective account with a prepaid balance, the account being maintained by a billing system, said account comprising the steps of:
transmitting by an access network a request for transfer of web content from the customer to a proxy server; determining by said proxy server the cost for transmitting said content through said access network; transmitting by said proxy server a signal to the user terminal, said signal including information indicating said cost for presentation to the customer; receiving by said proxy server a command from the user to proceed with the transfer; causing said billing system to debit the account of the customer for the cost; and effectuating the transfer of the content between the user terminal and the content server through said proxy server. 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the web, content is uploaded from the user terminal to the remote content server. 16. The method of claim 14 wherein the web content is downloaded from the content server to the user terminal. 17. The method of claim 14 wherein the proxy server includes a proxy application, and wherein in response to the request, the proxy application transmits a proxy application request to the content server. 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the proxy server receives the web content in response to the proxy application request. 19. The method of claim 17 further comprising determining said cost based on said web content. 20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the storing said web content on said proxy server. 21. The method of claim 14 wherein said, web content includes several components, each component being associated with a respective cost for exchanging said component over said access network, further transmitting to said user terminal said tags for presentation to the customer. 22. The method of claim 21 further comprising receiving a tagged content request from the user terminal identifying only some of said contents and transmitting by the proxy server only the components corresponding to said tagged content request. 23. The method of claim 14 further comprising accepting prepayment funds by said billing system into said content before content transfer. | 3,600 |
13,071 | 13,071 | 13,759,976 | 3,681 | An online system predicts values of a target characteristic for users in a set of users based on a reference set of users having known values for the target characteristic. Using descriptive characteristics of users in the reference set of users and target characteristic values for users in the reference set, the online system generates a model predicting values of the target characteristic based on user descriptive characteristics. The online system applies a global constraint on the target characteristic when generating the model, so the model extrapolates from the reference data while achieving aggregate results for values of the target characteristic that are consistent with the global constraint. The global constraint may be obtained from census data or another suitable global aggregate survey. Using the global constraint in the model avoids inaccuracies in reporting of user metrics. | 1. A method comprising:
retrieving a reference group of users of an online system each having a known value associated with a target characteristic and associated with one or more other descriptive characteristics; retrieving one or more constraints associated with the target characteristic based on a population of users including a greater number of users than the reference group; generating a model from the one or more descriptive characteristics of the retrieved reference group of users each having information associated with the target characteristic, the model determining a value of the target characteristic for each of the individual users in the population subject to a condition that the target characteristic aggregated across the population satisfies a constraint; and determining imputed values for the target characteristic for one or more users of the online system not included in the reference group by applying the model to descriptive characteristics associated with each of the one or more users. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the population of users includes users in the reference group and additional users of the online system not in the reference group. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein retrieving one or more constraints associated with the target characteristic comprises:
receiving a constraint on at least one of the values for the target characteristic from a third party system. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the population of users includes all users of the online system. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining imputed values for the target characteristic for one or more users of the online system not included in the reference group by applying the model to descriptive characteristics associated with each of the one or more users comprises:
determining probabilities of the target characteristic for a user having different values from a set of values by applying the model to descriptive characteristics associated with the user. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining imputed values for the target characteristic for one or more users of the online system not included in the reference group by applying the model to descriptive characteristics associated with each of the one or more users comprises:
determining a probability distribution of values for the target characteristic for a user around a mean value by applying the model to descriptive characteristics associated with the user. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein retrieving the reference group of users of the online system each having the known value associated with the target characteristic and associated with descriptive characteristics comprises:
presenting a survey to users in of the online system, the survey prompting a user to specify a value for the target characteristic; receiving values for the target characteristic from one or more users presented with the survey; and retrieving descriptive characteristics associated with each user from which a value for the target characteristic was received. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the model from the descriptive characteristics of the retrieved reference group of users each having information associated with the target characteristic comprises:
determining, for each user in the reference group, a weight based on a likelihood of a user being included in the reference group conditional on descriptive characteristics associated with the user. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the weight for the user in the reference group comprises an inverse of the likelihood of the user being included in the reference group conditional on descriptive characteristics associated with the user. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining a number of the one or more users of the online system not included in the reference group for which the target characteristic was determined to have a specified imputed value; and modifying the model if a difference between a constraint and the determined number of the one or more users of the online system not included in the reference group for which the target characteristic was determined to have the specified imputed value exceeds a threshold. 11. A method comprising:
retrieving a set of users of an online system each associated with descriptive characteristics and each having incomplete information for a target characteristic; retrieving a reference group of users of the online system each having a known value associated with the target characteristic and associated with descriptive characteristics; retrieving one or more constraints associated with the target characteristic based on a population of users including a greater number of users than the reference group; generating a model from the descriptive characteristics of the retrieved reference group of users each having information associated with the target characteristic, the model determining a value of the target characteristic for each of the individual users in the population subject to a condition that the target characteristic aggregated across the population satisfies a constraint; and determining imputed values for the target characteristic for users in the set of users and not included in the reference group by applying the model to descriptive characteristics associated with users in the set of users. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
determining a number of the one or more users in the set of users and not included in the reference group for which the target characteristic was determined to have a specified imputed value; and modifying the model if a difference between the constraint and the determined number of the one or more users of the online system not included in the reference group for which the target characteristic was determined to have the specified value exceeds a threshold. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the reference group includes a number of users less than a total number of users in the set of users. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein retrieving one or more constraints associated with the target characteristic comprises:
determining a constraint based on information associated with users in the population of users. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein retrieving one or more constraints associated with the target characteristic comprises:
receiving a constraint on at least one of the values for the target characteristic from a third party system. 16. The method of claim 11, wherein retrieving one or more constraints associated with the target characteristic comprises:
determining a constraint based on analysis of global information associated with all users of the online system. 17. The method of claim 11, wherein determining values for the target characteristic for one or more users of the online system not included in the reference group by applying the model to descriptive characteristics associated with each of the one or more users comprises:
determining probabilities of the target characteristic for a user having different values from a set of values by applying the model to descriptive characteristics associated with the user. 18. The method of claim 11, wherein determining values for the target characteristic for one or more users of the online system not included in the reference group by applying the model to descriptive characteristics associated with each of the one or more users comprises:
determining a probability distribution of values for the target characteristic for a user around a mean value by applying the model to descriptive characteristics associated with the user. 19. The method of claim 11, wherein generating the model from the descriptive characteristics of the retrieved reference group of users each having information associated with the target characteristic comprises:
determining, for each user in the reference group, a weight based on a likelihood of a user being included in the reference group conditional on descriptive characteristics associated with the user. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the weight for the user in the reference group comprises an inverse of the likelihood of the user being included in the reference group conditional on descriptive characteristics associated with the user. | An online system predicts values of a target characteristic for users in a set of users based on a reference set of users having known values for the target characteristic. Using descriptive characteristics of users in the reference set of users and target characteristic values for users in the reference set, the online system generates a model predicting values of the target characteristic based on user descriptive characteristics. The online system applies a global constraint on the target characteristic when generating the model, so the model extrapolates from the reference data while achieving aggregate results for values of the target characteristic that are consistent with the global constraint. The global constraint may be obtained from census data or another suitable global aggregate survey. Using the global constraint in the model avoids inaccuracies in reporting of user metrics.1. A method comprising:
retrieving a reference group of users of an online system each having a known value associated with a target characteristic and associated with one or more other descriptive characteristics; retrieving one or more constraints associated with the target characteristic based on a population of users including a greater number of users than the reference group; generating a model from the one or more descriptive characteristics of the retrieved reference group of users each having information associated with the target characteristic, the model determining a value of the target characteristic for each of the individual users in the population subject to a condition that the target characteristic aggregated across the population satisfies a constraint; and determining imputed values for the target characteristic for one or more users of the online system not included in the reference group by applying the model to descriptive characteristics associated with each of the one or more users. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the population of users includes users in the reference group and additional users of the online system not in the reference group. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein retrieving one or more constraints associated with the target characteristic comprises:
receiving a constraint on at least one of the values for the target characteristic from a third party system. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the population of users includes all users of the online system. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining imputed values for the target characteristic for one or more users of the online system not included in the reference group by applying the model to descriptive characteristics associated with each of the one or more users comprises:
determining probabilities of the target characteristic for a user having different values from a set of values by applying the model to descriptive characteristics associated with the user. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining imputed values for the target characteristic for one or more users of the online system not included in the reference group by applying the model to descriptive characteristics associated with each of the one or more users comprises:
determining a probability distribution of values for the target characteristic for a user around a mean value by applying the model to descriptive characteristics associated with the user. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein retrieving the reference group of users of the online system each having the known value associated with the target characteristic and associated with descriptive characteristics comprises:
presenting a survey to users in of the online system, the survey prompting a user to specify a value for the target characteristic; receiving values for the target characteristic from one or more users presented with the survey; and retrieving descriptive characteristics associated with each user from which a value for the target characteristic was received. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the model from the descriptive characteristics of the retrieved reference group of users each having information associated with the target characteristic comprises:
determining, for each user in the reference group, a weight based on a likelihood of a user being included in the reference group conditional on descriptive characteristics associated with the user. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the weight for the user in the reference group comprises an inverse of the likelihood of the user being included in the reference group conditional on descriptive characteristics associated with the user. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining a number of the one or more users of the online system not included in the reference group for which the target characteristic was determined to have a specified imputed value; and modifying the model if a difference between a constraint and the determined number of the one or more users of the online system not included in the reference group for which the target characteristic was determined to have the specified imputed value exceeds a threshold. 11. A method comprising:
retrieving a set of users of an online system each associated with descriptive characteristics and each having incomplete information for a target characteristic; retrieving a reference group of users of the online system each having a known value associated with the target characteristic and associated with descriptive characteristics; retrieving one or more constraints associated with the target characteristic based on a population of users including a greater number of users than the reference group; generating a model from the descriptive characteristics of the retrieved reference group of users each having information associated with the target characteristic, the model determining a value of the target characteristic for each of the individual users in the population subject to a condition that the target characteristic aggregated across the population satisfies a constraint; and determining imputed values for the target characteristic for users in the set of users and not included in the reference group by applying the model to descriptive characteristics associated with users in the set of users. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
determining a number of the one or more users in the set of users and not included in the reference group for which the target characteristic was determined to have a specified imputed value; and modifying the model if a difference between the constraint and the determined number of the one or more users of the online system not included in the reference group for which the target characteristic was determined to have the specified value exceeds a threshold. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the reference group includes a number of users less than a total number of users in the set of users. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein retrieving one or more constraints associated with the target characteristic comprises:
determining a constraint based on information associated with users in the population of users. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein retrieving one or more constraints associated with the target characteristic comprises:
receiving a constraint on at least one of the values for the target characteristic from a third party system. 16. The method of claim 11, wherein retrieving one or more constraints associated with the target characteristic comprises:
determining a constraint based on analysis of global information associated with all users of the online system. 17. The method of claim 11, wherein determining values for the target characteristic for one or more users of the online system not included in the reference group by applying the model to descriptive characteristics associated with each of the one or more users comprises:
determining probabilities of the target characteristic for a user having different values from a set of values by applying the model to descriptive characteristics associated with the user. 18. The method of claim 11, wherein determining values for the target characteristic for one or more users of the online system not included in the reference group by applying the model to descriptive characteristics associated with each of the one or more users comprises:
determining a probability distribution of values for the target characteristic for a user around a mean value by applying the model to descriptive characteristics associated with the user. 19. The method of claim 11, wherein generating the model from the descriptive characteristics of the retrieved reference group of users each having information associated with the target characteristic comprises:
determining, for each user in the reference group, a weight based on a likelihood of a user being included in the reference group conditional on descriptive characteristics associated with the user. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the weight for the user in the reference group comprises an inverse of the likelihood of the user being included in the reference group conditional on descriptive characteristics associated with the user. | 3,600 |
13,072 | 13,072 | 12,571,839 | 3,628 | This is directed to systems and methods for integrating hotel services in a single application available to a portable electronic device. Using the single application, a user can access and control hotel services before arriving at the hotel, upon arriving at the hotel, in the hotel room, in the local vicinity, and after leaving the hotel. Such services can include, for example, checking-in and checking out, purchasing in-room dining or in-room entertainment, making reservations at local restaurants or local attractions, scheduling hotel guest reminders, and controlling room setting either within the room or outside of the room. | 1. A method comprising:
receiving identifying information from a user, wherein the information is transmitted via a portable electronic device of the user located remote from a hotel; receiving, from the user, a request to configure at least one room setting; determining, based on the identifying information, that the user is an authorized guest of the hotel; and configuring a hotel room of the hotel with the at least one room setting in response to determining the user is an authorized guest, wherein the configuring is performed prior to the user arriving at the hotel room. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the request comprises at least one of adjusting a temperature setting of the hotel room, adjusting a television setting of the hotel room, adjusting an audio setting of the hotel room, adjusting a lighting setting of the hotel room, and adjusting a bathtub setting of the hotel room. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the request comprises a particular timeframe in which to complete the request. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining, based on the identifying information, that the user is an authorized guest further comprises:
determining the user is one of a current hotel guest and a hotel guest scheduled to check-in on the current date. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring a hotel room further comprises:
determining a particular hotel room is scheduled for occupancy by the user; and configuring the particular hotel room with the at least one room setting. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, from the user, a request to pre-order a room service item; and delivering the room service item to the hotel room prior to the user arriving at the hotel room. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining the user is not checked into the hotel and is scheduled to check-in on the current date; and automatically checking the user into the hotel in response to determining the user is not checked into the hotel and is scheduled to check-in on the current date. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining the user is not checked into the hotel and is scheduled to check-in on the current date; and transmitting, in response to determining the user is not checked into the hotel and is scheduled to check-in on the current date, a notification to the user requesting permission to check-in the user. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
receiving permission to check-in the user, wherein the permission is transmitted via the portable electronic device; and checking the user into the hotel. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
transmitting a notification to the user offering an upsell opportunity. 11. A portable electronic device for interfacing with a hotel system, the portable electronic device comprising:
an input component operable to receive a user request to adjust at least one room setting of a hotel room; and communication circuitry operable to:
transmit the user request to the hotel system;
transmit identifying information to the hotel system for retrieving reservation information of a particular hotel room; and
receive a confirmation from the hotel system indicating the particular hotel room is configured with the at least one room setting. 12. The portable electronic device of claim 11, wherein the user request comprises at least one of adjusting a temperature setting of the hotel room, adjusting a television setting of the hotel room, adjusting an audio setting of the hotel room, adjusting a lighting setting of the hotel room, and adjusting a bathtub setting of the hotel room. 13. The portable electronic device of claim 11, wherein the communication circuitry is further operable to:
receive an electronic key operative to open a hotel room door, wherein the electronic key is operable by the portable electronic device. 14. The portable electronic device of claim 13, further comprising:
a display component; and a processor, wherein the electronic key comprises a particular optical pattern and wherein the processor is operable to direct the display component to display the particular optical pattern to unlock a door. 15. The portable electronic device of claim 12, further comprising:
a radio signal generator; and a processor, wherein the electronic key comprises a particular radio signal and wherein the processor is operable to direct the radio signal generator to generate the particular radio signal to unlock a door. 16. The portable electronic device of claim 11, wherein the communications circuitry is further operable to:
transmit a request to schedule a hotel service. 17. The portable electronic device of claim 16, wherein the hotel service comprises one of a wake up call, an appointment at a hotel spa, and a reservation of a hotel conference room. 18. The portable electronic device of claim 11, wherein the communications circuitry is further operable to:
transmit a request to control an entertainment system of the particular hotel room. 19. The portable electronic device of claim 11, further comprising:
a connector operable to couple the portable electronic device to a dock of an entertainment system for at least one of audio and video playback. 20. Machine-readable media comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon for:
receiving identifying information from a user, wherein the information is transmitted via a portable electronic device of the user located remote from a hotel; receiving, from the user, a request to configure at least one room setting; determining, based on the identifying information, that the user is an authorized guest of the hotel; and configuring a hotel room of the hotel with the at least one room setting in response to determining the user is an authorized guest, wherein the configuring is performed prior to the user arriving at the hotel room. | This is directed to systems and methods for integrating hotel services in a single application available to a portable electronic device. Using the single application, a user can access and control hotel services before arriving at the hotel, upon arriving at the hotel, in the hotel room, in the local vicinity, and after leaving the hotel. Such services can include, for example, checking-in and checking out, purchasing in-room dining or in-room entertainment, making reservations at local restaurants or local attractions, scheduling hotel guest reminders, and controlling room setting either within the room or outside of the room.1. A method comprising:
receiving identifying information from a user, wherein the information is transmitted via a portable electronic device of the user located remote from a hotel; receiving, from the user, a request to configure at least one room setting; determining, based on the identifying information, that the user is an authorized guest of the hotel; and configuring a hotel room of the hotel with the at least one room setting in response to determining the user is an authorized guest, wherein the configuring is performed prior to the user arriving at the hotel room. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the request comprises at least one of adjusting a temperature setting of the hotel room, adjusting a television setting of the hotel room, adjusting an audio setting of the hotel room, adjusting a lighting setting of the hotel room, and adjusting a bathtub setting of the hotel room. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the request comprises a particular timeframe in which to complete the request. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining, based on the identifying information, that the user is an authorized guest further comprises:
determining the user is one of a current hotel guest and a hotel guest scheduled to check-in on the current date. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring a hotel room further comprises:
determining a particular hotel room is scheduled for occupancy by the user; and configuring the particular hotel room with the at least one room setting. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, from the user, a request to pre-order a room service item; and delivering the room service item to the hotel room prior to the user arriving at the hotel room. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining the user is not checked into the hotel and is scheduled to check-in on the current date; and automatically checking the user into the hotel in response to determining the user is not checked into the hotel and is scheduled to check-in on the current date. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining the user is not checked into the hotel and is scheduled to check-in on the current date; and transmitting, in response to determining the user is not checked into the hotel and is scheduled to check-in on the current date, a notification to the user requesting permission to check-in the user. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
receiving permission to check-in the user, wherein the permission is transmitted via the portable electronic device; and checking the user into the hotel. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
transmitting a notification to the user offering an upsell opportunity. 11. A portable electronic device for interfacing with a hotel system, the portable electronic device comprising:
an input component operable to receive a user request to adjust at least one room setting of a hotel room; and communication circuitry operable to:
transmit the user request to the hotel system;
transmit identifying information to the hotel system for retrieving reservation information of a particular hotel room; and
receive a confirmation from the hotel system indicating the particular hotel room is configured with the at least one room setting. 12. The portable electronic device of claim 11, wherein the user request comprises at least one of adjusting a temperature setting of the hotel room, adjusting a television setting of the hotel room, adjusting an audio setting of the hotel room, adjusting a lighting setting of the hotel room, and adjusting a bathtub setting of the hotel room. 13. The portable electronic device of claim 11, wherein the communication circuitry is further operable to:
receive an electronic key operative to open a hotel room door, wherein the electronic key is operable by the portable electronic device. 14. The portable electronic device of claim 13, further comprising:
a display component; and a processor, wherein the electronic key comprises a particular optical pattern and wherein the processor is operable to direct the display component to display the particular optical pattern to unlock a door. 15. The portable electronic device of claim 12, further comprising:
a radio signal generator; and a processor, wherein the electronic key comprises a particular radio signal and wherein the processor is operable to direct the radio signal generator to generate the particular radio signal to unlock a door. 16. The portable electronic device of claim 11, wherein the communications circuitry is further operable to:
transmit a request to schedule a hotel service. 17. The portable electronic device of claim 16, wherein the hotel service comprises one of a wake up call, an appointment at a hotel spa, and a reservation of a hotel conference room. 18. The portable electronic device of claim 11, wherein the communications circuitry is further operable to:
transmit a request to control an entertainment system of the particular hotel room. 19. The portable electronic device of claim 11, further comprising:
a connector operable to couple the portable electronic device to a dock of an entertainment system for at least one of audio and video playback. 20. Machine-readable media comprising machine-readable instructions recorded thereon for:
receiving identifying information from a user, wherein the information is transmitted via a portable electronic device of the user located remote from a hotel; receiving, from the user, a request to configure at least one room setting; determining, based on the identifying information, that the user is an authorized guest of the hotel; and configuring a hotel room of the hotel with the at least one room setting in response to determining the user is an authorized guest, wherein the configuring is performed prior to the user arriving at the hotel room. | 3,600 |
13,073 | 13,073 | 14,271,200 | 3,683 | The present disclosure describes computer hardware, software, systems and methods for evaluating the effect of planned, future or hypothetical incentive programs on a financial arrangement that could be offered to customers such as automobile customers. Computer hardware and modules are disclosed that can store, receive, display, or calculate customer data corresponding to financial terms of current agreements of one or more customers and hypothetical incentive data, store, receive, display, or generate potential customer pools that include customers for which a replacement product and a replacement financial agreement has financial terms substantially similar to financial terms of a current product and current financial agreement, and generate a summary report that includes the customers in the potential customer pool. | 1. A method of evaluating the effect of planned, future or hypothetical incentive programs on a financial arrangement that could be offered to a customer, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving customer data corresponding to financial terms of current agreements of one or more customers; receiving hypothetical incentive data comprising one or more incentives; using the customer data and the hypothetical incentive data to create a potential customer pool comprising one or more customers for which a replacement product and a replacement financial agreement has financial terms substantially similar to financial terms of a current product and current financial agreement; generating a summary report that includes the customers in the potential customer pool, the summary report including the total number of customers in the potential customer pool, divided by segments corresponding to at least one of the following:
the current make and model of the customers' vehicles;
the model year of the customers' vehicles; and
transmitting at least part of the summary report from a web application server to a user computer over an encrypted Internet connection; and operating a firewall between the user computer and a storage device that contains the customer data on which the summary report is based to protect the privacy of the one or more customers. | The present disclosure describes computer hardware, software, systems and methods for evaluating the effect of planned, future or hypothetical incentive programs on a financial arrangement that could be offered to customers such as automobile customers. Computer hardware and modules are disclosed that can store, receive, display, or calculate customer data corresponding to financial terms of current agreements of one or more customers and hypothetical incentive data, store, receive, display, or generate potential customer pools that include customers for which a replacement product and a replacement financial agreement has financial terms substantially similar to financial terms of a current product and current financial agreement, and generate a summary report that includes the customers in the potential customer pool.1. A method of evaluating the effect of planned, future or hypothetical incentive programs on a financial arrangement that could be offered to a customer, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving customer data corresponding to financial terms of current agreements of one or more customers; receiving hypothetical incentive data comprising one or more incentives; using the customer data and the hypothetical incentive data to create a potential customer pool comprising one or more customers for which a replacement product and a replacement financial agreement has financial terms substantially similar to financial terms of a current product and current financial agreement; generating a summary report that includes the customers in the potential customer pool, the summary report including the total number of customers in the potential customer pool, divided by segments corresponding to at least one of the following:
the current make and model of the customers' vehicles;
the model year of the customers' vehicles; and
transmitting at least part of the summary report from a web application server to a user computer over an encrypted Internet connection; and operating a firewall between the user computer and a storage device that contains the customer data on which the summary report is based to protect the privacy of the one or more customers. | 3,600 |
13,074 | 13,074 | 15,132,685 | 3,619 | A vehicle computer system, comprising a processor configured to identify a driver of a vehicle utilizing driver profile data received from a driver device communicating with the vehicle, and disable driving of the vehicle in response to the driver profile data and vehicle registration data received from a remote server indicating an issue with a vehicle policy. | 1. A vehicle computer system, comprising:
a processor configured to identify a driver of a vehicle utilizing driver profile data received from a driver device communicating with the vehicle, and disable driving of the vehicle in response to the driver profile data and vehicle registration data received from a remote server indicating an issue with a vehicle policy. 2. The vehicle computer system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to output the issue for display. 3. The vehicle computer system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to output an error message for display indicating a request for additional information as related to the vehicle policy. 4. The vehicle computer system of claim 1, wherein the issue is an unauthorized driver of the vehicle utilizing the driver profile data and vehicle registration data. 5. The vehicle computer system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to disable driving of the vehicle in response to vehicle insurance data received from a remote server. 6. A vehicle computer system, comprising:
a processor configured to identify a driver of a vehicle utilizing driver profile data received from a driver device, and output a message at the vehicle computer system indicating a status of a vehicle insurance policy as pertaining to the driver based upon the driver profile data and vehicle policy data received from a remote server, and prevent vehicle driving in response to the status indicating an expired insurance policy or unauthorized driver. 7. The vehicle computer system of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to lock-out or deactivate a vehicle controller when the status of the vehicle insurance policy indicates an expired insurance policy or unauthorized driver. 8. The vehicle computer system of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to send the driver profile data to the server to determine an authorized driver is operating the vehicle utilizing the vehicle policy data and the driver profile data. 9. The vehicle computer system of claim 6, wherein the driver device is received from at least one of a mobile phone, smart watch, or a key-fob. 10. The vehicle computer system of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to output directions to a point-of-interest in response to the status of the vehicle policy. 11. The vehicle computer system of claim 10, wherein the point-of-interest is a vehicle registration agency when the status of the vehicle policy indicates an issue. 12. The vehicle computer system of claim 6, wherein the vehicle policy data includes vehicle insurance data or vehicle registration data. 13. The vehicle computer system of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to receive input of vehicle policy information utilizing an interface of the vehicle computer system. 14. The vehicle computer system of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to send the driver profile data to the remote server. 15. A server comprising:
a processor configured to receive from a driver device driver profile data identifying a driver in a vehicle and vehicle policy data indicating vehicle registration information, and output a status message indicating a vehicle driver policy at a vehicle computer system of the vehicle utilizing the driver profile data and vehicle policy data. 16. The server of claim 15, wherein the status message indicates that the vehicle driver policy includes issues based upon the driver. 17. The server of claim 15, wherein the status message indicates the vehicle driver policy is valid based upon the driver. 18. The server of claim 15, wherein the server is configured to communicate with vehicles of only a same manufacturer. 19. The server of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to receive insurance policy data from at least one of a vehicle server or an insurance server. 20. The server of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to receive vehicle registration data from at least one of a vehicle server or a government server. | A vehicle computer system, comprising a processor configured to identify a driver of a vehicle utilizing driver profile data received from a driver device communicating with the vehicle, and disable driving of the vehicle in response to the driver profile data and vehicle registration data received from a remote server indicating an issue with a vehicle policy.1. A vehicle computer system, comprising:
a processor configured to identify a driver of a vehicle utilizing driver profile data received from a driver device communicating with the vehicle, and disable driving of the vehicle in response to the driver profile data and vehicle registration data received from a remote server indicating an issue with a vehicle policy. 2. The vehicle computer system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to output the issue for display. 3. The vehicle computer system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to output an error message for display indicating a request for additional information as related to the vehicle policy. 4. The vehicle computer system of claim 1, wherein the issue is an unauthorized driver of the vehicle utilizing the driver profile data and vehicle registration data. 5. The vehicle computer system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to disable driving of the vehicle in response to vehicle insurance data received from a remote server. 6. A vehicle computer system, comprising:
a processor configured to identify a driver of a vehicle utilizing driver profile data received from a driver device, and output a message at the vehicle computer system indicating a status of a vehicle insurance policy as pertaining to the driver based upon the driver profile data and vehicle policy data received from a remote server, and prevent vehicle driving in response to the status indicating an expired insurance policy or unauthorized driver. 7. The vehicle computer system of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to lock-out or deactivate a vehicle controller when the status of the vehicle insurance policy indicates an expired insurance policy or unauthorized driver. 8. The vehicle computer system of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to send the driver profile data to the server to determine an authorized driver is operating the vehicle utilizing the vehicle policy data and the driver profile data. 9. The vehicle computer system of claim 6, wherein the driver device is received from at least one of a mobile phone, smart watch, or a key-fob. 10. The vehicle computer system of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to output directions to a point-of-interest in response to the status of the vehicle policy. 11. The vehicle computer system of claim 10, wherein the point-of-interest is a vehicle registration agency when the status of the vehicle policy indicates an issue. 12. The vehicle computer system of claim 6, wherein the vehicle policy data includes vehicle insurance data or vehicle registration data. 13. The vehicle computer system of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to receive input of vehicle policy information utilizing an interface of the vehicle computer system. 14. The vehicle computer system of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to send the driver profile data to the remote server. 15. A server comprising:
a processor configured to receive from a driver device driver profile data identifying a driver in a vehicle and vehicle policy data indicating vehicle registration information, and output a status message indicating a vehicle driver policy at a vehicle computer system of the vehicle utilizing the driver profile data and vehicle policy data. 16. The server of claim 15, wherein the status message indicates that the vehicle driver policy includes issues based upon the driver. 17. The server of claim 15, wherein the status message indicates the vehicle driver policy is valid based upon the driver. 18. The server of claim 15, wherein the server is configured to communicate with vehicles of only a same manufacturer. 19. The server of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to receive insurance policy data from at least one of a vehicle server or an insurance server. 20. The server of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to receive vehicle registration data from at least one of a vehicle server or a government server. | 3,600 |
13,075 | 13,075 | 13,765,607 | 3,629 | By interacting with an interface element associated with a third-party system and presented by a social networking system, a user of the social networking system performs an action on the third-party system. For example, the interface element is displayed in a story describing content from the third-party system. The interface element is associated with an action performed on the third-party system, so when a user accesses the interface element a request to perform the action is sent from the social networking system to the third-party system. When the third-party system performs the action, a description of the action is sent back to the social networking system, which may present a confirmation of the action to the user. For example, the appearance of the interface element is modified to indicate that the action was performed. | 1. A method comprising:
receiving content from a third-party system for presentation to users of a social networking system, the third-party system associated with a domain different than a domain of the social networking system; generating a description of the content from the third party system, the description including at least one interface element associated with an action on the third-party system; presenting the description of the content including the at least one interface element to one or more users of the social networking system; and transmitting a request to perform the action on the third-party system responsive to receiving an interaction with the at least one interface element from a user. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving a description of the action on the third-party system from the third party system. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
storing the description of the action and an association between the description of the action and the user. 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
presenting a modified interface element associated with the action on the third-party system to the user after receiving the description of the action on the third-party system from the third-party system. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the modified interface element includes data indicating the action was performed by the third-party system. 6. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
notifying one or more users of the social networking system connected to the user of the description of the action and of the user. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein notifying one or more users of the social networking system connected to the user of the description of the action and of the user comprises:
presenting a story describing the action and the user to the one or more users of the social networking system connected to the user. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the request to perform the action on the third-party system includes a description of the action and identifying information associated with the user. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the identifying information associated with the user comprises login information associated with the user and with the third-party system. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the request to perform the action on the third-party system further comprises an identifier of an object on which the action is performed. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the description of the content from the third party system comprises:
retrieving a description of an interface element associated with the action on the third-party system, the description identifying data for presentation, the third-party system, and a command for the third-party system; and generating the description of the content based at least in part on the retrieved description of the interface element. 12. A method comprising:
presenting a description of content associated with a third-party system to one or more users of a social networking system including at least one interface element associated with an action on the third-party system, the third-party system associated with a domain different than a domain of the social networking system; receiving an interaction with the at least one interface element associated with the action on the third party system from a user; and transmitting a request to perform the action on the third-party system responsive to receiving the interaction, the request including a command for the third-party system to perform the action associated with the at least one interface element. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
storing a description of the action received from the third-party system when the action was performed and an association between the description of the action and the user. 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
presenting a modified interface element associated with the action on the third-party system to the user after receiving the description of the action on the third-party system from the third-party system, the modified interface element includes data indicating the action was performed by the third-party system. 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
notifying one or more users of the social networking system connected to the user of the description of the action and of the user. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein notifying one or more users of the social networking system connected to the user of the description of the action and of the user comprises:
presenting a story describing the action and the user to the one or more users of the social networking system connected to the user. 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the request to perform the action on the third-party system includes identifying information associated with the user. 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the request to perform the action on the third-party system further comprises an identifier of an object on which the action is performed. 19. A method comprising:
transmitting content from a third-party system to a social networking system for presentation to users of the social networking system, the third-party system associated with a domain different than the domain of the social networking system; receiving a request to perform an action on the third-party system from the social networking system, the request identifying a user and a command for performing the action by the third-party system; performing the action on the third-party system by retrieving an account associated with the identified user and executing the command; and transmitting a confirmation that the action was performed to the social networking system. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein transmitting the content from a third-party system to a social networking system for presentation to users of the social networking system comprises:
transmitting a description of an interface element for presentation by the social networking system, the description identifying data for presentation, the third-party system, and the command for performing the action on the third-party system. | By interacting with an interface element associated with a third-party system and presented by a social networking system, a user of the social networking system performs an action on the third-party system. For example, the interface element is displayed in a story describing content from the third-party system. The interface element is associated with an action performed on the third-party system, so when a user accesses the interface element a request to perform the action is sent from the social networking system to the third-party system. When the third-party system performs the action, a description of the action is sent back to the social networking system, which may present a confirmation of the action to the user. For example, the appearance of the interface element is modified to indicate that the action was performed.1. A method comprising:
receiving content from a third-party system for presentation to users of a social networking system, the third-party system associated with a domain different than a domain of the social networking system; generating a description of the content from the third party system, the description including at least one interface element associated with an action on the third-party system; presenting the description of the content including the at least one interface element to one or more users of the social networking system; and transmitting a request to perform the action on the third-party system responsive to receiving an interaction with the at least one interface element from a user. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving a description of the action on the third-party system from the third party system. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
storing the description of the action and an association between the description of the action and the user. 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
presenting a modified interface element associated with the action on the third-party system to the user after receiving the description of the action on the third-party system from the third-party system. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the modified interface element includes data indicating the action was performed by the third-party system. 6. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
notifying one or more users of the social networking system connected to the user of the description of the action and of the user. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein notifying one or more users of the social networking system connected to the user of the description of the action and of the user comprises:
presenting a story describing the action and the user to the one or more users of the social networking system connected to the user. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the request to perform the action on the third-party system includes a description of the action and identifying information associated with the user. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the identifying information associated with the user comprises login information associated with the user and with the third-party system. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the request to perform the action on the third-party system further comprises an identifier of an object on which the action is performed. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the description of the content from the third party system comprises:
retrieving a description of an interface element associated with the action on the third-party system, the description identifying data for presentation, the third-party system, and a command for the third-party system; and generating the description of the content based at least in part on the retrieved description of the interface element. 12. A method comprising:
presenting a description of content associated with a third-party system to one or more users of a social networking system including at least one interface element associated with an action on the third-party system, the third-party system associated with a domain different than a domain of the social networking system; receiving an interaction with the at least one interface element associated with the action on the third party system from a user; and transmitting a request to perform the action on the third-party system responsive to receiving the interaction, the request including a command for the third-party system to perform the action associated with the at least one interface element. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
storing a description of the action received from the third-party system when the action was performed and an association between the description of the action and the user. 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
presenting a modified interface element associated with the action on the third-party system to the user after receiving the description of the action on the third-party system from the third-party system, the modified interface element includes data indicating the action was performed by the third-party system. 15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
notifying one or more users of the social networking system connected to the user of the description of the action and of the user. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein notifying one or more users of the social networking system connected to the user of the description of the action and of the user comprises:
presenting a story describing the action and the user to the one or more users of the social networking system connected to the user. 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the request to perform the action on the third-party system includes identifying information associated with the user. 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the request to perform the action on the third-party system further comprises an identifier of an object on which the action is performed. 19. A method comprising:
transmitting content from a third-party system to a social networking system for presentation to users of the social networking system, the third-party system associated with a domain different than the domain of the social networking system; receiving a request to perform an action on the third-party system from the social networking system, the request identifying a user and a command for performing the action by the third-party system; performing the action on the third-party system by retrieving an account associated with the identified user and executing the command; and transmitting a confirmation that the action was performed to the social networking system. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein transmitting the content from a third-party system to a social networking system for presentation to users of the social networking system comprises:
transmitting a description of an interface element for presentation by the social networking system, the description identifying data for presentation, the third-party system, and the command for performing the action on the third-party system. | 3,600 |
13,076 | 13,076 | 14,536,582 | 3,627 | Preferred examples of a system and method for rapid collection and distribution of taxes are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments of the present invention provide a system and a method for point-of-sale collection and distribution of sales taxes on a frequent, regular basis, such as daily or weekly or other periodic time intervals, that can be used for face-to-face, e-commerce, telephone or other transactions. The disclosed embodiments provide a system and a method for transferring funds from numerous merchants to numerous taxing authorities in an efficient manner, with each merchant seeking to transfer funds to perhaps several taxing authorities and each taxing authority seeking to receive funds from many merchants. According to other examples of the invention, a centralized distribution feature allows the merchants and the taxing authorities to each communicate with a single entity or other in transferring the funds. Therefore, efficient tax collection and distribution may be achieved without overburdening either individual merchants or individual taxing authorities | 1. A system for collection and distribution of taxes comprising:
an acquiring bank's designated computer; a merchant computer; a merchant bank computer; a credit card association computer; and one or more taxing entity bank computers, each associated with a taxing entity; wherein the acquiring bank's designated computer receives transaction information from the merchant computer, wherein the transaction information includes a sales amount and location information; in response to the receipt of the transaction information, the acquiring bank's designated computer calculates the tax liability owed to each taxing entity based, at least in part, on the location information; after calculating the tax liability, the acquiring bank's designated computer coordinates a fund transfer corresponding to the sales amount and the tax liability owed to each taxing entity between the credit card association computer and the acquiring bank's designated computer; the acquiring bank's designated computer further coordinates a fund transfer corresponding to sales amount between the acquiring bank's designated computer and the merchant bank computer; and the acquiring bank's designated computer further coordinates one or more fund transfers corresponding to the tax liability owed to each taxing entity between the acquiring bank's designated computer and the one or more taxing entity bank computers. 2. The system of claim 1 further including an issuer bank computer, wherein the credit card association computer coordinates a fund transfer request corresponding to the sales amount and the tax liability owed to each taxing entity between the issuer bank computer and the credit card association computer. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the acquiring bank's designated computer receives payment information and transaction information from the merchant computer through the credit card association computer. 4. The system of claim 1 wherein location information includes location of the consumer. 5. The system of claim 1 wherein location information includes location of the merchant. 6. The system of claim 1 wherein location information includes location of one or more of a billing location, a warehouse location, or a fulfillment center location. 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the acquiring bank's designated computer calculates the tax liability owed to each taxing entity based on predetermined distribution rules. 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the tax liability is a sales tax. 9. A computer-implemented method for collection and distribution of taxes comprising the steps of:
receiving, in an acquiring bank's designated computer in communication with:
a merchant computer;
a merchant bank computer;
a credit card association computer; and
one or more taxing entity bank computers, each associated with a taxing entity;
transaction information from the merchant computer, wherein the transaction information includes a sales amount and location information; in response to the receipt of the transaction information from the merchant computer, calculating the tax liability owed to each taxing entity based, at least in part, on the location information; after calculating the tax liability, coordinating a fund transfer corresponding to sales amount between the acquiring bank's designated computer and the merchant bank computer; and coordinating one or more fund transfers corresponding to the tax liability owed to each taxing entity between the acquiring bank's designated computer and the one or more taxing entity bank computers. 10. The method of claim 9 further including an issuer bank computer, wherein the credit card association computer coordinates a fund transfer request corresponding to the sales amount and the tax liability owed to each taxing entity between the issuer bank computer and the credit card association computer. 11. The method of claim 9 wherein the acquiring bank's designated computer receives payment information and transaction information from the merchant computer through the credit card association computer. 12. The method of claim 9 wherein location information includes location of the consumer. 13. The method of claim 9 wherein location information includes location of the merchant. 14. The method of claim 9 wherein location information includes location of one or more of a billing location, a warehouse location, or a fulfillment center location. 15. The method of claim 9 wherein the acquiring bank's designated computer calculates the tax liability owed to each taxing entity based on predetermined distribution rules. 16. The method of claim 9 wherein the tax liability is a sales tax. 17. A system for collection and distribution of taxes comprising:
one or more acquiring bank's designated computers, each including memory, wherein the memory is configured to store program instructions executable by the acquiring bank's designated computer, further wherein, in response to executing the program instructions, one or more of the acquiring bank's designated computers are configured to: receive a purchase amount and location identifier from a merchant computer; access a database including a plurality of sale tax rates associated with a plurality of location identifiers; calculate a tax amount based on the purchase amount and the sales tax rate associated with the received location identifier; receive a payment from a credit card association computer; and send the tax amount payment to a tax authority. 18. The system of claim 17 wherein the controller is further configured to:
receive a purchase amount payment from the credit card association computer; and
send the purchase amount payment to a merchant bank computer. 19. The system of claim 17 wherein the merchant is an individual customer. 20. The system of claim 17 wherein the database is in communication with a plurality of jurisdictional tax codes and corresponding location identifiers, wherein the controller is configured to periodically update the plurality of sales tax rates based on the jurisdictional tax codes for each location identifier. 21. The system of claim 17 wherein the controller is further configured to:
receive payment information from the merchant computer; and
communicate the payment information to a payment processing center in communication with the merchant bank computer. 22. The system of claim 17 wherein the location identifier is a zip code. 23. The system of claim 17 wherein the location identifier is a shipping address. 24. The system of claim 17 wherein the location identifier is a billing address. | Preferred examples of a system and method for rapid collection and distribution of taxes are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments of the present invention provide a system and a method for point-of-sale collection and distribution of sales taxes on a frequent, regular basis, such as daily or weekly or other periodic time intervals, that can be used for face-to-face, e-commerce, telephone or other transactions. The disclosed embodiments provide a system and a method for transferring funds from numerous merchants to numerous taxing authorities in an efficient manner, with each merchant seeking to transfer funds to perhaps several taxing authorities and each taxing authority seeking to receive funds from many merchants. According to other examples of the invention, a centralized distribution feature allows the merchants and the taxing authorities to each communicate with a single entity or other in transferring the funds. Therefore, efficient tax collection and distribution may be achieved without overburdening either individual merchants or individual taxing authorities1. A system for collection and distribution of taxes comprising:
an acquiring bank's designated computer; a merchant computer; a merchant bank computer; a credit card association computer; and one or more taxing entity bank computers, each associated with a taxing entity; wherein the acquiring bank's designated computer receives transaction information from the merchant computer, wherein the transaction information includes a sales amount and location information; in response to the receipt of the transaction information, the acquiring bank's designated computer calculates the tax liability owed to each taxing entity based, at least in part, on the location information; after calculating the tax liability, the acquiring bank's designated computer coordinates a fund transfer corresponding to the sales amount and the tax liability owed to each taxing entity between the credit card association computer and the acquiring bank's designated computer; the acquiring bank's designated computer further coordinates a fund transfer corresponding to sales amount between the acquiring bank's designated computer and the merchant bank computer; and the acquiring bank's designated computer further coordinates one or more fund transfers corresponding to the tax liability owed to each taxing entity between the acquiring bank's designated computer and the one or more taxing entity bank computers. 2. The system of claim 1 further including an issuer bank computer, wherein the credit card association computer coordinates a fund transfer request corresponding to the sales amount and the tax liability owed to each taxing entity between the issuer bank computer and the credit card association computer. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the acquiring bank's designated computer receives payment information and transaction information from the merchant computer through the credit card association computer. 4. The system of claim 1 wherein location information includes location of the consumer. 5. The system of claim 1 wherein location information includes location of the merchant. 6. The system of claim 1 wherein location information includes location of one or more of a billing location, a warehouse location, or a fulfillment center location. 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the acquiring bank's designated computer calculates the tax liability owed to each taxing entity based on predetermined distribution rules. 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the tax liability is a sales tax. 9. A computer-implemented method for collection and distribution of taxes comprising the steps of:
receiving, in an acquiring bank's designated computer in communication with:
a merchant computer;
a merchant bank computer;
a credit card association computer; and
one or more taxing entity bank computers, each associated with a taxing entity;
transaction information from the merchant computer, wherein the transaction information includes a sales amount and location information; in response to the receipt of the transaction information from the merchant computer, calculating the tax liability owed to each taxing entity based, at least in part, on the location information; after calculating the tax liability, coordinating a fund transfer corresponding to sales amount between the acquiring bank's designated computer and the merchant bank computer; and coordinating one or more fund transfers corresponding to the tax liability owed to each taxing entity between the acquiring bank's designated computer and the one or more taxing entity bank computers. 10. The method of claim 9 further including an issuer bank computer, wherein the credit card association computer coordinates a fund transfer request corresponding to the sales amount and the tax liability owed to each taxing entity between the issuer bank computer and the credit card association computer. 11. The method of claim 9 wherein the acquiring bank's designated computer receives payment information and transaction information from the merchant computer through the credit card association computer. 12. The method of claim 9 wherein location information includes location of the consumer. 13. The method of claim 9 wherein location information includes location of the merchant. 14. The method of claim 9 wherein location information includes location of one or more of a billing location, a warehouse location, or a fulfillment center location. 15. The method of claim 9 wherein the acquiring bank's designated computer calculates the tax liability owed to each taxing entity based on predetermined distribution rules. 16. The method of claim 9 wherein the tax liability is a sales tax. 17. A system for collection and distribution of taxes comprising:
one or more acquiring bank's designated computers, each including memory, wherein the memory is configured to store program instructions executable by the acquiring bank's designated computer, further wherein, in response to executing the program instructions, one or more of the acquiring bank's designated computers are configured to: receive a purchase amount and location identifier from a merchant computer; access a database including a plurality of sale tax rates associated with a plurality of location identifiers; calculate a tax amount based on the purchase amount and the sales tax rate associated with the received location identifier; receive a payment from a credit card association computer; and send the tax amount payment to a tax authority. 18. The system of claim 17 wherein the controller is further configured to:
receive a purchase amount payment from the credit card association computer; and
send the purchase amount payment to a merchant bank computer. 19. The system of claim 17 wherein the merchant is an individual customer. 20. The system of claim 17 wherein the database is in communication with a plurality of jurisdictional tax codes and corresponding location identifiers, wherein the controller is configured to periodically update the plurality of sales tax rates based on the jurisdictional tax codes for each location identifier. 21. The system of claim 17 wherein the controller is further configured to:
receive payment information from the merchant computer; and
communicate the payment information to a payment processing center in communication with the merchant bank computer. 22. The system of claim 17 wherein the location identifier is a zip code. 23. The system of claim 17 wherein the location identifier is a shipping address. 24. The system of claim 17 wherein the location identifier is a billing address. | 3,600 |
13,077 | 13,077 | 13,601,984 | 3,692 | A system for monetizing content is disclosed. | 1. A method for monetizing content, comprising:
receiving a selection of content tagged by a user, wherein the tagged content is a portion of content stored in memory and provided by a content provider; executing instructions stored in memory, wherein execution of the instructions by a processor:
calculates a price for the tagged content, the price based in part on an amount of content selected,
processes a content fee from the user for the tagged content, and
distributes at least a portion of the received content fee to the content provider. 2. (canceled) 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the execution of instructions by the processor further tracks the distributed content fee. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the execution of instructions by the processor further tracks usage of the tagged content by the user. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein execution of instructions by the processor further tracks attribution information associated with the tagged content. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the execution of instructions by the processor further provides the tagged content to the user based on one or more licensing provisions associated with the content. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the licensing provision is a distribution restriction associated with the tagged content. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the licensing provision is a reproduction restriction associated with the tagged content. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the price for the tagged content is further based on a profile associated with the user. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the price for the tagged content is further based on content demand. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the price for the tagged content is further based on a previous content purchase by the user. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the price for the tagged content is further based on a creation date associated with the tagged content. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the price for the tagged content is further based on a stale date associated with the tagged content. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the price for the tagged content is further based on a license provision associated with the tagged content. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the license provision includes a royalty fee. 16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, having embodied thereon a program, the program being executable by a processor to perform a method for monetizing content, the method comprising:
receiving a selection of content tagged, wherein the tagged content is a portion of content provided by a content provider; calculating a price for the tagged content, the price based in part on an amount of content selected; processing a content fee for the tagged content; and distributing at least a portion of the received content fee to the content provider. | A system for monetizing content is disclosed.1. A method for monetizing content, comprising:
receiving a selection of content tagged by a user, wherein the tagged content is a portion of content stored in memory and provided by a content provider; executing instructions stored in memory, wherein execution of the instructions by a processor:
calculates a price for the tagged content, the price based in part on an amount of content selected,
processes a content fee from the user for the tagged content, and
distributes at least a portion of the received content fee to the content provider. 2. (canceled) 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the execution of instructions by the processor further tracks the distributed content fee. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the execution of instructions by the processor further tracks usage of the tagged content by the user. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein execution of instructions by the processor further tracks attribution information associated with the tagged content. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the execution of instructions by the processor further provides the tagged content to the user based on one or more licensing provisions associated with the content. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the licensing provision is a distribution restriction associated with the tagged content. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the licensing provision is a reproduction restriction associated with the tagged content. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the price for the tagged content is further based on a profile associated with the user. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the price for the tagged content is further based on content demand. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the price for the tagged content is further based on a previous content purchase by the user. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the price for the tagged content is further based on a creation date associated with the tagged content. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the price for the tagged content is further based on a stale date associated with the tagged content. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the price for the tagged content is further based on a license provision associated with the tagged content. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the license provision includes a royalty fee. 16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, having embodied thereon a program, the program being executable by a processor to perform a method for monetizing content, the method comprising:
receiving a selection of content tagged, wherein the tagged content is a portion of content provided by a content provider; calculating a price for the tagged content, the price based in part on an amount of content selected; processing a content fee for the tagged content; and distributing at least a portion of the received content fee to the content provider. | 3,600 |
13,078 | 13,078 | 10,959,637 | 3,681 | A method of including a gift card in a mailing to a customer includes receiving a request to include gift cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers. The group includes the customer. The method also includes preparing the mailing. The mailing includes the gift card and the gift card is inactive. The method further includes sending the mailing to the customer and receiving a request from the customer to activate the gift card. The request includes an identifier of the gift card and payment for an amount of value to be assigned to the gift card. The method further includes settling a transaction involving the gift card and a recipient of the gift card. The recipient and the customer are different. | 1. A method of including a gift card in a mailing to a customer, comprising:
at a host computer system, receiving a request to include gift cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers, wherein the group includes the customer; preparing the mailing, wherein the mailing includes the gift card and wherein the gift card is inactive; sending the mailing to the customer; at a host computer system, receiving a request from the customer to activate the gift card, wherein the request includes an identifier of the gift card and payment for an amount of value to be assigned to the gift card; thereafter, at the host computer, settling a transaction involving the gift card and a recipient of the gift card, wherein the recipient and the customer are different. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the value to be assigned to the gift card comprises monetary value. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the request includes criteria used to determine the group comprising one or more customers. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein preparing the mailing comprises applying the criteria to data stored at the host computer system to determine the group comprising one or more customers. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a request to include gift cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers comprises receiving the request from a selection from the group consisting of financial institution, retailer, client, and customer. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the mailing comprises a selection from the group consisting of account statement, direct mailing, catalogue mailing, and account correspondence. 7. A method of including a stored value card in a mailing to a customer, comprising:
at a host computer system, receiving a request to include stored value cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers, wherein the group includes the customer; preparing the mailing, wherein the mailing includes the stored value card and wherein the stored value card is inactive; sending the mailing to the customer; and at the host computer system, receiving a request from the customer to activate the card, wherein the request includes an identifier of the card and payment for an amount of monetary value to be assigned to the card. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the request to include stored value cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers includes criteria used to determine the group comprising one or more customers. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein preparing the mailing comprises applying the criteria to data stored at the host computer system to determine the one or more customers. 10. The method of claim 7, wherein receiving a request to include stored value cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers comprises receiving the request from a selection from the group consisting of financial institution, retailer, client, and customer. 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the mailing comprises a selection from the group consisting of account statement, direct mailing, catalogue mailing, and account correspondence. 12. The method of claim 7, wherein receiving a request from the customer to activate the card comprises receiving an amount of monetary value to be assigned to the card. 13. A method of including a gift card in a mailing to a customer, comprising:
at a host computer system, receiving a request from the customer to include an inactive gift card in the mailing; preparing the mailing, wherein the mailing includes the gift card and wherein the gift card is inactive; sending the mailing to the customer; at a host computer system, receiving a request from the customer to activate the gift card, wherein the request includes an identifier of the gift card and payment for an amount of monetary value to be assigned to the gift card. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the request from the customer to include an inactive gift card in the mailing comprises a request to send a plurality of gift cards. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein at least two of the plurality of gift cards relate to different merchants. 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising thereafter settling transactions with two different recipients of two different of the plurality of gift cards. 17. The method of claim 13, wherein receiving a request from the customer to include an inactive gift card in the mailing comprises receiving a request to include a card in each of a plurality of mailings. 18. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for performing a method of including a stored value card in a mailing to a customer, the method comprising:
receiving a request to include stored value cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers, wherein the group includes the customer; preparing the mailing, wherein the mailing includes the stored value card and wherein the stored value card is inactive; sending the mailing to the customer; and receiving a request from the customer to activate the card, wherein the request includes an identifier of the card and payment for an amount of monetary value to be assigned to the card. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the request to include stored value cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers includes criteria used to determine the group comprising one or more customers. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein preparing the mailing comprises applying the criteria to data stored at the host computer system to determine the one or more customers. 21. The method of claim 18, wherein the stored value card comprises a gift card and wherein the method further comprises settling a transaction with a recipient of the card. 22. A method of including a stored value card in a mailing to a customer, comprising:
a step for receiving a request to include stored value cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers, wherein the group includes the customer; a step for preparing the mailing, wherein the mailing includes the stored value card and wherein the stored value card is inactive; a step for sending the mailing to the customer; and a step for receiving a request from the customer to activate the card, wherein the request includes an identifier of the card and payment for an amount of monetary value to be assigned to the card. 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:
a step for settling a transaction involving the card and a recipient of the card. 24. A system for including a stored value card in a mailing to a customer, comprising:
mail processing equipment; a processor configured to control the mail processing equipment; and software that programs the processor to:
receive a request to include stored value cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers, wherein the group includes the customer;
send control signals to the mail processing equipment to prepare the mailing, wherein the mailing includes the stored value card and wherein the stored value card is inactive; and
receive a request from the customer to activate the card, wherein the request includes an identifier of the card and payment for an amount of monetary value to be assigned to the card. 25. The system of claim 24, wherein the request to include stored value cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers comprises criteria used to determine the group comprising one or more customers. 26. The system of claim 25, further comprising a data storage arrangement configured to store account information relating to the one or more customers. 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the software further programs the processor to apply the criteria to the account information to determine the one or more customers. 28. A system for including a stored value card in a mailing to a customer, comprising:
means for receiving a request to include stored value cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers, wherein the group includes the customer; means for preparing the mailing, wherein the mailing includes the stored value card and wherein the stored value card is inactive; means for sending the mailing to the customer; and means for receiving a request from the customer to activate the card, wherein the request includes an identifier of the card and payment for an amount of monetary value to be assigned to the card. 29. The system of claim 28, wherein the request to include stored value cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers comprises criteria used to determine the group comprising one or more customers, the system further comprising:
means for applying the criteria to account information stored at the system. 30. The system of claim 28, wherein the stored value card comprises a gift card, the system further comprising:
means for settling a transaction involving the gift card and a recipient of the card, wherein the customer and the recipient are different. | A method of including a gift card in a mailing to a customer includes receiving a request to include gift cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers. The group includes the customer. The method also includes preparing the mailing. The mailing includes the gift card and the gift card is inactive. The method further includes sending the mailing to the customer and receiving a request from the customer to activate the gift card. The request includes an identifier of the gift card and payment for an amount of value to be assigned to the gift card. The method further includes settling a transaction involving the gift card and a recipient of the gift card. The recipient and the customer are different.1. A method of including a gift card in a mailing to a customer, comprising:
at a host computer system, receiving a request to include gift cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers, wherein the group includes the customer; preparing the mailing, wherein the mailing includes the gift card and wherein the gift card is inactive; sending the mailing to the customer; at a host computer system, receiving a request from the customer to activate the gift card, wherein the request includes an identifier of the gift card and payment for an amount of value to be assigned to the gift card; thereafter, at the host computer, settling a transaction involving the gift card and a recipient of the gift card, wherein the recipient and the customer are different. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the value to be assigned to the gift card comprises monetary value. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the request includes criteria used to determine the group comprising one or more customers. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein preparing the mailing comprises applying the criteria to data stored at the host computer system to determine the group comprising one or more customers. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a request to include gift cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers comprises receiving the request from a selection from the group consisting of financial institution, retailer, client, and customer. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the mailing comprises a selection from the group consisting of account statement, direct mailing, catalogue mailing, and account correspondence. 7. A method of including a stored value card in a mailing to a customer, comprising:
at a host computer system, receiving a request to include stored value cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers, wherein the group includes the customer; preparing the mailing, wherein the mailing includes the stored value card and wherein the stored value card is inactive; sending the mailing to the customer; and at the host computer system, receiving a request from the customer to activate the card, wherein the request includes an identifier of the card and payment for an amount of monetary value to be assigned to the card. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the request to include stored value cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers includes criteria used to determine the group comprising one or more customers. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein preparing the mailing comprises applying the criteria to data stored at the host computer system to determine the one or more customers. 10. The method of claim 7, wherein receiving a request to include stored value cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers comprises receiving the request from a selection from the group consisting of financial institution, retailer, client, and customer. 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the mailing comprises a selection from the group consisting of account statement, direct mailing, catalogue mailing, and account correspondence. 12. The method of claim 7, wherein receiving a request from the customer to activate the card comprises receiving an amount of monetary value to be assigned to the card. 13. A method of including a gift card in a mailing to a customer, comprising:
at a host computer system, receiving a request from the customer to include an inactive gift card in the mailing; preparing the mailing, wherein the mailing includes the gift card and wherein the gift card is inactive; sending the mailing to the customer; at a host computer system, receiving a request from the customer to activate the gift card, wherein the request includes an identifier of the gift card and payment for an amount of monetary value to be assigned to the gift card. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the request from the customer to include an inactive gift card in the mailing comprises a request to send a plurality of gift cards. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein at least two of the plurality of gift cards relate to different merchants. 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising thereafter settling transactions with two different recipients of two different of the plurality of gift cards. 17. The method of claim 13, wherein receiving a request from the customer to include an inactive gift card in the mailing comprises receiving a request to include a card in each of a plurality of mailings. 18. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for performing a method of including a stored value card in a mailing to a customer, the method comprising:
receiving a request to include stored value cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers, wherein the group includes the customer; preparing the mailing, wherein the mailing includes the stored value card and wherein the stored value card is inactive; sending the mailing to the customer; and receiving a request from the customer to activate the card, wherein the request includes an identifier of the card and payment for an amount of monetary value to be assigned to the card. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the request to include stored value cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers includes criteria used to determine the group comprising one or more customers. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein preparing the mailing comprises applying the criteria to data stored at the host computer system to determine the one or more customers. 21. The method of claim 18, wherein the stored value card comprises a gift card and wherein the method further comprises settling a transaction with a recipient of the card. 22. A method of including a stored value card in a mailing to a customer, comprising:
a step for receiving a request to include stored value cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers, wherein the group includes the customer; a step for preparing the mailing, wherein the mailing includes the stored value card and wherein the stored value card is inactive; a step for sending the mailing to the customer; and a step for receiving a request from the customer to activate the card, wherein the request includes an identifier of the card and payment for an amount of monetary value to be assigned to the card. 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:
a step for settling a transaction involving the card and a recipient of the card. 24. A system for including a stored value card in a mailing to a customer, comprising:
mail processing equipment; a processor configured to control the mail processing equipment; and software that programs the processor to:
receive a request to include stored value cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers, wherein the group includes the customer;
send control signals to the mail processing equipment to prepare the mailing, wherein the mailing includes the stored value card and wherein the stored value card is inactive; and
receive a request from the customer to activate the card, wherein the request includes an identifier of the card and payment for an amount of monetary value to be assigned to the card. 25. The system of claim 24, wherein the request to include stored value cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers comprises criteria used to determine the group comprising one or more customers. 26. The system of claim 25, further comprising a data storage arrangement configured to store account information relating to the one or more customers. 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the software further programs the processor to apply the criteria to the account information to determine the one or more customers. 28. A system for including a stored value card in a mailing to a customer, comprising:
means for receiving a request to include stored value cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers, wherein the group includes the customer; means for preparing the mailing, wherein the mailing includes the stored value card and wherein the stored value card is inactive; means for sending the mailing to the customer; and means for receiving a request from the customer to activate the card, wherein the request includes an identifier of the card and payment for an amount of monetary value to be assigned to the card. 29. The system of claim 28, wherein the request to include stored value cards in mailings to each member of a group comprising one or more customers comprises criteria used to determine the group comprising one or more customers, the system further comprising:
means for applying the criteria to account information stored at the system. 30. The system of claim 28, wherein the stored value card comprises a gift card, the system further comprising:
means for settling a transaction involving the gift card and a recipient of the card, wherein the customer and the recipient are different. | 3,600 |
13,079 | 13,079 | 14,029,501 | 3,635 | An architectural design system receives input specifying plans for (i) a site having a surface area, (ii) post-development buildings, parking lots or sidewalks arranged to occupy a portion of the surface area greater than existing buildings, parking lots and sidewalks on the site, and (iii) post-development rain water management apparatus arranged to occupy a portion of the surface area and configured to at least slow the rate at which rain water drains from the site. The system further computes a water score for the site based on expected rainfall for the site and the perviousness of the site under pre-settlement, existing and post-development conditions, and outputs the water score. | 1. A site having a surface area, the site comprising:
post-development buildings, parking lots or sidewalks arranged to occupy a portion of the surface area greater than existing buildings, parking lots and sidewalks of the site; and post-development rain water containers or rain water infiltration systems configured to slow a rate at which rain water drains from the site and arranged on the site such that a water score based on an expected rainfall for the site and curve numbers of the site under pre-settlement, existing and post-development conditions falls within a predetermined range. 2. The site of claim 1, wherein the predetermined range is 60 to 80. 3. An architectural design system comprising:
one or more computers programmed to
receive input specifying plans for (i) a site having a surface area, (ii) post-development buildings, parking lots or sidewalks arranged to occupy a portion of the surface area greater than existing buildings, parking lots and sidewalks on the site, and (iii) post-development rain water management apparatus arranged to occupy a portion of the surface area and configured to at least slow the rate at which rain water drains from the site,
compute a water score for the site based on expected rainfall for the site and a perviousness of the site under pre-settlement, existing and post-development conditions, and
output the water score. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the perviousness of the site under pre-settlement, existing and post-development conditions is represented by curve numbers for the site under pre-settlement, existing and post-development conditions. 5. The system of claim 3, wherein the post-development rain water management apparatus include rain water containers or rain water infiltration systems. 6. A computer storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to
prompt a user to provide input specifying plans for (i) a site having a surface area, (ii) post-development buildings, parking lots or sidewalks arranged to occupy a portion of the surface area greater than existing buildings, parking lots and sidewalks on the site, and (iii) post-development rain water management apparatus arranged to occupy a portion of the surface area and configured to at least slow the rate at which rain water drains from the site, compute a water score for the site based on expected rainfall for the site and a perviousness of the site under pre-settlement, existing and post-development conditions, and output the water score. 7. The storage medium of claim 6, wherein the perviousness of the site under pre-settlement, existing and post-development conditions is represented by curve numbers for the site under pre-settlement, existing and post-development conditions. 8. The storage medium of claim 6, wherein the post-development rain water management apparatus include rain water containers or rain water infiltration systems. | An architectural design system receives input specifying plans for (i) a site having a surface area, (ii) post-development buildings, parking lots or sidewalks arranged to occupy a portion of the surface area greater than existing buildings, parking lots and sidewalks on the site, and (iii) post-development rain water management apparatus arranged to occupy a portion of the surface area and configured to at least slow the rate at which rain water drains from the site. The system further computes a water score for the site based on expected rainfall for the site and the perviousness of the site under pre-settlement, existing and post-development conditions, and outputs the water score.1. A site having a surface area, the site comprising:
post-development buildings, parking lots or sidewalks arranged to occupy a portion of the surface area greater than existing buildings, parking lots and sidewalks of the site; and post-development rain water containers or rain water infiltration systems configured to slow a rate at which rain water drains from the site and arranged on the site such that a water score based on an expected rainfall for the site and curve numbers of the site under pre-settlement, existing and post-development conditions falls within a predetermined range. 2. The site of claim 1, wherein the predetermined range is 60 to 80. 3. An architectural design system comprising:
one or more computers programmed to
receive input specifying plans for (i) a site having a surface area, (ii) post-development buildings, parking lots or sidewalks arranged to occupy a portion of the surface area greater than existing buildings, parking lots and sidewalks on the site, and (iii) post-development rain water management apparatus arranged to occupy a portion of the surface area and configured to at least slow the rate at which rain water drains from the site,
compute a water score for the site based on expected rainfall for the site and a perviousness of the site under pre-settlement, existing and post-development conditions, and
output the water score. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the perviousness of the site under pre-settlement, existing and post-development conditions is represented by curve numbers for the site under pre-settlement, existing and post-development conditions. 5. The system of claim 3, wherein the post-development rain water management apparatus include rain water containers or rain water infiltration systems. 6. A computer storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to
prompt a user to provide input specifying plans for (i) a site having a surface area, (ii) post-development buildings, parking lots or sidewalks arranged to occupy a portion of the surface area greater than existing buildings, parking lots and sidewalks on the site, and (iii) post-development rain water management apparatus arranged to occupy a portion of the surface area and configured to at least slow the rate at which rain water drains from the site, compute a water score for the site based on expected rainfall for the site and a perviousness of the site under pre-settlement, existing and post-development conditions, and output the water score. 7. The storage medium of claim 6, wherein the perviousness of the site under pre-settlement, existing and post-development conditions is represented by curve numbers for the site under pre-settlement, existing and post-development conditions. 8. The storage medium of claim 6, wherein the post-development rain water management apparatus include rain water containers or rain water infiltration systems. | 3,600 |
13,080 | 13,080 | 14,949,263 | 3,681 | A system includes a processor configured to wirelessly receive and store identification information received from a vehicle, in response to a transmitted fuel offer being wirelessly transmitted to the vehicle. The processor is also configured to provide a price for fuel in accordance with a stored record of the transmitted fuel offer, in response to the vehicle's wirelessly received identification information matching information associated with the stored record. | 1. A system comprising:
a processor configured to: wirelessly receive and store identification information received from a vehicle, in response to a transmitted fuel offer being wirelessly transmitted to the vehicle; and provide a price for fuel in accordance with a stored record of the transmitted fuel offer, in response to the vehicle's wirelessly received identification information matching information associated with the stored record. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the stored identification information includes vehicle identifying information. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the vehicle identification information includes a vehicle identification number (VIN). 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the stored identification information includes a driver or occupant identification, broadcast by the vehicle. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein stored record includes an expiration date, and the processor is configured to provide the price only if a current date is not past the expiration date. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to receive a transmitted offer-record from the vehicle, and compare the offer-record to the stored record, to confirm a match between offers associated with each record, before the processor provides the price for fuel. 7. A system comprising:
a processor configured to: create a record of identification information and a fuel offer, when identification is wirelessly received in response to the processor wirelessly broadcasting the fuel offer to a passing vehicle and a vehicle owner electing to lock-in the offer for a predetermined period. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to save vehicle identification information included with the identification information as redemption criteria associated with the record. 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to save user identification information included with the identification information as redemption criteria associated with the record. 10. The system of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to save an expiration date for the record as a date that is the predetermined period from a current date. 11. The system of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to examine previously stored identification information corresponding to the wirelessly received identification, and broadcast a modified fuel offer based on the identification information identifying an entity entitled to the modified fuel offer. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the entity is entitled to the modified fuel offer if the previously stored identification information indicates that the entity travels past a station with a predetermined frequency. 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the entity is entitled to the modified fuel offer if the previously stored identification information indicates that the entity has purchased a predetermined volume of fuel. 14. The system of claim 7, wherein the identification information includes a vehicle identification number (VIN). 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is configured to determine a vehicle fuel-needs characteristic based on the VIN, and to broadcast a modified fuel offer based on the fuel-needs characteristic meeting a predefined criteria. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the predefined criteria includes a recommended fuel blend. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the predefined criteria includes a fuel tank volume. 18. A system comprising
a processor configured to: wirelessly receive a fuel offer from a station past which a vehicle travels; store the offer and an accompanying expiration date in a vehicle memory; determine that the vehicle is parked at the station based on vehicle location information; and wirelessly transmit offer identifying information for offer redemption in response to the vehicle being parked at the station. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the processor is configured to automatically store a better offer in place of a previously stored offer if a price associated with the better offer is lower than a previous price associated with the previously stored offer. 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the processor is configured to request user confirmation before storing a new offer in place of a previously stored offer if a price associated with the new offer is higher than a previous price associated with the previously stored offer. | A system includes a processor configured to wirelessly receive and store identification information received from a vehicle, in response to a transmitted fuel offer being wirelessly transmitted to the vehicle. The processor is also configured to provide a price for fuel in accordance with a stored record of the transmitted fuel offer, in response to the vehicle's wirelessly received identification information matching information associated with the stored record.1. A system comprising:
a processor configured to: wirelessly receive and store identification information received from a vehicle, in response to a transmitted fuel offer being wirelessly transmitted to the vehicle; and provide a price for fuel in accordance with a stored record of the transmitted fuel offer, in response to the vehicle's wirelessly received identification information matching information associated with the stored record. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the stored identification information includes vehicle identifying information. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the vehicle identification information includes a vehicle identification number (VIN). 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the stored identification information includes a driver or occupant identification, broadcast by the vehicle. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein stored record includes an expiration date, and the processor is configured to provide the price only if a current date is not past the expiration date. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to receive a transmitted offer-record from the vehicle, and compare the offer-record to the stored record, to confirm a match between offers associated with each record, before the processor provides the price for fuel. 7. A system comprising:
a processor configured to: create a record of identification information and a fuel offer, when identification is wirelessly received in response to the processor wirelessly broadcasting the fuel offer to a passing vehicle and a vehicle owner electing to lock-in the offer for a predetermined period. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to save vehicle identification information included with the identification information as redemption criteria associated with the record. 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to save user identification information included with the identification information as redemption criteria associated with the record. 10. The system of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to save an expiration date for the record as a date that is the predetermined period from a current date. 11. The system of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to examine previously stored identification information corresponding to the wirelessly received identification, and broadcast a modified fuel offer based on the identification information identifying an entity entitled to the modified fuel offer. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the entity is entitled to the modified fuel offer if the previously stored identification information indicates that the entity travels past a station with a predetermined frequency. 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the entity is entitled to the modified fuel offer if the previously stored identification information indicates that the entity has purchased a predetermined volume of fuel. 14. The system of claim 7, wherein the identification information includes a vehicle identification number (VIN). 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is configured to determine a vehicle fuel-needs characteristic based on the VIN, and to broadcast a modified fuel offer based on the fuel-needs characteristic meeting a predefined criteria. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the predefined criteria includes a recommended fuel blend. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the predefined criteria includes a fuel tank volume. 18. A system comprising
a processor configured to: wirelessly receive a fuel offer from a station past which a vehicle travels; store the offer and an accompanying expiration date in a vehicle memory; determine that the vehicle is parked at the station based on vehicle location information; and wirelessly transmit offer identifying information for offer redemption in response to the vehicle being parked at the station. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the processor is configured to automatically store a better offer in place of a previously stored offer if a price associated with the better offer is lower than a previous price associated with the previously stored offer. 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the processor is configured to request user confirmation before storing a new offer in place of a previously stored offer if a price associated with the new offer is higher than a previous price associated with the previously stored offer. | 3,600 |
13,081 | 13,081 | 14,578,396 | 3,626 | Predictive models are built for the estimation of adverse health likelihood by identifying candidate model risk variables, constructing a model form for an outcome likelihood model that estimates the likelihood of an adverse outcome type using a group of risk variables selected from the set of candidate model risk variables and by classifying each selected risk variable into either a baseline group or a dynamic group. Additionally, predictive models are built by constructing separate baseline and dynamic outcome likelihood model forms and by fitting the constructed model forms to a training data set to produce final models to be used as scoring functions that compute a baseline outcome likelihood and a dynamic outcome likelihood for patient data that is not represented in the training data set. The predictive models can be used with alerting and attribution algorithms to predict the likelihood of an adverse outcome for individuals receiving care. | 1. A method implemented on a computer, for building predictive models for the estimation of adverse health likelihood, comprising:
identifying a set of candidate model risk variables that are associated with an adverse outcome type; constructing, utilizing the computer, an outcome likelihood model form that estimates the likelihood of the adverse outcome type using risk variables that are selected from the set of candidate model risk variables; classifying each of the selected risk variables into either a baseline group or a dynamic group, wherein:
the baseline group is composed of those selected risk variables that are non-modifiable based on medical care that is provided to a patient; and
the dynamic group is composed of those selected risk variables that are modifiable based on the medical care that is provided to the patient;
constructing, utilizing the computer, dynamic risk variable model forms that predict values for the selected risk variables in the dynamic group as a function of at least one of the risk variables in the baseline group; constructing, utilizing the computer, a baseline outcome likelihood model form associated with the adverse outcome type using the outcome likelihood model form and the dynamic risk variable model forms; constructing, utilizing the computer, a dynamic outcome likelihood model form associated with the adverse outcome type using the outcome likelihood model form and at least one of the selected risk variables; and fitting the constructed outcome likelihood model form, baseline outcome likelihood model form, and dynamic outcome likelihood model form, to a training data set that includes both outcome data and data values that correspond to the selected risk variables to produce an outcome likelihood model, a baseline outcome likelihood model, and a dynamic outcome likelihood model, which are used as scoring functions to compute a baseline outcome likelihood and a dynamic outcome likelihood for patient data that is not represented in the training data set. 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
generating an alerting algorithm that compares computed values for at least one of the overall outcome likelihood, baseline outcome likelihood, and dynamic outcome likelihood against predetermined thresholds, where the alerting algorithm thresholds are based upon a balancing of true positive and false positive behavior; and
generating an attribution assessment for the adverse outcome type by:
evaluating the contribution of the selected risk variables with respect to at least one of the baseline outcome likelihood and the dynamic outcome likelihood associated with an occurrence of an adverse outcome; and
indicating at least one evaluated risk variable that is determined to be a key contributor to the overall outcome likelihood. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein:
evaluating the contributions of the selected risk variables comprises utilizing the computer for producing a vector of indices characterizing the strength of the contributions of individual risk variables to at least one of the baseline outcome likelihood and the dynamic outcome likelihood. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein:
utilizing the computer for producing a vector of indices comprises producing the vector such that the indices sum to 100 and can be interpreted as percentage contributions to the outcome likelihood. 5. The method of claim 2 further comprising:
mapping actual patient data that is not represented in the training data set to the selected risk variables;
applying, by the computer, the mapped patient data in the selected risk variables to the outcome likelihood model, the baseline outcome likelihood model, and the dynamic outcome likelihood model, to compute the baseline outcome likelihood and dynamic outcome likelihood for the actual patient data; and
outputting a presentation of the results as predictions of the likelihoods of the adverse outcome for the patient represented by the actual patient data in response to results from the alerting algorithm. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying a set of candidate risk variables comprises:
identifying a specific physiological condition of interest associated with the adverse outcome type; obtaining diagnostic information based upon the identified specific physiological condition; obtaining information about clinical interventions that are likely to be appropriate interventions for the physiological condition of interest; identifying other physiological conditions that are related to the physiological condition of interest; populating a knowledgebase that is accessible by the computer, which relates the obtained diagnostic information to the physiological condition of interest and that relates the obtained clinical intervention information to the physiological condition of interest and that relates other identified physiological conditions to the physiological condition of interest; and selecting the set of candidate risk variables using knowledge extracted from the populated knowledgebase. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein obtaining diagnostic information comprises:
identifying diagnostic criteria employed to diagnose the physiological condition of interest; identifying corresponding risk metrics of the identified diagnostic criteria; and identifying electronic sources for data fields necessary to employ the diagnostic criteria including electronic medical record data fields. 8. The method of claim 6 further comprising:
utilizing by the computer, an ontology of triple types allowed by the knowledgebase to identify queries to elicit the diagnostic information and clinical intervention information to build the knowledgebase. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein constructing, utilizing the computer, an outcome likelihood model form comprises at least one of:
selecting at least one risk variable from the set of candidate risk variables that has a reconcilable relationship with an etiology of the adverse outcome type; and selecting at least one risk variable from the set of candidate risk variables based upon a computed statistical relationship for predicting the adverse outcome type. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein:
constructing, utilizing the computer, an outcome likelihood model form comprises:
receiving by the computer, the training data set;
constructing the outcome likelihood model form as β1x1+ . . . +βkxk, where there are k selected risk variables, and where β1-βk represent model coefficients;
further comprising utilizing the computer for:
using the training data set to fit the model form;
determining if β should be adjusted up or down; and
determining whether factor xi should be dropped, such that the model itself determines which parameters are important to allow prediction of adverse health outcomes. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein:
constructing a dynamic outcome likelihood model form comprises at least one of:
defining an outcome likelihood model component corresponding to each selected risk variable in the dynamic group, and aggregating across comparisons of the component magnitude when calculated with the actual dynamic risk variable value to the component magnitude when calculated with an estimated value of the selected risk variable in the dynamic group that is produced by a corresponding one of the dynamic risk variable model forms; and
basing the dynamic outcome likelihood model form on a set of scores of selected risk variables in the dynamic group, one for each risk variable, where a score is calculated as the magnitude of the corresponding outcome likelihood model component calculated with a known value of a risk variable in the dynamic group minus the magnitude of the same outcome likelihood model component calculated with estimated values of the predictor variable produced by a dynamic risk variable model form. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein:
fitting the constructed outcome likelihood model form, baseline outcome likelihood model form, and dynamic outcome likelihood model form, to a training data set to produce a dynamic outcome likelihood model, comprises at least one of: computing the dynamic outcome likelihood model form as the outcome likelihood model form minus the baseline outcome likelihood model form; computing the dynamic outcome likelihood model form as the sum over a set of dynamic risk variable scores; and computing the dynamic outcome likelihood model form as the sum over a set of dynamic risk variable scores which are greater than zero. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein:
identifying a set of candidate risk variables comprises:
defining the adverse outcome type as a collective adverse outcome that is comprised of at least a first adverse outcome type and a second adverse outcome type; and
identifying candidate risk variables that are determined to be of interest to at least one of the first adverse outcome type and the second adverse outcome type;
constructing a model form for an outcome likelihood model further comprises:
selecting risk variables from the set of candidate risk variables for predicting the first adverse outcome type; and
selecting risk variables from the set of candidate risk variables for predicting the second adverse outcome type;
generating an alerting algorithm that compares a computed value for at least one of the baseline outcome likelihood and dynamic outcome likelihood of the collective adverse outcome type against predetermined thresholds, where the alerting algorithm thresholds are based upon a balancing of true positive and false positive behavior; and generating an attribution assessment that identifies important risk variables for the collective adverse outcome type by:
evaluating the contribution of the selected risk variables with respect to at least one of the baseline outcome likelihood and the dynamic outcome likelihood, which are associated with an occurrence of the first adverse outcome type, the second adverse outcome type or both by producing a vector of indices characterizing the strength of the contributions of individual selected risk variables to at least one of the baseline outcome likelihood and dynamic outcome likelihood; and
identifying at least one evaluated risk variable that is determined to be a key contributor to at least one of the baseline outcome likelihood and dynamic overall outcome likelihood. 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:
generating an attribution assessment that identifies important individual adverse outcome types for the collective adverse outcome type by:
evaluating the contribution of the individual adverse outcome types with respect to at least one of the baseline outcome likelihood and the dynamic outcome likelihood associated with an occurrence of the first adverse outcome type, the second adverse outcome type or both by producing a vector of indices characterizing the strength of the contributions of individual adverse outcome types to at least one of the baseline outcome likelihood and dynamic outcome likelihood of the collective adverse outcome type; and
identifying at least one individual adverse outcome type that is a key contributor to at least one of the baseline outcome likelihood and dynamic outcome likelihood for the collective adverse outcome type. 15. A method implemented on a computer for performing clinical likelihood computations to evaluate patient risk, comprising:
collecting electronic patient data about an actual patient to be monitored for an adverse outcome type; matching, by the computer, the electronic patient data to a set of risk variables for predicting the adverse outcome type where the selected risk variables include at least one variable classified in a baseline group and at least one variable classified in a dynamic group, the baseline group is composed of non-modifiable variables, and the dynamic group is composed of modifiable variables; utilizing a scoring algorithm associated with an outcome likelihood model to estimate a baseline outcome likelihood and a dynamic outcome likelihood based upon the electronic patient data matched to the set of risk variables; identifying whether the patient is at-risk based upon the computed baseline outcome likelihood and a dynamic outcome likelihood; and providing an alert with attribution if at least one of the likelihoods exceeds a predetermined threshold(s). 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:
utilizing the computer to identify a select variable for which data is missing; and
imputing a value to the missing data based upon other risk variables with known values, where the other risk variables correlate with the missing risk variable. 17. The method of claim 15 further comprising:
performing retrospective risk attribution for a population of patients comprising:
performing computations to produce risk attribution vectors that apply to groups of patients rather than single patients;
utilizing the attribution vectors to draw conclusions across the population as to the likely root cause(s) that lead to eventual adverse outcomes in the patient data; and
utilizing the identified root causes to facilitate clinical policy decisions designed to reduce the incidence rate for adverse patient outcomes. 18. The method of claim 15 further comprising:
outputting, by the computer, risk mitigation information in the form of candidate interventions by linking identified causal factors to underlying conditions and to the output candidate interventions; and
linking identified causal factors to underlying conditions and then to the output candidate interventions based on clinical knowledge extracted from a populated clinical knowledgebase. 19. The method of claim 15 further comprising:
performing what-if risk forecasting by:
simulating, utilizing the computer, at least one intervention;
updating the estimated baseline outcome likelihood and a dynamic outcome likelihood based upon temporary changes to risk variable values required to simulate the intervention; and
identifying whether the patient risk changes based upon the updates to the estimated dynamic outcome likelihood. 20. The method of claim 15 further comprising:
associating uncertainty to forecasted risk based upon the estimated baseline outcome likelihood and a dynamic outcome likelihood;
creating an assessment of missing information;
evaluating the impact of the missing data;
computing, using the computer, an uncertainty reduction that will occur if certain missing pieces of information are obtained; and
recommending, by the computer, prioritized new clinical data types that will likely lead to the greatest uncertainty reduction. 21. The method of claim 15 further comprising:
collecting electronic patient data about an actual patient to be monitored for an adverse outcome;
determining risk variables from the collected electronic patient data, where the risk variables were selected to be predictive of the adverse outcome of interest;
extracting electronic patient data for historical patients having a profile that matches the identified patient profile, and
presenting the identified information from at least one patient history corresponding to a historical patient that matches the identified patient profile. 22. The method of claim 21 further comprising:
extracting electronic patient data from a historical patient archive with full temporal histories on previous patients for which outcomes are known; and
identifying at least one previous type of intervention for a similar patient, and presenting the outcomes of each type of intervention. 23. The method of claim 15 further comprising:
collecting electronic patient data about actual patients monitored for an adverse outcome;
determining risk variables from the collected electronic patient data, where the risk variables are selected to be predictive of the adverse outcome of interest;
identifying patient profiles of similar patients into a historical patient archive; and
evaluating recommended interventions based on the actual histories of the identified patient profiles of similar patients. 24. The method of claim 23 further comprising:
comparing a group of located historical matching patients to evaluate the risk(s) and outcome(s) of those patients that followed a trajectory of a select recommended intervention, to those that received alternative interventions. | Predictive models are built for the estimation of adverse health likelihood by identifying candidate model risk variables, constructing a model form for an outcome likelihood model that estimates the likelihood of an adverse outcome type using a group of risk variables selected from the set of candidate model risk variables and by classifying each selected risk variable into either a baseline group or a dynamic group. Additionally, predictive models are built by constructing separate baseline and dynamic outcome likelihood model forms and by fitting the constructed model forms to a training data set to produce final models to be used as scoring functions that compute a baseline outcome likelihood and a dynamic outcome likelihood for patient data that is not represented in the training data set. The predictive models can be used with alerting and attribution algorithms to predict the likelihood of an adverse outcome for individuals receiving care.1. A method implemented on a computer, for building predictive models for the estimation of adverse health likelihood, comprising:
identifying a set of candidate model risk variables that are associated with an adverse outcome type; constructing, utilizing the computer, an outcome likelihood model form that estimates the likelihood of the adverse outcome type using risk variables that are selected from the set of candidate model risk variables; classifying each of the selected risk variables into either a baseline group or a dynamic group, wherein:
the baseline group is composed of those selected risk variables that are non-modifiable based on medical care that is provided to a patient; and
the dynamic group is composed of those selected risk variables that are modifiable based on the medical care that is provided to the patient;
constructing, utilizing the computer, dynamic risk variable model forms that predict values for the selected risk variables in the dynamic group as a function of at least one of the risk variables in the baseline group; constructing, utilizing the computer, a baseline outcome likelihood model form associated with the adverse outcome type using the outcome likelihood model form and the dynamic risk variable model forms; constructing, utilizing the computer, a dynamic outcome likelihood model form associated with the adverse outcome type using the outcome likelihood model form and at least one of the selected risk variables; and fitting the constructed outcome likelihood model form, baseline outcome likelihood model form, and dynamic outcome likelihood model form, to a training data set that includes both outcome data and data values that correspond to the selected risk variables to produce an outcome likelihood model, a baseline outcome likelihood model, and a dynamic outcome likelihood model, which are used as scoring functions to compute a baseline outcome likelihood and a dynamic outcome likelihood for patient data that is not represented in the training data set. 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
generating an alerting algorithm that compares computed values for at least one of the overall outcome likelihood, baseline outcome likelihood, and dynamic outcome likelihood against predetermined thresholds, where the alerting algorithm thresholds are based upon a balancing of true positive and false positive behavior; and
generating an attribution assessment for the adverse outcome type by:
evaluating the contribution of the selected risk variables with respect to at least one of the baseline outcome likelihood and the dynamic outcome likelihood associated with an occurrence of an adverse outcome; and
indicating at least one evaluated risk variable that is determined to be a key contributor to the overall outcome likelihood. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein:
evaluating the contributions of the selected risk variables comprises utilizing the computer for producing a vector of indices characterizing the strength of the contributions of individual risk variables to at least one of the baseline outcome likelihood and the dynamic outcome likelihood. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein:
utilizing the computer for producing a vector of indices comprises producing the vector such that the indices sum to 100 and can be interpreted as percentage contributions to the outcome likelihood. 5. The method of claim 2 further comprising:
mapping actual patient data that is not represented in the training data set to the selected risk variables;
applying, by the computer, the mapped patient data in the selected risk variables to the outcome likelihood model, the baseline outcome likelihood model, and the dynamic outcome likelihood model, to compute the baseline outcome likelihood and dynamic outcome likelihood for the actual patient data; and
outputting a presentation of the results as predictions of the likelihoods of the adverse outcome for the patient represented by the actual patient data in response to results from the alerting algorithm. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying a set of candidate risk variables comprises:
identifying a specific physiological condition of interest associated with the adverse outcome type; obtaining diagnostic information based upon the identified specific physiological condition; obtaining information about clinical interventions that are likely to be appropriate interventions for the physiological condition of interest; identifying other physiological conditions that are related to the physiological condition of interest; populating a knowledgebase that is accessible by the computer, which relates the obtained diagnostic information to the physiological condition of interest and that relates the obtained clinical intervention information to the physiological condition of interest and that relates other identified physiological conditions to the physiological condition of interest; and selecting the set of candidate risk variables using knowledge extracted from the populated knowledgebase. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein obtaining diagnostic information comprises:
identifying diagnostic criteria employed to diagnose the physiological condition of interest; identifying corresponding risk metrics of the identified diagnostic criteria; and identifying electronic sources for data fields necessary to employ the diagnostic criteria including electronic medical record data fields. 8. The method of claim 6 further comprising:
utilizing by the computer, an ontology of triple types allowed by the knowledgebase to identify queries to elicit the diagnostic information and clinical intervention information to build the knowledgebase. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein constructing, utilizing the computer, an outcome likelihood model form comprises at least one of:
selecting at least one risk variable from the set of candidate risk variables that has a reconcilable relationship with an etiology of the adverse outcome type; and selecting at least one risk variable from the set of candidate risk variables based upon a computed statistical relationship for predicting the adverse outcome type. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein:
constructing, utilizing the computer, an outcome likelihood model form comprises:
receiving by the computer, the training data set;
constructing the outcome likelihood model form as β1x1+ . . . +βkxk, where there are k selected risk variables, and where β1-βk represent model coefficients;
further comprising utilizing the computer for:
using the training data set to fit the model form;
determining if β should be adjusted up or down; and
determining whether factor xi should be dropped, such that the model itself determines which parameters are important to allow prediction of adverse health outcomes. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein:
constructing a dynamic outcome likelihood model form comprises at least one of:
defining an outcome likelihood model component corresponding to each selected risk variable in the dynamic group, and aggregating across comparisons of the component magnitude when calculated with the actual dynamic risk variable value to the component magnitude when calculated with an estimated value of the selected risk variable in the dynamic group that is produced by a corresponding one of the dynamic risk variable model forms; and
basing the dynamic outcome likelihood model form on a set of scores of selected risk variables in the dynamic group, one for each risk variable, where a score is calculated as the magnitude of the corresponding outcome likelihood model component calculated with a known value of a risk variable in the dynamic group minus the magnitude of the same outcome likelihood model component calculated with estimated values of the predictor variable produced by a dynamic risk variable model form. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein:
fitting the constructed outcome likelihood model form, baseline outcome likelihood model form, and dynamic outcome likelihood model form, to a training data set to produce a dynamic outcome likelihood model, comprises at least one of: computing the dynamic outcome likelihood model form as the outcome likelihood model form minus the baseline outcome likelihood model form; computing the dynamic outcome likelihood model form as the sum over a set of dynamic risk variable scores; and computing the dynamic outcome likelihood model form as the sum over a set of dynamic risk variable scores which are greater than zero. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein:
identifying a set of candidate risk variables comprises:
defining the adverse outcome type as a collective adverse outcome that is comprised of at least a first adverse outcome type and a second adverse outcome type; and
identifying candidate risk variables that are determined to be of interest to at least one of the first adverse outcome type and the second adverse outcome type;
constructing a model form for an outcome likelihood model further comprises:
selecting risk variables from the set of candidate risk variables for predicting the first adverse outcome type; and
selecting risk variables from the set of candidate risk variables for predicting the second adverse outcome type;
generating an alerting algorithm that compares a computed value for at least one of the baseline outcome likelihood and dynamic outcome likelihood of the collective adverse outcome type against predetermined thresholds, where the alerting algorithm thresholds are based upon a balancing of true positive and false positive behavior; and generating an attribution assessment that identifies important risk variables for the collective adverse outcome type by:
evaluating the contribution of the selected risk variables with respect to at least one of the baseline outcome likelihood and the dynamic outcome likelihood, which are associated with an occurrence of the first adverse outcome type, the second adverse outcome type or both by producing a vector of indices characterizing the strength of the contributions of individual selected risk variables to at least one of the baseline outcome likelihood and dynamic outcome likelihood; and
identifying at least one evaluated risk variable that is determined to be a key contributor to at least one of the baseline outcome likelihood and dynamic overall outcome likelihood. 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:
generating an attribution assessment that identifies important individual adverse outcome types for the collective adverse outcome type by:
evaluating the contribution of the individual adverse outcome types with respect to at least one of the baseline outcome likelihood and the dynamic outcome likelihood associated with an occurrence of the first adverse outcome type, the second adverse outcome type or both by producing a vector of indices characterizing the strength of the contributions of individual adverse outcome types to at least one of the baseline outcome likelihood and dynamic outcome likelihood of the collective adverse outcome type; and
identifying at least one individual adverse outcome type that is a key contributor to at least one of the baseline outcome likelihood and dynamic outcome likelihood for the collective adverse outcome type. 15. A method implemented on a computer for performing clinical likelihood computations to evaluate patient risk, comprising:
collecting electronic patient data about an actual patient to be monitored for an adverse outcome type; matching, by the computer, the electronic patient data to a set of risk variables for predicting the adverse outcome type where the selected risk variables include at least one variable classified in a baseline group and at least one variable classified in a dynamic group, the baseline group is composed of non-modifiable variables, and the dynamic group is composed of modifiable variables; utilizing a scoring algorithm associated with an outcome likelihood model to estimate a baseline outcome likelihood and a dynamic outcome likelihood based upon the electronic patient data matched to the set of risk variables; identifying whether the patient is at-risk based upon the computed baseline outcome likelihood and a dynamic outcome likelihood; and providing an alert with attribution if at least one of the likelihoods exceeds a predetermined threshold(s). 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:
utilizing the computer to identify a select variable for which data is missing; and
imputing a value to the missing data based upon other risk variables with known values, where the other risk variables correlate with the missing risk variable. 17. The method of claim 15 further comprising:
performing retrospective risk attribution for a population of patients comprising:
performing computations to produce risk attribution vectors that apply to groups of patients rather than single patients;
utilizing the attribution vectors to draw conclusions across the population as to the likely root cause(s) that lead to eventual adverse outcomes in the patient data; and
utilizing the identified root causes to facilitate clinical policy decisions designed to reduce the incidence rate for adverse patient outcomes. 18. The method of claim 15 further comprising:
outputting, by the computer, risk mitigation information in the form of candidate interventions by linking identified causal factors to underlying conditions and to the output candidate interventions; and
linking identified causal factors to underlying conditions and then to the output candidate interventions based on clinical knowledge extracted from a populated clinical knowledgebase. 19. The method of claim 15 further comprising:
performing what-if risk forecasting by:
simulating, utilizing the computer, at least one intervention;
updating the estimated baseline outcome likelihood and a dynamic outcome likelihood based upon temporary changes to risk variable values required to simulate the intervention; and
identifying whether the patient risk changes based upon the updates to the estimated dynamic outcome likelihood. 20. The method of claim 15 further comprising:
associating uncertainty to forecasted risk based upon the estimated baseline outcome likelihood and a dynamic outcome likelihood;
creating an assessment of missing information;
evaluating the impact of the missing data;
computing, using the computer, an uncertainty reduction that will occur if certain missing pieces of information are obtained; and
recommending, by the computer, prioritized new clinical data types that will likely lead to the greatest uncertainty reduction. 21. The method of claim 15 further comprising:
collecting electronic patient data about an actual patient to be monitored for an adverse outcome;
determining risk variables from the collected electronic patient data, where the risk variables were selected to be predictive of the adverse outcome of interest;
extracting electronic patient data for historical patients having a profile that matches the identified patient profile, and
presenting the identified information from at least one patient history corresponding to a historical patient that matches the identified patient profile. 22. The method of claim 21 further comprising:
extracting electronic patient data from a historical patient archive with full temporal histories on previous patients for which outcomes are known; and
identifying at least one previous type of intervention for a similar patient, and presenting the outcomes of each type of intervention. 23. The method of claim 15 further comprising:
collecting electronic patient data about actual patients monitored for an adverse outcome;
determining risk variables from the collected electronic patient data, where the risk variables are selected to be predictive of the adverse outcome of interest;
identifying patient profiles of similar patients into a historical patient archive; and
evaluating recommended interventions based on the actual histories of the identified patient profiles of similar patients. 24. The method of claim 23 further comprising:
comparing a group of located historical matching patients to evaluate the risk(s) and outcome(s) of those patients that followed a trajectory of a select recommended intervention, to those that received alternative interventions. | 3,600 |
13,082 | 13,082 | 15,630,460 | 3,627 | A recycling kiosk for recycling and financial remuneration for submission of a mobile telephone is disclosed herein. The recycling kiosk includes an inspection area with a plurality of white walls in order to perform a visual analysis of the mobile telephone for determination of a value of the mobile telephone. The visual analysis inspects the LCD screen of the mobile phone to determine if the LCD screen is damaged. The recycling kiosk also includes a processor, a display and a user interface. | 1. A method of operating a kiosk for evaluating and purchasing a used electronic device, the method comprising:
receiving the electronic device at the kiosk, wherein the kiosk includes an internal inspection area and an inspection camera operably associated with the inspection area; wirelessly causing a screen of the electronic device to display a known image; capturing, via the inspection camera, an image of the screen while the screen displays the known image; determining whether the electronic device is damaged based at least partially on the captured image of the screen; and providing, via the kiosk, compensation in exchange for the electronic device after determining whether the electronic device is damaged. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising transferring the captured image to a human operator, wherein determining whether the electronic device is damaged includes receiving an input from the human operator based on a visual evaluation of the transferred captured image. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
presenting, via the kiosk, an offer to purchase the electronic device after determining whether the electronic device is damaged; and receiving, via the kiosk, an acceptance of the offer, wherein providing the compensation includes providing the compensation after receiving the acceptance. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein:
the kiosk includes a storage receptacle operably associated with the inspection area; and
the method further comprises transferring the electronic device from the inspection area to the storage receptacle after receiving the acceptance. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a compensation amount to provide in exchange for the electronic device based at least partially on whether the electronic device is damaged. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein determining whether the electronic device is damaged includes comparing a stored duplicate of the known image with the captured image of the screen. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising measuring a luminescence of the screen while the screen displays the known image, wherein determining whether the electronic device is damaged includes determining whether the electronic device is damaged further based at least partially on the measured luminescence. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising powering up the electronic device after receiving the electronic device at the kiosk. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is a mobile phone. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the compensation includes providing the compensation as cash. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the captured image of the screen is a first image of the screen; and
the method further comprises—
moving the inspection camera relative to the electronic device after capturing the first image of the screen, and
capturing, via the inspection camera, a second image of the screen after moving the inspection camera. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein moving the inspection camera includes moving the inspection camera in an arc relative to the electronic device. 13. The method of claim 12 wherein moving the inspection camera includes moving the inspection camera along a ceiling of the inspection area. 14. A system for evaluating and purchasing a used electronic device, the system comprising:
a kiosk including an internal inspection area and an inspection camera operably associated with the inspection area, wherein the inspection area is configured to receive the electronic device; and one or more processors configured to—
wirelessly cause a screen of the electronic device to display a known image,
cause the inspection camera to capture an image of the screen while the screen displays the known image,
determine whether the electronic device is damaged based at least partially on the captured image of the screen, and
cause the kiosk to provide compensation in exchange for the electronic device after determining whether the electronic device is damaged. 15. The system of claim 14 wherein the one or more processors is/are configured to:
transfer the captured image to a human operator;
to receive an input from the human operator based on a visual evaluation of the transferred captured image; and
to determine whether the electronic device is damaged based at least partially on the input. 16. The system of claim 14 wherein the one or more processors is/are configured:
to cause the kiosk to present an offer to purchase the electronic device after determining whether the electronic device is damaged;
to receive, via the kiosk, an acceptance of the offer; and
to cause the kiosk to provide the compensation in exchange for the electronic device after receiving the acceptance. 17. The system of claim 16 wherein:
the kiosk includes a storage receptacle operably associated with the inspection area; and
the one or more processors is/are configured to cause the kiosk to transfer the electronic device from the inspection area to the storage receptacle after receiving the acceptance. 18. The system of claim 14 wherein the one or more processors is/are configured to determine a compensation amount to provide in exchange for the electronic device based at least partially on whether the electronic device is damaged. 19. The system of claim 14 wherein the one or more processors is/are configured to determine whether the electronic device is damaged at least partially by comparing a stored duplicate of the known image with the captured image of the screen. 20. The system of claim 14 wherein the one or more processors is/are configured:
to cause the kiosk to measure a luminescence of the screen while the screen displays the known image; and
to determine whether the electronic device is damaged further based at least partially on the measured luminescence. 21. The system of claim 14 wherein the one or more processors is/are configured to cause the kiosk to power up the electronic device after receiving the electronic device at the inspection area. 22. The system of claim 14 wherein the electronic device is a mobile phone. 23. The system of claim 14 wherein the kiosk is configured to provide the compensation as cash. 24. The system of claim 14 wherein:
the captured image of the screen is a first image of the screen; and
the one or more processors is/are configured to—
cause the kiosk to move the inspection camera relative to the electronic device after capturing the first image of the screen, and
cause the inspection camera to capture a second image of the screen after moving. 25. The system of claim 24 wherein the one or more processors is/are configured to cause the kiosk to move the inspection camera in an arc relative to the electronic device. 26. The system of claim 25 wherein the one or more processors is/are configured to cause the kiosk to move the inspection camera along a ceiling of the inspection area. | A recycling kiosk for recycling and financial remuneration for submission of a mobile telephone is disclosed herein. The recycling kiosk includes an inspection area with a plurality of white walls in order to perform a visual analysis of the mobile telephone for determination of a value of the mobile telephone. The visual analysis inspects the LCD screen of the mobile phone to determine if the LCD screen is damaged. The recycling kiosk also includes a processor, a display and a user interface.1. A method of operating a kiosk for evaluating and purchasing a used electronic device, the method comprising:
receiving the electronic device at the kiosk, wherein the kiosk includes an internal inspection area and an inspection camera operably associated with the inspection area; wirelessly causing a screen of the electronic device to display a known image; capturing, via the inspection camera, an image of the screen while the screen displays the known image; determining whether the electronic device is damaged based at least partially on the captured image of the screen; and providing, via the kiosk, compensation in exchange for the electronic device after determining whether the electronic device is damaged. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising transferring the captured image to a human operator, wherein determining whether the electronic device is damaged includes receiving an input from the human operator based on a visual evaluation of the transferred captured image. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
presenting, via the kiosk, an offer to purchase the electronic device after determining whether the electronic device is damaged; and receiving, via the kiosk, an acceptance of the offer, wherein providing the compensation includes providing the compensation after receiving the acceptance. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein:
the kiosk includes a storage receptacle operably associated with the inspection area; and
the method further comprises transferring the electronic device from the inspection area to the storage receptacle after receiving the acceptance. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a compensation amount to provide in exchange for the electronic device based at least partially on whether the electronic device is damaged. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein determining whether the electronic device is damaged includes comparing a stored duplicate of the known image with the captured image of the screen. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising measuring a luminescence of the screen while the screen displays the known image, wherein determining whether the electronic device is damaged includes determining whether the electronic device is damaged further based at least partially on the measured luminescence. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising powering up the electronic device after receiving the electronic device at the kiosk. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is a mobile phone. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the compensation includes providing the compensation as cash. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the captured image of the screen is a first image of the screen; and
the method further comprises—
moving the inspection camera relative to the electronic device after capturing the first image of the screen, and
capturing, via the inspection camera, a second image of the screen after moving the inspection camera. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein moving the inspection camera includes moving the inspection camera in an arc relative to the electronic device. 13. The method of claim 12 wherein moving the inspection camera includes moving the inspection camera along a ceiling of the inspection area. 14. A system for evaluating and purchasing a used electronic device, the system comprising:
a kiosk including an internal inspection area and an inspection camera operably associated with the inspection area, wherein the inspection area is configured to receive the electronic device; and one or more processors configured to—
wirelessly cause a screen of the electronic device to display a known image,
cause the inspection camera to capture an image of the screen while the screen displays the known image,
determine whether the electronic device is damaged based at least partially on the captured image of the screen, and
cause the kiosk to provide compensation in exchange for the electronic device after determining whether the electronic device is damaged. 15. The system of claim 14 wherein the one or more processors is/are configured to:
transfer the captured image to a human operator;
to receive an input from the human operator based on a visual evaluation of the transferred captured image; and
to determine whether the electronic device is damaged based at least partially on the input. 16. The system of claim 14 wherein the one or more processors is/are configured:
to cause the kiosk to present an offer to purchase the electronic device after determining whether the electronic device is damaged;
to receive, via the kiosk, an acceptance of the offer; and
to cause the kiosk to provide the compensation in exchange for the electronic device after receiving the acceptance. 17. The system of claim 16 wherein:
the kiosk includes a storage receptacle operably associated with the inspection area; and
the one or more processors is/are configured to cause the kiosk to transfer the electronic device from the inspection area to the storage receptacle after receiving the acceptance. 18. The system of claim 14 wherein the one or more processors is/are configured to determine a compensation amount to provide in exchange for the electronic device based at least partially on whether the electronic device is damaged. 19. The system of claim 14 wherein the one or more processors is/are configured to determine whether the electronic device is damaged at least partially by comparing a stored duplicate of the known image with the captured image of the screen. 20. The system of claim 14 wherein the one or more processors is/are configured:
to cause the kiosk to measure a luminescence of the screen while the screen displays the known image; and
to determine whether the electronic device is damaged further based at least partially on the measured luminescence. 21. The system of claim 14 wherein the one or more processors is/are configured to cause the kiosk to power up the electronic device after receiving the electronic device at the inspection area. 22. The system of claim 14 wherein the electronic device is a mobile phone. 23. The system of claim 14 wherein the kiosk is configured to provide the compensation as cash. 24. The system of claim 14 wherein:
the captured image of the screen is a first image of the screen; and
the one or more processors is/are configured to—
cause the kiosk to move the inspection camera relative to the electronic device after capturing the first image of the screen, and
cause the inspection camera to capture a second image of the screen after moving. 25. The system of claim 24 wherein the one or more processors is/are configured to cause the kiosk to move the inspection camera in an arc relative to the electronic device. 26. The system of claim 25 wherein the one or more processors is/are configured to cause the kiosk to move the inspection camera along a ceiling of the inspection area. | 3,600 |
13,083 | 13,083 | 14,699,512 | 3,624 | The embodiments described herein comprise a prediction engine running on a server for receiving a dataset relating to a recurring revenue product, applying algorithms to the dataset to generate a revenue performance index and a churn performance index, and applying the revenue performance index and churn performance index to a known value to generate a prediction of incremental revenue and incremental churn to be generated in the future from the recurring revenue product. | 1. A method for determining expected revenue and churn for a set of new subscribers of a recurring revenue product, comprising:
receiving, by a computing device comprising a prediction engine and a visualization engine, an input dataset; and processing, by the prediction engine, the input dataset to generate an output dataset comprising a revenue forecast for the set of new subscribers and a churn forecast for the set of new subscribers. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
processing, by the visualization engine, the output dataset to generate a visualization. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
displaying, by the computing device, at least part of the output dataset. 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
displaying, by the computing device, at least part of the output dataset and at least part of the visualization. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
transmitting, by the computing device, the output dataset to a second computing device; and displaying, by the second computing device, at least part of the output dataset. 6. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
transmitting, by the computing device, the output dataset and the visualization to a second computing device; and displaying, by the second computing device, at least part of the output dataset and at least part of the visualization. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the displaying step comprises displaying a web page by a web browser operated by the second computing device. 8. A method for generating expected revenue to be generated from new customers of a recurring revenue product during a time period, comprising:
receiving, by a computing device comprising a prediction engine and a visualization engine, an input dataset, the input dataset comprising data for a plurality of cohorts, each cohort comprising a plurality of subscribers of the recurring revenue product; determining, by the prediction engine, a value A according to the formula:
A
=
∑
m
=
1
months
S
m
S
1
where Sm is the number of subscribers still using the service at month m from the starting month, and Si is the number of customers at month number 1, and where Sm and Si are determined from the input dataset;
determining, by the prediction engine, a value Ā according to the formula:
A
_
=
∑
i
=
1
No
.
of
.
cohorts
A
i
No
.
of
.
cohorts
determining, by the prediction engine, an expected revenue to be generated from new subscribers of the recurring revenue product according to the formula: expected revenue=Ā*Number of New Subscribers*Flat Price Charged Per Recurring Revenue Product. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
determining, by the prediction engine, a value σA according to the formula:
σ
A
=
1
No
.
of
.
cohorts
∑
i
=
1
No
.
of
.
cohorts
(
A
i
-
A
_
)
2
determining, by the prediction engine, an upper estimate bound according to the formula: upper estimate bound=initial subscribers base*flat price per service*(Ā+3*σA); and
determining, by the prediction engine, a lower estimate bound according to the formula: lower estimate bound=Maximum (0, Initial subscribers base*flat price per service*(Ā−3*σA)). 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
processing, by the visualization engine, the expected revenue to generate a visualization. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
displaying, by the computing device, the expected revenue and at least part of the visualization. 12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
transmitting, by the computing device, the expected revenue to a second computing device; and displaying, by the second computing device, the expected revenue. 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
transmitting, by the computing device, the expected revenue and the visualization to a second computing device; and displaying, by the second computing device, the expected revenue and at least part of the visualization. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the displaying step comprises displaying a web page by a web browser operated by the second computing device. 15. A method for generating an expected churn of new customers of a recurring revenue product during a time period, comprising:
receiving, by a computing device comprising a prediction engine and a visualization engine, an input dataset, the input dataset comprising data for a plurality of cohorts, each cohort comprising a plurality of subscribers of the recurring revenue product; determining, by the prediction engine, values Cm according to the formula:
Cm
=
1
-
S
m
S
1
where m ranges from 1 to the number of cohorts, Sm is the number of subscribers still using the service at month m from the starting month, and Si is the number of customers at month number 1, and where Sm and Si are determined from the input dataset;
determining, by the prediction engine, a value C according to the formula:
C
_
=
∑
i
=
1
No
.
of
.
cohorts
C
i
No
.
of
.
cohorts
determining, by the prediction engine, an expected churn of new subscribers of the recurring revenue product according to the formula: expected churn=C*100. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
determining, by the prediction engine, a value σC according to the formula:
σ
C
=
1
No
.
of
.
cohorts
∑
i
=
1
No
.
of
.
cohorts
(
C
i
-
C
_
)
2
determining, by the prediction engine, an upper estimate bound according to the formula: upper estimate bound=Minimum (1, (C+3*σC))*100; and
determining, by the prediction engine, a lower estimate bound according to the formula: lower estimate bounds=Maximum (0, (C−3*σC))*100. 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
processing, by the visualization engine, the expected churn to generate a visualization. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:
displaying, by the computing device, the expected churn and at least part of the visualization. 19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
transmitting, by the computing device, the expected churn to a second computing device; and displaying, by the second computing device, the expected churn. 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:
transmitting, by the computing device, the expected churn and the visualization to a second computing device; and displaying, by the second computing device, the expected churn and at least part of the visualization. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the displaying step comprises displaying a web page by a web browser operated by the second computing device. | The embodiments described herein comprise a prediction engine running on a server for receiving a dataset relating to a recurring revenue product, applying algorithms to the dataset to generate a revenue performance index and a churn performance index, and applying the revenue performance index and churn performance index to a known value to generate a prediction of incremental revenue and incremental churn to be generated in the future from the recurring revenue product.1. A method for determining expected revenue and churn for a set of new subscribers of a recurring revenue product, comprising:
receiving, by a computing device comprising a prediction engine and a visualization engine, an input dataset; and processing, by the prediction engine, the input dataset to generate an output dataset comprising a revenue forecast for the set of new subscribers and a churn forecast for the set of new subscribers. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
processing, by the visualization engine, the output dataset to generate a visualization. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
displaying, by the computing device, at least part of the output dataset. 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
displaying, by the computing device, at least part of the output dataset and at least part of the visualization. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
transmitting, by the computing device, the output dataset to a second computing device; and displaying, by the second computing device, at least part of the output dataset. 6. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
transmitting, by the computing device, the output dataset and the visualization to a second computing device; and displaying, by the second computing device, at least part of the output dataset and at least part of the visualization. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the displaying step comprises displaying a web page by a web browser operated by the second computing device. 8. A method for generating expected revenue to be generated from new customers of a recurring revenue product during a time period, comprising:
receiving, by a computing device comprising a prediction engine and a visualization engine, an input dataset, the input dataset comprising data for a plurality of cohorts, each cohort comprising a plurality of subscribers of the recurring revenue product; determining, by the prediction engine, a value A according to the formula:
A
=
∑
m
=
1
months
S
m
S
1
where Sm is the number of subscribers still using the service at month m from the starting month, and Si is the number of customers at month number 1, and where Sm and Si are determined from the input dataset;
determining, by the prediction engine, a value Ā according to the formula:
A
_
=
∑
i
=
1
No
.
of
.
cohorts
A
i
No
.
of
.
cohorts
determining, by the prediction engine, an expected revenue to be generated from new subscribers of the recurring revenue product according to the formula: expected revenue=Ā*Number of New Subscribers*Flat Price Charged Per Recurring Revenue Product. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
determining, by the prediction engine, a value σA according to the formula:
σ
A
=
1
No
.
of
.
cohorts
∑
i
=
1
No
.
of
.
cohorts
(
A
i
-
A
_
)
2
determining, by the prediction engine, an upper estimate bound according to the formula: upper estimate bound=initial subscribers base*flat price per service*(Ā+3*σA); and
determining, by the prediction engine, a lower estimate bound according to the formula: lower estimate bound=Maximum (0, Initial subscribers base*flat price per service*(Ā−3*σA)). 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
processing, by the visualization engine, the expected revenue to generate a visualization. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
displaying, by the computing device, the expected revenue and at least part of the visualization. 12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
transmitting, by the computing device, the expected revenue to a second computing device; and displaying, by the second computing device, the expected revenue. 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
transmitting, by the computing device, the expected revenue and the visualization to a second computing device; and displaying, by the second computing device, the expected revenue and at least part of the visualization. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the displaying step comprises displaying a web page by a web browser operated by the second computing device. 15. A method for generating an expected churn of new customers of a recurring revenue product during a time period, comprising:
receiving, by a computing device comprising a prediction engine and a visualization engine, an input dataset, the input dataset comprising data for a plurality of cohorts, each cohort comprising a plurality of subscribers of the recurring revenue product; determining, by the prediction engine, values Cm according to the formula:
Cm
=
1
-
S
m
S
1
where m ranges from 1 to the number of cohorts, Sm is the number of subscribers still using the service at month m from the starting month, and Si is the number of customers at month number 1, and where Sm and Si are determined from the input dataset;
determining, by the prediction engine, a value C according to the formula:
C
_
=
∑
i
=
1
No
.
of
.
cohorts
C
i
No
.
of
.
cohorts
determining, by the prediction engine, an expected churn of new subscribers of the recurring revenue product according to the formula: expected churn=C*100. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
determining, by the prediction engine, a value σC according to the formula:
σ
C
=
1
No
.
of
.
cohorts
∑
i
=
1
No
.
of
.
cohorts
(
C
i
-
C
_
)
2
determining, by the prediction engine, an upper estimate bound according to the formula: upper estimate bound=Minimum (1, (C+3*σC))*100; and
determining, by the prediction engine, a lower estimate bound according to the formula: lower estimate bounds=Maximum (0, (C−3*σC))*100. 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
processing, by the visualization engine, the expected churn to generate a visualization. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:
displaying, by the computing device, the expected churn and at least part of the visualization. 19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
transmitting, by the computing device, the expected churn to a second computing device; and displaying, by the second computing device, the expected churn. 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:
transmitting, by the computing device, the expected churn and the visualization to a second computing device; and displaying, by the second computing device, the expected churn and at least part of the visualization. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the displaying step comprises displaying a web page by a web browser operated by the second computing device. | 3,600 |
13,084 | 13,084 | 14,214,047 | 3,694 | A computer-implemented system and method for managing collateral allocations associated with Tri-Party repurchasing agreements and a collateral allocation system includes one or more processors and memory/database configured to store user-definable rulesets and collateral characteristics relating to the Tri-Party repurchasing agreements. A collateral allocation module recalls collateral from the Tri-Party repurchasing agreements to a common Dealer Box, and reallocates the collateral to the Tri-Party repurchasing agreements utilizing a self organizing map, so as to minimize margins to reduce over-collateralization and/or undercollateralization. Other considerations, such as basket identifiers and cost of carry considerations may be weighed in the reallocation as well. | 1. A system for managing collateral allocations in one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements, the system comprising:
one or more processors; one or more memory elements coupled to the one or more processors and configured to at least store deal attributes including rulesets associated with the buyer, and one or more collateral characteristics for collateral provided by the seller that are associated with each of the Tri-Party repurchasing agreements; at least one collateral allocation module, configured through the one or more processors to:
recall collateral originally associated with the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements into a common dealer box,
identify under-collateralized ones of the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements;
identify, using a self organizing map and one or more of the rulesets and the collateral characteristics, groups of the collateral;
sort said groups of collateral such that smaller average margins are given a higher priority while larger average margins are given a lower priority;
assign the groups of collateral from the common dealer box to each of the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements to in order from the higher priority to the lower priority, to collateralize said Tri-Party repurchasing agreements; and
replace at least a portion of the collateral assigned to the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements based on the self organizing map to collateralize a maximal number of the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements with remaining collateral in the dealer box and/or collateral assigned to the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the collateral allocation module is user configurable to designate at least a portion of the collateral to be reallocated back to the originally associated one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one collateral allocation module is further configured through the one or more processors to determine, based on a user input, any deals to undercollateralize if insufficient collateral is available for all Tri-Party repurchasing agreements. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the determination is based on one or more of a basket schedule, a market deadline, an internal short prioritization, and a dealer prioritization. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the collateral allocation module is configured to receive a priority ranking for the one or more of the basket schedule, the market deadline, the internal short prioritization, and the dealer prioritization. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one collateral allocation module is further configured through the one or more processors to determine, based on a user input, which deals to prioritize in collateralization, based on a weighting of margins and cost of carry. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein, the at least one collateral allocation module is configured to process at least some of the collateral and/or the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements in parallel across the one or more processors. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the at least one collateral allocation module is configured to match collateral to the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements via vertex degrees in a bipartite graph created between a set of positions in the collateral and a set of one or more of the Tri-Party repurchasing agreements. 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a user interface is operatively coupled to the one or more processors via a network connection. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the user interface comprises an Internet web portal. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors comprises a plurality of interfaced processors, and wherein the at least one collateral allocation module is further configured to synchronize at least a portion of the collateral characteristics among the plurality of interfaced processors to prevent different ones of the plurality of interfaced processors from simultaneously replacing the same portion of the collateral. 12. A computer-implemented method for allocating collateral for one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements, the method comprising:
providing one or more processors and one or more memory elements coupled to the one or more processors and configured to at least store deal attributes including rulesets associated with the buyer, and one or more collateral characteristics for collateral provided by the seller that are associated with each of the Tri-Party repurchasing agreements; recalling, via the one or more processors, collateral originally associated with the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements into a common dealer box, identifying, via the one or more processors, under-collateralized ones of the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements; identifying, using a self organizing map and one or more of the rulesets and the collateral characteristics, groups of the collateral; sorting, via the one or more processors, said groups of collateral such that smaller average margins are given a higher priority while larger average margins are given a lower priority; assigning the groups of collateral from the common dealer box to each of the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements to in order from the higher priority to the lower priority, to collateralize said Tri-Party repurchasing agreements; and replacing at leak a portion of the collateral assigned to the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements based on the self organizing map to collateralize a maximal number of the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements with remaining collateral in the dealer box and/or collateral assigned to the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing a user-input for designating some of the collateral to be reallocated back to the originally associated one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements. 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining, based on a user input, which deals may remain undercollateralized when there is insufficient collateral for all tri-party repurchasing agreements. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the determining is based on one or more of a basket schedule, a market deadline, an internal short prioritization, and a dealer prioritization. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the determining further comprising weighing a priority ranking for the one or more of the basket schedule, the market deadline, the internal short prioritization, and the dealer prioritization. 17. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining, based on a user input, which deals to prioritize in collateralization, based on a weighting of margins and cost of carry. 18. The method of claim 12, wherein at least some of the collateral and/or the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements are processed in parallel across the one or more processors. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said assigning comprises matching collateral to the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements via vertex degrees in a bipartite graph, created between a set of positions in the collateral and a set of one or more of the Tri-Party repurchasing agreements. 20. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or more processors comprises a plurality of interfaced processors, and wherein the method further comprises synchronizing at least a portion of the collateral characteristics among the plurality of interfaced processors to prevent different ones of the plurality of interfaced processors from simultaneously replacing the same portion of the collateral. | A computer-implemented system and method for managing collateral allocations associated with Tri-Party repurchasing agreements and a collateral allocation system includes one or more processors and memory/database configured to store user-definable rulesets and collateral characteristics relating to the Tri-Party repurchasing agreements. A collateral allocation module recalls collateral from the Tri-Party repurchasing agreements to a common Dealer Box, and reallocates the collateral to the Tri-Party repurchasing agreements utilizing a self organizing map, so as to minimize margins to reduce over-collateralization and/or undercollateralization. Other considerations, such as basket identifiers and cost of carry considerations may be weighed in the reallocation as well.1. A system for managing collateral allocations in one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements, the system comprising:
one or more processors; one or more memory elements coupled to the one or more processors and configured to at least store deal attributes including rulesets associated with the buyer, and one or more collateral characteristics for collateral provided by the seller that are associated with each of the Tri-Party repurchasing agreements; at least one collateral allocation module, configured through the one or more processors to:
recall collateral originally associated with the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements into a common dealer box,
identify under-collateralized ones of the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements;
identify, using a self organizing map and one or more of the rulesets and the collateral characteristics, groups of the collateral;
sort said groups of collateral such that smaller average margins are given a higher priority while larger average margins are given a lower priority;
assign the groups of collateral from the common dealer box to each of the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements to in order from the higher priority to the lower priority, to collateralize said Tri-Party repurchasing agreements; and
replace at least a portion of the collateral assigned to the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements based on the self organizing map to collateralize a maximal number of the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements with remaining collateral in the dealer box and/or collateral assigned to the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the collateral allocation module is user configurable to designate at least a portion of the collateral to be reallocated back to the originally associated one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one collateral allocation module is further configured through the one or more processors to determine, based on a user input, any deals to undercollateralize if insufficient collateral is available for all Tri-Party repurchasing agreements. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the determination is based on one or more of a basket schedule, a market deadline, an internal short prioritization, and a dealer prioritization. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the collateral allocation module is configured to receive a priority ranking for the one or more of the basket schedule, the market deadline, the internal short prioritization, and the dealer prioritization. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one collateral allocation module is further configured through the one or more processors to determine, based on a user input, which deals to prioritize in collateralization, based on a weighting of margins and cost of carry. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein, the at least one collateral allocation module is configured to process at least some of the collateral and/or the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements in parallel across the one or more processors. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the at least one collateral allocation module is configured to match collateral to the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements via vertex degrees in a bipartite graph created between a set of positions in the collateral and a set of one or more of the Tri-Party repurchasing agreements. 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a user interface is operatively coupled to the one or more processors via a network connection. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the user interface comprises an Internet web portal. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors comprises a plurality of interfaced processors, and wherein the at least one collateral allocation module is further configured to synchronize at least a portion of the collateral characteristics among the plurality of interfaced processors to prevent different ones of the plurality of interfaced processors from simultaneously replacing the same portion of the collateral. 12. A computer-implemented method for allocating collateral for one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements, the method comprising:
providing one or more processors and one or more memory elements coupled to the one or more processors and configured to at least store deal attributes including rulesets associated with the buyer, and one or more collateral characteristics for collateral provided by the seller that are associated with each of the Tri-Party repurchasing agreements; recalling, via the one or more processors, collateral originally associated with the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements into a common dealer box, identifying, via the one or more processors, under-collateralized ones of the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements; identifying, using a self organizing map and one or more of the rulesets and the collateral characteristics, groups of the collateral; sorting, via the one or more processors, said groups of collateral such that smaller average margins are given a higher priority while larger average margins are given a lower priority; assigning the groups of collateral from the common dealer box to each of the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements to in order from the higher priority to the lower priority, to collateralize said Tri-Party repurchasing agreements; and replacing at leak a portion of the collateral assigned to the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements based on the self organizing map to collateralize a maximal number of the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements with remaining collateral in the dealer box and/or collateral assigned to the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing a user-input for designating some of the collateral to be reallocated back to the originally associated one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements. 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining, based on a user input, which deals may remain undercollateralized when there is insufficient collateral for all tri-party repurchasing agreements. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the determining is based on one or more of a basket schedule, a market deadline, an internal short prioritization, and a dealer prioritization. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the determining further comprising weighing a priority ranking for the one or more of the basket schedule, the market deadline, the internal short prioritization, and the dealer prioritization. 17. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining, based on a user input, which deals to prioritize in collateralization, based on a weighting of margins and cost of carry. 18. The method of claim 12, wherein at least some of the collateral and/or the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements are processed in parallel across the one or more processors. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said assigning comprises matching collateral to the one or more Tri-Party repurchasing agreements via vertex degrees in a bipartite graph, created between a set of positions in the collateral and a set of one or more of the Tri-Party repurchasing agreements. 20. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or more processors comprises a plurality of interfaced processors, and wherein the method further comprises synchronizing at least a portion of the collateral characteristics among the plurality of interfaced processors to prevent different ones of the plurality of interfaced processors from simultaneously replacing the same portion of the collateral. | 3,600 |
13,085 | 13,085 | 13,540,906 | 3,624 | A contact center having a plurality of performance goals is provided. The contact center includes a routing agent operable, when a work item is to be routed to a servicing destination, determine, for each performance goal, a status of goal realization and a corresponding set of selection criteria for the determined statuses of goal realization and a destination selector operable to select the servicing destination based, at least in part, on the set of selection criteria. | 1. A goal satisfaction table, comprising:
(a) a plurality of goals, each goal having at least two corresponding goal statuses, to provide a plurality of sets of goal statuses for the plurality of goals; and (b) a set of at least one of (i) qualifiers and (ii) agent proficiency aspects corresponding to each of the plurality of sets of goal statuses. 2. The table of claim 1, wherein the at least one of (i) qualifiers and (ii)agent proficiency aspects is the qualifiers. 3. The table of claim 1, wherein the at least one of (i) qualifiers and (ii) agent proficiency aspects is the agent proficiency aspects. 4. The table of claim 1, wherein plurality of sets of goal statuses differ from one another and the sets of at least one of (i) qualifiers and (ii) agent proficiency aspects differ from one another. 5. A method for servicing work items in a contact center, the contact center having a plurality of performance goals, comprising:
selecting a multi-skilled agent for servicing one of a plurality of different types of queued work items; determining, for each performance goal, a status of goal realization; selecting one of the agent's skills based, at least in part, on the statuses of the performance goals; and selecting, based on the selected skill, one of the plurality of different types of queued work items for servicing by the multi-skilled agent. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the performance goals comprise a plurality of a maximum wait time in a work item queue, minimum agent staffing level in an agent queue, minimum revenue realized per serviced work item, a minimum customer satisfaction level, maximum time for an agent to a work item, and a minimum number of contacts to be serviced by a set of agents during a selected time period. 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the status of realization of a goal is whether or not the respective goal is met during a selected time period and/or over a selected number of transactions. 8. The method of claim 5, wherein the status of realization of a goal is a measured service level for the respective goal during a selected time period and/or over a selected number of transactions. | A contact center having a plurality of performance goals is provided. The contact center includes a routing agent operable, when a work item is to be routed to a servicing destination, determine, for each performance goal, a status of goal realization and a corresponding set of selection criteria for the determined statuses of goal realization and a destination selector operable to select the servicing destination based, at least in part, on the set of selection criteria.1. A goal satisfaction table, comprising:
(a) a plurality of goals, each goal having at least two corresponding goal statuses, to provide a plurality of sets of goal statuses for the plurality of goals; and (b) a set of at least one of (i) qualifiers and (ii) agent proficiency aspects corresponding to each of the plurality of sets of goal statuses. 2. The table of claim 1, wherein the at least one of (i) qualifiers and (ii)agent proficiency aspects is the qualifiers. 3. The table of claim 1, wherein the at least one of (i) qualifiers and (ii) agent proficiency aspects is the agent proficiency aspects. 4. The table of claim 1, wherein plurality of sets of goal statuses differ from one another and the sets of at least one of (i) qualifiers and (ii) agent proficiency aspects differ from one another. 5. A method for servicing work items in a contact center, the contact center having a plurality of performance goals, comprising:
selecting a multi-skilled agent for servicing one of a plurality of different types of queued work items; determining, for each performance goal, a status of goal realization; selecting one of the agent's skills based, at least in part, on the statuses of the performance goals; and selecting, based on the selected skill, one of the plurality of different types of queued work items for servicing by the multi-skilled agent. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the performance goals comprise a plurality of a maximum wait time in a work item queue, minimum agent staffing level in an agent queue, minimum revenue realized per serviced work item, a minimum customer satisfaction level, maximum time for an agent to a work item, and a minimum number of contacts to be serviced by a set of agents during a selected time period. 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the status of realization of a goal is whether or not the respective goal is met during a selected time period and/or over a selected number of transactions. 8. The method of claim 5, wherein the status of realization of a goal is a measured service level for the respective goal during a selected time period and/or over a selected number of transactions. | 3,600 |
13,086 | 13,086 | 12,888,499 | 3,663 | Systems and methods for implementing non-integrated FANS/ATN CPDLC solutions are provided. In one embodiment a system comprises: a first computing system executing a first CPDLC application; a second computing system executing a second CPDLC application; at least one Human Machine Interface (HMI) coupled to the first computing system and the second computing system, the HMI configured to display screens generated by the first CPDLC application and the second CPDLC application; and a manager function that arbitrates HMI access to the screens generated by the first and second CPDLC applications. The manager function restricts access to one or more of the screens generated by the first CPDLC application based on a logon status of the second CPDLC application. The manager function restricts access to one or more of the screens generated by the second CPDLC application based on a logon status of the first CPDLC application. | 1. A system for implementing a non-integrated FANS/ATN CPDLC solution, the system comprising:
a first computing system executing a first CPDLC application; a second computing system executing a second CPDLC application; at least one Human Machine Interface (HMI) coupled to the first computing system and the second computing system, the Human Machine Interface configured to display screens generated by the first CPDLC application and configured to display screen generated by the second CPDLC application; and a manager function that arbitrates Human Machine Interface access to the screens generated by the first CPDLC application and the screens generated by the second CPDLC application; wherein the manager function restricts access to one or more of the screens generated by the first CPDLC application based on a logon status of the second CPDLC application; wherein the manager function restricts access to one or more of the screens generated by the second CPDLC application based on a logon status of the first CPDLC application. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first computing system is executing one or more FANS applications including the first CPDLC application; and
wherein the second computing system is executing one or more ATN applications including the second CPDLC application. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the manager function is executed within the Human Machine Interface. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the manager function is a distributed manager function having a first component executed by the first computing system and a second component executed by the second computing system. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first component receives ATN CPDLC logon status information from the second computing system; and
wherein the second component receives FANS CPDLC logon status information from the first computing system. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the manager function drives one or more default screens displayed via the at least on Human Machine Interface, the one or more default screens displaying CPDLC logon selection options. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the manager function disconnect any first CPDLC application connection and prevents access to one or more first CPDLC application screens when a CPDLC logon to the second CPDLC application occurs. 8. The system of claim 1, where the manager function arbitrates Human Machine Interface access to the screens generated by the first CPDLC application and the screens generated by the second CPDLC application by internally keeping track of which CPDLC application was logged onto last. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the manager function arbitrates Human Machine Interface access to the screens generated by the first CPDLC application and the screens generated by the second CPDLC application based on information associated with a current active air traffic control center. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the Human Machine Interface comprises one or both of a Multifunction Display (MFD) that provides a cursor controlled interface to flight crew users and a Control Display Unit (CDU) having a display area, a plurality of programmable buttons on either side of the display area, and a keyboard interface. 11. A method for implementing a non-integrated FANS/ATN CPDLC solution, the method comprising:
arbitrating access between a first set of screens generated by a first CPDLC application executed on a first computing system and second set of screens generated by an second CPDLC application executed on a second computing system, wherein the first computing system is not integrated with the second computing system; wherein arbitrating access restricts access to one or more of the first set of screens generated by the first CPDLC application based on a logon status of the second CPDLC application; and wherein arbitrating access restricts access to one or more of the second set of screens generated by the second CPDLC application based on a logon status of the first CPDLC application. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first computing system is executing one or more FANS applications including the first CPDLC application; and
wherein the second computing system is executing one or more ATN applications including the second CPDLC application. 13. The method of claim 11 further comprising:
displaying one or more default screens generated by the manager function via a Human Machine Interface device, the one or more default screens displaying CPDLC logon selection options. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein arbitrating access further comprises:
executing a manager function that arbitrates access between the first set of screens and the second set of screens. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the manager function is executed at the Human Machine Interface device. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the manager function is distributed, comprising a first component executed by the first computing system and a second component executed by the second computing system. 17. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
disconnecting any FANS CPDLC connection and preventing access to one or more of the first set of screens when an ATN CPDLC logon occurs; and disconnecting any ATN CPDLC connection and preventing access to one or more of the second set of screens when a FANS CPDLC logon occurs. 18. A computer readable data storage device having computer executable code for a manager function that arbitrates Human Machine Interface access to screens generated by a first CPDLC application executed on a first computing system and screens generated by a second CPDLC application executed on a second computing system, the method comprising:
monitoring logon status information received from the second computing system; and restricting access via the Human Machine Interface to the screens generated by the first CPDLC application based on a logon status of the second CPDLC application as determined from the logon status information; wherein the first computing system and the second computing system are separate computing systems not integrated in a single computing system. 19. The computer readable data storage device of claim 18, wherein monitoring logon status information is performed at one of either the Human Machine Interface or the first computing system. 20. The computer readable data storage device of claim 18, the method further comprising:
displaying one or more default screens generated by the manager function at the Human Machine Interface device, the one or more default screens displaying CPDLC logon selection options for the first CPDLC application and the second CPDLC application. | Systems and methods for implementing non-integrated FANS/ATN CPDLC solutions are provided. In one embodiment a system comprises: a first computing system executing a first CPDLC application; a second computing system executing a second CPDLC application; at least one Human Machine Interface (HMI) coupled to the first computing system and the second computing system, the HMI configured to display screens generated by the first CPDLC application and the second CPDLC application; and a manager function that arbitrates HMI access to the screens generated by the first and second CPDLC applications. The manager function restricts access to one or more of the screens generated by the first CPDLC application based on a logon status of the second CPDLC application. The manager function restricts access to one or more of the screens generated by the second CPDLC application based on a logon status of the first CPDLC application.1. A system for implementing a non-integrated FANS/ATN CPDLC solution, the system comprising:
a first computing system executing a first CPDLC application; a second computing system executing a second CPDLC application; at least one Human Machine Interface (HMI) coupled to the first computing system and the second computing system, the Human Machine Interface configured to display screens generated by the first CPDLC application and configured to display screen generated by the second CPDLC application; and a manager function that arbitrates Human Machine Interface access to the screens generated by the first CPDLC application and the screens generated by the second CPDLC application; wherein the manager function restricts access to one or more of the screens generated by the first CPDLC application based on a logon status of the second CPDLC application; wherein the manager function restricts access to one or more of the screens generated by the second CPDLC application based on a logon status of the first CPDLC application. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first computing system is executing one or more FANS applications including the first CPDLC application; and
wherein the second computing system is executing one or more ATN applications including the second CPDLC application. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the manager function is executed within the Human Machine Interface. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the manager function is a distributed manager function having a first component executed by the first computing system and a second component executed by the second computing system. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first component receives ATN CPDLC logon status information from the second computing system; and
wherein the second component receives FANS CPDLC logon status information from the first computing system. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the manager function drives one or more default screens displayed via the at least on Human Machine Interface, the one or more default screens displaying CPDLC logon selection options. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the manager function disconnect any first CPDLC application connection and prevents access to one or more first CPDLC application screens when a CPDLC logon to the second CPDLC application occurs. 8. The system of claim 1, where the manager function arbitrates Human Machine Interface access to the screens generated by the first CPDLC application and the screens generated by the second CPDLC application by internally keeping track of which CPDLC application was logged onto last. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the manager function arbitrates Human Machine Interface access to the screens generated by the first CPDLC application and the screens generated by the second CPDLC application based on information associated with a current active air traffic control center. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the Human Machine Interface comprises one or both of a Multifunction Display (MFD) that provides a cursor controlled interface to flight crew users and a Control Display Unit (CDU) having a display area, a plurality of programmable buttons on either side of the display area, and a keyboard interface. 11. A method for implementing a non-integrated FANS/ATN CPDLC solution, the method comprising:
arbitrating access between a first set of screens generated by a first CPDLC application executed on a first computing system and second set of screens generated by an second CPDLC application executed on a second computing system, wherein the first computing system is not integrated with the second computing system; wherein arbitrating access restricts access to one or more of the first set of screens generated by the first CPDLC application based on a logon status of the second CPDLC application; and wherein arbitrating access restricts access to one or more of the second set of screens generated by the second CPDLC application based on a logon status of the first CPDLC application. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first computing system is executing one or more FANS applications including the first CPDLC application; and
wherein the second computing system is executing one or more ATN applications including the second CPDLC application. 13. The method of claim 11 further comprising:
displaying one or more default screens generated by the manager function via a Human Machine Interface device, the one or more default screens displaying CPDLC logon selection options. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein arbitrating access further comprises:
executing a manager function that arbitrates access between the first set of screens and the second set of screens. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the manager function is executed at the Human Machine Interface device. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the manager function is distributed, comprising a first component executed by the first computing system and a second component executed by the second computing system. 17. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
disconnecting any FANS CPDLC connection and preventing access to one or more of the first set of screens when an ATN CPDLC logon occurs; and disconnecting any ATN CPDLC connection and preventing access to one or more of the second set of screens when a FANS CPDLC logon occurs. 18. A computer readable data storage device having computer executable code for a manager function that arbitrates Human Machine Interface access to screens generated by a first CPDLC application executed on a first computing system and screens generated by a second CPDLC application executed on a second computing system, the method comprising:
monitoring logon status information received from the second computing system; and restricting access via the Human Machine Interface to the screens generated by the first CPDLC application based on a logon status of the second CPDLC application as determined from the logon status information; wherein the first computing system and the second computing system are separate computing systems not integrated in a single computing system. 19. The computer readable data storage device of claim 18, wherein monitoring logon status information is performed at one of either the Human Machine Interface or the first computing system. 20. The computer readable data storage device of claim 18, the method further comprising:
displaying one or more default screens generated by the manager function at the Human Machine Interface device, the one or more default screens displaying CPDLC logon selection options for the first CPDLC application and the second CPDLC application. | 3,600 |
13,087 | 13,087 | 14,037,720 | 3,691 | A personalized data analysis method is provided, so as to find features having discrimination capability from target analysis items. In particular, a data analysis method includes: acquiring sample data; selecting discriminative features of the sample data; determining, for a target analysis item, whether it has a discriminative feature; and correlating the target analysis item with the discriminative feature in response to having the discriminative feature. | 1. A data analysis method, comprising:
acquiring sample data, wherein the sample data contains positive sample data and negative sample data, the positive sample data includes user preferred items and the negative sample data includes user disliked items; selecting discriminative features of the sample data, wherein the discriminative features include features having discrimination capability for discriminating items in the positive sample data and the negative sample data; determining, for at least one target analysis item, whether it has at least one discriminative feature; and correlating, using a processor, the at least one target analysis item with the at least one discriminative feature in response to having the at least one discriminative feature. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of acquiring sample data further comprises:
acquiring sample data according to at least one of: operation history of the user, recommendation result generated by a recommendation system for the user. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the operation history comprises at least one of:
score given by the user on an item, operation conducted by the user on an item, comment made by the user on an item. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of selecting discriminative features of the sample data further comprises:
determining candidate features in the sample data; and selecting discriminative features from the candidate features. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the candidate feature further comprises at least one of: structured feature, non-structured feature,
wherein the structured feature comprises at least one of: attribute and value of the attribute, attribute; and wherein the non-structured feature comprises keyword in the sample data. 6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the candidate feature further comprises at least one of:
an original feature including original features of items in the sample data; a combinative feature including combinations of a plurality of original features; and a general feature including a feature formed by generalizing a plurality of original features. 7. The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of selecting discriminative features from the candidate features further comprises:
computing discrimination capability values of the candidate features; and filtering out discriminative features from the candidate features according to the discrimination capability values. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of computing discrimination capability values of the candidate features further comprises:
computing the discrimination capability values according to a ratio of the number of times the candidate features appear in the positive sample data to the number of times the candidate features appear in the sample data. 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of computing discrimination capability values of the candidate features further comprises:
computing the discrimination capability values according to entropy distribution of the candidate features in the positive sample data and the negative sample data and a proportion of the number of times the candidate features appear in sample data relative to total sample data. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one target analysis item is at least one recommended item, the step of selecting discriminative features of the sample data further comprises:
selecting candidate features having positive discrimination capability as discriminative features. 11.-20. (canceled) | A personalized data analysis method is provided, so as to find features having discrimination capability from target analysis items. In particular, a data analysis method includes: acquiring sample data; selecting discriminative features of the sample data; determining, for a target analysis item, whether it has a discriminative feature; and correlating the target analysis item with the discriminative feature in response to having the discriminative feature.1. A data analysis method, comprising:
acquiring sample data, wherein the sample data contains positive sample data and negative sample data, the positive sample data includes user preferred items and the negative sample data includes user disliked items; selecting discriminative features of the sample data, wherein the discriminative features include features having discrimination capability for discriminating items in the positive sample data and the negative sample data; determining, for at least one target analysis item, whether it has at least one discriminative feature; and correlating, using a processor, the at least one target analysis item with the at least one discriminative feature in response to having the at least one discriminative feature. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of acquiring sample data further comprises:
acquiring sample data according to at least one of: operation history of the user, recommendation result generated by a recommendation system for the user. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the operation history comprises at least one of:
score given by the user on an item, operation conducted by the user on an item, comment made by the user on an item. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of selecting discriminative features of the sample data further comprises:
determining candidate features in the sample data; and selecting discriminative features from the candidate features. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the candidate feature further comprises at least one of: structured feature, non-structured feature,
wherein the structured feature comprises at least one of: attribute and value of the attribute, attribute; and wherein the non-structured feature comprises keyword in the sample data. 6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the candidate feature further comprises at least one of:
an original feature including original features of items in the sample data; a combinative feature including combinations of a plurality of original features; and a general feature including a feature formed by generalizing a plurality of original features. 7. The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of selecting discriminative features from the candidate features further comprises:
computing discrimination capability values of the candidate features; and filtering out discriminative features from the candidate features according to the discrimination capability values. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of computing discrimination capability values of the candidate features further comprises:
computing the discrimination capability values according to a ratio of the number of times the candidate features appear in the positive sample data to the number of times the candidate features appear in the sample data. 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of computing discrimination capability values of the candidate features further comprises:
computing the discrimination capability values according to entropy distribution of the candidate features in the positive sample data and the negative sample data and a proportion of the number of times the candidate features appear in sample data relative to total sample data. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one target analysis item is at least one recommended item, the step of selecting discriminative features of the sample data further comprises:
selecting candidate features having positive discrimination capability as discriminative features. 11.-20. (canceled) | 3,600 |
13,088 | 13,088 | 12,544,484 | 3,627 | Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for providing charging functions. According to one embodiment, a method of charging for services on a communication network can comprise receiving a request to perform a charging function from an application via a northbound interface of a charging enabler. The northbound interface can provide an abstract interface for invoking one or more of a plurality of charging functions. The charging function can be requested from a network resource via a southbound interface of the charging enabler. The southbound interface can provide an interface specific to the network resource. Results of the charging function can be received from the network resource via the southbound interface of the charging enabler and returned to the application via the northbound interface of the charging enabler. | 1. A method for charging for services on a communication network, the method comprising:
receiving a request to perform a charging function from an application via a northbound interface of a charging enabler, the northbound interface providing an abstract interface for invoking one or more of a plurality of charging functions; and requesting the charging function from a network resource via a southbound interface of the charging enabler, the southbound interface providing an interface specific to the network resource. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving results of the charging function from the network resource via the southbound interface of the charging enabler; and returning the results of the charging function to the application via the northbound interface of the charging enabler. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the northbound interface of the charging enabler comprises an Application Program Interface (API). 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the northbound interface comprises a Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) API. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the northbound interface comprises a REpresentational State Transfer (REST) API. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the northbound interface comprises a Java API. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more charging functions comprise charging for the services provided on the communications network. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more charging functions comprise one or more account management functions. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more charging functions comprise one or more payment processing functions. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more charging functions comprise one or more rating functions. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the southbound interface comprises a Diameter interface on a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) network. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the southbound interface comprises a Parlay interface. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the southbound interface comprises an Intelligent Network (IN) interface 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more charging functions are applied to a pre-paid account. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more charging functions are applied to a post-paid account. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more charging functions are applied to a payment account. 17. A charging enabler comprising:
an abstraction layer including one or more northbound interfaces providing an abstract interface for providing notification of network events and invoking one or more of a plurality of charging functions of a first network resource; and one or more enabler instances, each of the one or more enabler instances providing a southbound interface providing an interface specific to the first network resource. 18. The charging enabler of claim 17, wherein the charging enabler is adapted to receive a request to perform a charging function of the first network resource from an application via the northbound interface and request the charging function of the first network resource via the southbound interface. 19. The charging enabler of claim 18, wherein the charging enabler is further adapted to receive results of the charging function from the first network resource via the southbound interface of the charging enabler and return the results of the charging function to the application via the northbound interface of the charging enabler. 20. The charging enabler of claim 17, wherein the northbound interface of the charging enabler comprises an Application Program Interface (API). 21. The charging enabler of claim 20, wherein the northbound interface comprises a Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) API. 22. The charging enabler of claim 20, wherein the northbound interface comprises a REpresentational State Transfer (REST) API. 23. The charging enabler of claim 20, wherein the northbound interface comprises a Java API. 24. The charging enabler of claim 17, wherein the one or more charging functions comprise charging for the services provided on the communications network. 25. The charging enabler of claim 17, wherein the one or more charging functions comprise one or more account management functions. 26. The charging enabler of claim 17, wherein the one or more charging functions comprise one or more payment processing functions. 27. The charging enabler of claim 17, wherein the one or more charging functions comprise one or more rating functions 28. The charging enabler of claim 17, wherein the southbound interface comprises a Diameter interface on a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) network. 29. The charging enabler of claim 17, wherein the southbound interface comprises a Parlay interface. 30. The charging enabler of claim 17, wherein the southbound interface comprises an Intelligent Network (IN) interface. 31. The charging enabler of claim 17, wherein the charging enabler is further adapted to receive an event notification from a second network resource via the southbound interface of the charging enabler and notify the application of the notification via the northbound interface of the charging enabler. 32. The charging enabler of claim 31, wherein the application is adapted to determine one or more charging functions to be performed in response to the notification and request the one or more charging functions via the northbound interface of the charging enabler. 33. The charging enabler of claim 32, wherein the charging enabler is further adapted to receive the request to perform the one or more charging functions from the application via the northbound interface of the charging enabler and request the charging function from the first network resource via the southbound interface of the charging enabler. 34. A system comprising:
a communication network; a first network resource communicatively coupled with the communication network, the first network resource providing a plurality of charging functions; an application communicatively coupled with the communications network and adapted to provide one or more services via the communications network; and a charging enabler communicatively coupled with the communication network and the application, the charging enabler comprising an abstraction layer including one or more northbound interfaces providing an abstract interface for providing notification of network events and invoking one or more of the plurality of charging functions of the first network resource and one or more enabler instances, each of the one or more enabler instances providing a southbound interface providing an interface specific to the first network resource. 35. The system of claim 34, wherein the charging enabler is adapted to receive a request to perform a charging function of the plurality of charging functions of the first network resource from an application via the northbound interface and request the charging function of the first network resource via the southbound interface. 36. The system of claim 35, wherein the charging enabler is further adapted to receive results of the charging function from the first network resource via the southbound interface of the charging enabler and return the results of the charging function to the application via the northbound interface of the charging enabler. 37. The system of claim 34, further comprising a second network resource communicatively coupled with the communications network wherein the charging enabler is further adapted to receive an event notification from the second network resource via the southbound interface of the charging enabler and notify the application of the notification via the northbound interface of the charging enabler. 38. The system of claim 37, wherein the application is adapted to determine one or more charging functions to be performed in response to the notification and request one of the plurality of charging functions via the northbound interface of the charging enabler. 39. The system of claim 38, wherein the charging enabler is further adapted to receive the request to perform the one or more charging functions from the application via the northbound interface of the charging enabler and request the charging function from the first network resource via the southbound interface of the charging enabler. | Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for providing charging functions. According to one embodiment, a method of charging for services on a communication network can comprise receiving a request to perform a charging function from an application via a northbound interface of a charging enabler. The northbound interface can provide an abstract interface for invoking one or more of a plurality of charging functions. The charging function can be requested from a network resource via a southbound interface of the charging enabler. The southbound interface can provide an interface specific to the network resource. Results of the charging function can be received from the network resource via the southbound interface of the charging enabler and returned to the application via the northbound interface of the charging enabler.1. A method for charging for services on a communication network, the method comprising:
receiving a request to perform a charging function from an application via a northbound interface of a charging enabler, the northbound interface providing an abstract interface for invoking one or more of a plurality of charging functions; and requesting the charging function from a network resource via a southbound interface of the charging enabler, the southbound interface providing an interface specific to the network resource. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving results of the charging function from the network resource via the southbound interface of the charging enabler; and returning the results of the charging function to the application via the northbound interface of the charging enabler. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the northbound interface of the charging enabler comprises an Application Program Interface (API). 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the northbound interface comprises a Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) API. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the northbound interface comprises a REpresentational State Transfer (REST) API. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the northbound interface comprises a Java API. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more charging functions comprise charging for the services provided on the communications network. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more charging functions comprise one or more account management functions. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more charging functions comprise one or more payment processing functions. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more charging functions comprise one or more rating functions. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the southbound interface comprises a Diameter interface on a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) network. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the southbound interface comprises a Parlay interface. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the southbound interface comprises an Intelligent Network (IN) interface 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more charging functions are applied to a pre-paid account. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more charging functions are applied to a post-paid account. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more charging functions are applied to a payment account. 17. A charging enabler comprising:
an abstraction layer including one or more northbound interfaces providing an abstract interface for providing notification of network events and invoking one or more of a plurality of charging functions of a first network resource; and one or more enabler instances, each of the one or more enabler instances providing a southbound interface providing an interface specific to the first network resource. 18. The charging enabler of claim 17, wherein the charging enabler is adapted to receive a request to perform a charging function of the first network resource from an application via the northbound interface and request the charging function of the first network resource via the southbound interface. 19. The charging enabler of claim 18, wherein the charging enabler is further adapted to receive results of the charging function from the first network resource via the southbound interface of the charging enabler and return the results of the charging function to the application via the northbound interface of the charging enabler. 20. The charging enabler of claim 17, wherein the northbound interface of the charging enabler comprises an Application Program Interface (API). 21. The charging enabler of claim 20, wherein the northbound interface comprises a Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) API. 22. The charging enabler of claim 20, wherein the northbound interface comprises a REpresentational State Transfer (REST) API. 23. The charging enabler of claim 20, wherein the northbound interface comprises a Java API. 24. The charging enabler of claim 17, wherein the one or more charging functions comprise charging for the services provided on the communications network. 25. The charging enabler of claim 17, wherein the one or more charging functions comprise one or more account management functions. 26. The charging enabler of claim 17, wherein the one or more charging functions comprise one or more payment processing functions. 27. The charging enabler of claim 17, wherein the one or more charging functions comprise one or more rating functions 28. The charging enabler of claim 17, wherein the southbound interface comprises a Diameter interface on a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) network. 29. The charging enabler of claim 17, wherein the southbound interface comprises a Parlay interface. 30. The charging enabler of claim 17, wherein the southbound interface comprises an Intelligent Network (IN) interface. 31. The charging enabler of claim 17, wherein the charging enabler is further adapted to receive an event notification from a second network resource via the southbound interface of the charging enabler and notify the application of the notification via the northbound interface of the charging enabler. 32. The charging enabler of claim 31, wherein the application is adapted to determine one or more charging functions to be performed in response to the notification and request the one or more charging functions via the northbound interface of the charging enabler. 33. The charging enabler of claim 32, wherein the charging enabler is further adapted to receive the request to perform the one or more charging functions from the application via the northbound interface of the charging enabler and request the charging function from the first network resource via the southbound interface of the charging enabler. 34. A system comprising:
a communication network; a first network resource communicatively coupled with the communication network, the first network resource providing a plurality of charging functions; an application communicatively coupled with the communications network and adapted to provide one or more services via the communications network; and a charging enabler communicatively coupled with the communication network and the application, the charging enabler comprising an abstraction layer including one or more northbound interfaces providing an abstract interface for providing notification of network events and invoking one or more of the plurality of charging functions of the first network resource and one or more enabler instances, each of the one or more enabler instances providing a southbound interface providing an interface specific to the first network resource. 35. The system of claim 34, wherein the charging enabler is adapted to receive a request to perform a charging function of the plurality of charging functions of the first network resource from an application via the northbound interface and request the charging function of the first network resource via the southbound interface. 36. The system of claim 35, wherein the charging enabler is further adapted to receive results of the charging function from the first network resource via the southbound interface of the charging enabler and return the results of the charging function to the application via the northbound interface of the charging enabler. 37. The system of claim 34, further comprising a second network resource communicatively coupled with the communications network wherein the charging enabler is further adapted to receive an event notification from the second network resource via the southbound interface of the charging enabler and notify the application of the notification via the northbound interface of the charging enabler. 38. The system of claim 37, wherein the application is adapted to determine one or more charging functions to be performed in response to the notification and request one of the plurality of charging functions via the northbound interface of the charging enabler. 39. The system of claim 38, wherein the charging enabler is further adapted to receive the request to perform the one or more charging functions from the application via the northbound interface of the charging enabler and request the charging function from the first network resource via the southbound interface of the charging enabler. | 3,600 |
13,089 | 13,089 | 13,712,776 | 3,626 | Healthcare is administered to members/enrollees of a healthcare plan according to objective quality standards. A patient population of eligible members/enrollees is identified and for each member/enrollee, medical information is aggregated via a web-based compilation of medical data from multiple sources that is continuously updated so as to provide an accurate, up-to-date and readily accessible compilation of a member/enrollee past diagnoses, healthcare history, medical procedures, medications and the like. Such member/enrollees are continuously tracked, on an individual basis, and monitored to ensure healthcare is delivered for a variety of specific medical conditions pursuant to objective health program quality criteria. | 1. A method for identifying the healthcare needs of a patient population and thereafter administering healthcare in response to said needs, the method comprising steps:
a) identifying a patient population eligible to receive healthcare benefits; b) compiling and aggregating healthcare information for each patient within said patient population identified in step a), said aggregation of said healthcare being compiled from data sources selected from the group consisting of each patient's prior insurance claims and encounters information, membership enrollment data of each patient, pharmacy data associated with each patient, laboratory findings for each patient, hospital admissions information for each patient, data from centers providing Medicare services, prior authorizations for medical treatment for each patient, and combinations thereof, said aggregation of healthcare information for each patient creating a patient profile, wherein said patient profile is stored to retrievable from computer readable media; c) providing a set of standardized health quality measures that are operative to define benchmark standards of healthcare to be administered to said patients within said patient population identified in step a); d) evaluating said patient profiles created in step b) and comparing said profiles with said standardized health quality measures of step c), and identifying a sub-population of patients who have not received healthcare commensurate with said standardized health quality measures in step c); e) administering healthcare to said sub-population identified in step d) commensurate with said standardized health quality measures set forth in step c); and f) repeating steps d) and e) until at least 80% of said patient population identified in step a) have met the standardized health quality measures set forth in step c). 2. The method of claim 1 wherein in step f), steps d) and e) are repeated such that at least 85% of the eligible population has met the standardized health quality measures set forth in step c). 3. The method of claim 2 wherein in step f), steps d) and e) are repeated such that at least 90% of the eligible population has met the standardized health quality measures set forth in step c). 4. The method of claim 2 wherein in step f), steps d) and e) are repeated such that at least 95% of the eligible population has met the standardized health quality measures set forth in step c). | Healthcare is administered to members/enrollees of a healthcare plan according to objective quality standards. A patient population of eligible members/enrollees is identified and for each member/enrollee, medical information is aggregated via a web-based compilation of medical data from multiple sources that is continuously updated so as to provide an accurate, up-to-date and readily accessible compilation of a member/enrollee past diagnoses, healthcare history, medical procedures, medications and the like. Such member/enrollees are continuously tracked, on an individual basis, and monitored to ensure healthcare is delivered for a variety of specific medical conditions pursuant to objective health program quality criteria.1. A method for identifying the healthcare needs of a patient population and thereafter administering healthcare in response to said needs, the method comprising steps:
a) identifying a patient population eligible to receive healthcare benefits; b) compiling and aggregating healthcare information for each patient within said patient population identified in step a), said aggregation of said healthcare being compiled from data sources selected from the group consisting of each patient's prior insurance claims and encounters information, membership enrollment data of each patient, pharmacy data associated with each patient, laboratory findings for each patient, hospital admissions information for each patient, data from centers providing Medicare services, prior authorizations for medical treatment for each patient, and combinations thereof, said aggregation of healthcare information for each patient creating a patient profile, wherein said patient profile is stored to retrievable from computer readable media; c) providing a set of standardized health quality measures that are operative to define benchmark standards of healthcare to be administered to said patients within said patient population identified in step a); d) evaluating said patient profiles created in step b) and comparing said profiles with said standardized health quality measures of step c), and identifying a sub-population of patients who have not received healthcare commensurate with said standardized health quality measures in step c); e) administering healthcare to said sub-population identified in step d) commensurate with said standardized health quality measures set forth in step c); and f) repeating steps d) and e) until at least 80% of said patient population identified in step a) have met the standardized health quality measures set forth in step c). 2. The method of claim 1 wherein in step f), steps d) and e) are repeated such that at least 85% of the eligible population has met the standardized health quality measures set forth in step c). 3. The method of claim 2 wherein in step f), steps d) and e) are repeated such that at least 90% of the eligible population has met the standardized health quality measures set forth in step c). 4. The method of claim 2 wherein in step f), steps d) and e) are repeated such that at least 95% of the eligible population has met the standardized health quality measures set forth in step c). | 3,600 |
13,090 | 13,090 | 14,852,121 | 3,624 | A product line engineering (PLE) multistage configuration tree that supports the engineering, deployment and maintenance of complex product family trees is provided. Feature bundles which combine a group of feature decisions into a single bundled offering are inherited by the children of the node in the product family tree where they are defined. The children see only the smaller collection of bundled offerings rather than all the possible combinations of the multiple feature offerings that are encapsulated by the feature bundle. | 1. A product line management system comprising:
a product family tree computer data structure, wherein each node defines a subfamily and each parent node of the product family tree has one or more feature profiles; wherein at least one of the one or more feature profiles are partially bound feature profiles having some feature decisions that have been made and some feature decisions that have not been made; one or more feature profiles within the parent node are collected into a view, wherein only a limited combination of feature decisions in the parent node are explicitly included in the view, thereby creating a feature bundle; and one or more child nodes in the product family tree, wherein the one or more child nodes must inherit, must honor, and may not override feature decisions in the feature bundle, regardless of the feature decisions available at the parent node; and wherein creation and modification of the product family tree computer data structure is performed using at least one computing device. 2. The product line management system of claim 1, wherein a feature decision at a parent node in the product family tree is propagated by a computer algorithm on the computing device to the child node. 3. A method comprising:
receiving a selection or downselection decision at a profile on a node of a product family tree, wherein each node defines a subfamily and each parent node of the product family tree has one or more feature profiles, at least one of which is a partially bound feature profile having some feature decisions that have been made and some feature decisions that have not been made; collecting one or more feature profiles within the parent node into a view, wherein only a limited combination of feature decisions in the parent node are explicitly included in the view, thereby creating a feature bundle; downselecting the feature bundle to the child node, thereby constraining the space of available choices by excluding sonic decisions from further consideration, wherein the creation and modification of the product family tree computer data structure is performed with at least one computing device. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the node is an internal node of the product family tree. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the node is a leaf node of the product family tree. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein a decision at an internal node in the product tree will stop propagating changes from the internal node's parent to the children of the internal node and will instead propagate the decision to the children of the internal node. | A product line engineering (PLE) multistage configuration tree that supports the engineering, deployment and maintenance of complex product family trees is provided. Feature bundles which combine a group of feature decisions into a single bundled offering are inherited by the children of the node in the product family tree where they are defined. The children see only the smaller collection of bundled offerings rather than all the possible combinations of the multiple feature offerings that are encapsulated by the feature bundle.1. A product line management system comprising:
a product family tree computer data structure, wherein each node defines a subfamily and each parent node of the product family tree has one or more feature profiles; wherein at least one of the one or more feature profiles are partially bound feature profiles having some feature decisions that have been made and some feature decisions that have not been made; one or more feature profiles within the parent node are collected into a view, wherein only a limited combination of feature decisions in the parent node are explicitly included in the view, thereby creating a feature bundle; and one or more child nodes in the product family tree, wherein the one or more child nodes must inherit, must honor, and may not override feature decisions in the feature bundle, regardless of the feature decisions available at the parent node; and wherein creation and modification of the product family tree computer data structure is performed using at least one computing device. 2. The product line management system of claim 1, wherein a feature decision at a parent node in the product family tree is propagated by a computer algorithm on the computing device to the child node. 3. A method comprising:
receiving a selection or downselection decision at a profile on a node of a product family tree, wherein each node defines a subfamily and each parent node of the product family tree has one or more feature profiles, at least one of which is a partially bound feature profile having some feature decisions that have been made and some feature decisions that have not been made; collecting one or more feature profiles within the parent node into a view, wherein only a limited combination of feature decisions in the parent node are explicitly included in the view, thereby creating a feature bundle; downselecting the feature bundle to the child node, thereby constraining the space of available choices by excluding sonic decisions from further consideration, wherein the creation and modification of the product family tree computer data structure is performed with at least one computing device. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the node is an internal node of the product family tree. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the node is a leaf node of the product family tree. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein a decision at an internal node in the product tree will stop propagating changes from the internal node's parent to the children of the internal node and will instead propagate the decision to the children of the internal node. | 3,600 |
13,091 | 13,091 | 13,841,318 | 3,686 | A request to authorize a payment transaction initiated on the client device is received by the system. In some embodiments, the request is received from a mobile client device connected to a cellular communications network. The request includes an IP address associated with a client device and a cellular phone number associated with the client device. The IP address is determined automatically without human intervention from the request. A cellular telephone carrier system associated with the cellular communications network is then queried using the cellular phone number associated with the client device. A response is received from the carrier system. The response includes the current IP address associated with the client device. The payment transaction is authorized when the IP address received from the carrier system matches the IP address received from the client device. | 1. A method for authorizing a payment transaction initiated on a mobile client device connected to a cellular communication network, the method comprising:
at a system having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors to perform the method:
receiving from a mobile client device connected to a cellular communications network a request to authorize a payment transaction initiated on the client device, where the request comprises an IP address associated with a client device and a cellular phone number associated with the client device;
querying a carrier system associated with the cellular communications network using the cellular phone number associated with the client device;
receiving a response from the carrier system, wherein the response includes an IP address associated with the client device; and
at least partially authorizing the payment transaction when the IP address received from the carrier system matches the IP address received from the client device. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, before the receiving:
receiving a payment processing transaction request from the mobile client device; and transmitting a request for client device data to the mobile client device. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, before the receiving:
receiving a payment processing transaction request from a merchant; and transmitting a request for client device data to the merchant. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the IP address is determined automatically without human intervention from the request. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the cellular phone number is determined automatically without human intervention. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the cellular phone number is obtained from direct user input into the mobile client device. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication system is operated by an internet service provider. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a failure message when the IP address received from the carrier system does not match the IP address received from the client device. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising notifying a user associated with the client device that illicit activity may be occurring with the mobile client device when the IP address received from the carrier system does not match the IP address received from the client device. 10. A method for authorizing a payment transaction initiated on a mobile client device connected to a cellular communication network, the method comprising:
at a system having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors to perform the method:
receiving a request to authorize a payment transaction initiated on a portable client device connected to a cellular communications network, the request comprising first client device data including an IP address and a unique identifier both associated with the client device;
querying an authentication system using a subset of the first client device data;
receiving a response from the authentication system, wherein the response includes second client device data distinct from the subset of the first client device data; and
at least partially authorizing the payment transaction when at least some of the second client device data received from the authentication system matches at least some of the second client device data received from the client device. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the IP address is determined automatically without human intervention from the request. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the cellular phone number is determined automatically without human intervention. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the cellular phone number is obtained from direct user input into the mobile client device. 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing a failure message when the IP address received from the carrier system does not match the IP address received from the client device. 15. The method of claim 10, further comprising notifying a user associated with the client device that illicit activity may be occurring with the mobile client device when the IP address received from the carrier system does not match the IP address received from the client device. 16. The method of claim 10, wherein the unique identifier includes a cellular phone number, a client device ID, a SIM card number, or an IMEI number. 17. The method of claim 10, wherein the subset of first client device data includes at least one of: the IP address associated with a client device, the cellular phone number associated with a client device, a client device ID, a SIM card number associated with a client device, or an IMEI number associated with a client device. 18. The method of claim 10, wherein the subset of the first client device data includes at least one of: the IP address associated with a client device, the cellular phone number associated with a client device, a client device ID, a SIM card number associated with a client device, or an IMEI number associated with a client device. 19. An authentication system, comprising:
one or more processors; memory; and one or more programs stored in the memory, the one or more programs comprising instructions for: receiving from a mobile client device connected to a cellular communications network a request to authorize a payment transaction initiated on the client device, where the request comprises an IP address associated with a client device and a cellular phone number associated with the client device; querying a carrier system associated with the cellular communications network using the cellular phone number associated with the client device; receiving a response from the carrier system, wherein the response includes an IP address associated with the client device; and at least partially authorizing the payment transaction when the IP address received from the carrier system matches the IP address received from the client device. 20. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured for execution by one or more processors of an authentication system, the one or more programs comprising instructions for:
receiving from a mobile client device connected to a cellular communications network a request to authorize a payment transaction initiated on the client device, where the request comprises an IP address associated with a client device and a cellular phone number associated with the client device; querying a carrier system associated with the cellular communications network using the cellular phone number associated with the client device; receiving a response from the carrier system, wherein the response includes an IP address associated with the client device; and at least partially authorizing the payment transaction when the IP address received from the carrier system matches the IP address received from the client device. | A request to authorize a payment transaction initiated on the client device is received by the system. In some embodiments, the request is received from a mobile client device connected to a cellular communications network. The request includes an IP address associated with a client device and a cellular phone number associated with the client device. The IP address is determined automatically without human intervention from the request. A cellular telephone carrier system associated with the cellular communications network is then queried using the cellular phone number associated with the client device. A response is received from the carrier system. The response includes the current IP address associated with the client device. The payment transaction is authorized when the IP address received from the carrier system matches the IP address received from the client device.1. A method for authorizing a payment transaction initiated on a mobile client device connected to a cellular communication network, the method comprising:
at a system having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors to perform the method:
receiving from a mobile client device connected to a cellular communications network a request to authorize a payment transaction initiated on the client device, where the request comprises an IP address associated with a client device and a cellular phone number associated with the client device;
querying a carrier system associated with the cellular communications network using the cellular phone number associated with the client device;
receiving a response from the carrier system, wherein the response includes an IP address associated with the client device; and
at least partially authorizing the payment transaction when the IP address received from the carrier system matches the IP address received from the client device. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, before the receiving:
receiving a payment processing transaction request from the mobile client device; and transmitting a request for client device data to the mobile client device. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, before the receiving:
receiving a payment processing transaction request from a merchant; and transmitting a request for client device data to the merchant. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the IP address is determined automatically without human intervention from the request. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the cellular phone number is determined automatically without human intervention. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the cellular phone number is obtained from direct user input into the mobile client device. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the authentication system is operated by an internet service provider. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a failure message when the IP address received from the carrier system does not match the IP address received from the client device. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising notifying a user associated with the client device that illicit activity may be occurring with the mobile client device when the IP address received from the carrier system does not match the IP address received from the client device. 10. A method for authorizing a payment transaction initiated on a mobile client device connected to a cellular communication network, the method comprising:
at a system having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors to perform the method:
receiving a request to authorize a payment transaction initiated on a portable client device connected to a cellular communications network, the request comprising first client device data including an IP address and a unique identifier both associated with the client device;
querying an authentication system using a subset of the first client device data;
receiving a response from the authentication system, wherein the response includes second client device data distinct from the subset of the first client device data; and
at least partially authorizing the payment transaction when at least some of the second client device data received from the authentication system matches at least some of the second client device data received from the client device. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the IP address is determined automatically without human intervention from the request. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the cellular phone number is determined automatically without human intervention. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the cellular phone number is obtained from direct user input into the mobile client device. 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing a failure message when the IP address received from the carrier system does not match the IP address received from the client device. 15. The method of claim 10, further comprising notifying a user associated with the client device that illicit activity may be occurring with the mobile client device when the IP address received from the carrier system does not match the IP address received from the client device. 16. The method of claim 10, wherein the unique identifier includes a cellular phone number, a client device ID, a SIM card number, or an IMEI number. 17. The method of claim 10, wherein the subset of first client device data includes at least one of: the IP address associated with a client device, the cellular phone number associated with a client device, a client device ID, a SIM card number associated with a client device, or an IMEI number associated with a client device. 18. The method of claim 10, wherein the subset of the first client device data includes at least one of: the IP address associated with a client device, the cellular phone number associated with a client device, a client device ID, a SIM card number associated with a client device, or an IMEI number associated with a client device. 19. An authentication system, comprising:
one or more processors; memory; and one or more programs stored in the memory, the one or more programs comprising instructions for: receiving from a mobile client device connected to a cellular communications network a request to authorize a payment transaction initiated on the client device, where the request comprises an IP address associated with a client device and a cellular phone number associated with the client device; querying a carrier system associated with the cellular communications network using the cellular phone number associated with the client device; receiving a response from the carrier system, wherein the response includes an IP address associated with the client device; and at least partially authorizing the payment transaction when the IP address received from the carrier system matches the IP address received from the client device. 20. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured for execution by one or more processors of an authentication system, the one or more programs comprising instructions for:
receiving from a mobile client device connected to a cellular communications network a request to authorize a payment transaction initiated on the client device, where the request comprises an IP address associated with a client device and a cellular phone number associated with the client device; querying a carrier system associated with the cellular communications network using the cellular phone number associated with the client device; receiving a response from the carrier system, wherein the response includes an IP address associated with the client device; and at least partially authorizing the payment transaction when the IP address received from the carrier system matches the IP address received from the client device. | 3,600 |
13,092 | 13,092 | 14,699,291 | 3,687 | A ride-sharing server may receive, from a user, a vehicle-rental request including trip characteristics specifying an origin location, a destination location, and time constraints; identify another user having rental criteria matching that of the vehicle-rental request; send a rent-share request to the user and the other user to rent-share as a joint-rental group; and rent a vehicle to the joint-rental group when the rent-share request is confirmed. A mobile device of a ride-sharing user may send, to a rent-sharing server, a vehicle-rental request including trip characteristics specifying an origin location, a destination location, and time constraints; receive, from the rent-sharing server, a rent-share request to rent-share a vehicle as a joint-rental group including another user having rental criteria matching that of the vehicle-rental request; and responsive to the rent-share request, rent the vehicle as the joint-rental group. | 1. A system comprising:
a ride-sharing server configured to
receive, from a first user, a vehicle rental request including trip characteristics specifying an origin, a destination, and time constraints;
identify a second user having rental criteria matching the vehicle rental request;
send a rent-share request to the first and second users to form a joint rental group; and
rent a vehicle to the joint rental group when the rent-share request is confirmed. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the rental criteria further includes passenger characteristics of the user, and wherein the ride-sharing server is further configured to identify the vehicle as matching the passenger characteristics of the user and passenger characteristics of the other user. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the ride-sharing server is further configured to:
include, in the request, a confirmation identifier for use in confirming rental of the vehicle; and confirm the vehicle as rented responsive to receipt of the confirmation identifier from the vehicle. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the ride-sharing server is further configured to indicate, to a rental server, an indication of a start time of rental of the vehicle responsive to the receipt of the confirmation identifier. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the ride-sharing server is further configured to indicate, to the rental server, an indication of a rental end time for the vehicle responsive to the receipt of an indication from the vehicle that the rent-share is completed. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the ride-sharing server is further configured to:
determine that a better-matched vehicle is now available for the joint rental group that was unavailable when the vehicle was rented; and send a vehicle update request to the users of the joint rental group indicating that the better-matched vehicle is now available. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the ride-sharing server is further configured to determine that the better-matched vehicle is now available responsive to one or more of an addition of a rent-sharing group member to the joint rental group and a removal of a rent-sharing group member from the joint rental group. 8. The system of claim 6, wherein the ride-sharing server is further configured to indicate, in the vehicle update request, an incentive to be applied to at least one rent-sharing group member of the joint rental group responsive to accepting the better-matched vehicle for the rent-sharing in exchange for the vehicle. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the incentive includes one or more of a free upgrade to a premium vehicle, a discounted cost of the rent-share, and a discounted cost of a future rent-share. 10. A computer-implemented method comprising:
identifying a vehicle matching passenger characteristics of first and second users having matching rental criteria; sending a rent-share request including a confirmation identifier to the first and second users to rent-share as a joint rental group using the vehicle; and renting the vehicle to the joint-rental group when the rent-share request is confirmed by receipt of the confirmation identifier from the vehicle. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
determining that a better-matched vehicle is now available for the joint rental group that was unavailable when the vehicle was rented; and sending a vehicle update request to the users of the joint rental group indicating that the better-matched vehicle is now available. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining whether the better-matched vehicle is now available responsive to one or more of an addition of a rent-sharing group member to the joint rental group and a removal of a rent-sharing group member from the joint-rental group. 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising indicating, in the vehicle update request, an incentive to be applied to at least one rent-sharing group member of the joint rental group responsive to accepting the better-matched vehicle for the rent-sharing in exchange for the vehicle. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the incentive includes one or more of a free upgrade to a premium vehicle, a discounted cost of the rent-share, and a discounted cost of a future rent-share. 15. A system comprising:
a mobile device of a ride-sharing user configured to
send, to a rent-sharing server, a vehicle rental request including trip characteristics specifying an origin, a destination, and time constraints;
receive, from the rent-sharing server, a rent-share request for a vehicle as a joint rental group including another user having rental criteria matching that of the vehicle rental request; and
responsive to the rent-share request, rent the vehicle as the joint rental group. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the rent-share request includes a confirmation identifier for use in confirming rental of the vehicle, and the mobile device is further configured to display the confirmation identifier in a user interface of the mobile device to allow the user to enter the confirmation identifier into the vehicle to confirm the vehicle as rented to the joint rental group. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the mobile device is further configured to
send, to the rent-sharing server, an indication of one or more of an addition of a rent-sharing group member to the joint rental group and a removal of a rent-sharing group member from the joint rental group; and receive, responsive to the indication, a vehicle update request to the users of the joint rental group indicating that a vehicle better matched to the joint rental group, as updated, is now available. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the mobile device is further configured to receive, in the vehicle update request, an incentive to be applied to at least one rent-sharing group member of the joint rental group responsive to accepting the vehicle better matched to the joint rental group in exchange for the vehicle. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the incentive includes one or more of a free upgrade to a premium vehicle, a discounted cost of the rent-share, and a discounted cost of a future rent-share. 20. The system of claim 15, wherein the mobile device is further configured to:
display a user interface indicating the vehicle update request; responsive to receiving assent to switch to an available vehicle that is a better fit to a joint rental group that a current vehicle rented to the ride-share user, display a listing of the available vehicles and a confirmation identifier; and receive a selection from the listing of the available vehicles to be confirmed by entry of the confirmation identifier into the vehicle as selected from the listing. | A ride-sharing server may receive, from a user, a vehicle-rental request including trip characteristics specifying an origin location, a destination location, and time constraints; identify another user having rental criteria matching that of the vehicle-rental request; send a rent-share request to the user and the other user to rent-share as a joint-rental group; and rent a vehicle to the joint-rental group when the rent-share request is confirmed. A mobile device of a ride-sharing user may send, to a rent-sharing server, a vehicle-rental request including trip characteristics specifying an origin location, a destination location, and time constraints; receive, from the rent-sharing server, a rent-share request to rent-share a vehicle as a joint-rental group including another user having rental criteria matching that of the vehicle-rental request; and responsive to the rent-share request, rent the vehicle as the joint-rental group.1. A system comprising:
a ride-sharing server configured to
receive, from a first user, a vehicle rental request including trip characteristics specifying an origin, a destination, and time constraints;
identify a second user having rental criteria matching the vehicle rental request;
send a rent-share request to the first and second users to form a joint rental group; and
rent a vehicle to the joint rental group when the rent-share request is confirmed. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the rental criteria further includes passenger characteristics of the user, and wherein the ride-sharing server is further configured to identify the vehicle as matching the passenger characteristics of the user and passenger characteristics of the other user. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the ride-sharing server is further configured to:
include, in the request, a confirmation identifier for use in confirming rental of the vehicle; and confirm the vehicle as rented responsive to receipt of the confirmation identifier from the vehicle. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the ride-sharing server is further configured to indicate, to a rental server, an indication of a start time of rental of the vehicle responsive to the receipt of the confirmation identifier. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the ride-sharing server is further configured to indicate, to the rental server, an indication of a rental end time for the vehicle responsive to the receipt of an indication from the vehicle that the rent-share is completed. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the ride-sharing server is further configured to:
determine that a better-matched vehicle is now available for the joint rental group that was unavailable when the vehicle was rented; and send a vehicle update request to the users of the joint rental group indicating that the better-matched vehicle is now available. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the ride-sharing server is further configured to determine that the better-matched vehicle is now available responsive to one or more of an addition of a rent-sharing group member to the joint rental group and a removal of a rent-sharing group member from the joint rental group. 8. The system of claim 6, wherein the ride-sharing server is further configured to indicate, in the vehicle update request, an incentive to be applied to at least one rent-sharing group member of the joint rental group responsive to accepting the better-matched vehicle for the rent-sharing in exchange for the vehicle. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the incentive includes one or more of a free upgrade to a premium vehicle, a discounted cost of the rent-share, and a discounted cost of a future rent-share. 10. A computer-implemented method comprising:
identifying a vehicle matching passenger characteristics of first and second users having matching rental criteria; sending a rent-share request including a confirmation identifier to the first and second users to rent-share as a joint rental group using the vehicle; and renting the vehicle to the joint-rental group when the rent-share request is confirmed by receipt of the confirmation identifier from the vehicle. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
determining that a better-matched vehicle is now available for the joint rental group that was unavailable when the vehicle was rented; and sending a vehicle update request to the users of the joint rental group indicating that the better-matched vehicle is now available. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining whether the better-matched vehicle is now available responsive to one or more of an addition of a rent-sharing group member to the joint rental group and a removal of a rent-sharing group member from the joint-rental group. 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising indicating, in the vehicle update request, an incentive to be applied to at least one rent-sharing group member of the joint rental group responsive to accepting the better-matched vehicle for the rent-sharing in exchange for the vehicle. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the incentive includes one or more of a free upgrade to a premium vehicle, a discounted cost of the rent-share, and a discounted cost of a future rent-share. 15. A system comprising:
a mobile device of a ride-sharing user configured to
send, to a rent-sharing server, a vehicle rental request including trip characteristics specifying an origin, a destination, and time constraints;
receive, from the rent-sharing server, a rent-share request for a vehicle as a joint rental group including another user having rental criteria matching that of the vehicle rental request; and
responsive to the rent-share request, rent the vehicle as the joint rental group. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the rent-share request includes a confirmation identifier for use in confirming rental of the vehicle, and the mobile device is further configured to display the confirmation identifier in a user interface of the mobile device to allow the user to enter the confirmation identifier into the vehicle to confirm the vehicle as rented to the joint rental group. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the mobile device is further configured to
send, to the rent-sharing server, an indication of one or more of an addition of a rent-sharing group member to the joint rental group and a removal of a rent-sharing group member from the joint rental group; and receive, responsive to the indication, a vehicle update request to the users of the joint rental group indicating that a vehicle better matched to the joint rental group, as updated, is now available. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the mobile device is further configured to receive, in the vehicle update request, an incentive to be applied to at least one rent-sharing group member of the joint rental group responsive to accepting the vehicle better matched to the joint rental group in exchange for the vehicle. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the incentive includes one or more of a free upgrade to a premium vehicle, a discounted cost of the rent-share, and a discounted cost of a future rent-share. 20. The system of claim 15, wherein the mobile device is further configured to:
display a user interface indicating the vehicle update request; responsive to receiving assent to switch to an available vehicle that is a better fit to a joint rental group that a current vehicle rented to the ride-share user, display a listing of the available vehicles and a confirmation identifier; and receive a selection from the listing of the available vehicles to be confirmed by entry of the confirmation identifier into the vehicle as selected from the listing. | 3,600 |
13,093 | 13,093 | 12,806,098 | 3,645 | Seismic data are acquired by actuating a first source at a first time and one or more additional seismic sources each with their own characteristic times with respect to a time of signal recording, the sources substantially collocated and at different depths. A first wavefield is determined that would occur if the first source were actuated at a selected time with respect to an initiation time of the recordings and being time adjusted for the water depth. One or more additional wavefields are determined that would occur if the one or more additional sources were each actuated at said selected time with respect to said initiation time, and being time adjusted for water depths of the one or more additional sources. The first wavefield and the one or more additional wavefields are combined to determine a deghosted source wavefield corresponding to actuation of a single seismic energy source. | 1. A method for determining a deghosted marine seismic energy source wavefield from signal recordings of seismic data acquired by actuating a first seismic source at a first time and one or more additional seismic sources at their own characteristic times with respect to an index time of the signal recordings, the sources substantially collocated and disposed at different depths in a body of water, comprising:
determining from the signal recordings a first wavefield that would occur if the first source were actuated at a selected time with respect to an initiation time of the signal recordings, the first wavefield being time adjusted with respect to the depth in the water of the first source; determining from the signal recordings one or more additional wavefields that would occur if the one or more additional sources were each actuated at said selected time with respect to said initiation time of the signal recordings, the one or more additional wavefields being time adjusted with respect to the depths in the water of the one or more additional sources; and combining the first wavefield with the one or more additional wavefields to determine a deghosted wavefield corresponding to actuation of a single seismic source. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first source and the one or more additional sources each comprise at least one air gun. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising correcting for the signatures of the sources towed at different depths. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining cross-correlation functions of ghost operators of the first source and the one or more additional sources. 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising bandpass filtering the cross-correlation functions. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first source and the one or more additional sources are disposed in different vertical planes to avoid effects of air in determining the individual wavefields. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising designing sources towed at different depths such that they have substantially identical ghost free signatures. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected time is the initiation time. 9. The method of claim 3, wherein the combining the first wavefield with the one or more additional wavefields to determine a deghosted wavefield comprises applying the following equation:
W
(
ω
)
=
O
1
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
*
+
O
2
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
*
A
(
ω
)
-
N
1
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
*
+
N
2
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
*
A
(
ω
)
,
where
A
(
ω
)
=
S
1
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
2
+
S
2
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
2
+
S
2
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
*
G
2
(
ω
)
exp
(
-
ωΔ
T
2
)
+
S
1
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
*
G
1
(
ω
)
exp
(
-
ωΔ
T
1
)
,
and where W(ω) is the deghosted wavefield; S1(ω) and S2(ω) are ghost-free signatures for the first and second sources, respectively; G1(ω) and G2(ω) are ghost operators for the first and second seismic sources, respectively; N1(ω) and N2(ω) are noise terms for the first and second seismic sources, respectively;
Δ
T
2
=
t
2
-
t
1
-
(
d
2
-
d
1
)
cos
(
α
)
υ
and
Δ
T
1
=
t
1
-
t
2
+
(
d
2
-
d
1
)
cos
(
α
)
υ
;
where t1 and t2 are actuation times of the first and second seismic sources, respectively; d1 and d2 are operating depths of the first and second seismic sources, respectively; α is emission angle of energy propagation from sources, relative to vertical; and v is acoustic velocity in water. 10. The method of claim 5, wherein the combining the first wavefield with the one or more additional wavefields to determine a deghosted wavefield, using bandpass filtering, comprises applying the following equation:
W
(
ω
)
≈
O
1
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
*
+
O
2
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
*
B
(
ω
)
-
N
1
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
*
+
N
2
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
*
B
(
ω
)
,
where
B
(
ω
)
=
S
1
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
2
+
S
2
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
2
+
F
(
ω
)
[
S
2
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
*
G
2
(
ω
)
exp
(
-
ωΔ
T
2
)
+
S
1
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
*
G
1
(
ω
)
exp
(
-
ωΔ
T
1
)
]
,
and where W(ω) is the deghosted wavefield; S1(ω) and S2(ω) are ghost-free signatures for the first and second sources, respectively; G1(ω) and G2(ω) are ghost operators for the first and second seismic sources, respectively; N1(ω) and N2(ω) are noise terms for the first and second seismic sources, respectively; F(ω) is the band-pass filter;
Δ
T
2
=
t
2
-
t
1
-
(
d
2
-
d
1
)
cos
(
α
)
υ
and
Δ
T
1
=
t
1
-
t
2
+
(
d
2
-
d
1
)
cos
(
α
)
υ
;
where t1 and t2 are actuation times of the first and second seismic sources, respectively; d1 and d2 are operating depths of the first and second seismic sources, respectively; α is emission angle of energy propagation from sources, relative to vertical; and v is acoustic velocity in water. 11. A method for determining a source deghosted marine seismic energy wavefield in a body of water, comprising:
actuating a first seismic energy source at a first depth in the water at a first selected time with respect to initiation of recording seismic signals; actuating one or more additional seismic energy sources substantially collocated with the first source, each additional source with their own characteristic depths in the water and each additional source with their own characteristic times with respect to initiation of recording seismic signals, the actuation times selected such that energy from the additional sources is present in seismic signal recordings; recording seismic signals resulting from actuation of the first source and the one or more additional sources; determining from the signal recordings a first wavefield that would occur if the first source were actuated at a selected time with respect to an initiation time of recording seismic signals, the first wavefield being time adjusted with respect to the depth in the water of the first source; determining from the signal recordings one or more additional wavefields that would occur if the one or more additional sources were each actuated at said selected time with respect to an initiation time of recording seismic signals, and each additional wavefield being time adjusted with respect to the depths in the water of its associated source; and combining the first wavefield with the one or more additional wavefields to determine a deghosted wavefield corresponding to actuation of a single seismic source. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first source and the one or more additional sources each comprise at least one air gun. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the first source and the one or more additional sources are disposed in different vertical planes to avoid effects of air in determining the individual wavefields. 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising correcting for the signatures of the sources towed at different depths. 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining cross-correlation functions of ghost operators of the first source and the one or more additional sources. 16. The method of claim 11, further comprising bandpass filtering the cross correlation functions. 17. The method of claim 11, further comprising designing sources towed at different depths such that they have substantially identical ghost free signatures. 18. The method of claim 11, wherein the selected time is the initiation time. 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the combining the first wavefield with the one or more additional wavefields to determine a deghosted wavefield comprises applying the following equation:
W
(
ω
)
=
O
1
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
*
+
O
2
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
*
A
(
ω
)
-
N
1
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
*
+
N
2
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
*
A
(
ω
)
,
where
A
(
ω
)
=
S
1
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
2
+
S
2
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
2
+
S
2
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
*
G
2
(
ω
)
exp
(
-
ωΔ
T
2
)
+
S
1
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
*
G
1
(
ω
)
exp
(
-
ωΔ
T
1
)
.
and where W(ω) is the deghosted wavefield; S1(ω) and S2(ω) are ghost-free signatures for the first and second sources, respectively; G1(ω) and G2(ω) are ghost operators for the first and second seismic sources, respectively; N1(ω) and N2(ω) are noise terms for the first and second seismic sources, respectively;
Δ
T
2
=
t
2
-
t
1
-
(
d
2
-
d
1
)
cos
(
α
)
υ
.
and
Δ
T
1
=
t
1
-
t
2
+
(
d
2
-
d
1
)
cos
(
α
)
υ
;
where t1 and t2 are actuation times of the first and second seismic sources, respectively; d1 and d2 are operating depths of the first and second seismic sources, respectively; α is emission angle of energy propagation from sources, relative to vertical; and v is acoustic velocity in water. 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the combining the first wavefield with the one or more additional wavefields to determine a deghosted wavefield, using bandpass filtering, comprises applying the following equation:
W
(
ω
)
≈
O
1
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
*
+
O
2
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
*
B
(
ω
)
-
N
1
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
*
+
N
2
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
*
B
(
ω
)
,
where
B
(
ω
)
=
S
1
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
2
+
S
2
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
2
+
F
(
ω
)
[
S
2
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
*
G
2
(
ω
)
exp
(
-
ωΔ
T
2
)
+
S
1
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
*
G
1
(
ω
)
exp
(
-
ωΔ
T
1
)
]
,
and where W(ω) is the deghosted wavefield; S1(ω) and S2(ω) are ghost-free signatures for the first and second sources, respectively; G1(ω) and G2(ω) are ghost operators for the first and second seismic sources, respectively; N1(ω) and N2(ω) are noise terms for the first and second seismic sources, respectively; F(ω) is the band-pass filter;
Δ
T
2
=
t
2
-
t
1
-
(
d
2
-
d
1
)
cos
(
α
)
υ
.
and
Δ
T
1
=
t
1
-
t
2
+
(
d
2
-
d
1
)
cos
(
α
)
υ
,
where t1 and t2 are actuation times of the first and second seismic sources, respectively; d1 and d2 are operating depths of the first and second seismic sources, respectively; α is emission angle of energy propagation from sources, relative to vertical; and v is acoustic velocity in water. | Seismic data are acquired by actuating a first source at a first time and one or more additional seismic sources each with their own characteristic times with respect to a time of signal recording, the sources substantially collocated and at different depths. A first wavefield is determined that would occur if the first source were actuated at a selected time with respect to an initiation time of the recordings and being time adjusted for the water depth. One or more additional wavefields are determined that would occur if the one or more additional sources were each actuated at said selected time with respect to said initiation time, and being time adjusted for water depths of the one or more additional sources. The first wavefield and the one or more additional wavefields are combined to determine a deghosted source wavefield corresponding to actuation of a single seismic energy source.1. A method for determining a deghosted marine seismic energy source wavefield from signal recordings of seismic data acquired by actuating a first seismic source at a first time and one or more additional seismic sources at their own characteristic times with respect to an index time of the signal recordings, the sources substantially collocated and disposed at different depths in a body of water, comprising:
determining from the signal recordings a first wavefield that would occur if the first source were actuated at a selected time with respect to an initiation time of the signal recordings, the first wavefield being time adjusted with respect to the depth in the water of the first source; determining from the signal recordings one or more additional wavefields that would occur if the one or more additional sources were each actuated at said selected time with respect to said initiation time of the signal recordings, the one or more additional wavefields being time adjusted with respect to the depths in the water of the one or more additional sources; and combining the first wavefield with the one or more additional wavefields to determine a deghosted wavefield corresponding to actuation of a single seismic source. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first source and the one or more additional sources each comprise at least one air gun. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising correcting for the signatures of the sources towed at different depths. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining cross-correlation functions of ghost operators of the first source and the one or more additional sources. 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising bandpass filtering the cross-correlation functions. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first source and the one or more additional sources are disposed in different vertical planes to avoid effects of air in determining the individual wavefields. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising designing sources towed at different depths such that they have substantially identical ghost free signatures. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected time is the initiation time. 9. The method of claim 3, wherein the combining the first wavefield with the one or more additional wavefields to determine a deghosted wavefield comprises applying the following equation:
W
(
ω
)
=
O
1
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
*
+
O
2
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
*
A
(
ω
)
-
N
1
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
*
+
N
2
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
*
A
(
ω
)
,
where
A
(
ω
)
=
S
1
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
2
+
S
2
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
2
+
S
2
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
*
G
2
(
ω
)
exp
(
-
ωΔ
T
2
)
+
S
1
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
*
G
1
(
ω
)
exp
(
-
ωΔ
T
1
)
,
and where W(ω) is the deghosted wavefield; S1(ω) and S2(ω) are ghost-free signatures for the first and second sources, respectively; G1(ω) and G2(ω) are ghost operators for the first and second seismic sources, respectively; N1(ω) and N2(ω) are noise terms for the first and second seismic sources, respectively;
Δ
T
2
=
t
2
-
t
1
-
(
d
2
-
d
1
)
cos
(
α
)
υ
and
Δ
T
1
=
t
1
-
t
2
+
(
d
2
-
d
1
)
cos
(
α
)
υ
;
where t1 and t2 are actuation times of the first and second seismic sources, respectively; d1 and d2 are operating depths of the first and second seismic sources, respectively; α is emission angle of energy propagation from sources, relative to vertical; and v is acoustic velocity in water. 10. The method of claim 5, wherein the combining the first wavefield with the one or more additional wavefields to determine a deghosted wavefield, using bandpass filtering, comprises applying the following equation:
W
(
ω
)
≈
O
1
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
*
+
O
2
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
*
B
(
ω
)
-
N
1
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
*
+
N
2
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
*
B
(
ω
)
,
where
B
(
ω
)
=
S
1
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
2
+
S
2
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
2
+
F
(
ω
)
[
S
2
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
*
G
2
(
ω
)
exp
(
-
ωΔ
T
2
)
+
S
1
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
*
G
1
(
ω
)
exp
(
-
ωΔ
T
1
)
]
,
and where W(ω) is the deghosted wavefield; S1(ω) and S2(ω) are ghost-free signatures for the first and second sources, respectively; G1(ω) and G2(ω) are ghost operators for the first and second seismic sources, respectively; N1(ω) and N2(ω) are noise terms for the first and second seismic sources, respectively; F(ω) is the band-pass filter;
Δ
T
2
=
t
2
-
t
1
-
(
d
2
-
d
1
)
cos
(
α
)
υ
and
Δ
T
1
=
t
1
-
t
2
+
(
d
2
-
d
1
)
cos
(
α
)
υ
;
where t1 and t2 are actuation times of the first and second seismic sources, respectively; d1 and d2 are operating depths of the first and second seismic sources, respectively; α is emission angle of energy propagation from sources, relative to vertical; and v is acoustic velocity in water. 11. A method for determining a source deghosted marine seismic energy wavefield in a body of water, comprising:
actuating a first seismic energy source at a first depth in the water at a first selected time with respect to initiation of recording seismic signals; actuating one or more additional seismic energy sources substantially collocated with the first source, each additional source with their own characteristic depths in the water and each additional source with their own characteristic times with respect to initiation of recording seismic signals, the actuation times selected such that energy from the additional sources is present in seismic signal recordings; recording seismic signals resulting from actuation of the first source and the one or more additional sources; determining from the signal recordings a first wavefield that would occur if the first source were actuated at a selected time with respect to an initiation time of recording seismic signals, the first wavefield being time adjusted with respect to the depth in the water of the first source; determining from the signal recordings one or more additional wavefields that would occur if the one or more additional sources were each actuated at said selected time with respect to an initiation time of recording seismic signals, and each additional wavefield being time adjusted with respect to the depths in the water of its associated source; and combining the first wavefield with the one or more additional wavefields to determine a deghosted wavefield corresponding to actuation of a single seismic source. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first source and the one or more additional sources each comprise at least one air gun. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the first source and the one or more additional sources are disposed in different vertical planes to avoid effects of air in determining the individual wavefields. 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising correcting for the signatures of the sources towed at different depths. 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining cross-correlation functions of ghost operators of the first source and the one or more additional sources. 16. The method of claim 11, further comprising bandpass filtering the cross correlation functions. 17. The method of claim 11, further comprising designing sources towed at different depths such that they have substantially identical ghost free signatures. 18. The method of claim 11, wherein the selected time is the initiation time. 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the combining the first wavefield with the one or more additional wavefields to determine a deghosted wavefield comprises applying the following equation:
W
(
ω
)
=
O
1
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
*
+
O
2
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
*
A
(
ω
)
-
N
1
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
*
+
N
2
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
*
A
(
ω
)
,
where
A
(
ω
)
=
S
1
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
2
+
S
2
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
2
+
S
2
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
*
G
2
(
ω
)
exp
(
-
ωΔ
T
2
)
+
S
1
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
*
G
1
(
ω
)
exp
(
-
ωΔ
T
1
)
.
and where W(ω) is the deghosted wavefield; S1(ω) and S2(ω) are ghost-free signatures for the first and second sources, respectively; G1(ω) and G2(ω) are ghost operators for the first and second seismic sources, respectively; N1(ω) and N2(ω) are noise terms for the first and second seismic sources, respectively;
Δ
T
2
=
t
2
-
t
1
-
(
d
2
-
d
1
)
cos
(
α
)
υ
.
and
Δ
T
1
=
t
1
-
t
2
+
(
d
2
-
d
1
)
cos
(
α
)
υ
;
where t1 and t2 are actuation times of the first and second seismic sources, respectively; d1 and d2 are operating depths of the first and second seismic sources, respectively; α is emission angle of energy propagation from sources, relative to vertical; and v is acoustic velocity in water. 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the combining the first wavefield with the one or more additional wavefields to determine a deghosted wavefield, using bandpass filtering, comprises applying the following equation:
W
(
ω
)
≈
O
1
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
*
+
O
2
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
*
B
(
ω
)
-
N
1
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
*
+
N
2
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
*
B
(
ω
)
,
where
B
(
ω
)
=
S
1
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
2
+
S
2
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
2
+
F
(
ω
)
[
S
2
(
ω
)
G
1
(
ω
)
*
G
2
(
ω
)
exp
(
-
ωΔ
T
2
)
+
S
1
(
ω
)
G
2
(
ω
)
*
G
1
(
ω
)
exp
(
-
ωΔ
T
1
)
]
,
and where W(ω) is the deghosted wavefield; S1(ω) and S2(ω) are ghost-free signatures for the first and second sources, respectively; G1(ω) and G2(ω) are ghost operators for the first and second seismic sources, respectively; N1(ω) and N2(ω) are noise terms for the first and second seismic sources, respectively; F(ω) is the band-pass filter;
Δ
T
2
=
t
2
-
t
1
-
(
d
2
-
d
1
)
cos
(
α
)
υ
.
and
Δ
T
1
=
t
1
-
t
2
+
(
d
2
-
d
1
)
cos
(
α
)
υ
,
where t1 and t2 are actuation times of the first and second seismic sources, respectively; d1 and d2 are operating depths of the first and second seismic sources, respectively; α is emission angle of energy propagation from sources, relative to vertical; and v is acoustic velocity in water. | 3,600 |
13,094 | 13,094 | 12,464,099 | 3,691 | Methods and systems are provided herewith for determining prices and executing trades among a plurality of users of an electronic trading system. The users may transmit to a processor a plurality of bid-offer pairs. Each bid-offer pair may comprise an estimate of a fair bid price and an estimate of a fair offer price for exchanging between a first and a second currency. The processor may determine from the bid-offer pairs a qualifying set of overlapping bid-offer pairs. The processor may determine an exchange rate for exchanging between the first currency and the second currency based on the qualifying set of overlapping bid-offer pairs. The processor may match user orders to exchange between the first and second currencies and execute those orders at the exchange rate. | 1. An apparatus, comprising:
at least one processor; and a memory that stores instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, directs the at least one processor to:
receive from a plurality of users of an electronic trading system a corresponding plurality of bid-offer pairs for a currency exchange between a first currency and a second currency, the plurality of users comprising a first user and a second user, each bid-offer pair comprising:
(1) a bid price comprising an estimate of a fair bid price for purchasing the first currency in units of the second currency,
(2) an offer price comprising an estimate of a fair offer price for selling the first currency in units of the second currency,
the bid-offer pair defining (a) a range of prices between the offer price and the bid price and (b) a quote spread comprising the difference between the bid price and the offer price;
determining from the plurality of bid-offer pairs a set of overlapping bid-offer pairs, in which the act of determining the set of overlapping bid-offer pairs comprises:
(1) determining that the bid price and the offer price of each bid-offer pair in the set of overlapping bid-offer pairs is unexpired during the time of interest;
(2) determining whether any of the bid-offer pairs comprises a bid price that is higher than the offer price of the bid-offer pair;
(3) for each bid-offer pair, determining that the bid-offer pair comprises a quote spread that is less than a predetermined threshold; and
(4) determining from the plurality of bid-offer pairs a set of qualifying bid-offer pairs, the set of qualifying bid-offer pairs comprising each bid-offer pair of the plurality of bid-offer pairs that satisfies each of the following conditions:
(a) the bid price of the bid-offer pair and the offer price of the bid-offer pair are both unexpired at the time of interest;
(b) the bid price of the bid-offer pair is lower than the offer price of the bid-offer pair;
(c) the bid-offer pair comprises a quote spread that is less than a predetermined threshold;
(5) determining from the set of qualifying bid-offer pairs a set of overlapping bid-offer pairs, in which each overlapping bid-offer pair comprises a range such that (i) the number of bid-offer pairs having a range that overlaps the range of the bid-offer pair is at least half of (ii) the number of eligible bid-offer pairs minus one, in which two ranges overlap if they both include at least one price in common;
determining an exchange rate for converting the first currency into the second currency based on the set of overlapping bid-offer pairs, in which the act of determining the exchange rate comprises calculating an average of the bids and offers in the set of overlapping bid-offer pairs;
receiving from the first user a first order to purchase the first currency in exchange for the second currency, in which the order to purchase is unexpired during the time of interest;
receiving from the second user a second order to sell the first currency in exchange for the second currency, in which the order to sell is unexpired during the time of interest;
matching the first order and the second order;
executing a trade between the first user and the second user based on the act of matching; and
transmitting a confirmation of the executed trade to the first user and the second user. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, in which each bid price and each offer price is associated with a corresponding time duration, and in which the act of determining that the bid price and the offer price of each bid-offer pair in the set of eligible bid-offer pairs is unexpired during the time of interest comprises:
determining, that the time of interest is within the time duration associated with each bid price and offer price. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the set of qualifying bid-offer pairs comprises a bid-offer pair from the first user and a bid-offer pair from the second user. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the order to purchase comprises a first quantity of units of the first currency, and the order to sell comprises a second quantity of units of the first currency. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the first order specifies a first quantity and the second order specifies a second quantity, in which the act of executing the trade comprises executing a trade between the first user and the second user an a volume equal to the lesser of the first quantity and the second quantity. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, in which a submission of an order by a user is not revealed to any other user until after the order is executed. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the exchange rate is equal to the average of the bids and offers in the set of overlapping bid-offer pairs 8. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the exchange rate is equal to a time-weighted average of the bids and offers in the set of overlapping bid-offer pairs, in which the bids and offers received at a time closer to the time of interest are weighted more heavily than the bids and offers received at a time further away from the time of interest. 9. A method comprising:
receiving from a plurality of users of an electronic trading system a corresponding plurality of bid-offer pairs for a currency exchange between a first currency and a second currency, in which the plurality of bid-offer pairs is received by at least one processor over a network, the plurality of users comprising a first user and a second user, each bid-offer pair comprising:
(1) a bid price comprising an estimate of a fair bid price for purchasing the first currency in units of the second currency,
(2) an offer price comprising an estimate of a fair offer price for selling the first currency in units of the second currency,
the bid-offer pair defining (a) a range of prices between the offer price and the bid price and (b) a quote spread comprising the difference between the bid price and the offer price;
determining by the at least one processor from the plurality of bid-offer pairs a set of overlapping bid-offer pairs, in which the act of determining the set of overlapping bid-offer pairs comprises:
(1) determining by the at least one processor that the bid price and the offer price of each bid-offer pair in the set of overlapping bid-offer pairs is unexpired during the time of interest;
(2) determining by the at least one processor whether any of the bid-offer pairs comprises a bid price that is higher than the offer price of the bid-offer pair;
(3) for each bid-offer pair, determining by the at least one processor that the bid-offer pair comprises a quote spread that is less than a predetermined threshold; and
(4) determining by the at least one processor from the plurality of bid-offer pairs a set of qualifying bid-offer pairs, the set of qualifying bid-offer pairs comprising each bid-offer pair of the plurality of bid-offer pairs that satisfies each of the following conditions:
(a) the bid price of the bid-offer pair and the offer price of the bid-offer pair are both unexpired at the time of interest;
(b) the bid price of the bid-offer pair is lower than the offer price of the bid-offer pair;
(c) the bid-offer pair comprises a quote spread that is less than a predetermined threshold;
(5) determining by the at least one processor from the set of qualifying bid-offer pairs a set of overlapping bid-offer pairs, in which each overlapping bid-offer pair comprises a range such that (i) the number of bid-offer pairs having a range that overlaps the range of the bid-offer pair is at least half of (ii) the number of eligible bid-offer pairs minus one, in which two ranges overlap if they both include at least one price in common;
determining by the at least one processor an exchange rate for converting the first currency into the second currency based on the set of overlapping bid-offer pairs, in which the act of determining the exchange rate comprises calculating an average of the bids and offers in the set of overlapping bid-offer pairs; receiving by the at least one processor from the first user a first order to purchase the first currency in exchange for the second currency, in which the order to purchase is unexpired during the time of interest; receiving by the at least one processor from the second user a second order to sell the first currency in exchange for the second currency, in which the order to sell is unexpired during the time of interest; matching by the at least one processor the first order and the second order; executing by the at least one processor a trade between the first user and the second user based on the act of matching; and transmitting a confirmation of the executed trade to the first user and the second user. 10. The method of claim 1, in which each bid price and each offer price is associated with a corresponding time duration, and in which the act of determining that the bid price and the offer price of each bid-offer pair in the set of eligible bid-offer pairs is unexpired during the time of interest comprises:
determining, that the time of interest is within the time duration associated with each bid price and offer price. 11. The method of claim 1, in which the set of qualifying bid-offer pairs comprises a bid-offer pair from the first user and a bid-offer pair from the second user. 12. The method of claim 1, in which the order to purchase comprises a first quantity of units of the first currency, and the order to sell comprises a second quantity of units of the first currency. 13. The method of claim 1, in which the first order specifies a first quantity and the second order specifies a second quantity, in which the act of executing the trade comprises executing a trade between the first user and the second user an a volume equal to the lesser of the first quantity and the second quantity. 14. The method of claim 1, in which a submission of an order by a user is not revealed to any other user until after the order is executed. 15. The method of claim 1, in which the exchange rate is equal to the average of the bids and offers in the set of overlapping bid-offer pairs 16. The method of claim 1, in which the exchange rate is equal to a time-weighted average of the bids and offers in the set of overlapping bid-offer pairs, in which the bids and offers received at a time closer to the time of interest are weighted more heavily than the bids and offers received at a time further away from the time of interest. | Methods and systems are provided herewith for determining prices and executing trades among a plurality of users of an electronic trading system. The users may transmit to a processor a plurality of bid-offer pairs. Each bid-offer pair may comprise an estimate of a fair bid price and an estimate of a fair offer price for exchanging between a first and a second currency. The processor may determine from the bid-offer pairs a qualifying set of overlapping bid-offer pairs. The processor may determine an exchange rate for exchanging between the first currency and the second currency based on the qualifying set of overlapping bid-offer pairs. The processor may match user orders to exchange between the first and second currencies and execute those orders at the exchange rate.1. An apparatus, comprising:
at least one processor; and a memory that stores instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, directs the at least one processor to:
receive from a plurality of users of an electronic trading system a corresponding plurality of bid-offer pairs for a currency exchange between a first currency and a second currency, the plurality of users comprising a first user and a second user, each bid-offer pair comprising:
(1) a bid price comprising an estimate of a fair bid price for purchasing the first currency in units of the second currency,
(2) an offer price comprising an estimate of a fair offer price for selling the first currency in units of the second currency,
the bid-offer pair defining (a) a range of prices between the offer price and the bid price and (b) a quote spread comprising the difference between the bid price and the offer price;
determining from the plurality of bid-offer pairs a set of overlapping bid-offer pairs, in which the act of determining the set of overlapping bid-offer pairs comprises:
(1) determining that the bid price and the offer price of each bid-offer pair in the set of overlapping bid-offer pairs is unexpired during the time of interest;
(2) determining whether any of the bid-offer pairs comprises a bid price that is higher than the offer price of the bid-offer pair;
(3) for each bid-offer pair, determining that the bid-offer pair comprises a quote spread that is less than a predetermined threshold; and
(4) determining from the plurality of bid-offer pairs a set of qualifying bid-offer pairs, the set of qualifying bid-offer pairs comprising each bid-offer pair of the plurality of bid-offer pairs that satisfies each of the following conditions:
(a) the bid price of the bid-offer pair and the offer price of the bid-offer pair are both unexpired at the time of interest;
(b) the bid price of the bid-offer pair is lower than the offer price of the bid-offer pair;
(c) the bid-offer pair comprises a quote spread that is less than a predetermined threshold;
(5) determining from the set of qualifying bid-offer pairs a set of overlapping bid-offer pairs, in which each overlapping bid-offer pair comprises a range such that (i) the number of bid-offer pairs having a range that overlaps the range of the bid-offer pair is at least half of (ii) the number of eligible bid-offer pairs minus one, in which two ranges overlap if they both include at least one price in common;
determining an exchange rate for converting the first currency into the second currency based on the set of overlapping bid-offer pairs, in which the act of determining the exchange rate comprises calculating an average of the bids and offers in the set of overlapping bid-offer pairs;
receiving from the first user a first order to purchase the first currency in exchange for the second currency, in which the order to purchase is unexpired during the time of interest;
receiving from the second user a second order to sell the first currency in exchange for the second currency, in which the order to sell is unexpired during the time of interest;
matching the first order and the second order;
executing a trade between the first user and the second user based on the act of matching; and
transmitting a confirmation of the executed trade to the first user and the second user. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, in which each bid price and each offer price is associated with a corresponding time duration, and in which the act of determining that the bid price and the offer price of each bid-offer pair in the set of eligible bid-offer pairs is unexpired during the time of interest comprises:
determining, that the time of interest is within the time duration associated with each bid price and offer price. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the set of qualifying bid-offer pairs comprises a bid-offer pair from the first user and a bid-offer pair from the second user. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the order to purchase comprises a first quantity of units of the first currency, and the order to sell comprises a second quantity of units of the first currency. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the first order specifies a first quantity and the second order specifies a second quantity, in which the act of executing the trade comprises executing a trade between the first user and the second user an a volume equal to the lesser of the first quantity and the second quantity. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, in which a submission of an order by a user is not revealed to any other user until after the order is executed. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the exchange rate is equal to the average of the bids and offers in the set of overlapping bid-offer pairs 8. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the exchange rate is equal to a time-weighted average of the bids and offers in the set of overlapping bid-offer pairs, in which the bids and offers received at a time closer to the time of interest are weighted more heavily than the bids and offers received at a time further away from the time of interest. 9. A method comprising:
receiving from a plurality of users of an electronic trading system a corresponding plurality of bid-offer pairs for a currency exchange between a first currency and a second currency, in which the plurality of bid-offer pairs is received by at least one processor over a network, the plurality of users comprising a first user and a second user, each bid-offer pair comprising:
(1) a bid price comprising an estimate of a fair bid price for purchasing the first currency in units of the second currency,
(2) an offer price comprising an estimate of a fair offer price for selling the first currency in units of the second currency,
the bid-offer pair defining (a) a range of prices between the offer price and the bid price and (b) a quote spread comprising the difference between the bid price and the offer price;
determining by the at least one processor from the plurality of bid-offer pairs a set of overlapping bid-offer pairs, in which the act of determining the set of overlapping bid-offer pairs comprises:
(1) determining by the at least one processor that the bid price and the offer price of each bid-offer pair in the set of overlapping bid-offer pairs is unexpired during the time of interest;
(2) determining by the at least one processor whether any of the bid-offer pairs comprises a bid price that is higher than the offer price of the bid-offer pair;
(3) for each bid-offer pair, determining by the at least one processor that the bid-offer pair comprises a quote spread that is less than a predetermined threshold; and
(4) determining by the at least one processor from the plurality of bid-offer pairs a set of qualifying bid-offer pairs, the set of qualifying bid-offer pairs comprising each bid-offer pair of the plurality of bid-offer pairs that satisfies each of the following conditions:
(a) the bid price of the bid-offer pair and the offer price of the bid-offer pair are both unexpired at the time of interest;
(b) the bid price of the bid-offer pair is lower than the offer price of the bid-offer pair;
(c) the bid-offer pair comprises a quote spread that is less than a predetermined threshold;
(5) determining by the at least one processor from the set of qualifying bid-offer pairs a set of overlapping bid-offer pairs, in which each overlapping bid-offer pair comprises a range such that (i) the number of bid-offer pairs having a range that overlaps the range of the bid-offer pair is at least half of (ii) the number of eligible bid-offer pairs minus one, in which two ranges overlap if they both include at least one price in common;
determining by the at least one processor an exchange rate for converting the first currency into the second currency based on the set of overlapping bid-offer pairs, in which the act of determining the exchange rate comprises calculating an average of the bids and offers in the set of overlapping bid-offer pairs; receiving by the at least one processor from the first user a first order to purchase the first currency in exchange for the second currency, in which the order to purchase is unexpired during the time of interest; receiving by the at least one processor from the second user a second order to sell the first currency in exchange for the second currency, in which the order to sell is unexpired during the time of interest; matching by the at least one processor the first order and the second order; executing by the at least one processor a trade between the first user and the second user based on the act of matching; and transmitting a confirmation of the executed trade to the first user and the second user. 10. The method of claim 1, in which each bid price and each offer price is associated with a corresponding time duration, and in which the act of determining that the bid price and the offer price of each bid-offer pair in the set of eligible bid-offer pairs is unexpired during the time of interest comprises:
determining, that the time of interest is within the time duration associated with each bid price and offer price. 11. The method of claim 1, in which the set of qualifying bid-offer pairs comprises a bid-offer pair from the first user and a bid-offer pair from the second user. 12. The method of claim 1, in which the order to purchase comprises a first quantity of units of the first currency, and the order to sell comprises a second quantity of units of the first currency. 13. The method of claim 1, in which the first order specifies a first quantity and the second order specifies a second quantity, in which the act of executing the trade comprises executing a trade between the first user and the second user an a volume equal to the lesser of the first quantity and the second quantity. 14. The method of claim 1, in which a submission of an order by a user is not revealed to any other user until after the order is executed. 15. The method of claim 1, in which the exchange rate is equal to the average of the bids and offers in the set of overlapping bid-offer pairs 16. The method of claim 1, in which the exchange rate is equal to a time-weighted average of the bids and offers in the set of overlapping bid-offer pairs, in which the bids and offers received at a time closer to the time of interest are weighted more heavily than the bids and offers received at a time further away from the time of interest. | 3,600 |
13,095 | 13,095 | 15,150,768 | 3,675 | An integrated grocery bag hook and fuel door release cable coupling member extends through a keyway opening of an interior trim panel. When the integrated member is received in the opening, the grocery bag hook portion is positioned on the front side of the trim panel, and the fuel door release cable coupling is positioned on the back side of the trim panel. When the integrated member is received in the opening in an unlocked orientation, the key portion is oriented in alignment with the keyway opening to permit the key portion to pass through the keyway opening. When the integrated member is received in the keyway opening in a locked orientation, the integrated member is oriented with a locking detent engaging and retaining the integrated member in the locked orientation in which the key portion is prevented from passing through the keyway opening. | 1. An emergency fuel door release mechanism comprising:
an integrated member including a grocery bag hook portion, a key portion, and a fuel door release cable coupling; an interior trim panel of a vehicle having a keyway opening therethrough and a locking detent; wherein, when the integrated member is received in the keyway opening, the grocery bag hook portion is positioned on a vehicle interior side of the interior trim panel, and the fuel door release cable coupling is positioned on an opposite, non-vehicle interior side of the interior trim panel; wherein, when the integrated member is received in the keyway opening in an unlocked orientation, the key portion is oriented in alignment with the keyway opening to permit the key portion to pass through the keyway opening; and wherein, when the integrated member is received in the keyway opening in a locked orientation, the integrated member is oriented with the locking detent engaging and retaining the integrated member in the locked orientation. 2. The emergency fuel door release mechanism of claim 1, wherein the locking detent is positioned on the opposite, non-vehicle interior side of the interior trim panel, and when in the locked orientation, the integrated member is oriented with the locking detent engaging and retaining the key portion of the integrated member. 3. The emergency fuel door release mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a fuel door release cable coupled to the integrated member via a cooperating fuel door release cable coupling coupled to the fuel door release cable coupling of the integrated member. 4. The emergency fuel door release mechanism of claim 1, wherein the key portion comprises a pair of radially extending arms and the keyway opening comprises a pair of corresponding radially extending slots. 5. The emergency fuel door release mechanism of claim 4, wherein the locking detent comprises a pair of locking detents positioned on the opposite, non-vehicle interior side of the interior trim panel to engage with the pair of radially extending arms. 6. The emergency fuel door release mechanism of claim 1, wherein the integrated member has a size and shape relative to a size and shape of the keyway opening which prevents the integrated member from passing completely through the keyway opening. 7. The emergency fuel door release mechanism of claim 1, wherein the locking detent is at least partially defined by adjacent ramps. | An integrated grocery bag hook and fuel door release cable coupling member extends through a keyway opening of an interior trim panel. When the integrated member is received in the opening, the grocery bag hook portion is positioned on the front side of the trim panel, and the fuel door release cable coupling is positioned on the back side of the trim panel. When the integrated member is received in the opening in an unlocked orientation, the key portion is oriented in alignment with the keyway opening to permit the key portion to pass through the keyway opening. When the integrated member is received in the keyway opening in a locked orientation, the integrated member is oriented with a locking detent engaging and retaining the integrated member in the locked orientation in which the key portion is prevented from passing through the keyway opening.1. An emergency fuel door release mechanism comprising:
an integrated member including a grocery bag hook portion, a key portion, and a fuel door release cable coupling; an interior trim panel of a vehicle having a keyway opening therethrough and a locking detent; wherein, when the integrated member is received in the keyway opening, the grocery bag hook portion is positioned on a vehicle interior side of the interior trim panel, and the fuel door release cable coupling is positioned on an opposite, non-vehicle interior side of the interior trim panel; wherein, when the integrated member is received in the keyway opening in an unlocked orientation, the key portion is oriented in alignment with the keyway opening to permit the key portion to pass through the keyway opening; and wherein, when the integrated member is received in the keyway opening in a locked orientation, the integrated member is oriented with the locking detent engaging and retaining the integrated member in the locked orientation. 2. The emergency fuel door release mechanism of claim 1, wherein the locking detent is positioned on the opposite, non-vehicle interior side of the interior trim panel, and when in the locked orientation, the integrated member is oriented with the locking detent engaging and retaining the key portion of the integrated member. 3. The emergency fuel door release mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a fuel door release cable coupled to the integrated member via a cooperating fuel door release cable coupling coupled to the fuel door release cable coupling of the integrated member. 4. The emergency fuel door release mechanism of claim 1, wherein the key portion comprises a pair of radially extending arms and the keyway opening comprises a pair of corresponding radially extending slots. 5. The emergency fuel door release mechanism of claim 4, wherein the locking detent comprises a pair of locking detents positioned on the opposite, non-vehicle interior side of the interior trim panel to engage with the pair of radially extending arms. 6. The emergency fuel door release mechanism of claim 1, wherein the integrated member has a size and shape relative to a size and shape of the keyway opening which prevents the integrated member from passing completely through the keyway opening. 7. The emergency fuel door release mechanism of claim 1, wherein the locking detent is at least partially defined by adjacent ramps. | 3,600 |
13,096 | 13,096 | 13,455,054 | 3,629 | A social graph may be modeled as a collection of claims. Each claim is associated with an author, an audience, and an assertion about a fact. Probabilistic information may be collected from various sources for a claim, enabling a social networking system to evaluate a truthfulness of the assertion made in the claim. User-declared profile information may be evaluated as claims. A user, entity, or application may make claims about any assertions made in the social networking system. Reputation scores may be determined for users based on evaluations of their historical assertions. Claims may be evaluated for truthfulness using a probabilistic prediction model using heuristics analysis, regression analysis, and machine learning methods. A claims-based profile of users may be provided to viewers based on the contexts in which the claims were made. Viewers may view claims made about users, such as the users' biographical information, contact information, expertise, and interests. | 1. A method comprising:
receiving, in a contact card application, a plurality of information items about a plurality of contacts associated with a viewing user of one or more contact management systems, where the viewing user comprises a user of a social networking system; generating a plurality of claims about the plurality of contacts based on the received plurality of information items from the one or more contact management systems, each claim of the plurality of claims having an assertion and an audience; determining a plurality of contact cards for each of the plurality of contacts, where each contact card of the plurality of contact cards comprises a subset of the plurality of claims corresponding to a unique contact of the plurality of contacts; and providing the plurality of contact cards in the contact card application operating in association with the social networking system, where the viewing user of the one or more contact management systems corresponds to a viewing agent of the social networking system and where a plurality of other agents of the social networking system connected to the viewing agent of the social networking system correspond to the plurality of contacts associated with the viewing user. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving, in a contact card application, a plurality of information items about a plurality of contacts associated with a viewing user of one or more contact management systems further comprises:
receiving the plurality of information items about the plurality of contacts associated with a viewing user from the one or more contact management systems in response to a request from the viewing user to import the plurality of information about the plurality of contacts from the one or more contact management systems to the contact card application. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more contact management systems comprises the social networking system. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more contact management systems comprises a web-based email system. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more contact management systems comprises a proprietary contact management system. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein generating a plurality of claims about the plurality of contacts based on the received plurality of information items from the one or more contact management systems further comprises:
for each contact of the plurality of contacts, generating a claim for each information item related to the contact of the received plurality of information items from the one or more contact management systems, wherein the claim for each information item comprises an assertion of the information item and an audience including the viewing agent. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein generating a plurality of claims about the plurality of contacts based on the received plurality of information items from the one or more contact management systems further comprises:
for each contact of the plurality of contacts, receiving a derivative claim from the social networking system for each information item related to the contact of the received plurality of information items. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
providing a user interface in the contact card application to the viewing user for requesting information about a target contact from one or more agents connected to the viewing agent in the social networking system; receiving a request for one or more information items about a target contact from the viewing agent; determining the one or more information items about the target contact based on one or more claims authored by the one or more agents connected to the viewing agent in the social networking system; and providing the determined one or more information items about the target contact to the viewing agent responsive to the request. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the one or more information items about the target contact based on one or more claims authored by the one or more agents connected to the viewing agent in the social networking system further comprises:
receiving a selection of one or more agents connected to the viewing agent in the social networking system; providing a prompt for the one or more information items about the target contact to the selected one or more agents connected to the viewing agent in the social networking system; receiving a response to the prompt for the one or more information items about the target contact from one or more of the selected agents connected to the viewing agent; and determining the one or more information items about the target contact based on the received response. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the one or more information items about the target contact based on one or more claims authored by the one or more agents connected to the viewing agent in the social networking system further comprises:
determining one or more claims that include the one or more information items about the target contact authored by one or more agents connected to the viewing agent in the social networking system using a best match query for the one or more information items about the target contact; and determining the one or more information items about the target contact based on the determined one or more claims. 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
providing a user interface in the contact card application to the viewing user for providing information about a target contact from the viewing user; receiving one or more information items about the target contact from the viewing user of the contact card application through the user interface; generating one or more claims about the target contact based on the received one or more information items from the viewing user of the contact card application through the user interface, each claim having an assertion and an audience selected by the viewing user; and determining a contact card for the target contact in the contact card application for the viewing user, where the contact card comprises the generated one or more claims about the target contact. 12. A method comprising:
receiving a plurality of claims about an attribute of a subject agent from a plurality of authoring agents of a social networking system; generating a derivative claim about the attribute of the subject agent based on the received plurality of claims about the attribute; and providing the derivative claim for display in the social networking system. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein providing the derivative claim for display in the social networking system further comprises:
targeting an advertisement to the subject agent based on the derivative claim. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein providing the derivative claim for display in the social networking system further comprises:
generating a visualization of the derivative claim; and providing the visualization for display on the social networking system in association with the subject agent. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein providing the visualization for display on the social networking system in association with the subject agent further comprises:
providing the visualization for display in a communication channel of another agent connected to the subject agent in the social networking system. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein providing the visualization for display on the social networking system in association with the subject agent further comprises:
providing the visualization for display in an advertisement to another agent connected to the subject agent in the social networking system. 17. The method of claim 14, wherein providing the visualization for display on the social networking system in association with the subject agent further comprises:
providing the visualization for display in a timeline profile of the subject agent in the social networking system. 18. The method of claim 14, wherein providing the visualization for display on the social networking system in association with the subject agent further comprises:
providing the visualization for display in a communication channel of an external system connected to the social networking system. 19. The method of claim 12, wherein generating a derivative claim about the attribute of a subject agent further comprises:
generating a list of favorites associated with the attribute of the subject agent based on the plurality of claims. 20. The method of claim 12, wherein generating a derivative claim about the attribute of a subject agent further comprises:
determining that the subject agent is an expert in the attribute based on the plurality of claims. 21. The method of claim 12, wherein generating a derivative claim about the attribute of a subject agent further comprises:
determining that the subject agent has an interest in the attribute on the social networking system based on the plurality of claims. 22. The method of claim 12, wherein generating a derivative claim about the attribute of a subject agent further comprises:
determining that the subject agent has an interest in a custom graph object associated with the attribute based on the plurality of claims, where the custom graph object is associated with a custom graph action performed by the subject agent on a system external to the social networking system. 23. A method comprising:
maintaining a plurality of claims received about a plurality of attributes of a plurality of subject agents from a plurality of authoring agents in a social networking system, where each claim of the plurality of claims comprises an assertion of an attribute of the plurality of attributes associated with a subject agent of the plurality of subject agents made by an authoring agent of the plurality of authoring agents to an audience; receiving a query from a viewing agent of the social networking system, where the query includes one or more search terms; determining a subset of the plurality of claims that includes one or more assertions related to the one or more search terms of the received query; generating a plurality of search results based on the subset of the plurality of claims; and providing the plurality of search results for display to the viewing agent in the social networking system in response to the query. 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:
generating at least one derivative claim based on the subset of the plurality of claims; and providing the at least one derivative claim in the plurality of search results for display to the viewing agent in the social networking system in response to the query. 25. The method of claim 23, wherein receiving a query from a viewing agent of the social networking system further comprises receiving a request for content from the viewing agent of the social networking system and wherein providing the plurality of search results for display to the viewing agent further comprises:
generating at least one derivative claim based on the subset of the plurality of claims; and providing the at least one derivative claim in the plurality of search results for display to the viewing agent in the social networking system in response to the request for content. 26. The method of claim 23, wherein receiving a query from a viewing agent of the social networking system further comprises receiving a request from an application being used by the viewing agent on the social networking system and wherein providing the plurality of search results for display to the viewing agent further comprises:
generating at least one derivative claim based on the subset of the plurality of claims; and providing the at least one derivative claim in the plurality of search results for display to the viewing agent in the social networking system in response to the request from the application. 27. The method of claim 23, wherein receiving a query from a viewing agent of the social networking system further comprises receiving the query from a search engine external to the social networking system being used by the viewing agent and wherein providing the plurality of search results for display to the viewing agent further comprises:
providing the plurality of search results for display to the viewing agent through an application programming interface (API) with the search engine in response to the query from the search engine. 28. A method comprising:
maintaining a plurality of claims received about a plurality of attributes of a plurality of subject agents from a plurality of authoring agents in a social networking system, where each claim of the plurality of claims comprises an assertion of an attribute of the plurality of attributes associated with a subject agent of the plurality of subject agents made by an authoring agent of the plurality of authoring agents to an audience; determining a subset of the plurality of authoring agents in the social networking system that have generated at least a predetermined threshold number of claims; determining a plurality of incentive payments for the subset of the plurality of authoring agents based on the number of claims generated by each authoring agent; and providing the incentive payment to the subset of the plurality of authoring agents. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein determining a plurality of incentive payments for the subset of the plurality of authoring agents based on the number of claims generated by each authoring agent further comprises:
determining an incentive model for compensating authoring agents for generating engagement on the social networking system based on an average number of claims generated by authoring agents on the social networking system; and determining the plurality of incentive payments based on the incentive model. | A social graph may be modeled as a collection of claims. Each claim is associated with an author, an audience, and an assertion about a fact. Probabilistic information may be collected from various sources for a claim, enabling a social networking system to evaluate a truthfulness of the assertion made in the claim. User-declared profile information may be evaluated as claims. A user, entity, or application may make claims about any assertions made in the social networking system. Reputation scores may be determined for users based on evaluations of their historical assertions. Claims may be evaluated for truthfulness using a probabilistic prediction model using heuristics analysis, regression analysis, and machine learning methods. A claims-based profile of users may be provided to viewers based on the contexts in which the claims were made. Viewers may view claims made about users, such as the users' biographical information, contact information, expertise, and interests.1. A method comprising:
receiving, in a contact card application, a plurality of information items about a plurality of contacts associated with a viewing user of one or more contact management systems, where the viewing user comprises a user of a social networking system; generating a plurality of claims about the plurality of contacts based on the received plurality of information items from the one or more contact management systems, each claim of the plurality of claims having an assertion and an audience; determining a plurality of contact cards for each of the plurality of contacts, where each contact card of the plurality of contact cards comprises a subset of the plurality of claims corresponding to a unique contact of the plurality of contacts; and providing the plurality of contact cards in the contact card application operating in association with the social networking system, where the viewing user of the one or more contact management systems corresponds to a viewing agent of the social networking system and where a plurality of other agents of the social networking system connected to the viewing agent of the social networking system correspond to the plurality of contacts associated with the viewing user. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving, in a contact card application, a plurality of information items about a plurality of contacts associated with a viewing user of one or more contact management systems further comprises:
receiving the plurality of information items about the plurality of contacts associated with a viewing user from the one or more contact management systems in response to a request from the viewing user to import the plurality of information about the plurality of contacts from the one or more contact management systems to the contact card application. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more contact management systems comprises the social networking system. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more contact management systems comprises a web-based email system. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more contact management systems comprises a proprietary contact management system. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein generating a plurality of claims about the plurality of contacts based on the received plurality of information items from the one or more contact management systems further comprises:
for each contact of the plurality of contacts, generating a claim for each information item related to the contact of the received plurality of information items from the one or more contact management systems, wherein the claim for each information item comprises an assertion of the information item and an audience including the viewing agent. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein generating a plurality of claims about the plurality of contacts based on the received plurality of information items from the one or more contact management systems further comprises:
for each contact of the plurality of contacts, receiving a derivative claim from the social networking system for each information item related to the contact of the received plurality of information items. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
providing a user interface in the contact card application to the viewing user for requesting information about a target contact from one or more agents connected to the viewing agent in the social networking system; receiving a request for one or more information items about a target contact from the viewing agent; determining the one or more information items about the target contact based on one or more claims authored by the one or more agents connected to the viewing agent in the social networking system; and providing the determined one or more information items about the target contact to the viewing agent responsive to the request. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the one or more information items about the target contact based on one or more claims authored by the one or more agents connected to the viewing agent in the social networking system further comprises:
receiving a selection of one or more agents connected to the viewing agent in the social networking system; providing a prompt for the one or more information items about the target contact to the selected one or more agents connected to the viewing agent in the social networking system; receiving a response to the prompt for the one or more information items about the target contact from one or more of the selected agents connected to the viewing agent; and determining the one or more information items about the target contact based on the received response. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the one or more information items about the target contact based on one or more claims authored by the one or more agents connected to the viewing agent in the social networking system further comprises:
determining one or more claims that include the one or more information items about the target contact authored by one or more agents connected to the viewing agent in the social networking system using a best match query for the one or more information items about the target contact; and determining the one or more information items about the target contact based on the determined one or more claims. 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
providing a user interface in the contact card application to the viewing user for providing information about a target contact from the viewing user; receiving one or more information items about the target contact from the viewing user of the contact card application through the user interface; generating one or more claims about the target contact based on the received one or more information items from the viewing user of the contact card application through the user interface, each claim having an assertion and an audience selected by the viewing user; and determining a contact card for the target contact in the contact card application for the viewing user, where the contact card comprises the generated one or more claims about the target contact. 12. A method comprising:
receiving a plurality of claims about an attribute of a subject agent from a plurality of authoring agents of a social networking system; generating a derivative claim about the attribute of the subject agent based on the received plurality of claims about the attribute; and providing the derivative claim for display in the social networking system. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein providing the derivative claim for display in the social networking system further comprises:
targeting an advertisement to the subject agent based on the derivative claim. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein providing the derivative claim for display in the social networking system further comprises:
generating a visualization of the derivative claim; and providing the visualization for display on the social networking system in association with the subject agent. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein providing the visualization for display on the social networking system in association with the subject agent further comprises:
providing the visualization for display in a communication channel of another agent connected to the subject agent in the social networking system. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein providing the visualization for display on the social networking system in association with the subject agent further comprises:
providing the visualization for display in an advertisement to another agent connected to the subject agent in the social networking system. 17. The method of claim 14, wherein providing the visualization for display on the social networking system in association with the subject agent further comprises:
providing the visualization for display in a timeline profile of the subject agent in the social networking system. 18. The method of claim 14, wherein providing the visualization for display on the social networking system in association with the subject agent further comprises:
providing the visualization for display in a communication channel of an external system connected to the social networking system. 19. The method of claim 12, wherein generating a derivative claim about the attribute of a subject agent further comprises:
generating a list of favorites associated with the attribute of the subject agent based on the plurality of claims. 20. The method of claim 12, wherein generating a derivative claim about the attribute of a subject agent further comprises:
determining that the subject agent is an expert in the attribute based on the plurality of claims. 21. The method of claim 12, wherein generating a derivative claim about the attribute of a subject agent further comprises:
determining that the subject agent has an interest in the attribute on the social networking system based on the plurality of claims. 22. The method of claim 12, wherein generating a derivative claim about the attribute of a subject agent further comprises:
determining that the subject agent has an interest in a custom graph object associated with the attribute based on the plurality of claims, where the custom graph object is associated with a custom graph action performed by the subject agent on a system external to the social networking system. 23. A method comprising:
maintaining a plurality of claims received about a plurality of attributes of a plurality of subject agents from a plurality of authoring agents in a social networking system, where each claim of the plurality of claims comprises an assertion of an attribute of the plurality of attributes associated with a subject agent of the plurality of subject agents made by an authoring agent of the plurality of authoring agents to an audience; receiving a query from a viewing agent of the social networking system, where the query includes one or more search terms; determining a subset of the plurality of claims that includes one or more assertions related to the one or more search terms of the received query; generating a plurality of search results based on the subset of the plurality of claims; and providing the plurality of search results for display to the viewing agent in the social networking system in response to the query. 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:
generating at least one derivative claim based on the subset of the plurality of claims; and providing the at least one derivative claim in the plurality of search results for display to the viewing agent in the social networking system in response to the query. 25. The method of claim 23, wherein receiving a query from a viewing agent of the social networking system further comprises receiving a request for content from the viewing agent of the social networking system and wherein providing the plurality of search results for display to the viewing agent further comprises:
generating at least one derivative claim based on the subset of the plurality of claims; and providing the at least one derivative claim in the plurality of search results for display to the viewing agent in the social networking system in response to the request for content. 26. The method of claim 23, wherein receiving a query from a viewing agent of the social networking system further comprises receiving a request from an application being used by the viewing agent on the social networking system and wherein providing the plurality of search results for display to the viewing agent further comprises:
generating at least one derivative claim based on the subset of the plurality of claims; and providing the at least one derivative claim in the plurality of search results for display to the viewing agent in the social networking system in response to the request from the application. 27. The method of claim 23, wherein receiving a query from a viewing agent of the social networking system further comprises receiving the query from a search engine external to the social networking system being used by the viewing agent and wherein providing the plurality of search results for display to the viewing agent further comprises:
providing the plurality of search results for display to the viewing agent through an application programming interface (API) with the search engine in response to the query from the search engine. 28. A method comprising:
maintaining a plurality of claims received about a plurality of attributes of a plurality of subject agents from a plurality of authoring agents in a social networking system, where each claim of the plurality of claims comprises an assertion of an attribute of the plurality of attributes associated with a subject agent of the plurality of subject agents made by an authoring agent of the plurality of authoring agents to an audience; determining a subset of the plurality of authoring agents in the social networking system that have generated at least a predetermined threshold number of claims; determining a plurality of incentive payments for the subset of the plurality of authoring agents based on the number of claims generated by each authoring agent; and providing the incentive payment to the subset of the plurality of authoring agents. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein determining a plurality of incentive payments for the subset of the plurality of authoring agents based on the number of claims generated by each authoring agent further comprises:
determining an incentive model for compensating authoring agents for generating engagement on the social networking system based on an average number of claims generated by authoring agents on the social networking system; and determining the plurality of incentive payments based on the incentive model. | 3,600 |
13,097 | 13,097 | 14,223,475 | 3,669 | One example of a system to monitor a presence of a body in a seat of an automobile can implement a method using processing circuitry. After an automobile engine has stopped operating, the system determines a presence of a body in a seat of the automobile. The system provides a notification indicating the presence of the body in the seat in response to determining the presence of the body in the seat of the automobile. | 1. A method comprising:
after an automobile engine has stopped operating, implementing, by processing circuitry, an operation to determine a presence of a body in a seat of the automobile; in response to implementing the operation, determining the presence of a body in the seat of the automobile; in response to determining the presence of a body in the seat of the automobile:
providing, by the processing circuitry, a notification indicating the presence of the body in the seat; and
providing, by processing circuitry, a control signal to cause one or more automobile functions to be performed; and
executing, by the processing circuitry, a timer for a duration after determining the presence of the body in the seat of the automobile; and after the expiration of the duration, ceasing, by the processing circuitry, to provide the notification and the control signal, wherein the one or more automobile functions cease to be performed in response to ceasing to provide the control signal. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the notification indicating the presence of the body in the seat comprises providing an output signal to cause an alarm system of the automobile to sound. 3. (canceled) 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more automobile functions includes at least one of restarting the automobile engine or restarting a temperature control system of the automobile. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more automobile functions includes restarting the temperature control system of the automobile, and wherein the method further comprises:
determining an ambient temperature outside the automobile; and causing the temperature control system to set an interior temperature of the automobile based on the detected ambient temperature. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the notification comprises transmitting a notification to at least one computer system over a data transmission network. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the data transmission network is at least one of a wired network, a wireless network, a Bluetooth network, or a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) network. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one computer system is at least one of a mobile device or a computer system of a service provider that monitors the automobile. 9. The method of claim 6, further comprising transmitting an identifier representing a geographic location of the automobile over the data transmission network. 10. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
receiving, over the data transmission network, a control signal to cause one or more automobile functions to be performed in response to providing the notification; and causing the automobile to perform the one or more automobile functions in response to receiving the control signal, wherein the one or more automobile functions performed in response to receiving the control signal includes at least one of restarting the automobile engine or restarting a temperature control system of the automobile. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the seat of the automobile includes at least one of a front-facing child seat, a rearward facing infant seat, a booster seat, a seat for a handicapped person or a seat for an elderly person. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the presence of the body in the seat of the automobile comprises determining the presence of the body in the seat of the automobile for a threshold amount of time starting from a time at which the automobile engine stopped operating. 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising, after providing the notification indicating the presence of the body in the seat:
sensing, for a duration of time, if the body is present in the seat; determining the presence or an absence of the body in the seat before the duration expires in response to the sensing; and continuing or ceasing to provide the notification in response to determining the presence or the absence, respectively, of the body in the seat after the duration expires. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the presence of the body in the seat comprises determining the presence of the body in the seat based on a load value represented by a load signal received from a load sensor connected to the seat. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the presence of the body in the seat comprises determining the presence of the body in the seat based on a positive signal received from a contact sensor connected to a fastening mechanism installed on the seat, the contact sensor configured to transmit the positive signal in response to fastening mechanism being engaged to fasten the body to the seat. 16. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining that the automobile engine has stopped operating by determining that an ignition of the automobile engine has gone to ground. 17. A method comprising:
determine, by processing circuitry implemented in an automobile, if an environmental automobile condition from among a plurality of environmental automobile conditions is satisfied; determine that a load is present in a seat of the automobile when the environmental automobile condition is satisfied; and providing an output signal indicating that the load is present in the seat of the automobile when the environmental automobile condition is satisfied. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein a stoppage of an automobile engine is the environmental automobile condition that is satisfied. 19. An automobile monitoring system comprising:
a sensor connected to a seat of an automobile, the sensor to determine a presence of a body in the seat; and processing circuitry to perform operations comprising:
after an automobile engine has stopped operating, starting a timer for a duration, the processing circuitry to determine a presence of a body in the seat of the automobile based on a signal received from the sensor after the duration expires;
after the automobile engine has stopped operating and before the duration expires:
determining that the automobile has been locked, and
receiving a signal from the sensor indicating the presence of the body in the seat; and
providing a notification indicating the presence of the body in the seat in response to receiving the signal indicating the presence of the body in the seat of the automobile. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the sensor includes at least one of a load sensor to determine a presence of a load in the seat or a contact sensor connected to a fastening mechanism installed on the seat, the contact sensor configured to transmit the positive signal in response to fastening mechanism being engaged to fasten the body to the seat, and wherein providing the notification indicating the presence of the body in the seat comprises at least one of providing an output signal to cause an alarm system connected to the automobile engine to sound or providing a control signal to cause one or more automobile functions to be performed, the one or more automobile functions including at least one of restarting the automobile engine, restarting a temperature control system of the automobile, or transmitting a signal indicating the presence of the body in the seat to a computer system over a data transmission network. 21. The method of claim 1, wherein implementing the operation to determine the presence of a body in the seat of the automobile is a first instance of implementing the operation, providing the notification is a first stance of providing the notification and providing the control signal is a first instance of providing the control signal, and wherein the method further comprises, in response to ceasing to provide the notification and the control signal:
implementing a second instance of the operation to determine the presence of a body in the seat of the automobile in response to ceasing to provide the notification and the control signal in response to implementing the second instance of the operation, determining a presence of a body in the seat of the automobile; in response to determining the presence of a body in the seat of the automobile in response to implementing the second instance of the operation:
providing a second instance of a notification indicating the presence of the body in the seat in response to determining the presence of the body in the seat of the automobile; and
providing a second instance of a control signal to cause one or more automobile functions to be performed in response to again determining the presence of the body in the seat of the automobile for a threshold amount of time. | One example of a system to monitor a presence of a body in a seat of an automobile can implement a method using processing circuitry. After an automobile engine has stopped operating, the system determines a presence of a body in a seat of the automobile. The system provides a notification indicating the presence of the body in the seat in response to determining the presence of the body in the seat of the automobile.1. A method comprising:
after an automobile engine has stopped operating, implementing, by processing circuitry, an operation to determine a presence of a body in a seat of the automobile; in response to implementing the operation, determining the presence of a body in the seat of the automobile; in response to determining the presence of a body in the seat of the automobile:
providing, by the processing circuitry, a notification indicating the presence of the body in the seat; and
providing, by processing circuitry, a control signal to cause one or more automobile functions to be performed; and
executing, by the processing circuitry, a timer for a duration after determining the presence of the body in the seat of the automobile; and after the expiration of the duration, ceasing, by the processing circuitry, to provide the notification and the control signal, wherein the one or more automobile functions cease to be performed in response to ceasing to provide the control signal. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the notification indicating the presence of the body in the seat comprises providing an output signal to cause an alarm system of the automobile to sound. 3. (canceled) 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more automobile functions includes at least one of restarting the automobile engine or restarting a temperature control system of the automobile. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more automobile functions includes restarting the temperature control system of the automobile, and wherein the method further comprises:
determining an ambient temperature outside the automobile; and causing the temperature control system to set an interior temperature of the automobile based on the detected ambient temperature. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the notification comprises transmitting a notification to at least one computer system over a data transmission network. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the data transmission network is at least one of a wired network, a wireless network, a Bluetooth network, or a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) network. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one computer system is at least one of a mobile device or a computer system of a service provider that monitors the automobile. 9. The method of claim 6, further comprising transmitting an identifier representing a geographic location of the automobile over the data transmission network. 10. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
receiving, over the data transmission network, a control signal to cause one or more automobile functions to be performed in response to providing the notification; and causing the automobile to perform the one or more automobile functions in response to receiving the control signal, wherein the one or more automobile functions performed in response to receiving the control signal includes at least one of restarting the automobile engine or restarting a temperature control system of the automobile. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the seat of the automobile includes at least one of a front-facing child seat, a rearward facing infant seat, a booster seat, a seat for a handicapped person or a seat for an elderly person. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the presence of the body in the seat of the automobile comprises determining the presence of the body in the seat of the automobile for a threshold amount of time starting from a time at which the automobile engine stopped operating. 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising, after providing the notification indicating the presence of the body in the seat:
sensing, for a duration of time, if the body is present in the seat; determining the presence or an absence of the body in the seat before the duration expires in response to the sensing; and continuing or ceasing to provide the notification in response to determining the presence or the absence, respectively, of the body in the seat after the duration expires. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the presence of the body in the seat comprises determining the presence of the body in the seat based on a load value represented by a load signal received from a load sensor connected to the seat. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the presence of the body in the seat comprises determining the presence of the body in the seat based on a positive signal received from a contact sensor connected to a fastening mechanism installed on the seat, the contact sensor configured to transmit the positive signal in response to fastening mechanism being engaged to fasten the body to the seat. 16. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining that the automobile engine has stopped operating by determining that an ignition of the automobile engine has gone to ground. 17. A method comprising:
determine, by processing circuitry implemented in an automobile, if an environmental automobile condition from among a plurality of environmental automobile conditions is satisfied; determine that a load is present in a seat of the automobile when the environmental automobile condition is satisfied; and providing an output signal indicating that the load is present in the seat of the automobile when the environmental automobile condition is satisfied. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein a stoppage of an automobile engine is the environmental automobile condition that is satisfied. 19. An automobile monitoring system comprising:
a sensor connected to a seat of an automobile, the sensor to determine a presence of a body in the seat; and processing circuitry to perform operations comprising:
after an automobile engine has stopped operating, starting a timer for a duration, the processing circuitry to determine a presence of a body in the seat of the automobile based on a signal received from the sensor after the duration expires;
after the automobile engine has stopped operating and before the duration expires:
determining that the automobile has been locked, and
receiving a signal from the sensor indicating the presence of the body in the seat; and
providing a notification indicating the presence of the body in the seat in response to receiving the signal indicating the presence of the body in the seat of the automobile. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the sensor includes at least one of a load sensor to determine a presence of a load in the seat or a contact sensor connected to a fastening mechanism installed on the seat, the contact sensor configured to transmit the positive signal in response to fastening mechanism being engaged to fasten the body to the seat, and wherein providing the notification indicating the presence of the body in the seat comprises at least one of providing an output signal to cause an alarm system connected to the automobile engine to sound or providing a control signal to cause one or more automobile functions to be performed, the one or more automobile functions including at least one of restarting the automobile engine, restarting a temperature control system of the automobile, or transmitting a signal indicating the presence of the body in the seat to a computer system over a data transmission network. 21. The method of claim 1, wherein implementing the operation to determine the presence of a body in the seat of the automobile is a first instance of implementing the operation, providing the notification is a first stance of providing the notification and providing the control signal is a first instance of providing the control signal, and wherein the method further comprises, in response to ceasing to provide the notification and the control signal:
implementing a second instance of the operation to determine the presence of a body in the seat of the automobile in response to ceasing to provide the notification and the control signal in response to implementing the second instance of the operation, determining a presence of a body in the seat of the automobile; in response to determining the presence of a body in the seat of the automobile in response to implementing the second instance of the operation:
providing a second instance of a notification indicating the presence of the body in the seat in response to determining the presence of the body in the seat of the automobile; and
providing a second instance of a control signal to cause one or more automobile functions to be performed in response to again determining the presence of the body in the seat of the automobile for a threshold amount of time. | 3,600 |
13,098 | 13,098 | 13,530,302 | 3,646 | An anti-jamming subsystem for a jamming signal originating along the horizon includes an anti-jamming antenna with a horizontal reception pattern constrained to receive signals originating along the horizon. The subsystem receives the signals from the anti-jamming antenna and a reference antenna, which has a half hemispherical reception pattern looking skyward. The subsystem utilizes associated phase information to phase shift the signals received by the anti jamming antenna and produce an anti-jamming signal, and combines the anti jamming signal with the signals received by the reference antenna to produce signals in which the interference from the jamming signal originating along the horizon is actively cancelled and the phase and timing information of signals received by the reference antenna from at least higher elevation satellites is preserved. The horizontal reception pattern of the anti-jamming antenna may be circular or directional toward a known jammer positioned along the horizon. | 1. An anti-jamming subsystem comprising:
a. an anti-jamming antenna configured to have a horizontal circular reception pattern and receive signals originating along the horizon and to be positioned in close proximity to a reference antenna having a half hemispherical reception pattern and positioned to have an upward looking view of the sky; b. one or more processors that are configured to process signals received by the reference antenna and the signals received by the anti-jamming antenna and phase shift and scale the signals received by the anti-jamming antenna to produce an anti-jamming signal that combines with the signals received by the reference antenna to substantially cancel interference from a jamming signal originating along the horizon and preserve phase and timing information in signals originating from higher elevation transmitters. 2. The anti-jamming subsystem of claim 1 wherein the anti-jamming antenna is associated with a ground plane that prevents signals arriving vertically from reaching the array of antennas. 3. The anti-jamming subsystem of claim 1 wherein the anti-jamming antenna is positioned relative to a ground plane of the reference antenna such that the ground plane prevents signals arriving vertically from reaching the antennas. 4. The anti-jamming subsystem of claim 1 wherein the one or more processors perform Fast Fourier Transforms (FFTs) of the signals received by the reference antenna and the anti-jamming antenna and use phase information and power information to determine the phase shift and scaling to apply to the signals received by the anti-jamming s antenna to produce the anti-jamming signal. 5. The anti-jamming subsystem of claim 1 wherein the one or more processors
combine the anti-jamming signal with the signals received by the reference antenna to produce signals for further processing in which the jamming signal originating along the horizon is effectively cancelled and phase and timing information from signals received from transmitters above the horizon are preserved, and
provide the signals for further processing to a receiver. 6. The anti-jamming subsystem of claim 5 wherein the one or more processors determine if at least one jamming signal is present and received by both antennas before producing the combined signals for further processing. 7. The anti-jamming subsystem of claim 1 wherein the anti-jamming antenna is a dipole antenna, helical antenna or patch antenna. 8. The anti-jamming subsystem of claim 1 wherein the anti-jamming antenna is positioned between top and bottom horizontal ground planes. 9. The anti-jamming subsystem of claim 8 wherein one or both of the ground planes are provided within the subsystem. 10. The anti-jamming subsystem of claim 8 wherein the top ground plane is a ground plane of the reference antenna. 11. A method of producing signals with reduced interference from jamming signals originating along the horizon comprising:
a. receiving satellite signals using a reference antenna that has a half hemispherical reception pattern and is positioned to have an upward looking view of the sky; b. receiving one or more jamming signals originating along the horizon using an anti-jamming antenna configured to have a horizontal circular reception pattern and constrained to receive signals originating along the horizon; c. processing the signals received by the reference antenna and the anti-jamming antenna to produce an anti-jamming signal that has opposite phase and the same magnitude as the strongest jamming signal originating along the horizon; and d. combining the anti-jamming signal with the signals received by the reference antenna to produce combined signals in which interference from the strongest jamming signal originating along the horizon is effectively eliminated and phase and timing information of signals originating from higher elevation satellites are preserved. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the processing of the signals includes performing FFTs of the signals from the reference antenna and the anti-jamming antenna and a least squares analysis to determine phase shift and scaling to apply to the signals received by the anti-jamming antenna to produce the anti-jamming signal. 13. The method of claim 11 wherein the processing of the signals includes determining if the same jamming signal is present in the signals received by the reference antenna and by the anti-jamming antenna. 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the processing of the signals includes performing FFTs and determining if there are spikes in one or more corresponding frequency bins. 15. The method of claim 12 wherein the processing of the signals received by the anti-jamming antenna includes using phase information and power information from the FFT processing to determine the phase shift and scaling of the signals received by the anti-jamming antenna. 16. The method of claim 12 further including
determining if a same jamming signal is included in the signals received by the reference antenna and the anti-jamming antenna;
if not, using the signals received by the reference antenna to determine satellite signal phase and timing information; and
if so, using the combined signal to determine the satellite signal phase and timing information. 17. A system for removing interference from jamming signals:
a reference antenna with a half hemispherical reception pattern and positioned with an upward looking view of the sky; an anti-jamming antenna with a horizontal reception pattern that is constrained to receive signals originating along the horizon; one or more processors configured for processing the signals received by the reference antenna and the anti-jamming antenna and phase shifting and scaling the signals received by the anti-jamming antenna to produce an anti-jamming signal having an opposite phase and the same magnitude as a jamming signal originating along the horizon and received by the reference antenna; and one or more processors configured for combining the anti-jamming signal with the signals received by the reference antenna to produce combined signals in which interference from the jamming signal originating along the horizon is actively cancelled and the phase and timing information for signals received from higher elevation transmitters are preserved. 18. The system of claim 17 further including one or more processors configured for detecting if the same jamming signal is received by both the reference antenna and the anti-jamming antenna. 19. The system of claim 17 wherein the horizontal reception pattern of the anti-jamming antenna is circular. 20. The system of claim 17 wherein the horizontal reception pattern of the anti-jamming antenna is directed in the direction of a known or estimated position of a source of the jamming signal originating along the horizon. | An anti-jamming subsystem for a jamming signal originating along the horizon includes an anti-jamming antenna with a horizontal reception pattern constrained to receive signals originating along the horizon. The subsystem receives the signals from the anti-jamming antenna and a reference antenna, which has a half hemispherical reception pattern looking skyward. The subsystem utilizes associated phase information to phase shift the signals received by the anti jamming antenna and produce an anti-jamming signal, and combines the anti jamming signal with the signals received by the reference antenna to produce signals in which the interference from the jamming signal originating along the horizon is actively cancelled and the phase and timing information of signals received by the reference antenna from at least higher elevation satellites is preserved. The horizontal reception pattern of the anti-jamming antenna may be circular or directional toward a known jammer positioned along the horizon.1. An anti-jamming subsystem comprising:
a. an anti-jamming antenna configured to have a horizontal circular reception pattern and receive signals originating along the horizon and to be positioned in close proximity to a reference antenna having a half hemispherical reception pattern and positioned to have an upward looking view of the sky; b. one or more processors that are configured to process signals received by the reference antenna and the signals received by the anti-jamming antenna and phase shift and scale the signals received by the anti-jamming antenna to produce an anti-jamming signal that combines with the signals received by the reference antenna to substantially cancel interference from a jamming signal originating along the horizon and preserve phase and timing information in signals originating from higher elevation transmitters. 2. The anti-jamming subsystem of claim 1 wherein the anti-jamming antenna is associated with a ground plane that prevents signals arriving vertically from reaching the array of antennas. 3. The anti-jamming subsystem of claim 1 wherein the anti-jamming antenna is positioned relative to a ground plane of the reference antenna such that the ground plane prevents signals arriving vertically from reaching the antennas. 4. The anti-jamming subsystem of claim 1 wherein the one or more processors perform Fast Fourier Transforms (FFTs) of the signals received by the reference antenna and the anti-jamming antenna and use phase information and power information to determine the phase shift and scaling to apply to the signals received by the anti-jamming s antenna to produce the anti-jamming signal. 5. The anti-jamming subsystem of claim 1 wherein the one or more processors
combine the anti-jamming signal with the signals received by the reference antenna to produce signals for further processing in which the jamming signal originating along the horizon is effectively cancelled and phase and timing information from signals received from transmitters above the horizon are preserved, and
provide the signals for further processing to a receiver. 6. The anti-jamming subsystem of claim 5 wherein the one or more processors determine if at least one jamming signal is present and received by both antennas before producing the combined signals for further processing. 7. The anti-jamming subsystem of claim 1 wherein the anti-jamming antenna is a dipole antenna, helical antenna or patch antenna. 8. The anti-jamming subsystem of claim 1 wherein the anti-jamming antenna is positioned between top and bottom horizontal ground planes. 9. The anti-jamming subsystem of claim 8 wherein one or both of the ground planes are provided within the subsystem. 10. The anti-jamming subsystem of claim 8 wherein the top ground plane is a ground plane of the reference antenna. 11. A method of producing signals with reduced interference from jamming signals originating along the horizon comprising:
a. receiving satellite signals using a reference antenna that has a half hemispherical reception pattern and is positioned to have an upward looking view of the sky; b. receiving one or more jamming signals originating along the horizon using an anti-jamming antenna configured to have a horizontal circular reception pattern and constrained to receive signals originating along the horizon; c. processing the signals received by the reference antenna and the anti-jamming antenna to produce an anti-jamming signal that has opposite phase and the same magnitude as the strongest jamming signal originating along the horizon; and d. combining the anti-jamming signal with the signals received by the reference antenna to produce combined signals in which interference from the strongest jamming signal originating along the horizon is effectively eliminated and phase and timing information of signals originating from higher elevation satellites are preserved. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the processing of the signals includes performing FFTs of the signals from the reference antenna and the anti-jamming antenna and a least squares analysis to determine phase shift and scaling to apply to the signals received by the anti-jamming antenna to produce the anti-jamming signal. 13. The method of claim 11 wherein the processing of the signals includes determining if the same jamming signal is present in the signals received by the reference antenna and by the anti-jamming antenna. 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the processing of the signals includes performing FFTs and determining if there are spikes in one or more corresponding frequency bins. 15. The method of claim 12 wherein the processing of the signals received by the anti-jamming antenna includes using phase information and power information from the FFT processing to determine the phase shift and scaling of the signals received by the anti-jamming antenna. 16. The method of claim 12 further including
determining if a same jamming signal is included in the signals received by the reference antenna and the anti-jamming antenna;
if not, using the signals received by the reference antenna to determine satellite signal phase and timing information; and
if so, using the combined signal to determine the satellite signal phase and timing information. 17. A system for removing interference from jamming signals:
a reference antenna with a half hemispherical reception pattern and positioned with an upward looking view of the sky; an anti-jamming antenna with a horizontal reception pattern that is constrained to receive signals originating along the horizon; one or more processors configured for processing the signals received by the reference antenna and the anti-jamming antenna and phase shifting and scaling the signals received by the anti-jamming antenna to produce an anti-jamming signal having an opposite phase and the same magnitude as a jamming signal originating along the horizon and received by the reference antenna; and one or more processors configured for combining the anti-jamming signal with the signals received by the reference antenna to produce combined signals in which interference from the jamming signal originating along the horizon is actively cancelled and the phase and timing information for signals received from higher elevation transmitters are preserved. 18. The system of claim 17 further including one or more processors configured for detecting if the same jamming signal is received by both the reference antenna and the anti-jamming antenna. 19. The system of claim 17 wherein the horizontal reception pattern of the anti-jamming antenna is circular. 20. The system of claim 17 wherein the horizontal reception pattern of the anti-jamming antenna is directed in the direction of a known or estimated position of a source of the jamming signal originating along the horizon. | 3,600 |
13,099 | 13,099 | 15,703,625 | 3,632 | The tube management assembly employs a track, one or more mounting clips that are slidably mounted in the track and clamps that are snap-fitted into the mounting clips. In one embodiment, the mounting clip has a pair of resilient walls with inwardly directed lips for engaging in arcuate grooves in the sides of the clamp. In another embodiment, the mounting clip has a base slidably mounted in the track and a mounting block extending from the base and including a recess for receiving a tube transversely of the track. | 1. The combination of
a mounting clip having a mounting block thereon, a pair of walls extending in parallel on opposite sides of said mounting block and pair of lips, each said lip extending from a respective wall of said pair of walls towards the other of said pair of walls; and a clamp releasably mounted in said mounting clip, said clamp having a pair of arcuate jaws, at least one of said jaws being seated on said mounting block and having an arcuate groove on each side thereof receiving a respective lip of said mounting clip. 2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mounting block has an arcuate seating surface receiving said clamp thereon. 3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said jaws has a pair of flanges in an outer periphery receiving said mounting block therebetween. 4. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mounting clip has a pair of tabs, each said tab extending outwardly of a respective wall of said pair of walls for manual engagement thereof to resiliently flex said respective wall away from the other of said pair of walls. 5. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mounting clip is made of plastic and said clamp is made of plastic. 6. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein each said lip of said mounting clip has a gap at a central point thereof and said at least one jaw of said clamp has a wall in each said groove thereof disposed in said gap of each said lip. 7. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said jaws are disposed in hinged relation to each other for opening and closing relative to each other. 8. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said jaws has a semi-circular base, a pair of parallel walls extending internally from said base and inside of edges of said base to form a recess to receive said lip of said mounting clip, a tab projecting from one end of said base and a sleeve-like member at an opposite end of said base to receive said tab of the other jaw. 9. The combination of
a plastic mounting clip having a mounting block thereon, a pair of resiliently flexible walls extending in parallel on opposite sides of said mounting block, each said wall having a lip extending inwardly towards the other of said pair of walls and a tab extending outwardly away from said lip for manual engagement thereof to resiliently flex said respective wall away from the ether of said pair of walls; and a clamp releasably mounted in said mounting clip, said clamp having a pair of arcuate jaws, at least one of said jaws being seated on said mounting block between said walls and having an arcuate groove on each side thereof receiving a respective lip of said mounting clip. 10. The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein each said lip of said mounting clip has a gap at a central point thereof and said at least one jaw of said clamp has a wall in each said groove thereof disposed in said gap of each said lip. 11. The combination as set forth in claim 10 wherein said clamp has a locking nut assembly securing said jaws together and disposed in a vertical plane with said clamp in said mounting clip. 12. A tube management assembly comprising
a track having a flat base, a pair of parallel walls extending from said base and a pair of flanges, each said flange extending from one of said walls toward the other of said walls to define a trackway; at least one mounting clip having a flat base slidably mounted in said trackway of said track, a mounting block on said base, a pair of resiliently flexible walls extending in parallel on opposite sides of said mounting block from said base and pair of lips, each said lip extending from a respective wall of said pair of walls towards the other of said pair of walls; and a clamp releasably mounted in said mounting clip, said clamp having a pair of arcuate jaws, at least one of said jaws being seated on said mounting block and having an arcuate groove on each side thereof receiving a respective lip of said mounting clip. 13. A tube management assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said mounting block has an arcuate seating surface receiving said clamp thereon and at least one of said jaws has a pair of flanges in an outer periphery receiving said mounting block therebetween. 14. A tube management assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said mounting clip has a pair of tabs, each said tab extending outwardly of a respective wall of said pair of walls for manual engagement thereof to resiliently flex said respective wall away from the other of said pair of walls. 15. A tube management assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said mounting clip is made of plastic and said clamp is made of plastic. 16. A tube management assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein each said lip of said mounting clip has a gap at a central point thereof and said at least one jaw of said clamp has a wall in each said groove thereof disposed in said gap of each said lip. 17. A tube management assembly as set forth in claim 12 further comprising at least one mounting clip having a flat base slidably mounted in said trackway of said track and a mounting block extending from said base and including a recess for receiving a tube therein transversely of said track. | The tube management assembly employs a track, one or more mounting clips that are slidably mounted in the track and clamps that are snap-fitted into the mounting clips. In one embodiment, the mounting clip has a pair of resilient walls with inwardly directed lips for engaging in arcuate grooves in the sides of the clamp. In another embodiment, the mounting clip has a base slidably mounted in the track and a mounting block extending from the base and including a recess for receiving a tube transversely of the track.1. The combination of
a mounting clip having a mounting block thereon, a pair of walls extending in parallel on opposite sides of said mounting block and pair of lips, each said lip extending from a respective wall of said pair of walls towards the other of said pair of walls; and a clamp releasably mounted in said mounting clip, said clamp having a pair of arcuate jaws, at least one of said jaws being seated on said mounting block and having an arcuate groove on each side thereof receiving a respective lip of said mounting clip. 2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mounting block has an arcuate seating surface receiving said clamp thereon. 3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said jaws has a pair of flanges in an outer periphery receiving said mounting block therebetween. 4. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mounting clip has a pair of tabs, each said tab extending outwardly of a respective wall of said pair of walls for manual engagement thereof to resiliently flex said respective wall away from the other of said pair of walls. 5. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mounting clip is made of plastic and said clamp is made of plastic. 6. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein each said lip of said mounting clip has a gap at a central point thereof and said at least one jaw of said clamp has a wall in each said groove thereof disposed in said gap of each said lip. 7. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said jaws are disposed in hinged relation to each other for opening and closing relative to each other. 8. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said jaws has a semi-circular base, a pair of parallel walls extending internally from said base and inside of edges of said base to form a recess to receive said lip of said mounting clip, a tab projecting from one end of said base and a sleeve-like member at an opposite end of said base to receive said tab of the other jaw. 9. The combination of
a plastic mounting clip having a mounting block thereon, a pair of resiliently flexible walls extending in parallel on opposite sides of said mounting block, each said wall having a lip extending inwardly towards the other of said pair of walls and a tab extending outwardly away from said lip for manual engagement thereof to resiliently flex said respective wall away from the ether of said pair of walls; and a clamp releasably mounted in said mounting clip, said clamp having a pair of arcuate jaws, at least one of said jaws being seated on said mounting block between said walls and having an arcuate groove on each side thereof receiving a respective lip of said mounting clip. 10. The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein each said lip of said mounting clip has a gap at a central point thereof and said at least one jaw of said clamp has a wall in each said groove thereof disposed in said gap of each said lip. 11. The combination as set forth in claim 10 wherein said clamp has a locking nut assembly securing said jaws together and disposed in a vertical plane with said clamp in said mounting clip. 12. A tube management assembly comprising
a track having a flat base, a pair of parallel walls extending from said base and a pair of flanges, each said flange extending from one of said walls toward the other of said walls to define a trackway; at least one mounting clip having a flat base slidably mounted in said trackway of said track, a mounting block on said base, a pair of resiliently flexible walls extending in parallel on opposite sides of said mounting block from said base and pair of lips, each said lip extending from a respective wall of said pair of walls towards the other of said pair of walls; and a clamp releasably mounted in said mounting clip, said clamp having a pair of arcuate jaws, at least one of said jaws being seated on said mounting block and having an arcuate groove on each side thereof receiving a respective lip of said mounting clip. 13. A tube management assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said mounting block has an arcuate seating surface receiving said clamp thereon and at least one of said jaws has a pair of flanges in an outer periphery receiving said mounting block therebetween. 14. A tube management assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said mounting clip has a pair of tabs, each said tab extending outwardly of a respective wall of said pair of walls for manual engagement thereof to resiliently flex said respective wall away from the other of said pair of walls. 15. A tube management assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said mounting clip is made of plastic and said clamp is made of plastic. 16. A tube management assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein each said lip of said mounting clip has a gap at a central point thereof and said at least one jaw of said clamp has a wall in each said groove thereof disposed in said gap of each said lip. 17. A tube management assembly as set forth in claim 12 further comprising at least one mounting clip having a flat base slidably mounted in said trackway of said track and a mounting block extending from said base and including a recess for receiving a tube therein transversely of said track. | 3,600 |
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