Unnamed: 0 int64 0 350k | level_0 int64 0 351k | ApplicationNumber int64 9.75M 96.1M | ArtUnit int64 1.6k 3.99k | Abstract stringlengths 1 8.37k | Claims stringlengths 3 292k | abstract-claims stringlengths 68 293k | TechCenter int64 1.6k 3.9k |
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13,200 | 13,200 | 15,390,976 | 3,674 | A method of controlling flow in a subterranean well can include a device introduced into the well being conveyed by flow in the well, the device comprising a material selected from poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and/or poly-methacrylic acid. The material may degrade in the well. A system for use with a well can include a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string, and the flow conveyed device including a material selected from poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and/or poly-methacrylic acid. A flow conveyed device for use in a subterranean well can include a body and a degradable material extending outwardly from the body, the degradable material being formed as a film, tube or filament. | 1-20. (canceled) 21. A flow conveyed device for use in a subterranean well, the device comprising:
a body; and a degradable material extending outwardly from the body, the degradable material being formed as at least one of a film, tube, fabric and filament. 22. The flow conveyed device of claim 21, wherein the body is configured to engage an opening in a sidewall of a tubular string. 23. The flow conveyed device of claim 21, wherein the body comprises at least one knot. 24. The flow conveyed device of claim 23, wherein the knot is formed from the degradable material. 25. The flow conveyed device of claim 21, wherein the degradable material degrades in response to increased temperature in the well. 26. The flow conveyed device of claim 21, wherein the degradable material degrades in response to increased pH in the well. 27. The flow conveyed device of claim 21, wherein the degradable material is selected from the group consisting of poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and poly-methacrylic acid. 28. The flow conveyed device of claim 21, wherein the body is retained by a retainer. 29. The flow conveyed device of claim 28, wherein the retainer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and poly-methacrylic acid. | A method of controlling flow in a subterranean well can include a device introduced into the well being conveyed by flow in the well, the device comprising a material selected from poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and/or poly-methacrylic acid. The material may degrade in the well. A system for use with a well can include a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string, and the flow conveyed device including a material selected from poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and/or poly-methacrylic acid. A flow conveyed device for use in a subterranean well can include a body and a degradable material extending outwardly from the body, the degradable material being formed as a film, tube or filament.1-20. (canceled) 21. A flow conveyed device for use in a subterranean well, the device comprising:
a body; and a degradable material extending outwardly from the body, the degradable material being formed as at least one of a film, tube, fabric and filament. 22. The flow conveyed device of claim 21, wherein the body is configured to engage an opening in a sidewall of a tubular string. 23. The flow conveyed device of claim 21, wherein the body comprises at least one knot. 24. The flow conveyed device of claim 23, wherein the knot is formed from the degradable material. 25. The flow conveyed device of claim 21, wherein the degradable material degrades in response to increased temperature in the well. 26. The flow conveyed device of claim 21, wherein the degradable material degrades in response to increased pH in the well. 27. The flow conveyed device of claim 21, wherein the degradable material is selected from the group consisting of poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and poly-methacrylic acid. 28. The flow conveyed device of claim 21, wherein the body is retained by a retainer. 29. The flow conveyed device of claim 28, wherein the retainer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of poly-vinyl alcohol, poly-vinyl acetate and poly-methacrylic acid. | 3,600 |
13,201 | 13,201 | 13,300,892 | 3,681 | In a first illustrative embodiment, a computer implemented method includes obtaining the identities of one or more vehicle occupants. The method also includes obtaining data relating to a current vehicle environment. The method further includes selecting an advertisement for delivery based at least in part on data retrieved respective to identified occupants and data relating to the vehicle environment. Also, the illustrative method includes evaluating a driver cognitive load. The method additionally includes providing the selected advertisement for delivery based on the driver cognitive load being below a suitable threshold. | 1. A computer implemented method comprising:
obtaining the identities of one or more vehicle occupants; obtaining data relating to a current vehicle environment; selecting an advertisement for delivery based at least in part on data retrieved respective to identified occupants and data relating to the vehicle environment; evaluating a driver cognitive load; and providing the selected advertisement for delivery based on the driver cognitive load being below a suitable threshold. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining the identities includes:
communicating with at least one known wireless device in proximity to the vehicle; and identifying an occupant based on a known correspondence between the occupant and the known wireless device. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining the identities includes:
recognizing an occupant through use of vehicle sensors. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the vehicle sensors include a camera. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the sensors include a personalized key. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the vehicle sensors include an occupant weight sensor. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the data relating to a current vehicle environment includes traffic data. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the data relating to a current vehicle environment includes weather data. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the data relating to a current vehicle environment includes vehicle location. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the data relating to a current vehicle environment includes time of day. 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
evaluating a route to be traveled for the presence of one or more merchants corresponding to a selected advertisement, wherein the providing is further based on the presence of the one or more merchants within proximity to the evaluated route. 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
evaluating a route to be traveled to determine the presence of one or more merchants; wherein the selecting further includes selecting an advertisement for delivery based at least on the presence of the one or more merchants. 13. The method of claim 12, further including predicting a driver destination and a corresponding route to be traveled if a route to be traveled is not currently available. 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising aggregating the data retrieved with respect to a plurality of known vehicle occupants into data indicative of all the occupants as a whole, wherein the selecting an advertisement further includes selecting an advertisement likely to appeal to all the occupants as a whole based on the aggregated data. 15. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing at least one coupon in conjunction with the selected advertisement. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one coupon is customized based at least in part on the data retrieved respective to identified occupants. 17. A computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed, causes a processor to execute the method comprising:
obtaining the identities of one or more vehicle occupants; obtaining data relating to a current vehicle environment; selecting an advertisement for delivery based at least in part on data retrieved respective to identified occupants and data relating to the vehicle environment; evaluating a driver cognitive load; and providing the selected advertisement for delivery based on the driver cognitive load being below a suitable threshold. 18. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the method further includes evaluating a route to be traveled for the presence of one or more merchants corresponding to a selected advertisement, wherein the providing is further based on the presence of the one or more merchants within proximity to the evaluated route. 19. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the method further includes evaluating a route to be traveled to determine the presence of one or more merchants; wherein the selecting further includes selecting an advertisement for delivery based at least on the presence of the one or more merchants. 20. A system comprising:
one or more first sensors operable to gather information relating to vehicle occupants, the information usable in identifying the vehicle occupants; one or more second sensors operable to gather vehicle environmental information; one or more third sensors operable to gather driver cognitive load information; a processor configured to provide the information from at least the first and second sensors to at least one advertisement selection routine, the processor further being configured to provide the information from at least the third sensors to a cognitive load determination routine; and at least one output medium, wherein the processor is further configured to receive at least a selected advertisement from the at least one advertisement selection routine, wherein the processor is further configured to provide the received selected advertisement responsive to a received determination from the cognitive load determination routine indicating that advertisement provision is permissible. | In a first illustrative embodiment, a computer implemented method includes obtaining the identities of one or more vehicle occupants. The method also includes obtaining data relating to a current vehicle environment. The method further includes selecting an advertisement for delivery based at least in part on data retrieved respective to identified occupants and data relating to the vehicle environment. Also, the illustrative method includes evaluating a driver cognitive load. The method additionally includes providing the selected advertisement for delivery based on the driver cognitive load being below a suitable threshold.1. A computer implemented method comprising:
obtaining the identities of one or more vehicle occupants; obtaining data relating to a current vehicle environment; selecting an advertisement for delivery based at least in part on data retrieved respective to identified occupants and data relating to the vehicle environment; evaluating a driver cognitive load; and providing the selected advertisement for delivery based on the driver cognitive load being below a suitable threshold. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining the identities includes:
communicating with at least one known wireless device in proximity to the vehicle; and identifying an occupant based on a known correspondence between the occupant and the known wireless device. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining the identities includes:
recognizing an occupant through use of vehicle sensors. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the vehicle sensors include a camera. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the sensors include a personalized key. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the vehicle sensors include an occupant weight sensor. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the data relating to a current vehicle environment includes traffic data. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the data relating to a current vehicle environment includes weather data. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the data relating to a current vehicle environment includes vehicle location. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the data relating to a current vehicle environment includes time of day. 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
evaluating a route to be traveled for the presence of one or more merchants corresponding to a selected advertisement, wherein the providing is further based on the presence of the one or more merchants within proximity to the evaluated route. 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
evaluating a route to be traveled to determine the presence of one or more merchants; wherein the selecting further includes selecting an advertisement for delivery based at least on the presence of the one or more merchants. 13. The method of claim 12, further including predicting a driver destination and a corresponding route to be traveled if a route to be traveled is not currently available. 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising aggregating the data retrieved with respect to a plurality of known vehicle occupants into data indicative of all the occupants as a whole, wherein the selecting an advertisement further includes selecting an advertisement likely to appeal to all the occupants as a whole based on the aggregated data. 15. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing at least one coupon in conjunction with the selected advertisement. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one coupon is customized based at least in part on the data retrieved respective to identified occupants. 17. A computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed, causes a processor to execute the method comprising:
obtaining the identities of one or more vehicle occupants; obtaining data relating to a current vehicle environment; selecting an advertisement for delivery based at least in part on data retrieved respective to identified occupants and data relating to the vehicle environment; evaluating a driver cognitive load; and providing the selected advertisement for delivery based on the driver cognitive load being below a suitable threshold. 18. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the method further includes evaluating a route to be traveled for the presence of one or more merchants corresponding to a selected advertisement, wherein the providing is further based on the presence of the one or more merchants within proximity to the evaluated route. 19. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the method further includes evaluating a route to be traveled to determine the presence of one or more merchants; wherein the selecting further includes selecting an advertisement for delivery based at least on the presence of the one or more merchants. 20. A system comprising:
one or more first sensors operable to gather information relating to vehicle occupants, the information usable in identifying the vehicle occupants; one or more second sensors operable to gather vehicle environmental information; one or more third sensors operable to gather driver cognitive load information; a processor configured to provide the information from at least the first and second sensors to at least one advertisement selection routine, the processor further being configured to provide the information from at least the third sensors to a cognitive load determination routine; and at least one output medium, wherein the processor is further configured to receive at least a selected advertisement from the at least one advertisement selection routine, wherein the processor is further configured to provide the received selected advertisement responsive to a received determination from the cognitive load determination routine indicating that advertisement provision is permissible. | 3,600 |
13,202 | 13,202 | 15,391,014 | 3,674 | A flow conveyed device for use in a well can include a body and a plurality of lines joined to the body, each of the lines having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body, and each of the lines including fibers. A method of controlling flow in a well can include a device introduced into the well being conveyed by flow in the well, and the device including a plurality of lines extending outwardly from a body. Each of the lines may include fibers. A system for use with a well can include a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string, the flow conveyed device including a body with a plurality of lines extending outwardly from the body, the body including at least one knot. | 1. A flow conveyed device for use in a subterranean well, the device comprising:
a body; and a plurality of lines joined to the body, each of the lines having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body, and each of the lines comprising fibers. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the lines are retained by a retainer. 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the retainer degrades in response to passage of a predetermined period of time. 4. The device of claim 2, wherein the retainer degrades in response to exposure to a predetermined fluid. 5. The device of claim 2, wherein the retainer degrades in response to exposure to a predetermined chemical composition. 6. The device of claim 2, wherein the retainer degrades in response to exposure to a predetermined temperature. 7. The device of claim 2, wherein the retainer degrades in response to exposure to radiation. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the lines comprise ropes. 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises at least one knot. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a degradable material. 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the fibers comprise a degradable material. 12-30. (canceled) | A flow conveyed device for use in a well can include a body and a plurality of lines joined to the body, each of the lines having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body, and each of the lines including fibers. A method of controlling flow in a well can include a device introduced into the well being conveyed by flow in the well, and the device including a plurality of lines extending outwardly from a body. Each of the lines may include fibers. A system for use with a well can include a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string, the flow conveyed device including a body with a plurality of lines extending outwardly from the body, the body including at least one knot.1. A flow conveyed device for use in a subterranean well, the device comprising:
a body; and a plurality of lines joined to the body, each of the lines having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body, and each of the lines comprising fibers. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the lines are retained by a retainer. 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the retainer degrades in response to passage of a predetermined period of time. 4. The device of claim 2, wherein the retainer degrades in response to exposure to a predetermined fluid. 5. The device of claim 2, wherein the retainer degrades in response to exposure to a predetermined chemical composition. 6. The device of claim 2, wherein the retainer degrades in response to exposure to a predetermined temperature. 7. The device of claim 2, wherein the retainer degrades in response to exposure to radiation. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the lines comprise ropes. 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises at least one knot. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a degradable material. 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the fibers comprise a degradable material. 12-30. (canceled) | 3,600 |
13,203 | 13,203 | 15,390,941 | 3,674 | A fibrous plugging device for use in a subterranean well can include a body having fibers and a retainer material. The retainer material retains a shape of the body. A system for use with a well can include a fibrous plugging device conveyed by fluid flow in the well. The fibrous plugging device includes a body comprising multiple fibers. The fibrous plugging device engages an opening in the well, and thereby seals off the opening. A method for use with a well can include flowing a fluid through the well, thereby conveying at least one fibrous plugging device including a body having multiple fibers, and the fibrous plugging device sealingly engaging an opening in the well, thereby substantially preventing flow through the opening. | 1. A fibrous plugging device for use in a subterranean well, the device comprising:
a body including fibers and a retainer material, wherein the retainer material retains a shape of the body. 2. The fibrous plugging device of claim 1, wherein the fibers comprise a material selected from the group consisting of metal wool, wire, nylon 6 and nylon 66. 3. The fibrous plugging device of claim 1, wherein a melting point of a poly-lactic acid resin in each of the fibers decreases in an outward direction. 4. The fibrous plugging device of claim 1, wherein the fibers comprise a material selected from the group consisting of poly-lactic acid and poly-glycolic acid, and wherein the fibers are in a form selected from the group consisting of a) a yarn, b) monofilament, c) multifilament and d) fabric. 5. The fibrous plugging device of claim 1, wherein the fibers are treated with a release agent that repels the retainer material. 6. The fibrous plugging device of claim 5, wherein the release agent comprises a water-wetting surfactant. 7. The fibrous plugging device of claim 6, wherein the water-wetting surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alkyl ether sulfate, relatively high hydrophilic-lipophilic balance nonionic surfactant, betaine, alkylarylsulfonate, alkyl-diphenyl ether sulfonate and alkyl sulfate. 8. The fibrous plugging device of claim 1, wherein the fibers extend outwardly from the body. 9-30. (canceled) | A fibrous plugging device for use in a subterranean well can include a body having fibers and a retainer material. The retainer material retains a shape of the body. A system for use with a well can include a fibrous plugging device conveyed by fluid flow in the well. The fibrous plugging device includes a body comprising multiple fibers. The fibrous plugging device engages an opening in the well, and thereby seals off the opening. A method for use with a well can include flowing a fluid through the well, thereby conveying at least one fibrous plugging device including a body having multiple fibers, and the fibrous plugging device sealingly engaging an opening in the well, thereby substantially preventing flow through the opening.1. A fibrous plugging device for use in a subterranean well, the device comprising:
a body including fibers and a retainer material, wherein the retainer material retains a shape of the body. 2. The fibrous plugging device of claim 1, wherein the fibers comprise a material selected from the group consisting of metal wool, wire, nylon 6 and nylon 66. 3. The fibrous plugging device of claim 1, wherein a melting point of a poly-lactic acid resin in each of the fibers decreases in an outward direction. 4. The fibrous plugging device of claim 1, wherein the fibers comprise a material selected from the group consisting of poly-lactic acid and poly-glycolic acid, and wherein the fibers are in a form selected from the group consisting of a) a yarn, b) monofilament, c) multifilament and d) fabric. 5. The fibrous plugging device of claim 1, wherein the fibers are treated with a release agent that repels the retainer material. 6. The fibrous plugging device of claim 5, wherein the release agent comprises a water-wetting surfactant. 7. The fibrous plugging device of claim 6, wherein the water-wetting surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alkyl ether sulfate, relatively high hydrophilic-lipophilic balance nonionic surfactant, betaine, alkylarylsulfonate, alkyl-diphenyl ether sulfonate and alkyl sulfate. 8. The fibrous plugging device of claim 1, wherein the fibers extend outwardly from the body. 9-30. (canceled) | 3,600 |
13,204 | 13,204 | 13,349,648 | 3,691 | A method and system for correlating transaction events. Transaction events may be received that identify actions executed at a plurality of different types of source systems. For each transaction event, it may be determined whether or not the transaction event is equivalent to a previous transaction event using an equivalence relationship. The equivalence relationship may define events as being equivalent when each of the events has a subset of parameters that match exactly and a different subset of parameters that match approximately and not exactly. Equivalent transaction events may be correlated. | 1. A method, implemented using one or more processors and associated memories, for correlating transaction events, the method comprising:
receiving transaction events identifying actions executed at a plurality of different types of source systems; for each transaction event, determining by a processor whether or not the transaction event is equivalent to a previous transaction event using an equivalence relationship, wherein the equivalence relationship defines events as being equivalent when each of the events has a subset of parameters that match exactly and a different subset of parameters that match approximately and not exactly; and correlating equivalent transaction events. 2. The method of claim 1 comprising:
grouping correlated transaction events into a transaction; and
detecting if fraud has taken place by analyzing a pattern of the correlated transaction events over a lifecycle of the transaction. 3. The method of claim 1 comprising generating correlated data summarizing the correlation between the transaction events. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the equivalence relationship includes an identity value function that defines events to be equivalent if their function values are exactly or approximately equal. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the equivalence relationship includes an identity equality function that defines events to be equivalent if their compared function value is within a predetermined range. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the equivalence relationship is defined by a correlation configuration set associated with the type of the source system at which each transaction event action is executed, wherein each of a plurality of correlation configuration sets is associated with a different type of source system. 7. The method of claim 1 comprising representing transaction events using associated identity keys stored in a map data structure. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the equivalence relationship defines an equivalence between repeated transaction events. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the equivalence relationship defines an equivalence between an initial transaction event and an update thereof. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the transaction events are correlated in real-time. 11. A system for correlating transaction events, the system comprising:
one or more processors configured to provide a correlation engine to receive transaction events identifying actions executed at a plurality of different types of source systems, wherein for each transaction event the correlation engine determines whether or not the transaction event is equivalent to a previous transaction event using an equivalence relationship, wherein the equivalence relationship defines events as being equivalent when each of the events has a subset of parameters that match exactly and a different subset of parameters that match approximately and not exactly; and a memory to store correlation data defining correlations between transaction events that are determined by the correlation engine to be equivalent. 12. The system of claim 11 comprising a fraud detector, wherein the correlation engine groups correlated transaction events into a transaction and the fraud detector detects if fraud has taken place by analyzing a pattern of the correlated transaction events over a lifecycle of the transaction. 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the correlation engine generates data summarizing the correlation between the transaction events. 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the equivalence relationship includes an identity value function that defines events to be equivalent if their function values are exactly or approximately equal. 15. The system of claim 11, wherein the equivalence relationship includes an identity equality function that defines events to be equivalent if their compared function value is within a predetermined range. 16. The system of claim 11, wherein the equivalence relationship is defined by a correlation configuration set associated with the type of the source system at which each transaction event action is executed, wherein each of a plurality of correlation configuration sets is associated with a different type of source system. 17. The system of claim 11, wherein the correlation engine represents transaction events using associated identity keys stored in a map data structure. 18. The system of claim 11, wherein the equivalence relationship defines an equivalence between repeated transaction events. 19. The system of claim 11, wherein the equivalence relationship defines an equivalence between an initial transaction event and an update thereof 20. The system of claim 11, wherein the correlation engine correlates the transaction events in real-time. 21. A method of correlating transaction events and detecting fraud implemented using one or more processors and associated memories, the method comprising:
receiving incoming transaction events identifying actions executed at a plurality of different types of source systems; assigning using a processor each incoming transaction event to a correlation configuration set; executing from said correlation configuration set, using the processor, an equivalence relation identity value function; determining, using the processor, for each incoming transaction event a corresponding identity key by using said equivalence relation identity value function; using the processor, using an equivalence relation to determine, for a set of events having matching identity keys, which events are correlated, wherein the equivalence relation defines events as being equivalent using exact criteria on a subset of event parameters and fuzzy criteria on a different subset of event parameters; using the processor, using the results of the correlation to trigger a flag or alert when possibly fraudulent data is detected. 22. A system for correlating transaction events, the system comprising:
one or more processors and associated memories configured to provide a correlation engine configured to: receive incoming transaction events identifying actions executed at a plurality of different types of source systems; assign each incoming transaction event to a correlation configuration set; execute from said correlation configuration set an equivalence relation identity value function; determine for each incoming transaction event a corresponding identity key by using said equivalence relation identity value function; for the group of events that have matching identity keys, use an equivalence relation to determine which events are correlated, wherein the equivalence relation defines events as being equivalent using exact criteria on a subset of event parameters and fuzzy criteria on a different subset of event parameters; use the results of the correlation to trigger a flag or alert when possibly fraudulent data is detected. | A method and system for correlating transaction events. Transaction events may be received that identify actions executed at a plurality of different types of source systems. For each transaction event, it may be determined whether or not the transaction event is equivalent to a previous transaction event using an equivalence relationship. The equivalence relationship may define events as being equivalent when each of the events has a subset of parameters that match exactly and a different subset of parameters that match approximately and not exactly. Equivalent transaction events may be correlated.1. A method, implemented using one or more processors and associated memories, for correlating transaction events, the method comprising:
receiving transaction events identifying actions executed at a plurality of different types of source systems; for each transaction event, determining by a processor whether or not the transaction event is equivalent to a previous transaction event using an equivalence relationship, wherein the equivalence relationship defines events as being equivalent when each of the events has a subset of parameters that match exactly and a different subset of parameters that match approximately and not exactly; and correlating equivalent transaction events. 2. The method of claim 1 comprising:
grouping correlated transaction events into a transaction; and
detecting if fraud has taken place by analyzing a pattern of the correlated transaction events over a lifecycle of the transaction. 3. The method of claim 1 comprising generating correlated data summarizing the correlation between the transaction events. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the equivalence relationship includes an identity value function that defines events to be equivalent if their function values are exactly or approximately equal. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the equivalence relationship includes an identity equality function that defines events to be equivalent if their compared function value is within a predetermined range. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the equivalence relationship is defined by a correlation configuration set associated with the type of the source system at which each transaction event action is executed, wherein each of a plurality of correlation configuration sets is associated with a different type of source system. 7. The method of claim 1 comprising representing transaction events using associated identity keys stored in a map data structure. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the equivalence relationship defines an equivalence between repeated transaction events. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the equivalence relationship defines an equivalence between an initial transaction event and an update thereof. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the transaction events are correlated in real-time. 11. A system for correlating transaction events, the system comprising:
one or more processors configured to provide a correlation engine to receive transaction events identifying actions executed at a plurality of different types of source systems, wherein for each transaction event the correlation engine determines whether or not the transaction event is equivalent to a previous transaction event using an equivalence relationship, wherein the equivalence relationship defines events as being equivalent when each of the events has a subset of parameters that match exactly and a different subset of parameters that match approximately and not exactly; and a memory to store correlation data defining correlations between transaction events that are determined by the correlation engine to be equivalent. 12. The system of claim 11 comprising a fraud detector, wherein the correlation engine groups correlated transaction events into a transaction and the fraud detector detects if fraud has taken place by analyzing a pattern of the correlated transaction events over a lifecycle of the transaction. 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the correlation engine generates data summarizing the correlation between the transaction events. 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the equivalence relationship includes an identity value function that defines events to be equivalent if their function values are exactly or approximately equal. 15. The system of claim 11, wherein the equivalence relationship includes an identity equality function that defines events to be equivalent if their compared function value is within a predetermined range. 16. The system of claim 11, wherein the equivalence relationship is defined by a correlation configuration set associated with the type of the source system at which each transaction event action is executed, wherein each of a plurality of correlation configuration sets is associated with a different type of source system. 17. The system of claim 11, wherein the correlation engine represents transaction events using associated identity keys stored in a map data structure. 18. The system of claim 11, wherein the equivalence relationship defines an equivalence between repeated transaction events. 19. The system of claim 11, wherein the equivalence relationship defines an equivalence between an initial transaction event and an update thereof 20. The system of claim 11, wherein the correlation engine correlates the transaction events in real-time. 21. A method of correlating transaction events and detecting fraud implemented using one or more processors and associated memories, the method comprising:
receiving incoming transaction events identifying actions executed at a plurality of different types of source systems; assigning using a processor each incoming transaction event to a correlation configuration set; executing from said correlation configuration set, using the processor, an equivalence relation identity value function; determining, using the processor, for each incoming transaction event a corresponding identity key by using said equivalence relation identity value function; using the processor, using an equivalence relation to determine, for a set of events having matching identity keys, which events are correlated, wherein the equivalence relation defines events as being equivalent using exact criteria on a subset of event parameters and fuzzy criteria on a different subset of event parameters; using the processor, using the results of the correlation to trigger a flag or alert when possibly fraudulent data is detected. 22. A system for correlating transaction events, the system comprising:
one or more processors and associated memories configured to provide a correlation engine configured to: receive incoming transaction events identifying actions executed at a plurality of different types of source systems; assign each incoming transaction event to a correlation configuration set; execute from said correlation configuration set an equivalence relation identity value function; determine for each incoming transaction event a corresponding identity key by using said equivalence relation identity value function; for the group of events that have matching identity keys, use an equivalence relation to determine which events are correlated, wherein the equivalence relation defines events as being equivalent using exact criteria on a subset of event parameters and fuzzy criteria on a different subset of event parameters; use the results of the correlation to trigger a flag or alert when possibly fraudulent data is detected. | 3,600 |
13,205 | 13,205 | 14,279,474 | 3,626 | Mechanisms for patient health monitoring are disclosed. A health server device receives a first message that originates from a media device associated with a patient. The first message indicates that the patient desires a service from the media device. A patient protocol of the patient is accessed, and a health data determination is made based on the patient protocol. An action is performed based on the health data determination. | 1. A method, comprising:
receiving, by a media device comprising a processor, a request for a service; in response to receiving the request, sending a first message to a remote health server device; receiving, from the remote health server device, a second message containing presentation content that indicates that a health measurement of a patient associated the media device is an undesirable health measurement; and presenting, by the media device, the presentation content to the patient in lieu of the service. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the service comprises presentation of a channel on the media device. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the service comprises execution of an application on the media device. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the media device comprises one of a computer tablet, a set-top box, a digital video recorder, a media streaming device, a tablet computer, or a smartphone. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the presentation content comprises content related to improving future health measurements. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
after the presentation content has been presented to the patient, providing the service to the patient. 7. A method, comprising:
receiving, by a health server device comprising a processor, a first message originating from a media device associated with a patient, the first message indicating that the patient desires a service from the media device; accessing a patient protocol of the patient; making a health data determination based on the patient protocol; and performing an action based on the health data determination. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein making the health data determination based on the patient protocol comprises:
accessing, from the patient protocol, a health measurement associated with the patient, the health measurement identifying a physiologic measurement of the patient; determining that the health measurement is a desirable health measurement; and wherein performing the action based on the health data determination comprises sending a message to the media device to provide the service to the patient. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein making the health data determination based on the patient protocol comprises:
accessing, from the patient protocol, a health measurement associated with the patient, the health measurement identifying a physiologic measurement of the patient; determining that the health measurement is an undesirable health measurement; and wherein performing the action based on the health data determination comprises sending presentation content to the media device for presentation to the patient in lieu of the service. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the presentation content comprises content related to improving future health measurements. 11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
determining a health measurement type of the health measurement; accessing a library comprising a plurality of videos, each of the videos being designated as associated with a particular health measurement type; selecting a video of the plurality of videos based on the health measurement type; and sending the video of the plurality of videos as the presentation content to the media device for presentation to the patient in lieu of the service. 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
sending a message to a physician computing device associated with the patient, the message including the health measurement of the patient. 13. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
receiving, by the health server device, a message from a consumer gateway device, the message comprising information identifying: the patient; a health measurement device; and a health measurement taken by the health measurement device. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
storing information indicating the health measurement device and the health measurement in a patient profile associated with the patient. 15. The method of claim 7, wherein the service comprises programming provided on a condition that a most recent health measurement maintained by the health server device is a desirable health measurement;
wherein making the health data determination based on the patient protocol comprises determining that the most recent health measurement is a desirable health measurement; and wherein performing the action based on the health data determination comprises sending a message to the media device to provide the programming to the patient. 16. A media device comprising:
a communication interface configured to communicate with a network; and a processor coupled to the communication interface and configured to:
receive a request for a service;
in response to receiving the request, send a first message to a remote health server device;
receive, from the remote health server device, a second message containing presentation content that indicates that a health measurement of a patient associated the media device is an undesirable health measurement; and
present the presentation content to the patient in lieu of the service. 17. The media device according to claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to, after the presentation content has been presented to the patient, provide the service to the patient. 18. The media device of claim 16, wherein the media device comprises one of a computer tablet, a set-top box, a digital video recorder, a media streaming device, tablet computer, or a smartphone. 19. A health server device comprising:
a communication interface configured to communicate with a network; and a processor coupled to the communication interface and configured to:
receive a first message originating from a media device associated with a patient, the first message indicating that the patient desires a service from the media device;
access a patient protocol of the patient;
make a health data determination based on the patient protocol; and
perform an action based on the health data determination. 20. The health server device of claim 19, wherein to make the health data determination based on the patient protocol the processor is further configured to:
access, from the patient protocol, a health measurement associated with the patient, the health measurement identifying a physiologic measurement of the patient; determine that the health measurement is a desirable health measurement; and wherein to perform the action based on the health data determination, the processor is further configured to send a message to the media device to provide the service to the patient. 21. The health server device of claim 7, wherein to make the health data determination based on the patient protocol the processor is further configured to:
access, from the patient protocol, a health measurement associated with the patient, the health measurement identifying a physiologic measurement of the patient; determine that the health measurement is an undesirable health measurement; and wherein to perform the action based on the health data determination, the processor is further configured to send presentation content to the media device for presentation to the patient in lieu of the service. | Mechanisms for patient health monitoring are disclosed. A health server device receives a first message that originates from a media device associated with a patient. The first message indicates that the patient desires a service from the media device. A patient protocol of the patient is accessed, and a health data determination is made based on the patient protocol. An action is performed based on the health data determination.1. A method, comprising:
receiving, by a media device comprising a processor, a request for a service; in response to receiving the request, sending a first message to a remote health server device; receiving, from the remote health server device, a second message containing presentation content that indicates that a health measurement of a patient associated the media device is an undesirable health measurement; and presenting, by the media device, the presentation content to the patient in lieu of the service. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the service comprises presentation of a channel on the media device. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the service comprises execution of an application on the media device. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the media device comprises one of a computer tablet, a set-top box, a digital video recorder, a media streaming device, a tablet computer, or a smartphone. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the presentation content comprises content related to improving future health measurements. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
after the presentation content has been presented to the patient, providing the service to the patient. 7. A method, comprising:
receiving, by a health server device comprising a processor, a first message originating from a media device associated with a patient, the first message indicating that the patient desires a service from the media device; accessing a patient protocol of the patient; making a health data determination based on the patient protocol; and performing an action based on the health data determination. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein making the health data determination based on the patient protocol comprises:
accessing, from the patient protocol, a health measurement associated with the patient, the health measurement identifying a physiologic measurement of the patient; determining that the health measurement is a desirable health measurement; and wherein performing the action based on the health data determination comprises sending a message to the media device to provide the service to the patient. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein making the health data determination based on the patient protocol comprises:
accessing, from the patient protocol, a health measurement associated with the patient, the health measurement identifying a physiologic measurement of the patient; determining that the health measurement is an undesirable health measurement; and wherein performing the action based on the health data determination comprises sending presentation content to the media device for presentation to the patient in lieu of the service. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the presentation content comprises content related to improving future health measurements. 11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
determining a health measurement type of the health measurement; accessing a library comprising a plurality of videos, each of the videos being designated as associated with a particular health measurement type; selecting a video of the plurality of videos based on the health measurement type; and sending the video of the plurality of videos as the presentation content to the media device for presentation to the patient in lieu of the service. 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
sending a message to a physician computing device associated with the patient, the message including the health measurement of the patient. 13. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
receiving, by the health server device, a message from a consumer gateway device, the message comprising information identifying: the patient; a health measurement device; and a health measurement taken by the health measurement device. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
storing information indicating the health measurement device and the health measurement in a patient profile associated with the patient. 15. The method of claim 7, wherein the service comprises programming provided on a condition that a most recent health measurement maintained by the health server device is a desirable health measurement;
wherein making the health data determination based on the patient protocol comprises determining that the most recent health measurement is a desirable health measurement; and wherein performing the action based on the health data determination comprises sending a message to the media device to provide the programming to the patient. 16. A media device comprising:
a communication interface configured to communicate with a network; and a processor coupled to the communication interface and configured to:
receive a request for a service;
in response to receiving the request, send a first message to a remote health server device;
receive, from the remote health server device, a second message containing presentation content that indicates that a health measurement of a patient associated the media device is an undesirable health measurement; and
present the presentation content to the patient in lieu of the service. 17. The media device according to claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to, after the presentation content has been presented to the patient, provide the service to the patient. 18. The media device of claim 16, wherein the media device comprises one of a computer tablet, a set-top box, a digital video recorder, a media streaming device, tablet computer, or a smartphone. 19. A health server device comprising:
a communication interface configured to communicate with a network; and a processor coupled to the communication interface and configured to:
receive a first message originating from a media device associated with a patient, the first message indicating that the patient desires a service from the media device;
access a patient protocol of the patient;
make a health data determination based on the patient protocol; and
perform an action based on the health data determination. 20. The health server device of claim 19, wherein to make the health data determination based on the patient protocol the processor is further configured to:
access, from the patient protocol, a health measurement associated with the patient, the health measurement identifying a physiologic measurement of the patient; determine that the health measurement is a desirable health measurement; and wherein to perform the action based on the health data determination, the processor is further configured to send a message to the media device to provide the service to the patient. 21. The health server device of claim 7, wherein to make the health data determination based on the patient protocol the processor is further configured to:
access, from the patient protocol, a health measurement associated with the patient, the health measurement identifying a physiologic measurement of the patient; determine that the health measurement is an undesirable health measurement; and wherein to perform the action based on the health data determination, the processor is further configured to send presentation content to the media device for presentation to the patient in lieu of the service. | 3,600 |
13,206 | 13,206 | 13,752,176 | 3,682 | The invention provides a computer-based method of managing electronic transactions. A plurality of merchant accounts with offers are stored in a data store. A card number and a mobile phone number are then stored. Due to registration of the card number at least one of the offers is transmitted to a consumer mobile phone at the mobile phone number. A charge advisory is received after transmitting the offer to the consumer mobile phone. The offer is then applied against an account having a card number that matches a card number in the charge advisory. | 1. A computer-based method of managing electronic transactions, comprising:
storing, with a processor, a plurality of merchant offers in a data store; receiving, with the processor, a card number and a mobile phone number after storing the merchant offers; storing, with the processor, the card number and mobile phone number in a consumer account in the data store after receiving the card number and mobile phone number; transmitting, with the processor, at least one of the offers to a consumer mobile phone at the mobile phone number after storing the card number and mobile phone number in the account; receiving, with the processor, a charge advisory over a network interface device after transmitting the offer to the consumer mobile phone, the charge advisory having a card number; and applying, with the processor, the offer against an account having a card number that matches the card number in the charge advisory. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
storing, with the processor, a plurality of merchant accounts in the data store; and storing a set of the offers in each one of the merchant accounts. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the card number and mobile phone number are received from a service provider device and the consumer mobile phone is different from the service provider device. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the service provider device has an account setup application for entering the card number and mobile phone number and for transmitting the card number and mobile phone number, the card number and mobile phone number being received over a network interface device connected to the processor. 5. The method of claim 3, further comprising:
transmitting, with the processor, a text SMS message over a network interface device to the consumer mobile phone, the text message having a link that is selectable by a consumer to open a browser application on the consumer mobile phone, the at least one offer being transmitted for viewing by the browser application. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
identifying, with the processor, a respective one of the consumer accounts having a respective card number matching the card number in the charge advisory, the offer only being applied based on a successful identification. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the offer is a voucher with a discount, the discount being transmitted to the consumer mobile phone and being applied against the account. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
detecting storing of the card number, the transmission of the offer being in response to the detection of the storing of the card number. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein a plurality of existing consumer accounts are stored in the data store further comprising:
targeting the existing consumer accounts on a regular schedule by transmitting offers to consumer mobile phones corresponding to the existing consumer accounts on the regular schedule, and the transmission of the offer in response to the detection is out-of-sequence from the regular schedule whereafter the consumer account for which the detection has occurred is targeted on the regular schedule. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, with the processor, settings from the consumer mobile phone; and transmitting, with the processor, offers to the consumer mobile phone based on the settings. 11. A computer system for managing electronic transactions, comprising:
a server computer system including: a processor; a computer-readable medium connected to the processor; and a set of instructions on the computer-readable medium, the set of instructions being executable by the processor and including:
a data store;
a plurality of merchant offers stored in the data store;
a consumer account setup module receiving and storing a card number and an mobile phone number in a consumer account after storing the merchant offers, at least one of the offers being transmitted over the network interface device to a consumer mobile phone at the mobile phone number after storing the card number and mobile phone number in the account;
a communication and routing module receiving a charge advisory over the network interface device after the offer is transmitted to the consumer mobile phone, the charge advisory having a card number, and
a voucher application module that applies the offer against an account having a card number that matches the card number in the charge advisory. 12. The computer system of claim 11, further comprising:
a merchant account management system storing a plurality of merchant accounts in the data store, and storing a set of the offers in each one of the merchant accounts. 13. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the card number and mobile phone number are received from a service provider device and the consumer mobile phone is different from the service provider device. 14. The computer system of claim 11, further comprising:
a service provider device, wherein the service provider device has an account setup application for entering the card number and mobile phone number and for transmitting the card number and mobile phone number, the card number and mobile phone number being received over a network interface device connected to the processor. 15. The computer system of claim 13, further comprising:
a notifications module transmitting a text SMS message over a network interface device to the consumer mobile phone, the text message having a link that is selectable by a consumer to open a browser application on the consumer mobile phone, the at least one offer being transmitted for viewing by the browser application. 16. The computer system of claim 11, further comprising:
a transaction clearing system identifying, with the processor, a respective one of the consumer accounts having a respective card number matching the card number in the charge advisory, the offer only being applied based on a successful identification. 17. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the offer is a voucher with a discount, the discount being transmitted to the consumer mobile phone and being applied against the account. 18. The computer system of claim 11, further comprising:
a registration detection module detecting storing of the card number, the transmission of the offer being in response to the detection of the storing of the card number. 19. The computer system of claim 18, wherein a plurality of existing consumer accounts are stored in the data store further comprising:
targeting the existing consumer accounts on a regular schedule by transmitting offers to consumer mobile phones corresponding to the existing consumer accounts on the regular schedule, and the transmission of the offer in response to the detection is out-of-sequence from the regular schedule whereafter the consumer account for which the detection has occurred is targeted on the regular schedule. 20. The computer system of claim 11, further comprising:
preferences in the consumer account, the preferences being received as settings from the consumer mobile phone and the offers being transmitted based on the settings. | The invention provides a computer-based method of managing electronic transactions. A plurality of merchant accounts with offers are stored in a data store. A card number and a mobile phone number are then stored. Due to registration of the card number at least one of the offers is transmitted to a consumer mobile phone at the mobile phone number. A charge advisory is received after transmitting the offer to the consumer mobile phone. The offer is then applied against an account having a card number that matches a card number in the charge advisory.1. A computer-based method of managing electronic transactions, comprising:
storing, with a processor, a plurality of merchant offers in a data store; receiving, with the processor, a card number and a mobile phone number after storing the merchant offers; storing, with the processor, the card number and mobile phone number in a consumer account in the data store after receiving the card number and mobile phone number; transmitting, with the processor, at least one of the offers to a consumer mobile phone at the mobile phone number after storing the card number and mobile phone number in the account; receiving, with the processor, a charge advisory over a network interface device after transmitting the offer to the consumer mobile phone, the charge advisory having a card number; and applying, with the processor, the offer against an account having a card number that matches the card number in the charge advisory. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
storing, with the processor, a plurality of merchant accounts in the data store; and storing a set of the offers in each one of the merchant accounts. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the card number and mobile phone number are received from a service provider device and the consumer mobile phone is different from the service provider device. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the service provider device has an account setup application for entering the card number and mobile phone number and for transmitting the card number and mobile phone number, the card number and mobile phone number being received over a network interface device connected to the processor. 5. The method of claim 3, further comprising:
transmitting, with the processor, a text SMS message over a network interface device to the consumer mobile phone, the text message having a link that is selectable by a consumer to open a browser application on the consumer mobile phone, the at least one offer being transmitted for viewing by the browser application. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
identifying, with the processor, a respective one of the consumer accounts having a respective card number matching the card number in the charge advisory, the offer only being applied based on a successful identification. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the offer is a voucher with a discount, the discount being transmitted to the consumer mobile phone and being applied against the account. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
detecting storing of the card number, the transmission of the offer being in response to the detection of the storing of the card number. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein a plurality of existing consumer accounts are stored in the data store further comprising:
targeting the existing consumer accounts on a regular schedule by transmitting offers to consumer mobile phones corresponding to the existing consumer accounts on the regular schedule, and the transmission of the offer in response to the detection is out-of-sequence from the regular schedule whereafter the consumer account for which the detection has occurred is targeted on the regular schedule. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, with the processor, settings from the consumer mobile phone; and transmitting, with the processor, offers to the consumer mobile phone based on the settings. 11. A computer system for managing electronic transactions, comprising:
a server computer system including: a processor; a computer-readable medium connected to the processor; and a set of instructions on the computer-readable medium, the set of instructions being executable by the processor and including:
a data store;
a plurality of merchant offers stored in the data store;
a consumer account setup module receiving and storing a card number and an mobile phone number in a consumer account after storing the merchant offers, at least one of the offers being transmitted over the network interface device to a consumer mobile phone at the mobile phone number after storing the card number and mobile phone number in the account;
a communication and routing module receiving a charge advisory over the network interface device after the offer is transmitted to the consumer mobile phone, the charge advisory having a card number, and
a voucher application module that applies the offer against an account having a card number that matches the card number in the charge advisory. 12. The computer system of claim 11, further comprising:
a merchant account management system storing a plurality of merchant accounts in the data store, and storing a set of the offers in each one of the merchant accounts. 13. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the card number and mobile phone number are received from a service provider device and the consumer mobile phone is different from the service provider device. 14. The computer system of claim 11, further comprising:
a service provider device, wherein the service provider device has an account setup application for entering the card number and mobile phone number and for transmitting the card number and mobile phone number, the card number and mobile phone number being received over a network interface device connected to the processor. 15. The computer system of claim 13, further comprising:
a notifications module transmitting a text SMS message over a network interface device to the consumer mobile phone, the text message having a link that is selectable by a consumer to open a browser application on the consumer mobile phone, the at least one offer being transmitted for viewing by the browser application. 16. The computer system of claim 11, further comprising:
a transaction clearing system identifying, with the processor, a respective one of the consumer accounts having a respective card number matching the card number in the charge advisory, the offer only being applied based on a successful identification. 17. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the offer is a voucher with a discount, the discount being transmitted to the consumer mobile phone and being applied against the account. 18. The computer system of claim 11, further comprising:
a registration detection module detecting storing of the card number, the transmission of the offer being in response to the detection of the storing of the card number. 19. The computer system of claim 18, wherein a plurality of existing consumer accounts are stored in the data store further comprising:
targeting the existing consumer accounts on a regular schedule by transmitting offers to consumer mobile phones corresponding to the existing consumer accounts on the regular schedule, and the transmission of the offer in response to the detection is out-of-sequence from the regular schedule whereafter the consumer account for which the detection has occurred is targeted on the regular schedule. 20. The computer system of claim 11, further comprising:
preferences in the consumer account, the preferences being received as settings from the consumer mobile phone and the offers being transmitted based on the settings. | 3,600 |
13,207 | 13,207 | 14,251,824 | 3,688 | The serving of advertisements with (e.g., on) video documents may be improved in a number of ways. For example, a system may (a) accept information defining at least one ad spot associated with at least one instance of an video document, (b) accept offers to have advertisements served in the ad spot(s), and (c) arbitrate among competing advertisements, using at least the offers, to determine at least one advertisement to be served in that ad spot(s). As another example, a system may (a) accept relevance information for an advertisement, (b) determine at least one video document using the accepted relevance information, (c) present information about the video document(s) to an advertiser associated with the advertisement, and (d) accept, from the advertiser, an offer to have its advertisement served with at least one of the video document(s) accepted. As yet another example, a system may (a) accept relevance information for an video document, (b) determine a plurality of advertisements relevant to the video document using the relevance information and serving constraints of the advertisements, and (c) select at least one of the determined relevant advertisements to be served with the video document. Examples of video documents include video files published on the Internet, television programs, live or recorded talk shows, video-voice mail, segments of an video conversation, etc. | 1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
providing, for display, by a computing system including at least one computer on a network, a video ad and an actionable object configured to skip the rendering of the video ad; determining, by the computing system, a time duration corresponding to an amount of time for which the video ad is provided for display before an action is taken on the actionable object; and responsive to determining that the time duration is less than a predetermined time duration, indicating that the video ad did not receive a valid impression. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein providing, for display, the video ad includes providing the video ad in an ad slot of a video document including video content. 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the video ad is transmitted, using the Internet protocol, to an end user device via one or more communications networks. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising delivering the video ad to an end user client device. 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising responsive to determining that the time duration is not less than a predetermined time duration, indicating that the video ad receives a valid impression. 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, further comprising incrementing a valid impression count responsive video ad receiving the valid impression. 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined time duration corresponds to a length of time between a time at which the video ad begins to stream and a time at which the action is taken on the actionable object. 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein providing, for display, the video ad includes providing the video ad in a video player including the actionable object configured to skip the rendering of the ad. 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, further comprises:
providing the video player for display, the video player configured to include a second actionable object configured to replay a previously streamed video ad; detecting an action taken on the second actionable object; providing, for display, the video ad; and responsive to determining the action taken on the second actionable object, indicating that the video ad did not receive a valid impression for providing the video ad for display. 10. A system, comprising:
a memory storing processor-executable instructions; a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to:
provide, for display, a video ad and an actionable object configured to skip the rendering of the video ad;
determine a time duration corresponding to an amount of time for which the video ad is provided for display before an action is taken on the actionable object; and
responsive to determining that the time duration is less than a predetermined time duration, indicate that the video ad did not receive a valid impression. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein to provide, for display, the video ad, the processor is further configured to provide the video ad in an ad slot of a video document including video content. 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the video ad is transmitted, using the Internet protocol, to an end user device via one or more communications networks. 13. The system of claim 10 wherein the processor is further configured to deliver the video ad to an end user client device. 14. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to indicate that the video ad receives a valid impression responsive to determining that the time duration is not less than a predetermined time duration. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to increment a valid impression count responsive video ad receiving the valid impression. 16. The system of claim 10, wherein the predetermined time duration corresponds to a length of time between a time at which the video ad begins to stream and a time at which the action is taken on the actionable object. 17. The system of claim 10, wherein to provide, for display, the video ad, the processor is further configured to provide the video ad in a video player including the actionable object configured to skip the rendering of the ad. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to:
provide the video player for display, the video player configured to include a second actionable object configured to replay a previously streamed video ad; detect an action taken on the second actionable object; provide, for display, the video ad; and responsive to determining the action taken on the second actionable object, indicate that the video ad did not receive a valid impression for providing the video ad for display. 19. A computer readable storage medium, having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, which when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:
provide, for display, a video ad and an actionable object configured to skip the rendering of the video ad; determine a time duration corresponding to an amount of time for which the video ad is provided for display before an action is taken on the actionable object; and responsive to determining that the time duration is less than a predetermined time duration, indicate that the video ad did not receive a valid impression. 20. The computer readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the computer is further configured to indicate that the video ad receives a valid impression responsive to determining that the time duration is not less than a predetermined time duration. | The serving of advertisements with (e.g., on) video documents may be improved in a number of ways. For example, a system may (a) accept information defining at least one ad spot associated with at least one instance of an video document, (b) accept offers to have advertisements served in the ad spot(s), and (c) arbitrate among competing advertisements, using at least the offers, to determine at least one advertisement to be served in that ad spot(s). As another example, a system may (a) accept relevance information for an advertisement, (b) determine at least one video document using the accepted relevance information, (c) present information about the video document(s) to an advertiser associated with the advertisement, and (d) accept, from the advertiser, an offer to have its advertisement served with at least one of the video document(s) accepted. As yet another example, a system may (a) accept relevance information for an video document, (b) determine a plurality of advertisements relevant to the video document using the relevance information and serving constraints of the advertisements, and (c) select at least one of the determined relevant advertisements to be served with the video document. Examples of video documents include video files published on the Internet, television programs, live or recorded talk shows, video-voice mail, segments of an video conversation, etc.1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
providing, for display, by a computing system including at least one computer on a network, a video ad and an actionable object configured to skip the rendering of the video ad; determining, by the computing system, a time duration corresponding to an amount of time for which the video ad is provided for display before an action is taken on the actionable object; and responsive to determining that the time duration is less than a predetermined time duration, indicating that the video ad did not receive a valid impression. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein providing, for display, the video ad includes providing the video ad in an ad slot of a video document including video content. 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the video ad is transmitted, using the Internet protocol, to an end user device via one or more communications networks. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising delivering the video ad to an end user client device. 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising responsive to determining that the time duration is not less than a predetermined time duration, indicating that the video ad receives a valid impression. 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, further comprising incrementing a valid impression count responsive video ad receiving the valid impression. 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined time duration corresponds to a length of time between a time at which the video ad begins to stream and a time at which the action is taken on the actionable object. 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein providing, for display, the video ad includes providing the video ad in a video player including the actionable object configured to skip the rendering of the ad. 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, further comprises:
providing the video player for display, the video player configured to include a second actionable object configured to replay a previously streamed video ad; detecting an action taken on the second actionable object; providing, for display, the video ad; and responsive to determining the action taken on the second actionable object, indicating that the video ad did not receive a valid impression for providing the video ad for display. 10. A system, comprising:
a memory storing processor-executable instructions; a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to:
provide, for display, a video ad and an actionable object configured to skip the rendering of the video ad;
determine a time duration corresponding to an amount of time for which the video ad is provided for display before an action is taken on the actionable object; and
responsive to determining that the time duration is less than a predetermined time duration, indicate that the video ad did not receive a valid impression. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein to provide, for display, the video ad, the processor is further configured to provide the video ad in an ad slot of a video document including video content. 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the video ad is transmitted, using the Internet protocol, to an end user device via one or more communications networks. 13. The system of claim 10 wherein the processor is further configured to deliver the video ad to an end user client device. 14. The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to indicate that the video ad receives a valid impression responsive to determining that the time duration is not less than a predetermined time duration. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to increment a valid impression count responsive video ad receiving the valid impression. 16. The system of claim 10, wherein the predetermined time duration corresponds to a length of time between a time at which the video ad begins to stream and a time at which the action is taken on the actionable object. 17. The system of claim 10, wherein to provide, for display, the video ad, the processor is further configured to provide the video ad in a video player including the actionable object configured to skip the rendering of the ad. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to:
provide the video player for display, the video player configured to include a second actionable object configured to replay a previously streamed video ad; detect an action taken on the second actionable object; provide, for display, the video ad; and responsive to determining the action taken on the second actionable object, indicate that the video ad did not receive a valid impression for providing the video ad for display. 19. A computer readable storage medium, having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, which when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:
provide, for display, a video ad and an actionable object configured to skip the rendering of the video ad; determine a time duration corresponding to an amount of time for which the video ad is provided for display before an action is taken on the actionable object; and responsive to determining that the time duration is less than a predetermined time duration, indicate that the video ad did not receive a valid impression. 20. The computer readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the computer is further configured to indicate that the video ad receives a valid impression responsive to determining that the time duration is not less than a predetermined time duration. | 3,600 |
13,208 | 13,208 | 14,248,225 | 3,624 | An improved approach is described for identifying frequently ordered items. This approach allows the counts for the months that are currently relevant to be summed quickly and ranked at runtime so the items with the highest frequency can be recommended. In addition, this approach provides very up-to-date data at very low levels of incremental expense. | 1. A computer implemented method implemented with a processor, comprising:
performing pre-calculations on historical sales data to generate item order frequency data, comprising:
retrieving historical sales data corresponding to an analysis time period;
identifying one or more items associated with the historical sales data;
specifying a plurality of time periods within the analysis time period;
calculating item order frequency data using the retrieved historical sales data, wherein the item order frequency data is associated with the plurality of time periods and the one or more items identified from the historical sales data; and
storing the calculated item order frequency data; and
in response to processing a sales order, updating the stored item order frequency data, wherein updating is performed in real time as the sales order is processed, and comprises:
identifying one or more items associated with the sales order;
determining a time period associated with the sales order;
updating the item order frequency data based at least in part upon the time period and the one or more items associated with the sales order; and
storing or displaying the updated item order frequency data. 2. The method of claim 1, in which the pre-calculated data regarding item order frequency is implemented by generating a set of buckets for the pre-calculated data corresponding to the plurality of time periods. 3. The method of claim 2, in which the set of buckets comprises separate buckets for each month of the analysis time period. 4. The method of claim 3, in which data for a season of time is determined by combining data for multiple months corresponding to a given season. 5. The method of claim 2, in which each of the set of buckets comprises a list of top n items that were ordered in a corresponding time period. 6. The method of claim 1, in which an item order frequency is determined for an individual entity, for a group of entities, or across the board for all entities. 7. The method of claim 1, in which calculating item order frequencies comprises:
receiving processing parameters; identifying a plurality of entities based at least in part upon the processing parameters; defining a plurality of buckets corresponding to the plurality of time periods, based at least in part upon the processing parameters; entering a processing loop for each entity and each bucket period, where the processing loop retrieves historical sales data associated with the entity for the bucket period, performs analysis of item order frequency for the bucket period, and inserts analysis data into a corresponding bucket. 8. The method of claim 7, in which the analysis of the item order frequency comprises identification of top n items ordered in the bucket period or a top percentage of ordered items. 9. The method of claim 1, in which statistically insignificant data is removed. 10. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor causes the processor to execute a method comprising:
performing pre-calculations on historical sales data to generate item order frequency data, comprising:
retrieving historical sales data corresponding to an analysis time period;
identifying one or more items associated with the historical sales data;
specifying a plurality of time periods within the analysis time period;
calculating item order frequency data using the retrieved historical sales data, wherein the item order frequency data is associated with the plurality of time periods and the one or more items identified from the historical sales data; and
storing the calculated item order frequency data; and
in response to processing a sales order, updating the stored item order frequency data, wherein updating is performed in real time as the sales order is processed, and comprises:
identifying one or more items associated with the sales order;
determining a time period associated with the sales order;
updating the item order frequency data based at least in part upon the time period and the one or more items associated with the sales order; and
storing or displaying the updated item order frequency data. 11. The computer readable medium 10, in which the pre-calculated data regarding item order frequency is implemented by generating a set of buckets for the pre-calculated data corresponding to the plurality of time periods. 12. The computer readable medium 11, in which the set of buckets comprises separate buckets for each month of the analysis time period. 13. The computer readable medium 12, in which data for a season of time is determined by combining data for multiple months corresponding to a given season. 14. The computer readable medium 11, in which each of the set of buckets comprises a list of top n items that were ordered in a corresponding time period. 15. The computer readable medium 10, in which an item order frequency is determined for an individual entity, for a group of entities, or across the board for all entities. 16. The computer readable medium 10, in which calculating item order frequencies comprises:
receiving processing parameters; identifying a plurality of entities based at least in part upon the processing parameters; defining a plurality of buckets corresponding to the plurality of time periods, based at least in part upon the processing parameters; entering a processing loop for each entity and each bucket period, where the processing loop retrieves historical sales data associated with the entity for the bucket period, performs analysis of item order frequency for the bucket period, and inserts analysis data into a corresponding bucket. 17. The computer readable medium 16, in which the analysis of the item order frequency comprises identification of top n items ordered in the bucket period or a top percentage of ordered items. 18. The computer readable medium 10, in which statistically insignificant data is removed. 19. A system, comprising:
a processor; a memory comprising computer code executed using the processor, in which the computer code implements:
performing pre-calculations on historical sales data to generate item order frequency data, comprising:
retrieving historical sales data corresponding to an analysis time period;
identifying one or more items associated with the historical sales data;
specifying a plurality of time periods within the analysis time period;
calculating item order frequency data using the retrieved historical sales data, wherein the item order frequency data is associated with the plurality of time periods and the one or more items identified from the historical sales data; and
storing the calculated item order frequency data; and
in response to processing a sales order, updating the stored item order frequency data, wherein updating is performed in real time as the sales order is processed, and comprises:
identifying one or more items associated with the sales order;
determining a time period associated with the sales order;
updating the item order frequency data based at least in part upon the time period and the one or more items associated with the sales order; and
storing or displaying the updated item order frequency data. 20. The system of claim 19, in which the pre-calculated data regarding item order frequency is implemented by generating a set of buckets for the pre-calculated data corresponding to the plurality of time periods. 21. The system of claim 20, in which the set of buckets comprises separate buckets for each month of the analysis time period. 22. The system of claim 21, in which data for a season of time is determined by combining data for multiple months corresponding to a given season. 23. The system of claim 20, in which each of the set of buckets comprises a list of top n items that were ordered in a corresponding time period. 24. The system of claim 19, in which an item order frequency is determined for an individual entity, for a group of entities, or across the board for all entities. 25. The system of claim 19, in which calculating item order frequencies comprises:
receiving processing parameters; identifying a plurality of entities based at least in part upon the processing parameters; defining a plurality of buckets corresponding to the plurality of time periods, based at least in part upon the processing parameters; entering a processing loop for each entity and each bucket period, where the processing loop retrieves historical sales data associated with the entity for the bucket period, performs analysis of item order frequency for the bucket period, and inserts analysis data into a corresponding bucket. 26. The system of claim 25, in which the analysis of the item order frequency comprises identification of top n items ordered in the bucket period or a top percentage of ordered items. 27. The system of claim 19, in which statistically insignificant data is removed. | An improved approach is described for identifying frequently ordered items. This approach allows the counts for the months that are currently relevant to be summed quickly and ranked at runtime so the items with the highest frequency can be recommended. In addition, this approach provides very up-to-date data at very low levels of incremental expense.1. A computer implemented method implemented with a processor, comprising:
performing pre-calculations on historical sales data to generate item order frequency data, comprising:
retrieving historical sales data corresponding to an analysis time period;
identifying one or more items associated with the historical sales data;
specifying a plurality of time periods within the analysis time period;
calculating item order frequency data using the retrieved historical sales data, wherein the item order frequency data is associated with the plurality of time periods and the one or more items identified from the historical sales data; and
storing the calculated item order frequency data; and
in response to processing a sales order, updating the stored item order frequency data, wherein updating is performed in real time as the sales order is processed, and comprises:
identifying one or more items associated with the sales order;
determining a time period associated with the sales order;
updating the item order frequency data based at least in part upon the time period and the one or more items associated with the sales order; and
storing or displaying the updated item order frequency data. 2. The method of claim 1, in which the pre-calculated data regarding item order frequency is implemented by generating a set of buckets for the pre-calculated data corresponding to the plurality of time periods. 3. The method of claim 2, in which the set of buckets comprises separate buckets for each month of the analysis time period. 4. The method of claim 3, in which data for a season of time is determined by combining data for multiple months corresponding to a given season. 5. The method of claim 2, in which each of the set of buckets comprises a list of top n items that were ordered in a corresponding time period. 6. The method of claim 1, in which an item order frequency is determined for an individual entity, for a group of entities, or across the board for all entities. 7. The method of claim 1, in which calculating item order frequencies comprises:
receiving processing parameters; identifying a plurality of entities based at least in part upon the processing parameters; defining a plurality of buckets corresponding to the plurality of time periods, based at least in part upon the processing parameters; entering a processing loop for each entity and each bucket period, where the processing loop retrieves historical sales data associated with the entity for the bucket period, performs analysis of item order frequency for the bucket period, and inserts analysis data into a corresponding bucket. 8. The method of claim 7, in which the analysis of the item order frequency comprises identification of top n items ordered in the bucket period or a top percentage of ordered items. 9. The method of claim 1, in which statistically insignificant data is removed. 10. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor causes the processor to execute a method comprising:
performing pre-calculations on historical sales data to generate item order frequency data, comprising:
retrieving historical sales data corresponding to an analysis time period;
identifying one or more items associated with the historical sales data;
specifying a plurality of time periods within the analysis time period;
calculating item order frequency data using the retrieved historical sales data, wherein the item order frequency data is associated with the plurality of time periods and the one or more items identified from the historical sales data; and
storing the calculated item order frequency data; and
in response to processing a sales order, updating the stored item order frequency data, wherein updating is performed in real time as the sales order is processed, and comprises:
identifying one or more items associated with the sales order;
determining a time period associated with the sales order;
updating the item order frequency data based at least in part upon the time period and the one or more items associated with the sales order; and
storing or displaying the updated item order frequency data. 11. The computer readable medium 10, in which the pre-calculated data regarding item order frequency is implemented by generating a set of buckets for the pre-calculated data corresponding to the plurality of time periods. 12. The computer readable medium 11, in which the set of buckets comprises separate buckets for each month of the analysis time period. 13. The computer readable medium 12, in which data for a season of time is determined by combining data for multiple months corresponding to a given season. 14. The computer readable medium 11, in which each of the set of buckets comprises a list of top n items that were ordered in a corresponding time period. 15. The computer readable medium 10, in which an item order frequency is determined for an individual entity, for a group of entities, or across the board for all entities. 16. The computer readable medium 10, in which calculating item order frequencies comprises:
receiving processing parameters; identifying a plurality of entities based at least in part upon the processing parameters; defining a plurality of buckets corresponding to the plurality of time periods, based at least in part upon the processing parameters; entering a processing loop for each entity and each bucket period, where the processing loop retrieves historical sales data associated with the entity for the bucket period, performs analysis of item order frequency for the bucket period, and inserts analysis data into a corresponding bucket. 17. The computer readable medium 16, in which the analysis of the item order frequency comprises identification of top n items ordered in the bucket period or a top percentage of ordered items. 18. The computer readable medium 10, in which statistically insignificant data is removed. 19. A system, comprising:
a processor; a memory comprising computer code executed using the processor, in which the computer code implements:
performing pre-calculations on historical sales data to generate item order frequency data, comprising:
retrieving historical sales data corresponding to an analysis time period;
identifying one or more items associated with the historical sales data;
specifying a plurality of time periods within the analysis time period;
calculating item order frequency data using the retrieved historical sales data, wherein the item order frequency data is associated with the plurality of time periods and the one or more items identified from the historical sales data; and
storing the calculated item order frequency data; and
in response to processing a sales order, updating the stored item order frequency data, wherein updating is performed in real time as the sales order is processed, and comprises:
identifying one or more items associated with the sales order;
determining a time period associated with the sales order;
updating the item order frequency data based at least in part upon the time period and the one or more items associated with the sales order; and
storing or displaying the updated item order frequency data. 20. The system of claim 19, in which the pre-calculated data regarding item order frequency is implemented by generating a set of buckets for the pre-calculated data corresponding to the plurality of time periods. 21. The system of claim 20, in which the set of buckets comprises separate buckets for each month of the analysis time period. 22. The system of claim 21, in which data for a season of time is determined by combining data for multiple months corresponding to a given season. 23. The system of claim 20, in which each of the set of buckets comprises a list of top n items that were ordered in a corresponding time period. 24. The system of claim 19, in which an item order frequency is determined for an individual entity, for a group of entities, or across the board for all entities. 25. The system of claim 19, in which calculating item order frequencies comprises:
receiving processing parameters; identifying a plurality of entities based at least in part upon the processing parameters; defining a plurality of buckets corresponding to the plurality of time periods, based at least in part upon the processing parameters; entering a processing loop for each entity and each bucket period, where the processing loop retrieves historical sales data associated with the entity for the bucket period, performs analysis of item order frequency for the bucket period, and inserts analysis data into a corresponding bucket. 26. The system of claim 25, in which the analysis of the item order frequency comprises identification of top n items ordered in the bucket period or a top percentage of ordered items. 27. The system of claim 19, in which statistically insignificant data is removed. | 3,600 |
13,209 | 13,209 | 14,228,739 | 3,626 | A system and method that permits a user to utilize a means of capturing and managing one or more voice files containing speech utterances (“Voice Utterances”) and/or the corresponding transcript (“Transcript”) containing protected health information (PHI) on a mobile device. | 1-13. (canceled) 14. A charge capture client device comprising:
a transceiver for communicating with a charge capture manager device via a connection to a network;
a controller coupled to the transceiver; and
a memory coupled to the controller, the memory including instructions to configure the controller to:
generate a new bill graphical display for facilitating user entry of a new patient data set, the new bill graphical display including:
an image graphical interface, wherein an image input interface is generated when the image graphical interface is selected for receiving an image including patient identification information so that the patient identification information can be extracted from the image;
a voice input graphical interface, wherein a voice input display subsequent in hierarchy to the new bill graphical display is generated when the voice input graphical interface is selected, the voice input display including:
a record control graphical interface for recording voice utterances including patient identification information when selected;
a transcript display portion for displaying a transcript of the voice utterances; and
a plurality of template graphical interfaces for categorizing information included in the voice utterances to extract the patient identification information;
a diagnosis selection graphical interface, wherein a diagnosis selection display is generated when the diagnosis selection graphical interface is selected, the diagnosis selection display subsequent in hierarchy to the new bill graphical display, the diagnosis selection display including:
an open text field for receiving diagnosis related information;
a results display for displaying a plurality of diagnosis codes returned as results based upon the diagnosis related information; and
a favorites display for returning a plurality of diagnosis codes selected more than a predetermined number of times in a predetermined previous time period or diagnosis codes previously designated as favorite diagnosis codes;
an evaluation and management (E/M) code selection graphical interface; and
a procedure code selection graphical interface, wherein a procedure code selection display is generated when the procedure code selection graphical interface is selected, the procedure code selection display subsequent in hierarchy to the new bill graphical display, the procedure code selection display including:
an open text field for receiving procedure code related information; and
a results display for displaying a plurality of procedure codes returned as results based upon the procedure code related information. 15. The charge capture client device of claim 14, wherein:
an E/M code selection display is generated when the E/M code selection graphical interface is selected, the E/M code selection display subsequent in hierarchy to the new bill graphical display, the E/M code selection display including a plurality of selectable Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes; the plurality of procedure codes of the procedure code selection display are CPT or Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED) codes; and the plurality of diagnosis codes are International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes. 16. The charge capture client device of claim 14, wherein:
the plurality of template graphical interfaces include a full bill graphical interface for recording the patient identification information, diagnosis code, and E/M code, and a charges template for recording charge information. 17. The charge capture client device of claim 14, further comprising:
a microphone device for capturing the voice utterances, wherein the controller is further configured to initiate the microphone device to capture the voice utterance when the record control graphical interface is selected, and to generate one or more voice files including the voice utterances and temporarily store the one or more voice files in the memory. 18. The charge capture client device of claim 14, wherein:
the open text field for receiving diagnosis related information receives transcribed voice utterance as the diagnosis related information; and the open text field for receiving procedure code related information receives transcribed voice utterance as the procedure code related information. 19. A charge capture client device comprising:
a transceiver for communicating with a charge capture manager device via a connection to a network; a controller coupled to the transceiver; and a memory coupled to the controller, the memory including instructions to configure the controller to:
generate a resource request including an authentication credential associated with a user to be sent to the charge capture manager device;
generate a data set including patient identification information extracted from voice data received from the user, wherein the voice data is one or more voice files or a transcript of audio from the one or more voice files;
store one or more diagnoses in the data set for the patient;
store one or more evaluation and management codes in the data set for the patient;
store information about a procedure performed on the patient and a procedure billing code associated with the procedure in the data set;
encrypt the data set and store the encrypted data set in the memory to be transmitted to the charge capture manager device; and
delete the encrypted data set from the memory after receiving an acknowledgment message indicating successful transmission from the charge capture manager device. 20. The charge capture client device of claim 19, wherein the storing of the one or more diagnoses further comprises:
receiving voice data including diagnosis related information and returning a plurality of diagnosis codes based upon the diagnosis related information; and receiving an indication of a selection of one or more of the plurality of diagnosis codes as the one or more diagnoses, wherein the plurality of diagnosis codes are International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes. 21. The charge capture client device of claim 19, wherein the storing of the one or more evaluation and management codes includes:
receiving voice data including evaluation and management related information and returning a plurality of evaluation and management codes based upon the evaluation and management related information; and receiving an indication of a selection of one or more of the evaluation and management codes as the one or more evaluation and management codes, wherein the evaluation and management codes are Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. 22. The charge capture client device of claim 19, wherein the storing of the procedure includes:
receiving voice data including procedure related information and returning a plurality of procedure billing codes based upon the procedure related information; and receiving an indication of a selection of one of the plurality of procedure billing codes as the procedure billing code, wherein the procedure billing code is a CPT or SNOMED code. 23. The charge capture client device of claim 19, wherein the controller is further configured to generate a bill history display based upon data received from the charge capture manager device in response to the resource request, wherein the bill history display includes one or more patient identifications for patients which bills have been created associated with the user, a medical record number and facility for each of the one or more patient identifications, date information regarding when a charge was submitted, and a current status of the charge. 24. The charge capture client device of claim 19, wherein the generating of the data set including patient identification information extracted from voice data received from the user further includes:
generating a template on a display associated with the client device, the template including a plurality of categories of patient identification information; transcribing the voice data in real time as it is received from a user input device associated with the client device; and assigning portions of the voice data to each of the plurality of categories. 25. The charge capture client device of claim 19, wherein the generating of the data set including patient identification information extracted from voice data received from the user further includes:
generating a template on a display associated with the client device, the template including a plurality of categories of patient identification information; encrypting the voice data and sending the encrypted voice data to the charge capture manager device; and receiving encrypted transcript data from the charge capture manager device, the encrypted transcript data including a transcript of the voice data; and assigning portions of the voice data to each of the plurality of categories. 26. A charge capture manager device comprising:
a transceiver configured to receive a resource request from a client device remote from the charge capture manager device, the resource request including authentication credentials associated with a user name; a controller operatively coupled to the transceiver; and one or more memory sources operatively coupled to the controller, the one or more memory sources including a charge database, billing code database and instructions for configuring the controller, wherein the instructions configure the controller to:
add a new bill data set in response to a request received from the client device to a bill history and set a status flag associated with the new bill data set to indicate new charge, the new bill data set including patient identification information, one or more diagnoses, one or more one or more evaluation and management codes, a procedure billing code, date information and user information in the data set;
generate an acknowledgment message indicating successful transmission of the new bill data set to be sent to the client device; and
delete a data set indicated in a request from the client device. 27. The charge capture manager device of claim 26, wherein the controller is further configured to:
generate a notification message to be sent to another remote client device indicating that the new bill data set has been stored; modify the status flag associated with the data set in response to a resource request received from the another remote client device including a request to change the status flag; and maintain an activity log of all access to a data set in the billing database. 28. The charge capture manager device of claim 26, wherein the controller is further configured to determine the bill history in the charge database that is associated with the user name to be sent to the client device during the secure communication session by the transceiver, the bill history including one or more data sets, each of the one or more data sets including a patient identification of a patient for which a bill has been created, a medical record number and facility, date information regarding when a charge was submitted, and a current status of the charge. 29. The charge capture manager device of claim 26, wherein the controller is further configured to extract patient identification information from an encrypted image and encrypted voice data received from the client device and encrypt and send the extracted patient identification information to the client device. 30. The charge capture manager device of claim 26, wherein the controller is further configured to generate a transcript from decrypted voice data received from the client device and send the transcript to the remote client device as encrypted data. 31. The charge capture manager device of claim 26, wherein the controller is further configured to generate a transcript from encrypted image data received from the client device and send the transcript to the client device as encrypted data. 32. The charge capture manager device of claim 26, wherein the controller is further configured to search for and obtain billing codes for each of the one or more diagnoses, the one or more one or more evaluation and management codes, and the procedure billing code in the billing code database based upon information included in the request from the client device, and return the obtained billing codes to the client device. | A system and method that permits a user to utilize a means of capturing and managing one or more voice files containing speech utterances (“Voice Utterances”) and/or the corresponding transcript (“Transcript”) containing protected health information (PHI) on a mobile device.1-13. (canceled) 14. A charge capture client device comprising:
a transceiver for communicating with a charge capture manager device via a connection to a network;
a controller coupled to the transceiver; and
a memory coupled to the controller, the memory including instructions to configure the controller to:
generate a new bill graphical display for facilitating user entry of a new patient data set, the new bill graphical display including:
an image graphical interface, wherein an image input interface is generated when the image graphical interface is selected for receiving an image including patient identification information so that the patient identification information can be extracted from the image;
a voice input graphical interface, wherein a voice input display subsequent in hierarchy to the new bill graphical display is generated when the voice input graphical interface is selected, the voice input display including:
a record control graphical interface for recording voice utterances including patient identification information when selected;
a transcript display portion for displaying a transcript of the voice utterances; and
a plurality of template graphical interfaces for categorizing information included in the voice utterances to extract the patient identification information;
a diagnosis selection graphical interface, wherein a diagnosis selection display is generated when the diagnosis selection graphical interface is selected, the diagnosis selection display subsequent in hierarchy to the new bill graphical display, the diagnosis selection display including:
an open text field for receiving diagnosis related information;
a results display for displaying a plurality of diagnosis codes returned as results based upon the diagnosis related information; and
a favorites display for returning a plurality of diagnosis codes selected more than a predetermined number of times in a predetermined previous time period or diagnosis codes previously designated as favorite diagnosis codes;
an evaluation and management (E/M) code selection graphical interface; and
a procedure code selection graphical interface, wherein a procedure code selection display is generated when the procedure code selection graphical interface is selected, the procedure code selection display subsequent in hierarchy to the new bill graphical display, the procedure code selection display including:
an open text field for receiving procedure code related information; and
a results display for displaying a plurality of procedure codes returned as results based upon the procedure code related information. 15. The charge capture client device of claim 14, wherein:
an E/M code selection display is generated when the E/M code selection graphical interface is selected, the E/M code selection display subsequent in hierarchy to the new bill graphical display, the E/M code selection display including a plurality of selectable Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes; the plurality of procedure codes of the procedure code selection display are CPT or Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED) codes; and the plurality of diagnosis codes are International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes. 16. The charge capture client device of claim 14, wherein:
the plurality of template graphical interfaces include a full bill graphical interface for recording the patient identification information, diagnosis code, and E/M code, and a charges template for recording charge information. 17. The charge capture client device of claim 14, further comprising:
a microphone device for capturing the voice utterances, wherein the controller is further configured to initiate the microphone device to capture the voice utterance when the record control graphical interface is selected, and to generate one or more voice files including the voice utterances and temporarily store the one or more voice files in the memory. 18. The charge capture client device of claim 14, wherein:
the open text field for receiving diagnosis related information receives transcribed voice utterance as the diagnosis related information; and the open text field for receiving procedure code related information receives transcribed voice utterance as the procedure code related information. 19. A charge capture client device comprising:
a transceiver for communicating with a charge capture manager device via a connection to a network; a controller coupled to the transceiver; and a memory coupled to the controller, the memory including instructions to configure the controller to:
generate a resource request including an authentication credential associated with a user to be sent to the charge capture manager device;
generate a data set including patient identification information extracted from voice data received from the user, wherein the voice data is one or more voice files or a transcript of audio from the one or more voice files;
store one or more diagnoses in the data set for the patient;
store one or more evaluation and management codes in the data set for the patient;
store information about a procedure performed on the patient and a procedure billing code associated with the procedure in the data set;
encrypt the data set and store the encrypted data set in the memory to be transmitted to the charge capture manager device; and
delete the encrypted data set from the memory after receiving an acknowledgment message indicating successful transmission from the charge capture manager device. 20. The charge capture client device of claim 19, wherein the storing of the one or more diagnoses further comprises:
receiving voice data including diagnosis related information and returning a plurality of diagnosis codes based upon the diagnosis related information; and receiving an indication of a selection of one or more of the plurality of diagnosis codes as the one or more diagnoses, wherein the plurality of diagnosis codes are International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes. 21. The charge capture client device of claim 19, wherein the storing of the one or more evaluation and management codes includes:
receiving voice data including evaluation and management related information and returning a plurality of evaluation and management codes based upon the evaluation and management related information; and receiving an indication of a selection of one or more of the evaluation and management codes as the one or more evaluation and management codes, wherein the evaluation and management codes are Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. 22. The charge capture client device of claim 19, wherein the storing of the procedure includes:
receiving voice data including procedure related information and returning a plurality of procedure billing codes based upon the procedure related information; and receiving an indication of a selection of one of the plurality of procedure billing codes as the procedure billing code, wherein the procedure billing code is a CPT or SNOMED code. 23. The charge capture client device of claim 19, wherein the controller is further configured to generate a bill history display based upon data received from the charge capture manager device in response to the resource request, wherein the bill history display includes one or more patient identifications for patients which bills have been created associated with the user, a medical record number and facility for each of the one or more patient identifications, date information regarding when a charge was submitted, and a current status of the charge. 24. The charge capture client device of claim 19, wherein the generating of the data set including patient identification information extracted from voice data received from the user further includes:
generating a template on a display associated with the client device, the template including a plurality of categories of patient identification information; transcribing the voice data in real time as it is received from a user input device associated with the client device; and assigning portions of the voice data to each of the plurality of categories. 25. The charge capture client device of claim 19, wherein the generating of the data set including patient identification information extracted from voice data received from the user further includes:
generating a template on a display associated with the client device, the template including a plurality of categories of patient identification information; encrypting the voice data and sending the encrypted voice data to the charge capture manager device; and receiving encrypted transcript data from the charge capture manager device, the encrypted transcript data including a transcript of the voice data; and assigning portions of the voice data to each of the plurality of categories. 26. A charge capture manager device comprising:
a transceiver configured to receive a resource request from a client device remote from the charge capture manager device, the resource request including authentication credentials associated with a user name; a controller operatively coupled to the transceiver; and one or more memory sources operatively coupled to the controller, the one or more memory sources including a charge database, billing code database and instructions for configuring the controller, wherein the instructions configure the controller to:
add a new bill data set in response to a request received from the client device to a bill history and set a status flag associated with the new bill data set to indicate new charge, the new bill data set including patient identification information, one or more diagnoses, one or more one or more evaluation and management codes, a procedure billing code, date information and user information in the data set;
generate an acknowledgment message indicating successful transmission of the new bill data set to be sent to the client device; and
delete a data set indicated in a request from the client device. 27. The charge capture manager device of claim 26, wherein the controller is further configured to:
generate a notification message to be sent to another remote client device indicating that the new bill data set has been stored; modify the status flag associated with the data set in response to a resource request received from the another remote client device including a request to change the status flag; and maintain an activity log of all access to a data set in the billing database. 28. The charge capture manager device of claim 26, wherein the controller is further configured to determine the bill history in the charge database that is associated with the user name to be sent to the client device during the secure communication session by the transceiver, the bill history including one or more data sets, each of the one or more data sets including a patient identification of a patient for which a bill has been created, a medical record number and facility, date information regarding when a charge was submitted, and a current status of the charge. 29. The charge capture manager device of claim 26, wherein the controller is further configured to extract patient identification information from an encrypted image and encrypted voice data received from the client device and encrypt and send the extracted patient identification information to the client device. 30. The charge capture manager device of claim 26, wherein the controller is further configured to generate a transcript from decrypted voice data received from the client device and send the transcript to the remote client device as encrypted data. 31. The charge capture manager device of claim 26, wherein the controller is further configured to generate a transcript from encrypted image data received from the client device and send the transcript to the client device as encrypted data. 32. The charge capture manager device of claim 26, wherein the controller is further configured to search for and obtain billing codes for each of the one or more diagnoses, the one or more one or more evaluation and management codes, and the procedure billing code in the billing code database based upon information included in the request from the client device, and return the obtained billing codes to the client device. | 3,600 |
13,210 | 13,210 | 14,632,346 | 3,625 | A computerized system for sale of products having non pre-catalogued parameters in a multi-lingual environment wherein a buyer and a seller communicate in different languages, the system including a non pre-catalogued parameter database, a listing engine operative to prompt in a first language a listing seller to enter multiple non pre-catalogued parameters relating to a product being listed and to store the non pre-catalogued parameters in the non pre-catalogued parameter database and a non pre-catalogued multiple language parameter description engine which is operative to provide human-readable descriptions of the non pre-catalogued parameters in at least one language other than the first language. | 1-31. (canceled) 32. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products having non pre-catalogued parameters, the system comprising:
a non pre-catalogued product database including:
a product parameter table including selectable parameters; and
a product parameter value table including selectable values corresponding to said parameters; and
at least one server computer connected to said non pre-catalogued product database, said at least one server computer including:
a non pre-catalogued product listing engine configured to prompt a user to select in a structured manner at least one of said parameters relating to a product to be listed and to select at least one of said values corresponding to said selected parameters and to store selected ones of said parameters and selected ones of said values corresponding to said selected parameters in said non pre-catalogued product database to create a listed product; and
a non pre-catalogued product description engine configured to provide for each said listed product, human-readable descriptions of said selected non pre-catalogued parameters and corresponding selected non pre-catalogued values, said human readable descriptions corresponding to selections of said non pre-catalogued parameters and values made by said user. 33. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 32 and wherein said at least one server also includes:
a question and/or answer parameter entry engine configured to prompt said user to enter multiple parameters relating to a product being listed; and
a question and/or answer generating engine which is operative to provide human-readable questions and/or answers based on said multiple parameters. 34. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 32 and wherein:
said listing engine is configured to prompt said user to select multiple parameters relating to said product to be listed; and
the system also comprises a graphical indicator indicating to the user in a visible manner the extent to which he has completed entry of the multiple parameters required for listing. 35. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 32 and wherein said value table is displayed together with said parameter table. 36. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 32 and wherein said at least one server computer also includes a non pre-cataloged product catalog data synthesizing engine employing outputs of said non pre-cataloged product listing engine and said non pre-catalogued product description engine, said non pre-cataloged product catalog data synthesizing engine supplying said catalog data to a catalog database. 37. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 33 and wherein:
said listing engine is configured to prompt said user to select multiple parameters relating to said product to be listed; and
the system also comprises a graphical indicator indicating to the user in a visible manner the extent to which he has completed entry of the multiple parameters required for listing. 38. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 33 and wherein said value table is displayed together with said parameter table. 39. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 33 and wherein said at least one server computer also includes a non pre-cataloged product catalog data synthesizing engine employing outputs of said non pre-cataloged product listing engine and said non pre-catalogued product description engine, said non pre-cataloged product catalog data synthesizing engine supplying said catalog data to a catalog database. 40. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 34 and wherein said value table is displayed together with said parameter table. 41. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 34 and wherein said at least one server computer also includes a non pre-cataloged product catalog data synthesizing engine employing outputs of said non pre-cataloged product listing engine and said non pre-catalogued product description engine, said non pre-cataloged product catalog data synthesizing engine supplying said catalog data to a catalog database. 42. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 35 and wherein said at least one server computer also includes a non pre-cataloged product catalog data synthesizing engine employing outputs of said non pre-cataloged product listing engine and said non pre-catalogued product description engine, said non pre-cataloged product catalog data synthesizing engine supplying said catalog data to a catalog database. 43. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 32 and wherein:
said non pre-catalogued product listing engine is configured to prompt said user to select said at least one of said parameters relating to a product being listed in a first language and to store said selected one of said parameters in said non pre-catalogued parameter database in said first language; and
said non pre-catalogued product description engine is configured to provide said human-readable descriptions of said selected non pre-catalogued parameters and said corresponding selected non pre-catalogued values in at least one language other than said first language. 44. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 33 and wherein:
said non pre-catalogued product listing engine is configured to prompt said user to select said at least one of said parameters relating to a product being listed in a first language and to store said selected one of said parameters in said non pre-catalogued parameter database in said first language; and
said non pre-catalogued product description engine is configured to provide said human-readable descriptions of said selected non pre-catalogued parameters and said corresponding selected non pre-catalogued values in at least one language other than said first language. 45. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 32 and wherein:
said non pre-catalogued product listing engine is configured to list said product to be listed on at least one e-commerce marketplace. 46. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 33 and wherein:
said non pre-catalogued product listing engine is configured to list said product to be listed on at least one e-commerce marketplace. 47. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 32 and wherein:
said non pre-catalogued product listing engine is configured to list said listed product on multiple marketplaces. 48. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 33 and wherein:
said non pre-catalogued product listing engine is configured to list said listed product on multiple marketplaces. 49. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 32 and wherein:
said non pre-catalogued product listing engine is configured to allow a user to create a new listed product by modifying an existing listed product. 50. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 33 and wherein:
said non pre-catalogued product listing engine is configured to allow a user to create a new listed product by modifying an existing listed product. 51. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products having non pre-catalogued parameters, the system comprising:
a non pre-catalogued product database including:
a product parameter table including selectable parameters; and
a product parameter value table including selectable values corresponding to said parameters; and
at least one server computer connected to said non pre-catalogued product database, said at least one server computer including:
a non pre-catalogued product listing engine configured to allow a user to create a new listed product by modifying an existing listed product, said existing listed product comprising values corresponding to at least some of said parameters relating to said existing listed product, said new listed product being created by at least one of:
modifying at least one value corresponding to at least one of said parameters;
deleting at least one of said parameters found in said existing listed product; and
adding at least one additional parameter, not found in said existing listed product, and at least one value corresponding to said at least one additional parameter,
said non pre-catalogued product listing engine being configured to store said values corresponding to said new listed product, including said at least one of said at least one modified value and said at least one additional parameter, in said non pre-catalogued product database to create said new listed product; and
a non pre-catalogued product description engine configured to provide for each said listed product, human-readable descriptions of said selected non pre-catalogued parameters and corresponding selected non pre-catalogued values, said human readable descriptions corresponding to selections of said non pre-catalogued parameters and values made by said user. 52. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 51 and wherein said at least one server also includes:
a question and/or answer parameter entry engine configured to prompt said user to enter multiple parameters relating to a product being listed; and
a question and/or answer generating engine which is operative to provide human-readable questions and/or answers based on said multiple parameters. 53. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 51 and wherein:
said listing engine is configured to prompt said user to select multiple parameters relating to said product to be listed; and
the system also comprises a graphical indicator indicating to the user in a visible manner the extent to which he has completed entry of the multiple parameters required for listing. 54. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 51 and wherein said value table is displayed together with said parameter table. 55. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 51 and wherein said at least one server computer also includes a non pre-cataloged product catalog data synthesizing engine employing outputs of said non pre-cataloged product listing engine and said non pre-catalogued product description engine, said non pre-cataloged product catalog data synthesizing engine supplying said catalog data to a catalog database. | A computerized system for sale of products having non pre-catalogued parameters in a multi-lingual environment wherein a buyer and a seller communicate in different languages, the system including a non pre-catalogued parameter database, a listing engine operative to prompt in a first language a listing seller to enter multiple non pre-catalogued parameters relating to a product being listed and to store the non pre-catalogued parameters in the non pre-catalogued parameter database and a non pre-catalogued multiple language parameter description engine which is operative to provide human-readable descriptions of the non pre-catalogued parameters in at least one language other than the first language.1-31. (canceled) 32. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products having non pre-catalogued parameters, the system comprising:
a non pre-catalogued product database including:
a product parameter table including selectable parameters; and
a product parameter value table including selectable values corresponding to said parameters; and
at least one server computer connected to said non pre-catalogued product database, said at least one server computer including:
a non pre-catalogued product listing engine configured to prompt a user to select in a structured manner at least one of said parameters relating to a product to be listed and to select at least one of said values corresponding to said selected parameters and to store selected ones of said parameters and selected ones of said values corresponding to said selected parameters in said non pre-catalogued product database to create a listed product; and
a non pre-catalogued product description engine configured to provide for each said listed product, human-readable descriptions of said selected non pre-catalogued parameters and corresponding selected non pre-catalogued values, said human readable descriptions corresponding to selections of said non pre-catalogued parameters and values made by said user. 33. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 32 and wherein said at least one server also includes:
a question and/or answer parameter entry engine configured to prompt said user to enter multiple parameters relating to a product being listed; and
a question and/or answer generating engine which is operative to provide human-readable questions and/or answers based on said multiple parameters. 34. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 32 and wherein:
said listing engine is configured to prompt said user to select multiple parameters relating to said product to be listed; and
the system also comprises a graphical indicator indicating to the user in a visible manner the extent to which he has completed entry of the multiple parameters required for listing. 35. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 32 and wherein said value table is displayed together with said parameter table. 36. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 32 and wherein said at least one server computer also includes a non pre-cataloged product catalog data synthesizing engine employing outputs of said non pre-cataloged product listing engine and said non pre-catalogued product description engine, said non pre-cataloged product catalog data synthesizing engine supplying said catalog data to a catalog database. 37. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 33 and wherein:
said listing engine is configured to prompt said user to select multiple parameters relating to said product to be listed; and
the system also comprises a graphical indicator indicating to the user in a visible manner the extent to which he has completed entry of the multiple parameters required for listing. 38. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 33 and wherein said value table is displayed together with said parameter table. 39. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 33 and wherein said at least one server computer also includes a non pre-cataloged product catalog data synthesizing engine employing outputs of said non pre-cataloged product listing engine and said non pre-catalogued product description engine, said non pre-cataloged product catalog data synthesizing engine supplying said catalog data to a catalog database. 40. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 34 and wherein said value table is displayed together with said parameter table. 41. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 34 and wherein said at least one server computer also includes a non pre-cataloged product catalog data synthesizing engine employing outputs of said non pre-cataloged product listing engine and said non pre-catalogued product description engine, said non pre-cataloged product catalog data synthesizing engine supplying said catalog data to a catalog database. 42. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 35 and wherein said at least one server computer also includes a non pre-cataloged product catalog data synthesizing engine employing outputs of said non pre-cataloged product listing engine and said non pre-catalogued product description engine, said non pre-cataloged product catalog data synthesizing engine supplying said catalog data to a catalog database. 43. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 32 and wherein:
said non pre-catalogued product listing engine is configured to prompt said user to select said at least one of said parameters relating to a product being listed in a first language and to store said selected one of said parameters in said non pre-catalogued parameter database in said first language; and
said non pre-catalogued product description engine is configured to provide said human-readable descriptions of said selected non pre-catalogued parameters and said corresponding selected non pre-catalogued values in at least one language other than said first language. 44. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 33 and wherein:
said non pre-catalogued product listing engine is configured to prompt said user to select said at least one of said parameters relating to a product being listed in a first language and to store said selected one of said parameters in said non pre-catalogued parameter database in said first language; and
said non pre-catalogued product description engine is configured to provide said human-readable descriptions of said selected non pre-catalogued parameters and said corresponding selected non pre-catalogued values in at least one language other than said first language. 45. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 32 and wherein:
said non pre-catalogued product listing engine is configured to list said product to be listed on at least one e-commerce marketplace. 46. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 33 and wherein:
said non pre-catalogued product listing engine is configured to list said product to be listed on at least one e-commerce marketplace. 47. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 32 and wherein:
said non pre-catalogued product listing engine is configured to list said listed product on multiple marketplaces. 48. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 33 and wherein:
said non pre-catalogued product listing engine is configured to list said listed product on multiple marketplaces. 49. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 32 and wherein:
said non pre-catalogued product listing engine is configured to allow a user to create a new listed product by modifying an existing listed product. 50. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 33 and wherein:
said non pre-catalogued product listing engine is configured to allow a user to create a new listed product by modifying an existing listed product. 51. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products having non pre-catalogued parameters, the system comprising:
a non pre-catalogued product database including:
a product parameter table including selectable parameters; and
a product parameter value table including selectable values corresponding to said parameters; and
at least one server computer connected to said non pre-catalogued product database, said at least one server computer including:
a non pre-catalogued product listing engine configured to allow a user to create a new listed product by modifying an existing listed product, said existing listed product comprising values corresponding to at least some of said parameters relating to said existing listed product, said new listed product being created by at least one of:
modifying at least one value corresponding to at least one of said parameters;
deleting at least one of said parameters found in said existing listed product; and
adding at least one additional parameter, not found in said existing listed product, and at least one value corresponding to said at least one additional parameter,
said non pre-catalogued product listing engine being configured to store said values corresponding to said new listed product, including said at least one of said at least one modified value and said at least one additional parameter, in said non pre-catalogued product database to create said new listed product; and
a non pre-catalogued product description engine configured to provide for each said listed product, human-readable descriptions of said selected non pre-catalogued parameters and corresponding selected non pre-catalogued values, said human readable descriptions corresponding to selections of said non pre-catalogued parameters and values made by said user. 52. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 51 and wherein said at least one server also includes:
a question and/or answer parameter entry engine configured to prompt said user to enter multiple parameters relating to a product being listed; and
a question and/or answer generating engine which is operative to provide human-readable questions and/or answers based on said multiple parameters. 53. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 51 and wherein:
said listing engine is configured to prompt said user to select multiple parameters relating to said product to be listed; and
the system also comprises a graphical indicator indicating to the user in a visible manner the extent to which he has completed entry of the multiple parameters required for listing. 54. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 51 and wherein said value table is displayed together with said parameter table. 55. A computerized system for building an automated catalog of non pre-catalogued products according to claim 51 and wherein said at least one server computer also includes a non pre-cataloged product catalog data synthesizing engine employing outputs of said non pre-cataloged product listing engine and said non pre-catalogued product description engine, said non pre-cataloged product catalog data synthesizing engine supplying said catalog data to a catalog database. | 3,600 |
13,211 | 13,211 | 13,277,449 | 3,666 | A robot system that includes a robot and a remote station. The remote station may be a personal computer coupled to the robot through a broadband network. A user at the remote station may receive both video and audio from a camera and a microphone of the robot, respectively. The remote station may include a visual display that displays both a first screen field and a second screen field. The first screen field may display a video image provided by a robot camera. The second screen field may display information such as patient records. The information from the second screen field may be moved to the first screen field and also transmitted to the robot for display by a robot monitor. The user at the remote station may annotate the information displayed by the robot monitor to provide a more active video-conferencing experience. | 1. A robot system, comprising:
a robot that has a monitor and a camera that captures a video image; and, a remote station that is coupled to said robot, said remote station includes a visual display that displays said video image, a user interface element and a non-robot information, said remote station allows a highlighted portion of said non-robot information to be created by a user of said remote station while viewing said video image, and transmitted to said mobile robot, wherein said highlighted portion of non-robot information is displayed by said robot monitor in response to a selection of said user interface element. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said remote station visual display includes a robot view field. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein non-robot information includes an application program. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein said application program displays said non-robot information. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein said remote station includes a user interface with a button that can be selected to cause transmission of said highlighted portion of non-robot information to said robot. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein a user can annotate said non-robot information displayed by said robot monitor. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein said non-robot information is a medical image. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein said non-robot information is a document. 9. The system of claim 4, further comprising a server that is coupled to said remote station and which provides said non-robot information. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the captured video image is transmitted to said server. 11. A robot system, comprising:
a robot that has a monitor and a camera that captures a video image; and, a remote station that is coupled to said robot, said remote station includes visual display means for displaying said video image, a user interface element, and a non-robot information, said remote station allows a highlighted portion of said non-robot information to be created by user of said remote station while viewing said video image, and transmitted to said mobile robot, wherein said highlighted portion of non-robot information is displayed by said robot monitor in response to a selection of said user interface element. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said non-robot information includes an application program. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein said application program displays said non-robot information. 14. The system of claim 11, wherein said remote station includes a user interface with a button that can be selected to cause transmission of said highlighted portion of non-robot information to said robot. 15. The system of claim 11, wherein a user can annotate said non-robot information displayed by said robot monitor. 16. The system of claim 11, wherein said non-robot information is a medical image. 17. The system of claim 11, wherein said non-robot information is a document. 18. The system of claim 13, further comprising a server that is coupled to said remote station and which provides said non-robot information. 19. The system of claim 18 wherein the captured image is transmitted to said server. 20. A method for operating a robot system, comprising:
moving a robot that has a monitor and a camera with commands from a remote station; capturing a video image with the camera; transmitting the video image to a remote station; displaying on a monitor of the remote station the video image and a non-robot information; highlighting a portion of the non-robot information with input from a user of the remote station; selecting a user interface element that is displayed by the remote station; transmitting the highlighted portion of the non-robot information to the robot; and, displaying the highlighted portion of the non-robot information on the robot monitor. 22. The method of claim 20, wherein the non-robot information includes an application program. 23. The method of claim 19, wherein the application program displays the non-robot information. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the non-robot information is a medical image. 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the non-robot information is a document. 26. The method of claim 23, the non-robot information is transmitted from a server. 27. The method of claim 20, further comprising transmitting the video image to a server. | A robot system that includes a robot and a remote station. The remote station may be a personal computer coupled to the robot through a broadband network. A user at the remote station may receive both video and audio from a camera and a microphone of the robot, respectively. The remote station may include a visual display that displays both a first screen field and a second screen field. The first screen field may display a video image provided by a robot camera. The second screen field may display information such as patient records. The information from the second screen field may be moved to the first screen field and also transmitted to the robot for display by a robot monitor. The user at the remote station may annotate the information displayed by the robot monitor to provide a more active video-conferencing experience.1. A robot system, comprising:
a robot that has a monitor and a camera that captures a video image; and, a remote station that is coupled to said robot, said remote station includes a visual display that displays said video image, a user interface element and a non-robot information, said remote station allows a highlighted portion of said non-robot information to be created by a user of said remote station while viewing said video image, and transmitted to said mobile robot, wherein said highlighted portion of non-robot information is displayed by said robot monitor in response to a selection of said user interface element. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said remote station visual display includes a robot view field. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein non-robot information includes an application program. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein said application program displays said non-robot information. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein said remote station includes a user interface with a button that can be selected to cause transmission of said highlighted portion of non-robot information to said robot. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein a user can annotate said non-robot information displayed by said robot monitor. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein said non-robot information is a medical image. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein said non-robot information is a document. 9. The system of claim 4, further comprising a server that is coupled to said remote station and which provides said non-robot information. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the captured video image is transmitted to said server. 11. A robot system, comprising:
a robot that has a monitor and a camera that captures a video image; and, a remote station that is coupled to said robot, said remote station includes visual display means for displaying said video image, a user interface element, and a non-robot information, said remote station allows a highlighted portion of said non-robot information to be created by user of said remote station while viewing said video image, and transmitted to said mobile robot, wherein said highlighted portion of non-robot information is displayed by said robot monitor in response to a selection of said user interface element. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said non-robot information includes an application program. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein said application program displays said non-robot information. 14. The system of claim 11, wherein said remote station includes a user interface with a button that can be selected to cause transmission of said highlighted portion of non-robot information to said robot. 15. The system of claim 11, wherein a user can annotate said non-robot information displayed by said robot monitor. 16. The system of claim 11, wherein said non-robot information is a medical image. 17. The system of claim 11, wherein said non-robot information is a document. 18. The system of claim 13, further comprising a server that is coupled to said remote station and which provides said non-robot information. 19. The system of claim 18 wherein the captured image is transmitted to said server. 20. A method for operating a robot system, comprising:
moving a robot that has a monitor and a camera with commands from a remote station; capturing a video image with the camera; transmitting the video image to a remote station; displaying on a monitor of the remote station the video image and a non-robot information; highlighting a portion of the non-robot information with input from a user of the remote station; selecting a user interface element that is displayed by the remote station; transmitting the highlighted portion of the non-robot information to the robot; and, displaying the highlighted portion of the non-robot information on the robot monitor. 22. The method of claim 20, wherein the non-robot information includes an application program. 23. The method of claim 19, wherein the application program displays the non-robot information. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the non-robot information is a medical image. 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the non-robot information is a document. 26. The method of claim 23, the non-robot information is transmitted from a server. 27. The method of claim 20, further comprising transmitting the video image to a server. | 3,600 |
13,212 | 13,212 | 14,120,283 | 3,625 | Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for processing telecommunication orders taking advantage of the infrastructure and capabilities of a plurality of different providers. In one implementation, one or more databases store provider data received from a plurality of provider members. The provider data is aggregated based on at least one of a plurality of attributes associated with one or more telecommunication packages. The plurality of attributes include infrastructure information, location information, and pricing information. At least one server is in communication with the one or more databases. The at least one server is configured to generate a design for a customer order based on the aggregated provider data. The design uses at least one of the plurality of provider members to provide a customer telecommunication package at one or more customer sites. The customer telecommunication package is selected from the one or more telecommunication packages. | 1. A method for ingesting telecommunications orders comprising:
receiving, using at least one processor, provider data from a plurality of provider members, the provider data including a plurality of attributes associated with one or more telecommunication packages, the plurality of attributes including infrastructure information, location information, and pricing information; aggregating the provider data by at least one of the plurality of attributes using the at least one processor; and storing the aggregated provider data in one or more databases. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of provider members includes at least one telecommunication provider and at least one multiple systems operator. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the telecommunications packages include one or more telecommunication services. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the telecommunication services include at least one of: dedicated Internet access, an Internet Protocol virtual private network, voice services, or cable television. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the provider data is automatically received from one or more provider databases. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the location information includes one or more geographical locations where at least one of the telecommunication packages is offered. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the pricing information includes at least one of an installation price for at least one of the telecommunication packages or a price for providing at least one of the telecommunication packages. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the infrastructure information includes data corresponding to a configuration of an infrastructure providing at least one of the telecommunication packages. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
generating a consolidated quote for a customer telecommunications package based on the aggregated provider data. 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:
receiving a selection of a telecommunication package made from a pool of available packages; receiving an identification of one or more customer sites; generating a design for a customer order based on aggregated provider data, the design using a plurality of provider members to provide the selected telecommunication package at the one or more customer sites; and generating a consolidated quote for the design based on the aggregated provider data. 11. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, further comprising:
outputting the design for display on a graphical user interface. 12. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the plurality of provider members includes at least one telecommunication provider and at least one multiple systems operator. 13. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the selected telecommunications package includes one or more telecommunication services. 14. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the pool of available packages is automatically populated based on the aggregated provider data. 15. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the customer sites are identified by at least one of: manual entry of a location of each of the one or more customer sites; transferring a location of each of the one or more customer sites using a file transfer protocol; or uploading a location of each of the one or more customer sites into a database. 16. A system for processing telecommunication orders comprising:
one or more databases storing provider data received from a plurality of provider members, the provider data aggregated based on at least one of a plurality of attributes associated with one or more telecommunication packages, the plurality of attributes including infrastructure information, location information, and pricing information; and at least one server in communication with the one or more databases, the at least one server configured to generate a design for a customer order based on the aggregated provider data, the design using at least one of the plurality of provider members to provide a customer telecommunication package at one or more customer sites, the customer telecommunication package selected from the one or more telecommunication packages. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least one server is further configured to generate a consolidated quote for the design based on the aggregated provider data. 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of provider members includes at least one telecommunication provider and at least one multiple systems operator. 19. The system of claim 16, wherein the one or more telecommunication packages include one or more telecommunication services. 20. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least one server is further configured to output the design for display on a graphical user interface. | Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for processing telecommunication orders taking advantage of the infrastructure and capabilities of a plurality of different providers. In one implementation, one or more databases store provider data received from a plurality of provider members. The provider data is aggregated based on at least one of a plurality of attributes associated with one or more telecommunication packages. The plurality of attributes include infrastructure information, location information, and pricing information. At least one server is in communication with the one or more databases. The at least one server is configured to generate a design for a customer order based on the aggregated provider data. The design uses at least one of the plurality of provider members to provide a customer telecommunication package at one or more customer sites. The customer telecommunication package is selected from the one or more telecommunication packages.1. A method for ingesting telecommunications orders comprising:
receiving, using at least one processor, provider data from a plurality of provider members, the provider data including a plurality of attributes associated with one or more telecommunication packages, the plurality of attributes including infrastructure information, location information, and pricing information; aggregating the provider data by at least one of the plurality of attributes using the at least one processor; and storing the aggregated provider data in one or more databases. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of provider members includes at least one telecommunication provider and at least one multiple systems operator. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the telecommunications packages include one or more telecommunication services. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the telecommunication services include at least one of: dedicated Internet access, an Internet Protocol virtual private network, voice services, or cable television. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the provider data is automatically received from one or more provider databases. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the location information includes one or more geographical locations where at least one of the telecommunication packages is offered. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the pricing information includes at least one of an installation price for at least one of the telecommunication packages or a price for providing at least one of the telecommunication packages. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the infrastructure information includes data corresponding to a configuration of an infrastructure providing at least one of the telecommunication packages. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
generating a consolidated quote for a customer telecommunications package based on the aggregated provider data. 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:
receiving a selection of a telecommunication package made from a pool of available packages; receiving an identification of one or more customer sites; generating a design for a customer order based on aggregated provider data, the design using a plurality of provider members to provide the selected telecommunication package at the one or more customer sites; and generating a consolidated quote for the design based on the aggregated provider data. 11. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, further comprising:
outputting the design for display on a graphical user interface. 12. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the plurality of provider members includes at least one telecommunication provider and at least one multiple systems operator. 13. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the selected telecommunications package includes one or more telecommunication services. 14. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the pool of available packages is automatically populated based on the aggregated provider data. 15. The one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the customer sites are identified by at least one of: manual entry of a location of each of the one or more customer sites; transferring a location of each of the one or more customer sites using a file transfer protocol; or uploading a location of each of the one or more customer sites into a database. 16. A system for processing telecommunication orders comprising:
one or more databases storing provider data received from a plurality of provider members, the provider data aggregated based on at least one of a plurality of attributes associated with one or more telecommunication packages, the plurality of attributes including infrastructure information, location information, and pricing information; and at least one server in communication with the one or more databases, the at least one server configured to generate a design for a customer order based on the aggregated provider data, the design using at least one of the plurality of provider members to provide a customer telecommunication package at one or more customer sites, the customer telecommunication package selected from the one or more telecommunication packages. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least one server is further configured to generate a consolidated quote for the design based on the aggregated provider data. 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of provider members includes at least one telecommunication provider and at least one multiple systems operator. 19. The system of claim 16, wherein the one or more telecommunication packages include one or more telecommunication services. 20. The system of claim 16, wherein the at least one server is further configured to output the design for display on a graphical user interface. | 3,600 |
13,213 | 13,213 | 14,609,615 | 3,682 | Businesses have long appreciated the advantages of anticipating potential customers' needs. Directing marketing activities towards non-customers, persons not having such a need, wastes resources of the business and may damage a business' reputation. By providing a location-based analysis of a user's activities, such as by an opt-in application for a mobile device carried by the user, subject matter relevant and timely information on goods and/or services of the business may be provided to the user. | 1. A system, comprising:
a server comprising at least one processor; a communication interface logically connecting the server to a network; and wherein the server is configured to perform:
receiving a first and second location datum of a portable device associated with a user, the first and second location datum having at least dissimilar times;
determining a context from the first location datum;
determining a relationship between the second location datum and the context; and
assigning the user to a marketing activity selected in accord with the relationship. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the user device further comprises an application operable to receive the first and second location datum from the location sensing module and provide the location datum to the server. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the application is specific to the context. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the marketing activity is presented to a user via the user device. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second location datum comprises at least one of a proximate activity, proximate event, proximate type of structure, proximate type of business, proximate specific business, time, date, direction of travel, speed, starting point of travel, ending point of travel, and stops made between a starting point of travel and an ending point of travel. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the server is further configured to perform:
receiving a third location datum, being different from the second location datum, from the portable device; determining a correlation between the context and the third location datum and based on the level of correlation classifying the third location datum within one of the direct tier, the predictive tier, and the generic tier; analyzing, the third location datum when classified as the predictive tier to determine a marketability correlation for the commerce function; and analyzing, the location data classified as the predictive tier to determine the marketability correlation for the commerce function. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the server is further configured to perform:
analyzing a third location datum when classified as the indicative tier to determine a modified marketability correlation for the commerce function; and upon determining the modified marketability correlation is above a previously defined threshold, assigning the user to a modified marketing activity for the commerce function. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the server is further configured to perform:
providing a pre-selected location datum, selected from location data previously classified as the predictive tier, to the user device; and analyzing the second location datum to determine whether the location datum substantially matches the pre-selected location datum. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the user device performs the step of analyzing the location datum. 10. A method, comprising:
accessing a context comprising a commerce function; receiving a first and second location datum of a portable device associated with a user, the first and second location datum having at least dissimilar times; determining a context from a first location datum; determining a correlation between the context and the second location datum and, based on the level of correlation, classifying the second location datum within one of a direct tier, a predictive tier, and a generic tier; analyzing, the second location datum classified as the predictive tier to determine a marketability correlation for the commerce function; and upon determining the marketability correlation is above a previously defined threshold, assigning the user with a marketing activity for the commerce function. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
receiving a contact from the user to a contact center regarding a purpose; responding to the user to address the purpose; and presenting a marketing purpose selected in accord with the marketing activity to the user. 12. The method of claim 10, further comprising, presenting content on the portable display in accord with the marketing activity. 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
receiving a third location datum, being different from the second location datum, from the portable device; determining a correlation between the context and the third location datum and based on the level of correlation classifying the third location datum within one of the direct tier, the predictive tier, and the generic tier; and analyzing, the third location datum classified as the predictive tier to determine a marketability correlation for the commerce function; and analyzing, the location data classified as the predictive tier to determine the marketability correlation for the commerce function. 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
analyzing the third datum classified as the indicative tier to determine a modified marketability correlation for the commerce function; and upon determining the modified marketability correlation is above a previously defined threshold, assigning the user with a modified marketing activity for the commerce function. 15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
providing a pre-selected location datum, selected from location data previously classified as the predictive tier, to the user device; and analyzing the second location datum comprising determining whether the location datum substantially matches the pre-selected location datum. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the user device performs the step of analyzing the second location datum. 17. A non-transitory computer readable medium with instructions thereon that when read by a computer cause the computer to perform:
accessing a context comprising a commerce function; receiving a first and second location datum of a portable device associated with a user; determining a context from the first location datum; determining a correlation between the context and the second location datum and, based on the level of correlation, classifying the second location datum within one of a direct tier, a predictive tier, and a generic tier; analyzing, the second location datum classified as the predictive tier to determine a marketability correlation for the commerce function; and upon determining the marketability correlation is above a previously defined threshold, assigning the user to a marketing activity for the commerce function. 18. The non-transitory medium of claim 17, further comprising, instructions to presenting content on the portable display in accord with the marketing activity. 19. The non-transitory medium of claim 17, further comprising instructions to perform:
receiving a third location data, different from the second location datum, from the portable device associated with the user; determining a correlation between the context and the third location datum and, based on the level of correlation, classifying the third location datum within one of the direct tier, the predictive tier, and the generic tier; and analyzing, the third location datum classified as the predictive tier to determine a marketability correlation for the commerce function; and analyzing, the third location datum classified as with the predictive tier to determine the marketability correlation for the commerce function. 20. The non-transitory medium of claim 17, further comprising instructions to perform:
providing a pre-selected location datum, selected from location data previously classified as the predictive tier, to the user device; and analyzing, by the user device, the second location datum comprising determining whether the second location datum substantially matches the pre-selected location datum; in response to the step of analyzing determining the second location datum substantially matches the pre-selected location datum, causing the user device to present the marketing activity. | Businesses have long appreciated the advantages of anticipating potential customers' needs. Directing marketing activities towards non-customers, persons not having such a need, wastes resources of the business and may damage a business' reputation. By providing a location-based analysis of a user's activities, such as by an opt-in application for a mobile device carried by the user, subject matter relevant and timely information on goods and/or services of the business may be provided to the user.1. A system, comprising:
a server comprising at least one processor; a communication interface logically connecting the server to a network; and wherein the server is configured to perform:
receiving a first and second location datum of a portable device associated with a user, the first and second location datum having at least dissimilar times;
determining a context from the first location datum;
determining a relationship between the second location datum and the context; and
assigning the user to a marketing activity selected in accord with the relationship. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the user device further comprises an application operable to receive the first and second location datum from the location sensing module and provide the location datum to the server. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the application is specific to the context. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the marketing activity is presented to a user via the user device. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second location datum comprises at least one of a proximate activity, proximate event, proximate type of structure, proximate type of business, proximate specific business, time, date, direction of travel, speed, starting point of travel, ending point of travel, and stops made between a starting point of travel and an ending point of travel. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the server is further configured to perform:
receiving a third location datum, being different from the second location datum, from the portable device; determining a correlation between the context and the third location datum and based on the level of correlation classifying the third location datum within one of the direct tier, the predictive tier, and the generic tier; analyzing, the third location datum when classified as the predictive tier to determine a marketability correlation for the commerce function; and analyzing, the location data classified as the predictive tier to determine the marketability correlation for the commerce function. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the server is further configured to perform:
analyzing a third location datum when classified as the indicative tier to determine a modified marketability correlation for the commerce function; and upon determining the modified marketability correlation is above a previously defined threshold, assigning the user to a modified marketing activity for the commerce function. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the server is further configured to perform:
providing a pre-selected location datum, selected from location data previously classified as the predictive tier, to the user device; and analyzing the second location datum to determine whether the location datum substantially matches the pre-selected location datum. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the user device performs the step of analyzing the location datum. 10. A method, comprising:
accessing a context comprising a commerce function; receiving a first and second location datum of a portable device associated with a user, the first and second location datum having at least dissimilar times; determining a context from a first location datum; determining a correlation between the context and the second location datum and, based on the level of correlation, classifying the second location datum within one of a direct tier, a predictive tier, and a generic tier; analyzing, the second location datum classified as the predictive tier to determine a marketability correlation for the commerce function; and upon determining the marketability correlation is above a previously defined threshold, assigning the user with a marketing activity for the commerce function. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
receiving a contact from the user to a contact center regarding a purpose; responding to the user to address the purpose; and presenting a marketing purpose selected in accord with the marketing activity to the user. 12. The method of claim 10, further comprising, presenting content on the portable display in accord with the marketing activity. 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
receiving a third location datum, being different from the second location datum, from the portable device; determining a correlation between the context and the third location datum and based on the level of correlation classifying the third location datum within one of the direct tier, the predictive tier, and the generic tier; and analyzing, the third location datum classified as the predictive tier to determine a marketability correlation for the commerce function; and analyzing, the location data classified as the predictive tier to determine the marketability correlation for the commerce function. 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
analyzing the third datum classified as the indicative tier to determine a modified marketability correlation for the commerce function; and upon determining the modified marketability correlation is above a previously defined threshold, assigning the user with a modified marketing activity for the commerce function. 15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
providing a pre-selected location datum, selected from location data previously classified as the predictive tier, to the user device; and analyzing the second location datum comprising determining whether the location datum substantially matches the pre-selected location datum. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the user device performs the step of analyzing the second location datum. 17. A non-transitory computer readable medium with instructions thereon that when read by a computer cause the computer to perform:
accessing a context comprising a commerce function; receiving a first and second location datum of a portable device associated with a user; determining a context from the first location datum; determining a correlation between the context and the second location datum and, based on the level of correlation, classifying the second location datum within one of a direct tier, a predictive tier, and a generic tier; analyzing, the second location datum classified as the predictive tier to determine a marketability correlation for the commerce function; and upon determining the marketability correlation is above a previously defined threshold, assigning the user to a marketing activity for the commerce function. 18. The non-transitory medium of claim 17, further comprising, instructions to presenting content on the portable display in accord with the marketing activity. 19. The non-transitory medium of claim 17, further comprising instructions to perform:
receiving a third location data, different from the second location datum, from the portable device associated with the user; determining a correlation between the context and the third location datum and, based on the level of correlation, classifying the third location datum within one of the direct tier, the predictive tier, and the generic tier; and analyzing, the third location datum classified as the predictive tier to determine a marketability correlation for the commerce function; and analyzing, the third location datum classified as with the predictive tier to determine the marketability correlation for the commerce function. 20. The non-transitory medium of claim 17, further comprising instructions to perform:
providing a pre-selected location datum, selected from location data previously classified as the predictive tier, to the user device; and analyzing, by the user device, the second location datum comprising determining whether the second location datum substantially matches the pre-selected location datum; in response to the step of analyzing determining the second location datum substantially matches the pre-selected location datum, causing the user device to present the marketing activity. | 3,600 |
13,214 | 13,214 | 12,171,160 | 3,626 | By arranging the input screen of a computerized medical order entry system to display pre-defined order-set possibilities for several categories (for example, labs, diagnostic, staff, medications) where the displayed order-set is directly related to a selected one of a plurality of medical emergency conditions, the physician can easily select orders from a single screen while conducting a patient interview or examination. The system allows the physician to concurrently select orders from order-sets associated with medical conditions different from the initially selected medical condition. In one embodiment, an elapsed time for an order is displayed for overall monitoring of patients. | 1. A machine controlled method for medical practice order entry, said method comprising:
presenting to a user a single page display containing a first section for allowing said user to select a medical condition, and presenting four columns of possible orders to said user also on said single page display, each said column representing a category selected from the list of: laboratory, diagnostic, staffing, medication, each said column presenting to said user possible orders pre-identified as pertaining to a selected one of said medical conditions appropriate for said category in which said order is presented. 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
recording in a database without human intervention user selected ones of said possible orders in all of said categories; and electronically distributing said orders to all pertinent departments. 3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:
changing said presented possible orders for each said category based upon a subsequent selection of a different medical condition, said changing occurring prior to said electronically distributing. 4. The method of claim 2 wherein said electronically distributing comprises:
issuing appropriate orders to individuals based upon said processing, said issuing occurring under control of said machine. 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
tracking an elapsed time for orders pertaining to a particular patient to be completed. 6. The method of claim 4 further comprising:
staging a timing of said order issuing in accordance with pre-established staging protocols. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein said presenting further comprises:
placing certain of said orders in the same position in said columns for a plurality of said medical conditions. 8. A system for use in a hospital environment, said system comprising:
a terminal for presenting to a user a single page display comprising: a first column for allowing said user to select a medical condition, and a plurality of additional columns of possible orders pre-identified as pertaining to said selected medical condition, said orders displayed in said additional columns divided into order types comprising at least: laboratory, diagnostic, staffing, and medication, a database for recoding without human intervention user selected ones of said possible orders from said additional columns, and a processor for controlling electronic distribution of said orders to pertinent departments as determined by said recorded selected orders. 9. The system of claim 8 wherein said processor is further operable for allowing said user to select a different medical condition and for allowing said data base to accept orders from more than one medical condition prior to said electronic distribution. 10. The system of claim 9 wherein said processor is further operable for communicating appropriate orders to individuals based upon recorded ones of said orders. 11. The system of claim 9 further comprising:
a display for showing an elapsed time for orders placed pertaining to a particular patient. 12. The system of claim 11 wherein said elapsed time is minutes as measured from the oldest order not yet completed on a patient by patient basis. 13. The system of claim 12 wherein said processor is further operable to stage a timing of communication of certain orders so as to properly sequence multiple orders to a particular patient. 14. The system of claim 8 wherein said electronic distribution comprises:
an interface for communicating messages to a hospital's internal inter-departmental communication system. 15. The system of claim 8 wherein said single page further comprises:
an arrangement of said orders in said columns such that certain of said orders appear in the same position in said columns for a plurality of said medical conditions. 16. A method of administering orders in an emergency medical environment having high volumes and limited time per patient initial evaluation, said method comprising:
performing said initial evaluation of a patient by a care giver while said care giver simultaneously enters orders into an automated order entry system, said entry system having a display for use by said care giver, said entering comprising: selecting a patient presented medical condition from a displayed list of possible medical conditions; selecting, based upon verbal responses and a physical examination of said patient by said care giver, appropriate orders presented on said display, said selecting being from a listing of orders relevant to said patient based upon a selected medical condition; selecting by said care giver, if desired, additional orders from other displayed lists; and processing all said orders as a batch when all care giver desired orders have been selected. 17. The method of claim 16 wherein said entering further comprises:
selecting said orders from said listing wherein certain of said orders are arranged in the same position in said listings for a plurality of said conditions. 18. The method of claim 16 wherein said processing comprises:
sending instructions electronically without human intervention to various departments, said instructions providing pertinent information to said departments so as to allow said departments to fulfill said orders. 19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:
providing timing control for said orders for proper sequencing of an execution of said orders. 20. The method of claim 18 further comprising:
displaying for each patient a lapsed time since a particular order for said patient has been placed. | By arranging the input screen of a computerized medical order entry system to display pre-defined order-set possibilities for several categories (for example, labs, diagnostic, staff, medications) where the displayed order-set is directly related to a selected one of a plurality of medical emergency conditions, the physician can easily select orders from a single screen while conducting a patient interview or examination. The system allows the physician to concurrently select orders from order-sets associated with medical conditions different from the initially selected medical condition. In one embodiment, an elapsed time for an order is displayed for overall monitoring of patients.1. A machine controlled method for medical practice order entry, said method comprising:
presenting to a user a single page display containing a first section for allowing said user to select a medical condition, and presenting four columns of possible orders to said user also on said single page display, each said column representing a category selected from the list of: laboratory, diagnostic, staffing, medication, each said column presenting to said user possible orders pre-identified as pertaining to a selected one of said medical conditions appropriate for said category in which said order is presented. 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
recording in a database without human intervention user selected ones of said possible orders in all of said categories; and electronically distributing said orders to all pertinent departments. 3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:
changing said presented possible orders for each said category based upon a subsequent selection of a different medical condition, said changing occurring prior to said electronically distributing. 4. The method of claim 2 wherein said electronically distributing comprises:
issuing appropriate orders to individuals based upon said processing, said issuing occurring under control of said machine. 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
tracking an elapsed time for orders pertaining to a particular patient to be completed. 6. The method of claim 4 further comprising:
staging a timing of said order issuing in accordance with pre-established staging protocols. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein said presenting further comprises:
placing certain of said orders in the same position in said columns for a plurality of said medical conditions. 8. A system for use in a hospital environment, said system comprising:
a terminal for presenting to a user a single page display comprising: a first column for allowing said user to select a medical condition, and a plurality of additional columns of possible orders pre-identified as pertaining to said selected medical condition, said orders displayed in said additional columns divided into order types comprising at least: laboratory, diagnostic, staffing, and medication, a database for recoding without human intervention user selected ones of said possible orders from said additional columns, and a processor for controlling electronic distribution of said orders to pertinent departments as determined by said recorded selected orders. 9. The system of claim 8 wherein said processor is further operable for allowing said user to select a different medical condition and for allowing said data base to accept orders from more than one medical condition prior to said electronic distribution. 10. The system of claim 9 wherein said processor is further operable for communicating appropriate orders to individuals based upon recorded ones of said orders. 11. The system of claim 9 further comprising:
a display for showing an elapsed time for orders placed pertaining to a particular patient. 12. The system of claim 11 wherein said elapsed time is minutes as measured from the oldest order not yet completed on a patient by patient basis. 13. The system of claim 12 wherein said processor is further operable to stage a timing of communication of certain orders so as to properly sequence multiple orders to a particular patient. 14. The system of claim 8 wherein said electronic distribution comprises:
an interface for communicating messages to a hospital's internal inter-departmental communication system. 15. The system of claim 8 wherein said single page further comprises:
an arrangement of said orders in said columns such that certain of said orders appear in the same position in said columns for a plurality of said medical conditions. 16. A method of administering orders in an emergency medical environment having high volumes and limited time per patient initial evaluation, said method comprising:
performing said initial evaluation of a patient by a care giver while said care giver simultaneously enters orders into an automated order entry system, said entry system having a display for use by said care giver, said entering comprising: selecting a patient presented medical condition from a displayed list of possible medical conditions; selecting, based upon verbal responses and a physical examination of said patient by said care giver, appropriate orders presented on said display, said selecting being from a listing of orders relevant to said patient based upon a selected medical condition; selecting by said care giver, if desired, additional orders from other displayed lists; and processing all said orders as a batch when all care giver desired orders have been selected. 17. The method of claim 16 wherein said entering further comprises:
selecting said orders from said listing wherein certain of said orders are arranged in the same position in said listings for a plurality of said conditions. 18. The method of claim 16 wherein said processing comprises:
sending instructions electronically without human intervention to various departments, said instructions providing pertinent information to said departments so as to allow said departments to fulfill said orders. 19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:
providing timing control for said orders for proper sequencing of an execution of said orders. 20. The method of claim 18 further comprising:
displaying for each patient a lapsed time since a particular order for said patient has been placed. | 3,600 |
13,215 | 13,215 | 14,036,716 | 3,624 | Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described for implementing quality management. An example method comprises receiving, over an electronic network, a first communication from a manufacturer associated with a process. The process is associated with the manufacturer and a supplier. The method further comprises advancing a standard workflow to a new step associated with that standard workflow, in response to receiving the first communication. The method further comprises determining whether the first party uses a custom workflow, and if so, determining an equivalent step on the custom workflow that corresponds to the new step on the standard workflow. The method further comprises sending a second communication to the first party, comprising information associated with the step of advancing and at least one of the new step on the standard workflow or the equivalent step on the custom workflow. Systems and computer-readable media are also provided for implementing similar methods. | 1. A method for quality management, the method using at least one computer system and comprising:
receiving, over an electronic network, a first communication from a first party associated with a process, the process associated with the first party and a second party; in response to receiving the first communication, advancing a standard workflow associated with the at least one computer system to a step associated with the standard workflow; determining whether the first party uses a custom workflow, and if so, determining an equivalent step associated with the custom workflow based on the step associated with the standard workflow; sending a second communication to the first party comprising information associated with the advancing and at least one of the step or the determined equivalent step. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a third communication to the second party, comprising information associated with the first communication and the step associated with the standard workflow. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
receiving a fourth communication from the second entity; in response to receiving the fourth communication, advancing the standard workflow to a second step associated with the standard workflow; if the first party uses the custom workflow, determining a second equivalent step associated with the custom workflow based on the second step associated with the standard workflow; and sending a fifth communication to the first party comprising information associated with the fourth communication and at least one of the second step or the second equivalent step. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein at least one of the first communication, the second communication, the third communication, or the fourth communication includes at least one of a document, an image, a recording, or data associated with at least one step of the process. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein:
the first communication includes information on one of a quality issue or an audit questionnaire; and the fourth communication comprises at least one of a corrective action plan or a response to the audit questionnaire. 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the first communication is a request for an update, and the fourth communication includes information associated with the request for an update. 7. The method of claim 2, wherein the second party is a supplier to the first party, and the process associated with the supplier and the first party is a manufacturing process. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the first party uses the custom workflow further comprises:
determining a set of states and activities associated with the custom workflow; determining whether the states and activities associated with the custom workflow correspond to states and activities associated with the standard workflow; and if the states and activities associated with the custom workflow correspond to states and activities associated with the standard workflow, determining that the first party uses the custom workflow. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein if the states and activities associated with the custom workflow do not correspond to states and activities associated with the standard workflow, determining that the first party uses the standard workflow. 10. A computer system for quality management, comprising:
at least one electronic processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one electronic processor, cause the at least one electronic processor to perform a method comprising:
receiving a first communication from a first party associated with a process, the process associated with the first party and a second party;
in response to receiving the first communication, advancing a standard workflow to a step associated with the standard workflow;
determining whether the first party uses a custom workflow, and if so, determining an equivalent step associated with the custom workflow based on the step associated with the standard workflow;
sending a second communication to the first party comprising information associated with the advancing and at least one of the step or the determined equivalent step. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the at least one electronic processor to send a third communication to the second party, the third communication comprising information associated with the first communication and the step associated with the standard workflow. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the at least one electronic processor to:
receive a fourth communication from the second entity; in response to receiving the fourth communication, advance the standard workflow to a second step associated with the standard workflow; if the first party uses the custom workflow, determine a second equivalent step associated with the custom workflow based on the second step associated with the standard workflow; and send a fifth communication to the first party, the fifth communication comprising information associated with the fourth communication and at least one of the second step or the second equivalent step. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first communication, the second communication, the third communication, or the fourth communication includes at least one of a document, an image, a recording, or data associated with at least one step of the process. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the second party is a supplier to the first party, and the process associated with the supplier and the first party is a manufacturing process. 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the first communication is a request for an update, and the fourth communication includes information associated with the request for an update. 16. The system of claim 11, wherein:
the first communication includes information on one of a quality issue or an audit questionnaire; and the fourth communication comprises at least one of a corrective action plan or a response to the audit questionnaire. 17. The system of claim 10, wherein determining whether the first party uses the custom workflow further comprises:
determining a set of states and activities associated with the custom workflow; determining whether the states and activities associated with the custom workflow correspond to states and activities associated with the standard workflow; and if the states and activities associated with the custom workflow correspond to states and activities associated with the standard workflow, determining that the first party uses the custom workflow. 18. The system of claim 8, wherein if the states and activities associated with the custom workflow do not correspond to states and activities associated with the standard workflow, determining that the first party uses the standard workflow. 19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions, the instructions configured to cause at least one electronic processor perform a method comprising:
receiving a first communication from a first party associated with a process, the process associated with the first party and a second party; in response to receiving the first communication, advancing a standard workflow to a step associated with the standard workflow; determining whether the first party uses a custom workflow, and if so, determining an equivalent step associated with the custom workflow based on the step associated with the standard workflow; sending a second communication to the first party comprising information associated with the advancing and at least one of the step or the determined equivalent step. 20. The storage medium of claim 19, wherein determining whether the first party uses the custom workflow further comprises:
determining a set of states and activities associated with the custom workflow; determining whether the states and activities associated with the custom workflow correspond to states and activities associated with the standard workflow; and if the states and activities associated with the custom workflow correspond to states and activities associated with the standard workflow, determining that the first party uses the custom workflow. | Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described for implementing quality management. An example method comprises receiving, over an electronic network, a first communication from a manufacturer associated with a process. The process is associated with the manufacturer and a supplier. The method further comprises advancing a standard workflow to a new step associated with that standard workflow, in response to receiving the first communication. The method further comprises determining whether the first party uses a custom workflow, and if so, determining an equivalent step on the custom workflow that corresponds to the new step on the standard workflow. The method further comprises sending a second communication to the first party, comprising information associated with the step of advancing and at least one of the new step on the standard workflow or the equivalent step on the custom workflow. Systems and computer-readable media are also provided for implementing similar methods.1. A method for quality management, the method using at least one computer system and comprising:
receiving, over an electronic network, a first communication from a first party associated with a process, the process associated with the first party and a second party; in response to receiving the first communication, advancing a standard workflow associated with the at least one computer system to a step associated with the standard workflow; determining whether the first party uses a custom workflow, and if so, determining an equivalent step associated with the custom workflow based on the step associated with the standard workflow; sending a second communication to the first party comprising information associated with the advancing and at least one of the step or the determined equivalent step. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a third communication to the second party, comprising information associated with the first communication and the step associated with the standard workflow. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
receiving a fourth communication from the second entity; in response to receiving the fourth communication, advancing the standard workflow to a second step associated with the standard workflow; if the first party uses the custom workflow, determining a second equivalent step associated with the custom workflow based on the second step associated with the standard workflow; and sending a fifth communication to the first party comprising information associated with the fourth communication and at least one of the second step or the second equivalent step. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein at least one of the first communication, the second communication, the third communication, or the fourth communication includes at least one of a document, an image, a recording, or data associated with at least one step of the process. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein:
the first communication includes information on one of a quality issue or an audit questionnaire; and the fourth communication comprises at least one of a corrective action plan or a response to the audit questionnaire. 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the first communication is a request for an update, and the fourth communication includes information associated with the request for an update. 7. The method of claim 2, wherein the second party is a supplier to the first party, and the process associated with the supplier and the first party is a manufacturing process. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the first party uses the custom workflow further comprises:
determining a set of states and activities associated with the custom workflow; determining whether the states and activities associated with the custom workflow correspond to states and activities associated with the standard workflow; and if the states and activities associated with the custom workflow correspond to states and activities associated with the standard workflow, determining that the first party uses the custom workflow. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein if the states and activities associated with the custom workflow do not correspond to states and activities associated with the standard workflow, determining that the first party uses the standard workflow. 10. A computer system for quality management, comprising:
at least one electronic processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one electronic processor, cause the at least one electronic processor to perform a method comprising:
receiving a first communication from a first party associated with a process, the process associated with the first party and a second party;
in response to receiving the first communication, advancing a standard workflow to a step associated with the standard workflow;
determining whether the first party uses a custom workflow, and if so, determining an equivalent step associated with the custom workflow based on the step associated with the standard workflow;
sending a second communication to the first party comprising information associated with the advancing and at least one of the step or the determined equivalent step. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the at least one electronic processor to send a third communication to the second party, the third communication comprising information associated with the first communication and the step associated with the standard workflow. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the instructions are further configured to cause the at least one electronic processor to:
receive a fourth communication from the second entity; in response to receiving the fourth communication, advance the standard workflow to a second step associated with the standard workflow; if the first party uses the custom workflow, determine a second equivalent step associated with the custom workflow based on the second step associated with the standard workflow; and send a fifth communication to the first party, the fifth communication comprising information associated with the fourth communication and at least one of the second step or the second equivalent step. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first communication, the second communication, the third communication, or the fourth communication includes at least one of a document, an image, a recording, or data associated with at least one step of the process. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the second party is a supplier to the first party, and the process associated with the supplier and the first party is a manufacturing process. 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the first communication is a request for an update, and the fourth communication includes information associated with the request for an update. 16. The system of claim 11, wherein:
the first communication includes information on one of a quality issue or an audit questionnaire; and the fourth communication comprises at least one of a corrective action plan or a response to the audit questionnaire. 17. The system of claim 10, wherein determining whether the first party uses the custom workflow further comprises:
determining a set of states and activities associated with the custom workflow; determining whether the states and activities associated with the custom workflow correspond to states and activities associated with the standard workflow; and if the states and activities associated with the custom workflow correspond to states and activities associated with the standard workflow, determining that the first party uses the custom workflow. 18. The system of claim 8, wherein if the states and activities associated with the custom workflow do not correspond to states and activities associated with the standard workflow, determining that the first party uses the standard workflow. 19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions, the instructions configured to cause at least one electronic processor perform a method comprising:
receiving a first communication from a first party associated with a process, the process associated with the first party and a second party; in response to receiving the first communication, advancing a standard workflow to a step associated with the standard workflow; determining whether the first party uses a custom workflow, and if so, determining an equivalent step associated with the custom workflow based on the step associated with the standard workflow; sending a second communication to the first party comprising information associated with the advancing and at least one of the step or the determined equivalent step. 20. The storage medium of claim 19, wherein determining whether the first party uses the custom workflow further comprises:
determining a set of states and activities associated with the custom workflow; determining whether the states and activities associated with the custom workflow correspond to states and activities associated with the standard workflow; and if the states and activities associated with the custom workflow correspond to states and activities associated with the standard workflow, determining that the first party uses the custom workflow. | 3,600 |
13,216 | 13,216 | 13,550,563 | 3,685 | A customer loyalty and gifting service may reward customers who show or are expected to show frequent patronage to a provider of a good or service. A vendor of a good or service may create and provide an offer to one or more existing customers who may choose to purchase, redeem, and/or recommend the offer to other users in the network. The customer may also gift the purchased offer. A reward, such as loyalty points or stars, may then be awarded to the customer to encourage the customer for continued support and patronage. A reward may be redeemed for one or more prizes including gift cards, discounts, or other promotions and deals. | 1. A method for building customer loyalty, comprising:
receiving a parameter from a computing device associated with a user from a plurality of users over a network; executing instructions stored in memory, wherein execution of the instructions by a processor:
matches the parameter with an offer associated with a good or service offered by a vendor, and
transmits the offer to the computing device,
receiving user acceptance of the offer over the network, wherein acceptance includes a purchase of the offer; and transmitting a reward to the computing device based on the acceptance. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a second reward to the user following redemption of the offer by the user. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein acceptance of the offer further includes gifting the purchased offer to another user in the network. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising transmitting a second reward to the user following the gifting of the offer by the user. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein acceptance of the offer further includes recommending the offer to another user in the network. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising transmitting a second reward to the user following the recommendation by the user. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the reward is further based on a purchase price of the offer. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the reward is one or more loyalty points that are redeemable with the vendor for a good or service. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the reward is one or more loyalty points that are redeemable with a second vendor for a good or service. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the reward is a second offer redeemable for a good or service offered by the vendor. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the reward is a second offer redeemable for a good or service by a second vendor. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein acceptance of the offer further includes receiving payment for the offer. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter is a real-time location of the computing device. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter is information stored in a user profile previously created by the user and stored in memory, the information indicating a preference by the user for the good or service offered by the vendor. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter is information stored in a user profile previously created by the user and stored in memory, the information indicating a preference by the user for the vendor. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter is indicia of an offer previously redeemed by the user. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter is indicia of a purchase or transaction previously completed with the vendor. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the offer is a coupon. 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the offer is a scratch card. 20. A system for building customer loyalty, comprising:
memory that stores a user parameter and an offer associated with a good or service offered by a vendor; and an application server that:
receives a parameter from a computing device associated with a user from a plurality of users over a network
matches the parameter with the offer,
transmits the offer to the computing device,
receives user acceptance of the offer over the network, wherein user acceptance includes a purchase of the offer, and
transmits a reward to the computing device based on the acceptance. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the memory further stores user profile information. 22. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, having embodied thereon a program, the program being executable by a processor to perform a method for building customer loyalty, the method comprising:
receiving a parameter associated with a user of a plurality of users; matching the parameter with an offer associated with a good or service offered by a vendor, transmitting the offer; receiving user acceptance of the offer, wherein acceptance includes a purchase of the offer; and transmitting a reward to the user based on the acceptance. | A customer loyalty and gifting service may reward customers who show or are expected to show frequent patronage to a provider of a good or service. A vendor of a good or service may create and provide an offer to one or more existing customers who may choose to purchase, redeem, and/or recommend the offer to other users in the network. The customer may also gift the purchased offer. A reward, such as loyalty points or stars, may then be awarded to the customer to encourage the customer for continued support and patronage. A reward may be redeemed for one or more prizes including gift cards, discounts, or other promotions and deals.1. A method for building customer loyalty, comprising:
receiving a parameter from a computing device associated with a user from a plurality of users over a network; executing instructions stored in memory, wherein execution of the instructions by a processor:
matches the parameter with an offer associated with a good or service offered by a vendor, and
transmits the offer to the computing device,
receiving user acceptance of the offer over the network, wherein acceptance includes a purchase of the offer; and transmitting a reward to the computing device based on the acceptance. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a second reward to the user following redemption of the offer by the user. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein acceptance of the offer further includes gifting the purchased offer to another user in the network. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising transmitting a second reward to the user following the gifting of the offer by the user. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein acceptance of the offer further includes recommending the offer to another user in the network. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising transmitting a second reward to the user following the recommendation by the user. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the reward is further based on a purchase price of the offer. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the reward is one or more loyalty points that are redeemable with the vendor for a good or service. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the reward is one or more loyalty points that are redeemable with a second vendor for a good or service. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the reward is a second offer redeemable for a good or service offered by the vendor. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the reward is a second offer redeemable for a good or service by a second vendor. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein acceptance of the offer further includes receiving payment for the offer. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter is a real-time location of the computing device. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter is information stored in a user profile previously created by the user and stored in memory, the information indicating a preference by the user for the good or service offered by the vendor. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter is information stored in a user profile previously created by the user and stored in memory, the information indicating a preference by the user for the vendor. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter is indicia of an offer previously redeemed by the user. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter is indicia of a purchase or transaction previously completed with the vendor. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the offer is a coupon. 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the offer is a scratch card. 20. A system for building customer loyalty, comprising:
memory that stores a user parameter and an offer associated with a good or service offered by a vendor; and an application server that:
receives a parameter from a computing device associated with a user from a plurality of users over a network
matches the parameter with the offer,
transmits the offer to the computing device,
receives user acceptance of the offer over the network, wherein user acceptance includes a purchase of the offer, and
transmits a reward to the computing device based on the acceptance. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the memory further stores user profile information. 22. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, having embodied thereon a program, the program being executable by a processor to perform a method for building customer loyalty, the method comprising:
receiving a parameter associated with a user of a plurality of users; matching the parameter with an offer associated with a good or service offered by a vendor, transmitting the offer; receiving user acceptance of the offer, wherein acceptance includes a purchase of the offer; and transmitting a reward to the user based on the acceptance. | 3,600 |
13,217 | 13,217 | 13,946,255 | 3,688 | A computer implemented method and apparatus for testing in-product marketing content. The method comprise defining a plurality of populations for a user base of a software application using a plurality of population identifiers, wherein a population identifier of the plurality of population identifiers is generated by the software application and identifies a population of the plurality of populations; associating at least one in-product message with each defined population in the plurality of populations; and supplying the in-product messages to the software application having a population identifier within a range of population identifiers that define the population. | 1. A computer implemented method comprising:
defining a plurality of populations for a user base of a software application using a plurality of population identifiers, wherein a population identifier of the plurality of population identifiers is generated by the software application and identifies a population of the plurality of populations; associating at least one in-product message with each defined population in the plurality of populations; and supplying the in-product messages to the software application having a population identifier within a range of population identifiers that define the population. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving analytics regarding interactions of the end-users with the supplied in-product messages. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
redefining the plurality of populations; and associating a plurality of edited in-product messages with each redefined population. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein receiving the analytics comprises receiving at least a population identifier and an in-product message identifier. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the user base is based at least on a locale, an operating system, the software application, and a version of the software application. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the defined population is divided into at least one test population and a general population, wherein the at least one test population represents a predefined percentage of a defined population. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein each in-product message comprises control information, wherein the control information comprises at least message content, a display location, and the population identifier. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein a test population is further divided into a plurality of segments, each segment defined by a segment identifier, wherein the software application generates the segment identifier randomly. 9. A computer implemented method comprising:
generating, by a software application, a population identifier related to the software application; receiving a plurality of in-product messages, wherein the in-product messages are defined to be displayed inside of the software application having a defined population comprising the population identifier; filtering the plurality of in-product messages based on the population identifier being within a test population within the defined population; and displaying the filtered in-product messages inside of the software application based on the population identifier being within the test population. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
collecting analytics data regarding an end-user's interaction with the in-product messages; and sending the analytics data to a server for analysis. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein each in-product message is defined to be displayed only to end-users of the software application having a population identifier within the test population. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein each in-product message of the plurality of in-product messages comprises control information, wherein control information comprises at least message content, a display location, and a range of population identifiers. 13. The method of claim 9, wherein a test population is further divided into a plurality of segments, each segment defined by a segment identifier, wherein the software application generates the segment identifier randomly. 14. The method of claim 9, wherein displaying comprises displaying an in-product message based on the control information. 15. An apparatus for testing in-product marketing content comprising:
a computer having one or more processors and further comprising:
an in-product message client for receiving a plurality of in-product messages, wherein the in-product messages are defined to be displayed inside of a software application; generating a population identifier related to the software application; determine a population based on the population identifier, filtering the plurality of in-product messages based on the determined population; and displaying the filtered in-product messages inside of the software application. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the in-product message client further collects analytics data regarding a end-user's interaction with the in-product messages, and sends the analytics data to a server for analysis. 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the in-product client:
downloads a plurality of IPM messages; determines a population based on the population identifier and a segment identifier generated by the software application, wherein the population is defined as a range of population identifiers and a range of segment identifiers; filters the IPM messages based on the determined population; stores the filtered IPM messages; and displays the IPM messages according to control information. 18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each in-product message is defined to be displayed only to end-users of the software application having a population identifier within one of the plurality of defined populations. 19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each in-product message of the plurality of in-product messages comprises control information, and wherein the control information comprises at least message content, a display location, and the population identifier. 20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein displaying comprises displaying an in-product message based on the control information. | A computer implemented method and apparatus for testing in-product marketing content. The method comprise defining a plurality of populations for a user base of a software application using a plurality of population identifiers, wherein a population identifier of the plurality of population identifiers is generated by the software application and identifies a population of the plurality of populations; associating at least one in-product message with each defined population in the plurality of populations; and supplying the in-product messages to the software application having a population identifier within a range of population identifiers that define the population.1. A computer implemented method comprising:
defining a plurality of populations for a user base of a software application using a plurality of population identifiers, wherein a population identifier of the plurality of population identifiers is generated by the software application and identifies a population of the plurality of populations; associating at least one in-product message with each defined population in the plurality of populations; and supplying the in-product messages to the software application having a population identifier within a range of population identifiers that define the population. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving analytics regarding interactions of the end-users with the supplied in-product messages. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
redefining the plurality of populations; and associating a plurality of edited in-product messages with each redefined population. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein receiving the analytics comprises receiving at least a population identifier and an in-product message identifier. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the user base is based at least on a locale, an operating system, the software application, and a version of the software application. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the defined population is divided into at least one test population and a general population, wherein the at least one test population represents a predefined percentage of a defined population. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein each in-product message comprises control information, wherein the control information comprises at least message content, a display location, and the population identifier. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein a test population is further divided into a plurality of segments, each segment defined by a segment identifier, wherein the software application generates the segment identifier randomly. 9. A computer implemented method comprising:
generating, by a software application, a population identifier related to the software application; receiving a plurality of in-product messages, wherein the in-product messages are defined to be displayed inside of the software application having a defined population comprising the population identifier; filtering the plurality of in-product messages based on the population identifier being within a test population within the defined population; and displaying the filtered in-product messages inside of the software application based on the population identifier being within the test population. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
collecting analytics data regarding an end-user's interaction with the in-product messages; and sending the analytics data to a server for analysis. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein each in-product message is defined to be displayed only to end-users of the software application having a population identifier within the test population. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein each in-product message of the plurality of in-product messages comprises control information, wherein control information comprises at least message content, a display location, and a range of population identifiers. 13. The method of claim 9, wherein a test population is further divided into a plurality of segments, each segment defined by a segment identifier, wherein the software application generates the segment identifier randomly. 14. The method of claim 9, wherein displaying comprises displaying an in-product message based on the control information. 15. An apparatus for testing in-product marketing content comprising:
a computer having one or more processors and further comprising:
an in-product message client for receiving a plurality of in-product messages, wherein the in-product messages are defined to be displayed inside of a software application; generating a population identifier related to the software application; determine a population based on the population identifier, filtering the plurality of in-product messages based on the determined population; and displaying the filtered in-product messages inside of the software application. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the in-product message client further collects analytics data regarding a end-user's interaction with the in-product messages, and sends the analytics data to a server for analysis. 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the in-product client:
downloads a plurality of IPM messages; determines a population based on the population identifier and a segment identifier generated by the software application, wherein the population is defined as a range of population identifiers and a range of segment identifiers; filters the IPM messages based on the determined population; stores the filtered IPM messages; and displays the IPM messages according to control information. 18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each in-product message is defined to be displayed only to end-users of the software application having a population identifier within one of the plurality of defined populations. 19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each in-product message of the plurality of in-product messages comprises control information, and wherein the control information comprises at least message content, a display location, and the population identifier. 20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein displaying comprises displaying an in-product message based on the control information. | 3,600 |
13,218 | 13,218 | 13,083,449 | 3,686 | An integrated medical software system with automated prescription management is disclosed. The system comprises a clinical module that is utilized by a user of the system to create an electronic document and to capture clinical data in the electronic document with a user interface during an encounter with a patient, said clinical data including one or more prescriptions the user generates for the patient, and said electronic document being pre-populated with at least a portion of demographic data for the patient; and an application that interfaces the system with at least one of a lab, a pharmacy, and a prescription system via a network connection and that automatically submits instructions for filling the one or more prescriptions to the at least one of a lab, a pharmacy, and a prescription system as the one or more prescriptions are generated for the patient during the encounter with the patient, wherein the user can generate the one or more prescriptions for the patient by using the user interface to select the one or more prescriptions from one or more previously generated prescriptions such that the instructions for filling the one or more prescriptions will be automatically submitted to the at least one of a lab, a pharmacy, and a prescription system without the user writing a new prescription. | 1-62. (canceled) 63. An integrated medical software system with automated prescription management, the system comprising:
a clinical software module executed by a processor of the system and utilized by a user of the system to create an electronic document and to capture clinical data in the electronic document with a user interface during an encounter with a patient, said clinical data including one or more prescriptions the user generates for the patient, and said electronic document being pre-populated with at least a portion of demographic data for the patient; and a software application executed by the processor of the system to interface the system with at least one of a lab, a pharmacy, and a prescription system via a network connection and to automatically submit instructions for filling the one or more prescriptions to the at least one of a lab, a pharmacy, and a prescription system as the one or more prescriptions are generated for the patient during the encounter with the patient, wherein the user can generate the one or more prescriptions for the patient by using the user interface to select the one or more prescriptions from one or more previously generated prescriptions such that the instructions for filling the one or more prescriptions will be automatically submitted to the at least one of a lab, a pharmacy, and a prescription system without the user writing a new prescription. 64. The integrated medical software system of claim 63, further comprising a patient registration software component executed by the processor of the system to receive financial data and the demographic data for the patient, wherein the patient is pre-approved for the one or more prescriptions based on at least one of the financial data and the demographic data. 65. The integrated medical software system of claim 64, wherein the instructions for filling the one or more prescriptions include at least a portion of at least one of the financial data and the demographic data. 66. The integrated medical software system of claim 63, further comprising:
a database for storing demographic data, financial data, scheduling data, and the clinical data in a normalized data format; an account management software module executed by the processor of the system to capture financial data in the normalized data format and to automatically create at least one of a bill, a claim, and a statement for the patient using the financial data and the clinical data as the clinical data is captured during the encounter with the patient; a scheduling software module executed by the processor of the system to capture scheduling data in the normalized data format and to schedule the patient and at least one of a clinician, a staff member, and equipment for the encounter with the patient using the scheduling data and the demographic data; and a framework software module that is integrated with the clinical software module, the account management software module, and the scheduling software module using a common architecture and that is executed by the processor of the system to support an exchange of the clinical data, the demographic data, the financial data, and the scheduling data between those software modules and with the database in the normalized data format. 67. The integrated medical software system of claim 66, wherein the one or more prescriptions are used by the account management software module to automatically create the at least one of a bill, a claim, and a statement for the patient. 68. The integrated medical software system of claim 66, wherein at least one of the demographic data, the financial data, and the administrative data is updated based on input from at least one of the account management software module, the scheduling software module, and the clinical software module. 69. The integrated medical software system of claim 63, further comprising functionality for providing the user with an alert that the one or more prescriptions need to be re-filled at a time when the one or more prescriptions need to be re-filled. 70. The integrated medical software system of claim 63, wherein the user generates instructions for re-filling the one or more prescriptions by using the user interface to select the one or more prescriptions from one or more previously generated prescriptions such that the instructions for re-filling the one or more prescriptions will be automatically submitted to the at least one of a lab, a pharmacy, and a prescription system without the user writing a new prescription. 71. The integrated medical software system of claim 70, wherein the re-filling of the one or more prescriptions is automatically documented in the patient's chart. 72. The integrated medical software system of claim 63, wherein the system displays at least one of brand name and generic pricing and dosage, national drug codes, medication lists, allergy cross-checks (drug-drug, drug-food, drug-disease interactions), and side affects at the user interface as the user generates the one or more prescriptions. 73. A method for automating prescription management in an integrated medical software system, said method being embodied on a processor-executable medium and said integrated medical software system having a processor that executes the method to perform the steps of:
allowing a user of the system to create an electronic document prior to an encounter with a patient; pre-populating the electronic document with previously-captured demographic data for the patient; capturing clinical data for the patient in the electronic document in a normalized data format during the encounter with the patient, said clinical data including one or more prescriptions the user generates for the patient; and automatically submitting instructions for filling the one or more prescriptions to at least one of a lab, a pharmacy, and a prescription system as the one or more prescriptions are generated for the patient during the encounter with the patient, said system being interfaced the with the at least one of a lab, a pharmacy, and a prescription system, and said instructions being submitted via a network connection; wherein the user generates the one or more prescriptions for the patient by using the user interface to select the one or more prescriptions from one or more previously generated prescriptions such that the instructions for filling the one or more prescriptions will be automatically submitted to the at least one of a lab, a pharmacy, and a prescription system without the user writing a new prescription. 74. The method of claim 73, further comprising the steps of:
receiving financial data and the demographic data for the patient; and pre-approving the patient for the one or more prescriptions based on at least one of the financial data and the demographic data. 75. The method of claim 74, wherein the instructions for filling the one or more prescriptions include at least a portion of at least one of the financial data and the demographic data. 76. The method of claim 73, further comprising the steps of:
automatically creating at least one of a bill, a claim, and a statement for the patient using financial data and the clinical data as the clinical data is captured during the encounter with the patient; capturing the financial data in the normalized data format; scheduling the patient and at least one of a clinician, a staff member, and equipment for the encounter with the patient using scheduling data and the demographic data; capturing the scheduling data in the normalized data format; and storing the clinical data, the financial data, the demographic data, and the scheduling data in a database in the normalized data format; wherein the system is built on a common architecture to support an exchange of the clinical data, the financial data, the demographic data, and the scheduling data in the normalized data format as required to perform each of the steps. 77. The method of claim 76, wherein the at least one of a bill, a claim, and a statement is automatically created using the one or more prescriptions generated for the patient during the encounter with the patient. 78. The method of claim 76, further comprising the step of updating at least one of the clinical data, the financial data, and the administrative data as that data is captured during a corresponding step of capturing. 79. The method of claim 73, further comprising a step of alerting the user that the one or more prescriptions need to be re-filled at a time when the one or more prescriptions need to be re-filled. 80. The method of claim 73, wherein the user generates instructions for re-filling the one or more prescriptions by using the user interface to select the one or more prescriptions from one or more previously generated prescriptions such that the instructions for re-filling the one or more prescriptions will be automatically submitted to the at least one of a lab, a pharmacy, and a prescription system without the user writing a new prescription. 81. The method of claim 80, wherein the re-filling of the one or more prescriptions is automatically documented in the patient's chart. 82. The method of claim 73, further comprising the step of displaying at least one of brand name and generic pricing and dosage, national drug codes, medication lists, allergy cross-checks (drug-drug, drug-food, drug-disease interactions), and side affects at the user interface as the user generates the one or more prescriptions. | An integrated medical software system with automated prescription management is disclosed. The system comprises a clinical module that is utilized by a user of the system to create an electronic document and to capture clinical data in the electronic document with a user interface during an encounter with a patient, said clinical data including one or more prescriptions the user generates for the patient, and said electronic document being pre-populated with at least a portion of demographic data for the patient; and an application that interfaces the system with at least one of a lab, a pharmacy, and a prescription system via a network connection and that automatically submits instructions for filling the one or more prescriptions to the at least one of a lab, a pharmacy, and a prescription system as the one or more prescriptions are generated for the patient during the encounter with the patient, wherein the user can generate the one or more prescriptions for the patient by using the user interface to select the one or more prescriptions from one or more previously generated prescriptions such that the instructions for filling the one or more prescriptions will be automatically submitted to the at least one of a lab, a pharmacy, and a prescription system without the user writing a new prescription.1-62. (canceled) 63. An integrated medical software system with automated prescription management, the system comprising:
a clinical software module executed by a processor of the system and utilized by a user of the system to create an electronic document and to capture clinical data in the electronic document with a user interface during an encounter with a patient, said clinical data including one or more prescriptions the user generates for the patient, and said electronic document being pre-populated with at least a portion of demographic data for the patient; and a software application executed by the processor of the system to interface the system with at least one of a lab, a pharmacy, and a prescription system via a network connection and to automatically submit instructions for filling the one or more prescriptions to the at least one of a lab, a pharmacy, and a prescription system as the one or more prescriptions are generated for the patient during the encounter with the patient, wherein the user can generate the one or more prescriptions for the patient by using the user interface to select the one or more prescriptions from one or more previously generated prescriptions such that the instructions for filling the one or more prescriptions will be automatically submitted to the at least one of a lab, a pharmacy, and a prescription system without the user writing a new prescription. 64. The integrated medical software system of claim 63, further comprising a patient registration software component executed by the processor of the system to receive financial data and the demographic data for the patient, wherein the patient is pre-approved for the one or more prescriptions based on at least one of the financial data and the demographic data. 65. The integrated medical software system of claim 64, wherein the instructions for filling the one or more prescriptions include at least a portion of at least one of the financial data and the demographic data. 66. The integrated medical software system of claim 63, further comprising:
a database for storing demographic data, financial data, scheduling data, and the clinical data in a normalized data format; an account management software module executed by the processor of the system to capture financial data in the normalized data format and to automatically create at least one of a bill, a claim, and a statement for the patient using the financial data and the clinical data as the clinical data is captured during the encounter with the patient; a scheduling software module executed by the processor of the system to capture scheduling data in the normalized data format and to schedule the patient and at least one of a clinician, a staff member, and equipment for the encounter with the patient using the scheduling data and the demographic data; and a framework software module that is integrated with the clinical software module, the account management software module, and the scheduling software module using a common architecture and that is executed by the processor of the system to support an exchange of the clinical data, the demographic data, the financial data, and the scheduling data between those software modules and with the database in the normalized data format. 67. The integrated medical software system of claim 66, wherein the one or more prescriptions are used by the account management software module to automatically create the at least one of a bill, a claim, and a statement for the patient. 68. The integrated medical software system of claim 66, wherein at least one of the demographic data, the financial data, and the administrative data is updated based on input from at least one of the account management software module, the scheduling software module, and the clinical software module. 69. The integrated medical software system of claim 63, further comprising functionality for providing the user with an alert that the one or more prescriptions need to be re-filled at a time when the one or more prescriptions need to be re-filled. 70. The integrated medical software system of claim 63, wherein the user generates instructions for re-filling the one or more prescriptions by using the user interface to select the one or more prescriptions from one or more previously generated prescriptions such that the instructions for re-filling the one or more prescriptions will be automatically submitted to the at least one of a lab, a pharmacy, and a prescription system without the user writing a new prescription. 71. The integrated medical software system of claim 70, wherein the re-filling of the one or more prescriptions is automatically documented in the patient's chart. 72. The integrated medical software system of claim 63, wherein the system displays at least one of brand name and generic pricing and dosage, national drug codes, medication lists, allergy cross-checks (drug-drug, drug-food, drug-disease interactions), and side affects at the user interface as the user generates the one or more prescriptions. 73. A method for automating prescription management in an integrated medical software system, said method being embodied on a processor-executable medium and said integrated medical software system having a processor that executes the method to perform the steps of:
allowing a user of the system to create an electronic document prior to an encounter with a patient; pre-populating the electronic document with previously-captured demographic data for the patient; capturing clinical data for the patient in the electronic document in a normalized data format during the encounter with the patient, said clinical data including one or more prescriptions the user generates for the patient; and automatically submitting instructions for filling the one or more prescriptions to at least one of a lab, a pharmacy, and a prescription system as the one or more prescriptions are generated for the patient during the encounter with the patient, said system being interfaced the with the at least one of a lab, a pharmacy, and a prescription system, and said instructions being submitted via a network connection; wherein the user generates the one or more prescriptions for the patient by using the user interface to select the one or more prescriptions from one or more previously generated prescriptions such that the instructions for filling the one or more prescriptions will be automatically submitted to the at least one of a lab, a pharmacy, and a prescription system without the user writing a new prescription. 74. The method of claim 73, further comprising the steps of:
receiving financial data and the demographic data for the patient; and pre-approving the patient for the one or more prescriptions based on at least one of the financial data and the demographic data. 75. The method of claim 74, wherein the instructions for filling the one or more prescriptions include at least a portion of at least one of the financial data and the demographic data. 76. The method of claim 73, further comprising the steps of:
automatically creating at least one of a bill, a claim, and a statement for the patient using financial data and the clinical data as the clinical data is captured during the encounter with the patient; capturing the financial data in the normalized data format; scheduling the patient and at least one of a clinician, a staff member, and equipment for the encounter with the patient using scheduling data and the demographic data; capturing the scheduling data in the normalized data format; and storing the clinical data, the financial data, the demographic data, and the scheduling data in a database in the normalized data format; wherein the system is built on a common architecture to support an exchange of the clinical data, the financial data, the demographic data, and the scheduling data in the normalized data format as required to perform each of the steps. 77. The method of claim 76, wherein the at least one of a bill, a claim, and a statement is automatically created using the one or more prescriptions generated for the patient during the encounter with the patient. 78. The method of claim 76, further comprising the step of updating at least one of the clinical data, the financial data, and the administrative data as that data is captured during a corresponding step of capturing. 79. The method of claim 73, further comprising a step of alerting the user that the one or more prescriptions need to be re-filled at a time when the one or more prescriptions need to be re-filled. 80. The method of claim 73, wherein the user generates instructions for re-filling the one or more prescriptions by using the user interface to select the one or more prescriptions from one or more previously generated prescriptions such that the instructions for re-filling the one or more prescriptions will be automatically submitted to the at least one of a lab, a pharmacy, and a prescription system without the user writing a new prescription. 81. The method of claim 80, wherein the re-filling of the one or more prescriptions is automatically documented in the patient's chart. 82. The method of claim 73, further comprising the step of displaying at least one of brand name and generic pricing and dosage, national drug codes, medication lists, allergy cross-checks (drug-drug, drug-food, drug-disease interactions), and side affects at the user interface as the user generates the one or more prescriptions. | 3,600 |
13,219 | 13,219 | 14,861,000 | 3,627 | A system and method for automating dispensing operations—such as vehicle fueling operations—using a portable electronic device such as a smart phone. The inventive system includes three major components: (1) A mobile application that resides on a portable electronic device; (2) Software that resides on a remote system server; and (3) Software that runs on a pump control module associated with a particular fuel dispenser. The system allows a user to automatically request and pay for fuel using the portable electronic device. | 1. A fuel payment system for allowing a user to use a fuel dispenser, said fuel dispenser including,
i. a pump control module configured to monitor an amount of fuel dispensed by said fuel dispenser and control dispensing of fuel by said fuel dispenser, ii. a graphic containing a readable code, iii. wherein said pump control module includes a limited-range radio frequency transceiver, iv. said pump control module configured to only provides communication access to said pump control module in response to a defined sequence transmitted by an external device to said transceiver in said pump control module, comprising: a. a portable electronic device, including,
i. a processor,
ii. a memory associated with said processor,
iii. a camera, and
iv. a radio frequency transceiver;
b. a software application running on said processor in said portable electronic device; c. said software application configured to store payment information for said user in said memory associated with said processor; d. said camera being configured to capture said readable code in said graphic on said dispenser; e. said software application configured to take said captured image of said readable code and determine therefrom said defined sequence to be used to contact said limited-range radio frequency transceiver in said pump control module; and f. said software application configured to use said transceiver in said portable electronic device to transmit said defined sequence to said transceiver in said pump control module to establish a communication link with said transceiver in said pump control module, and thereafter transmit said payment information over said communication link to said pump control module. 2. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
a. a remote system server; b. a communication link between said pump control module and said remote system server; and c. wherein said pump control module is configured to transmit said payment information from said portable electronic device to said remote system server over said communication link between said pump control module and said remote system server. 3. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 2, wherein said remote system server is configured to process said payment information and send an authorization to said pump control module over said communication link between said pump control module and said remote system server. 4. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 2, wherein said pump control module is configured to transmit said payment information without permanently storing said payment information. 5. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 3, wherein said remote system server is configured to process said payment information without permanently storing said payment information. 6. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 2, wherein said portable electronic device must be registered with said remote system server before said software application running on said processor in said portable electronic device is permitted to communicate with said pump control module. 7. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 2, wherein said pump control module is configured to record an amount of fuel transferred and transmit said amount to said remote system server over said communication link between said pump control module and said remote system server. 8. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 7, wherein said remote system server is configured to transmit payment information to said communication link between said pump control module and said remote system server. 9. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 8, wherein said pump control module is configured to transmit said payment information to said portable electronic device using said limited-range radio frequency transceiver in said pump control module. 10. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 6, wherein said pump control module is configured to record an amount of fuel transferred and transmit said amount to said remote system server over said communication link between said pump control module and said remote system server. 11. A fuel payment system for allowing a user to use a fuel dispenser, said fuel dispenser including,
i. a pump control module configured to monitor an amount of fuel dispensed by said fuel dispenser and control dispensing of fuel by said fuel dispenser, ii. a graphic containing a readable code, iii. wherein said pump control module is configured to communicate via a limited-range radio frequency transceiver associated therewith, iv. said pump control module configured to only provides communication access to said pump control module in response to a defined sequence transmitted by an external device to said transceiver associated with said pump control module, comprising: a. a portable electronic device, including,
i. a processor,
ii. a memory associated with said processor,
iii. a camera, and
iv. a radio frequency transceiver;
b. a software application running on said processor in said portable electronic device; c. said software application configured to store payment information for said user in said memory associated with said processor; d. said camera being configured to capture an image of said graphic on said dispenser; e. said software application configured to read said captured image of said readable code and derive therefrom said defined sequence to be used to contact said limited-range radio frequency transceiver associated with said pump control module; and f. said software application configured to use said transceiver in said portable electronic device to transmit said defined sequence to said transceiver associated with said pump control module to establish a communication link with said transceiver associated with said pump control module, and thereafter transmit said payment information over said communication link to said pump control module. 12. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 11, further comprising:
a. a remote system server; b. a communication link between said pump control module and said remote system server; and c. wherein said pump control module is configured to transmit said payment information from said portable electronic device to said remote system server over said communication link between said pump control module and said remote system server. 13. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 12, wherein said remote system server is configured to process said payment information and send an authorization to said pump control module over said communication link between said pump control module and said remote system server. 14. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 12, wherein said pump control module is configured to transmit said payment information without permanently storing said payment information. 15. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 13, wherein said remote system server is configured to process said payment information without permanently storing said payment information. 16. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 12, wherein said portable electronic device must be registered with said remote system server before said software application running on said processor in said portable electronic device is permitted to communicate with said pump control module. 17. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 12, wherein said pump control module is configured to record an amount of fuel transferred and transmit said amount to said remote system server over said communication link between said pump control module and said remote system server. 18. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 17, wherein said remote system server is configured to transmit payment information to said communication link between said pump control module and said remote system server. 19. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 18, wherein said pump control module is configured to transmit said payment information to said portable electronic device using said limited-range radio frequency transceiver in said pump control module. 20. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 16, wherein said pump control module is configured to record an amount of fuel transferred and transmit said amount to said remote system server over said communication link between said pump control module and said remote system server. | A system and method for automating dispensing operations—such as vehicle fueling operations—using a portable electronic device such as a smart phone. The inventive system includes three major components: (1) A mobile application that resides on a portable electronic device; (2) Software that resides on a remote system server; and (3) Software that runs on a pump control module associated with a particular fuel dispenser. The system allows a user to automatically request and pay for fuel using the portable electronic device.1. A fuel payment system for allowing a user to use a fuel dispenser, said fuel dispenser including,
i. a pump control module configured to monitor an amount of fuel dispensed by said fuel dispenser and control dispensing of fuel by said fuel dispenser, ii. a graphic containing a readable code, iii. wherein said pump control module includes a limited-range radio frequency transceiver, iv. said pump control module configured to only provides communication access to said pump control module in response to a defined sequence transmitted by an external device to said transceiver in said pump control module, comprising: a. a portable electronic device, including,
i. a processor,
ii. a memory associated with said processor,
iii. a camera, and
iv. a radio frequency transceiver;
b. a software application running on said processor in said portable electronic device; c. said software application configured to store payment information for said user in said memory associated with said processor; d. said camera being configured to capture said readable code in said graphic on said dispenser; e. said software application configured to take said captured image of said readable code and determine therefrom said defined sequence to be used to contact said limited-range radio frequency transceiver in said pump control module; and f. said software application configured to use said transceiver in said portable electronic device to transmit said defined sequence to said transceiver in said pump control module to establish a communication link with said transceiver in said pump control module, and thereafter transmit said payment information over said communication link to said pump control module. 2. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
a. a remote system server; b. a communication link between said pump control module and said remote system server; and c. wherein said pump control module is configured to transmit said payment information from said portable electronic device to said remote system server over said communication link between said pump control module and said remote system server. 3. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 2, wherein said remote system server is configured to process said payment information and send an authorization to said pump control module over said communication link between said pump control module and said remote system server. 4. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 2, wherein said pump control module is configured to transmit said payment information without permanently storing said payment information. 5. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 3, wherein said remote system server is configured to process said payment information without permanently storing said payment information. 6. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 2, wherein said portable electronic device must be registered with said remote system server before said software application running on said processor in said portable electronic device is permitted to communicate with said pump control module. 7. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 2, wherein said pump control module is configured to record an amount of fuel transferred and transmit said amount to said remote system server over said communication link between said pump control module and said remote system server. 8. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 7, wherein said remote system server is configured to transmit payment information to said communication link between said pump control module and said remote system server. 9. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 8, wherein said pump control module is configured to transmit said payment information to said portable electronic device using said limited-range radio frequency transceiver in said pump control module. 10. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 6, wherein said pump control module is configured to record an amount of fuel transferred and transmit said amount to said remote system server over said communication link between said pump control module and said remote system server. 11. A fuel payment system for allowing a user to use a fuel dispenser, said fuel dispenser including,
i. a pump control module configured to monitor an amount of fuel dispensed by said fuel dispenser and control dispensing of fuel by said fuel dispenser, ii. a graphic containing a readable code, iii. wherein said pump control module is configured to communicate via a limited-range radio frequency transceiver associated therewith, iv. said pump control module configured to only provides communication access to said pump control module in response to a defined sequence transmitted by an external device to said transceiver associated with said pump control module, comprising: a. a portable electronic device, including,
i. a processor,
ii. a memory associated with said processor,
iii. a camera, and
iv. a radio frequency transceiver;
b. a software application running on said processor in said portable electronic device; c. said software application configured to store payment information for said user in said memory associated with said processor; d. said camera being configured to capture an image of said graphic on said dispenser; e. said software application configured to read said captured image of said readable code and derive therefrom said defined sequence to be used to contact said limited-range radio frequency transceiver associated with said pump control module; and f. said software application configured to use said transceiver in said portable electronic device to transmit said defined sequence to said transceiver associated with said pump control module to establish a communication link with said transceiver associated with said pump control module, and thereafter transmit said payment information over said communication link to said pump control module. 12. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 11, further comprising:
a. a remote system server; b. a communication link between said pump control module and said remote system server; and c. wherein said pump control module is configured to transmit said payment information from said portable electronic device to said remote system server over said communication link between said pump control module and said remote system server. 13. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 12, wherein said remote system server is configured to process said payment information and send an authorization to said pump control module over said communication link between said pump control module and said remote system server. 14. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 12, wherein said pump control module is configured to transmit said payment information without permanently storing said payment information. 15. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 13, wherein said remote system server is configured to process said payment information without permanently storing said payment information. 16. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 12, wherein said portable electronic device must be registered with said remote system server before said software application running on said processor in said portable electronic device is permitted to communicate with said pump control module. 17. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 12, wherein said pump control module is configured to record an amount of fuel transferred and transmit said amount to said remote system server over said communication link between said pump control module and said remote system server. 18. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 17, wherein said remote system server is configured to transmit payment information to said communication link between said pump control module and said remote system server. 19. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 18, wherein said pump control module is configured to transmit said payment information to said portable electronic device using said limited-range radio frequency transceiver in said pump control module. 20. A fuel payment system as recited in claim 16, wherein said pump control module is configured to record an amount of fuel transferred and transmit said amount to said remote system server over said communication link between said pump control module and said remote system server. | 3,600 |
13,220 | 13,220 | 13,082,654 | 3,691 | A computer-implemented method for customizing a user interface comprises receiving, from a touchpoint device, identification information entered by a user; accessing a record of the user from a database using the received identification information; determining whether the record has any application windows configured for the user interface on the touchpoint device; transmitting, by a server to the touchpoint device, at least a first financial application window and a second financial application window identified by the record of the user for display of the first financial application window and the second financial application window simultaneously on the user interface of the touchpoint device; receiving instructions from the user via the first financial application window to perform a financial transaction; and performing, by a server, the financial transaction while the touchpoint device displays at least the first financial application window and the second financial application window, wherein the first financial application window and the second financial application window are updated with real-time information. | 1. A computer-implemented method for customizing a user interface, the method comprising:
receiving, from a touchpoint device, identification information entered by a user; accessing a record of the user from a database using the received identification information; determining whether the record has any application windows configured for the user interface on the touchpoint device; transmitting, by a server to the touchpoint device, at least a first financial application window and a second financial application window identified by the record of the user for display of the first financial application window and the second financial application window simultaneously on the user interface of the touchpoint device; receiving instructions from the user via the first financial application window to perform a financial transaction; and performing, by a server, the financial transaction while the touchpoint device displays at least the first financial application window and the second financial application window, wherein the first financial application window and the second financial application window are updated with real-time information. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the touchpoint device is a personal computer. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the touchpoint device is a mobile phone, automated teller machine, kiosk, personal digital assistant, or tablet computer. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the financial transaction comprises a transfer from a first account to a second account, a bill payment, a deposit, or a cash withdrawal. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user interface has a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first financial application window and the second application window are displayed on the first portion. 6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising presenting an electronic document on the second portion. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second financial application window comprises a communication link to a customer service representative. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second financial application window comprises investment account information in real-time. 9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing updated account information to the first financial application window and the second financial application window in real-time. 10. A computer-implemented method for creating a financial application window on a user interface of a touchpoint device, the method comprising:
verifying, by a server, the identification of a user to access the user interface on the touchpoint device; receiving, from the touchpoint device, a request from the user to conduct a financial transaction; receiving, from the touchpoint device, transaction information for performing the financial transaction; performing, by a server, the financial transaction; presenting on the touchpoint device an option for the user to create a financial application window based upon the received transaction information; receiving, by a server, a selection by the user to create the financial application window; storing in a database a record having information about the financial application window for the user's user interface; and transmitting, by a server to the touchpoint device, information for presenting the user interface with a financial application window for performing a transaction based on the transaction information. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the touchpoint device is a personal computer. 12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the touchpoint device is a mobile phone, automated teller machine, kiosk, personal digital assistant, or tablet computer. 13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the financial transaction comprises a transfer from a first account to a second account, a bill payment, a deposit, or a cash withdrawal. 14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the user interface has a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first financial application window and the second application window are displayed on the first portion. 15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising presenting an electronic document on the second portion. 16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the second financial application window comprises a communication link to a customer service representative. 17. The method according to claim 10, wherein the second financial application window comprises investment account information in real-time. 18. The method according to claim 10, further comprising providing updated account information to the first financial application window and the second financial application window in real-time. 19. The method according to claim 10, wherein the transaction information comprises at least one of an account to withdraw funds, an account to deposit funds, an amount, and a periodicity for a recurring payment. 20. The method according to claim 10, wherein the user can customize the location of the first financial application window on the user interface. | A computer-implemented method for customizing a user interface comprises receiving, from a touchpoint device, identification information entered by a user; accessing a record of the user from a database using the received identification information; determining whether the record has any application windows configured for the user interface on the touchpoint device; transmitting, by a server to the touchpoint device, at least a first financial application window and a second financial application window identified by the record of the user for display of the first financial application window and the second financial application window simultaneously on the user interface of the touchpoint device; receiving instructions from the user via the first financial application window to perform a financial transaction; and performing, by a server, the financial transaction while the touchpoint device displays at least the first financial application window and the second financial application window, wherein the first financial application window and the second financial application window are updated with real-time information.1. A computer-implemented method for customizing a user interface, the method comprising:
receiving, from a touchpoint device, identification information entered by a user; accessing a record of the user from a database using the received identification information; determining whether the record has any application windows configured for the user interface on the touchpoint device; transmitting, by a server to the touchpoint device, at least a first financial application window and a second financial application window identified by the record of the user for display of the first financial application window and the second financial application window simultaneously on the user interface of the touchpoint device; receiving instructions from the user via the first financial application window to perform a financial transaction; and performing, by a server, the financial transaction while the touchpoint device displays at least the first financial application window and the second financial application window, wherein the first financial application window and the second financial application window are updated with real-time information. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the touchpoint device is a personal computer. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the touchpoint device is a mobile phone, automated teller machine, kiosk, personal digital assistant, or tablet computer. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the financial transaction comprises a transfer from a first account to a second account, a bill payment, a deposit, or a cash withdrawal. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user interface has a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first financial application window and the second application window are displayed on the first portion. 6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising presenting an electronic document on the second portion. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second financial application window comprises a communication link to a customer service representative. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second financial application window comprises investment account information in real-time. 9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing updated account information to the first financial application window and the second financial application window in real-time. 10. A computer-implemented method for creating a financial application window on a user interface of a touchpoint device, the method comprising:
verifying, by a server, the identification of a user to access the user interface on the touchpoint device; receiving, from the touchpoint device, a request from the user to conduct a financial transaction; receiving, from the touchpoint device, transaction information for performing the financial transaction; performing, by a server, the financial transaction; presenting on the touchpoint device an option for the user to create a financial application window based upon the received transaction information; receiving, by a server, a selection by the user to create the financial application window; storing in a database a record having information about the financial application window for the user's user interface; and transmitting, by a server to the touchpoint device, information for presenting the user interface with a financial application window for performing a transaction based on the transaction information. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the touchpoint device is a personal computer. 12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the touchpoint device is a mobile phone, automated teller machine, kiosk, personal digital assistant, or tablet computer. 13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the financial transaction comprises a transfer from a first account to a second account, a bill payment, a deposit, or a cash withdrawal. 14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the user interface has a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first financial application window and the second application window are displayed on the first portion. 15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising presenting an electronic document on the second portion. 16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the second financial application window comprises a communication link to a customer service representative. 17. The method according to claim 10, wherein the second financial application window comprises investment account information in real-time. 18. The method according to claim 10, further comprising providing updated account information to the first financial application window and the second financial application window in real-time. 19. The method according to claim 10, wherein the transaction information comprises at least one of an account to withdraw funds, an account to deposit funds, an amount, and a periodicity for a recurring payment. 20. The method according to claim 10, wherein the user can customize the location of the first financial application window on the user interface. | 3,600 |
13,221 | 13,221 | 14,957,425 | 3,668 | A computer-implemented method for aligning map elements for display along a route within a digital map is presented. The method may receive a request for route data including an origin and a destination and determine route data defining a route navigating from the origin to the destination. The method may also determine a plurality of map elements that each intersect the route at one or more points along the route, each of the plurality of map elements having a corresponding visual identifier displayed on the map, align the corresponding visual identifiers adjacent to the route and transmit the aligned corresponding visual identifiers for display on the digital map. | 1. A computer-implemented method for rearranging map labels corresponding to map elements for display along a route within a digital map, the method comprising:
obtaining map data for generating a digital map of a geographic area at a certain zoom level, including obtaining an indication of a first placement of map labels corresponding to map elements included in the digital map; receiving a request for a route between an origin and a destination; repositioning a subset of the map labels corresponding to map elements that intersect the route at at least one point so as to align the subset of the map labels with the route for visual emphasis, wherein the repositioned subset of the map labels corresponds to a second placement in the digital map at the same zoom level; and transmitting the repositioned subset of the map labels to the client computing device for display on the digital map. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the route includes a plurality of route segments, each route segment representing a change in orientation for a direction of travel along the route and repositioning the subset of the map labels includes:
repositioning the subset of the map labels along the lengthwise edge of a first route segment of the route. 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein repositioning the subset of the map labels includes repositioning the subset of the map labels evenly against a longitudinal axis of the route. 4. (canceled) 5. The computer implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving a current location of a client device;
determining that one or more map elements that intersect the route fall within a threshold distance to the current location of the client device; and
providing an additional visual emphasis to map labels corresponding to the one or more map elements that intersect the route within the threshold distance to the current location of the client device. 6. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the route data includes two or more data layers to be displayed on the map, further comprising:
determining a plurality of map elements in a first data layer that each intersect the route at one or more points along the route, each of the plurality of map elements having a corresponding visual identifier displayed on the map; and rendering each map element in the selected layer that intersects the route with an emphasis. 7. A computer-implemented method for rearranging map labels corresponding to map elements for display along a route within a digital map, the method comprising:
obtaining map data for generating a digital map of a geographic area at a certain zoom level, including obtaining an indication of a first placement of map labels corresponding to map elements included in the digital map; displaying the digital map with the first placement of the map labels, in a first instance; receiving a request for a route between an origin and a destination; obtaining route data in response to the request the route data defining the route traversing the geographic area; displaying the digital map of the geographic area at the same zoom level, in a second instance, with a second placement of the map labels, including:
displaying the route on the digital map, and
repositioning a subset of the map labels corresponding to map elements that intersect the route at one or more points so as to align the subset of the map labels with the route for visual emphasis. 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the route includes a plurality of route segments, each route segment representing a change in orientation for a direction of travel along the route and wherein repositioning the subset of the map labels includes:
repositioning the subset of the map labels along the lengthwise edge of a first route segment of the route. 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 7 wherein repositioning the subset of the map labels includes:
repositioning the subset of the map labels evenly against a longitudinal axis of the route. 10. (canceled) 11. The computer implemented method of claim 7 further comprising:
receiving a current location of a client device;
determining that one or more map elements that intersect the route fall within a threshold distance to the current location of the client device; and
providing an additional visual emphasis to map labels corresponding to the one or more map elements that intersect the route within the threshold distance to the current location of the client device. 12. A computer device for rearranging map labels corresponding to map elements for display along a route within a digital map, the computer device comprising:
one or more processors; and one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors; the one or more memories including non-transitory computer executable instructions stored therein that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
obtain map data for generating a digital map of a geographic area at a certain zoom level, including obtaining an indication of a first placement of map labels corresponding to map elements included in the digital map;
display the digital map with the first placement of the map labels, in a first instance;
receive a request for a route between an origin and a destination;
obtain route data in response to the request, the route data defining the route traversing the geographic area; display the digital map of the geographic area at the same zoom level, in a second instance, with a second placement of the map labels, including: display the route on the digital map, and reposition a subset of the map labels corresponding to map elements that intersect the route at one or more points so as to align the subset of the map labels with the route for visual emphasis. 13. The computer device of claim 12, wherein the route includes a plurality of route segments, each route segment representing a change in orientation for a direction of travel along the route and wherein the non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the one or more processors to reposition the subset of the map labels further includes instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
reposition the subset of the map labels along the lengthwise edge of a first route segment of the route. 14. The computer device of claim 12, wherein the non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the one or more processors to reposition the subset of the map labels adjacent to the route further includes instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
reposition the subset of the map labels evenly against a longitudinal axis of the route. 15. The computer device of claim 12, further comprising non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
receive a current location of a client device; and determine that one or more map elements that intersect the route fall within a threshold distance to the current location of the client device; and provide an additional visual emphasis to map labels corresponding to the one or more map elements that intersect the route within the threshold distance to the current location of the client device. 16. The computer device of claim 12, further comprising non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
determine a plurality of map elements in a first data layer that each intersect the route at one or more points along the route, each of the plurality of map elements having a corresponding visual identifier displayed on the map; and render each map element in the selected layer that intersects the route with an emphasis. 17. A computer readable storage medium comprising non-transitory computer readable instructions stored thereon for rearranging map labels corresponding to map elements for display along a route within a digital map, the instructions when executed on one or more processors cause the one or more processors to:
obtain map data for generating a digital map of a geographic area at a certain zoom level, including obtaining an indication of a first placement of map labels corresponding to map elements included in the digital map; display the digital map with the first placement of the map labels, in a first instance: receive a request for a route between an origin and a destination; obtain route data in response to the request, the route data defining the route traversing the geographic area; display the digital map of the geographic area at the same zoom level, in a second instance, with a second placement of the map labels, including: display the route on the digital map, and reposition a subset of the map labels corresponding to map elements that intersect the route at one or more points so as to align the subset of the map labels with the route for visual emphasis. 18. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17 wherein the route includes a plurality of route segments, each route segment representing a change in orientation for a direction of travel along the route and wherein the non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the one or more processors to reposition the subset of the map labels further cause the one or more processors to:
reposition the subset of the map labels along the lengthwise edge of a first route segment of the route. 19. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the one or more processors to reposition the subset of the map labels further cause the one or more processors to:
reposition the subset of the map labels evenly against a longitudinal axis of the route. 20. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17 comprising further instructions stored thereon that cause the one or more processors to:
receive a current location of a client device; and
determine that one or more map elements that intersect the route fall within a threshold distance to the current location of the client device; and
provide an additional visual emphasis to map labels corresponding to the one or more map elements that intersect the route within the threshold distance to the current location of the client device. 21. A computer-implemented method rearranging map labels corresponding to street elements for display along a route within a digital map, the method comprising:
obtaining map data for generating a digital map of a geographic area at a certain zoom level, including obtaining an indication of a first placement of map labels corresponding to street elements included in the digital map; receiving a request for a route between an origin and a destination; flagging a subset of the map labels corresponding to the street elements that intersect the route at at least one point, wherein the subset of the map labels have a flexible position within the digital map; determining one or more reference points corresponding to the route for alignment of the flagged subset of the map labels; repositioning the flagged subset of the map labels so as to align the flagged subset of the map labels with the one or more reference points for visual emphasis, wherein the repositioned flagged subset corresponds to a second placement in the digital map at the same zoom level; and transmitting the repositioned flagged subset for display on the digital map on a client computing device. 22. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein repositioning the subset of the map labels further includes:
flagging one or more map labels that have a flexible position within the digital map; and providing the one or more flagged map labels to the client computing device. 23. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, further comprising:
changing at least one aspect of a visual style corresponding to one or more map labels of the repositioned subset of the map labels. | A computer-implemented method for aligning map elements for display along a route within a digital map is presented. The method may receive a request for route data including an origin and a destination and determine route data defining a route navigating from the origin to the destination. The method may also determine a plurality of map elements that each intersect the route at one or more points along the route, each of the plurality of map elements having a corresponding visual identifier displayed on the map, align the corresponding visual identifiers adjacent to the route and transmit the aligned corresponding visual identifiers for display on the digital map.1. A computer-implemented method for rearranging map labels corresponding to map elements for display along a route within a digital map, the method comprising:
obtaining map data for generating a digital map of a geographic area at a certain zoom level, including obtaining an indication of a first placement of map labels corresponding to map elements included in the digital map; receiving a request for a route between an origin and a destination; repositioning a subset of the map labels corresponding to map elements that intersect the route at at least one point so as to align the subset of the map labels with the route for visual emphasis, wherein the repositioned subset of the map labels corresponds to a second placement in the digital map at the same zoom level; and transmitting the repositioned subset of the map labels to the client computing device for display on the digital map. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the route includes a plurality of route segments, each route segment representing a change in orientation for a direction of travel along the route and repositioning the subset of the map labels includes:
repositioning the subset of the map labels along the lengthwise edge of a first route segment of the route. 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein repositioning the subset of the map labels includes repositioning the subset of the map labels evenly against a longitudinal axis of the route. 4. (canceled) 5. The computer implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving a current location of a client device;
determining that one or more map elements that intersect the route fall within a threshold distance to the current location of the client device; and
providing an additional visual emphasis to map labels corresponding to the one or more map elements that intersect the route within the threshold distance to the current location of the client device. 6. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the route data includes two or more data layers to be displayed on the map, further comprising:
determining a plurality of map elements in a first data layer that each intersect the route at one or more points along the route, each of the plurality of map elements having a corresponding visual identifier displayed on the map; and rendering each map element in the selected layer that intersects the route with an emphasis. 7. A computer-implemented method for rearranging map labels corresponding to map elements for display along a route within a digital map, the method comprising:
obtaining map data for generating a digital map of a geographic area at a certain zoom level, including obtaining an indication of a first placement of map labels corresponding to map elements included in the digital map; displaying the digital map with the first placement of the map labels, in a first instance; receiving a request for a route between an origin and a destination; obtaining route data in response to the request the route data defining the route traversing the geographic area; displaying the digital map of the geographic area at the same zoom level, in a second instance, with a second placement of the map labels, including:
displaying the route on the digital map, and
repositioning a subset of the map labels corresponding to map elements that intersect the route at one or more points so as to align the subset of the map labels with the route for visual emphasis. 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the route includes a plurality of route segments, each route segment representing a change in orientation for a direction of travel along the route and wherein repositioning the subset of the map labels includes:
repositioning the subset of the map labels along the lengthwise edge of a first route segment of the route. 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 7 wherein repositioning the subset of the map labels includes:
repositioning the subset of the map labels evenly against a longitudinal axis of the route. 10. (canceled) 11. The computer implemented method of claim 7 further comprising:
receiving a current location of a client device;
determining that one or more map elements that intersect the route fall within a threshold distance to the current location of the client device; and
providing an additional visual emphasis to map labels corresponding to the one or more map elements that intersect the route within the threshold distance to the current location of the client device. 12. A computer device for rearranging map labels corresponding to map elements for display along a route within a digital map, the computer device comprising:
one or more processors; and one or more memories coupled to the one or more processors; the one or more memories including non-transitory computer executable instructions stored therein that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
obtain map data for generating a digital map of a geographic area at a certain zoom level, including obtaining an indication of a first placement of map labels corresponding to map elements included in the digital map;
display the digital map with the first placement of the map labels, in a first instance;
receive a request for a route between an origin and a destination;
obtain route data in response to the request, the route data defining the route traversing the geographic area; display the digital map of the geographic area at the same zoom level, in a second instance, with a second placement of the map labels, including: display the route on the digital map, and reposition a subset of the map labels corresponding to map elements that intersect the route at one or more points so as to align the subset of the map labels with the route for visual emphasis. 13. The computer device of claim 12, wherein the route includes a plurality of route segments, each route segment representing a change in orientation for a direction of travel along the route and wherein the non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the one or more processors to reposition the subset of the map labels further includes instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
reposition the subset of the map labels along the lengthwise edge of a first route segment of the route. 14. The computer device of claim 12, wherein the non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the one or more processors to reposition the subset of the map labels adjacent to the route further includes instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
reposition the subset of the map labels evenly against a longitudinal axis of the route. 15. The computer device of claim 12, further comprising non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
receive a current location of a client device; and determine that one or more map elements that intersect the route fall within a threshold distance to the current location of the client device; and provide an additional visual emphasis to map labels corresponding to the one or more map elements that intersect the route within the threshold distance to the current location of the client device. 16. The computer device of claim 12, further comprising non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the one or more processors to:
determine a plurality of map elements in a first data layer that each intersect the route at one or more points along the route, each of the plurality of map elements having a corresponding visual identifier displayed on the map; and render each map element in the selected layer that intersects the route with an emphasis. 17. A computer readable storage medium comprising non-transitory computer readable instructions stored thereon for rearranging map labels corresponding to map elements for display along a route within a digital map, the instructions when executed on one or more processors cause the one or more processors to:
obtain map data for generating a digital map of a geographic area at a certain zoom level, including obtaining an indication of a first placement of map labels corresponding to map elements included in the digital map; display the digital map with the first placement of the map labels, in a first instance: receive a request for a route between an origin and a destination; obtain route data in response to the request, the route data defining the route traversing the geographic area; display the digital map of the geographic area at the same zoom level, in a second instance, with a second placement of the map labels, including: display the route on the digital map, and reposition a subset of the map labels corresponding to map elements that intersect the route at one or more points so as to align the subset of the map labels with the route for visual emphasis. 18. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17 wherein the route includes a plurality of route segments, each route segment representing a change in orientation for a direction of travel along the route and wherein the non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the one or more processors to reposition the subset of the map labels further cause the one or more processors to:
reposition the subset of the map labels along the lengthwise edge of a first route segment of the route. 19. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the non-transitory computer executable instructions to cause the one or more processors to reposition the subset of the map labels further cause the one or more processors to:
reposition the subset of the map labels evenly against a longitudinal axis of the route. 20. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17 comprising further instructions stored thereon that cause the one or more processors to:
receive a current location of a client device; and
determine that one or more map elements that intersect the route fall within a threshold distance to the current location of the client device; and
provide an additional visual emphasis to map labels corresponding to the one or more map elements that intersect the route within the threshold distance to the current location of the client device. 21. A computer-implemented method rearranging map labels corresponding to street elements for display along a route within a digital map, the method comprising:
obtaining map data for generating a digital map of a geographic area at a certain zoom level, including obtaining an indication of a first placement of map labels corresponding to street elements included in the digital map; receiving a request for a route between an origin and a destination; flagging a subset of the map labels corresponding to the street elements that intersect the route at at least one point, wherein the subset of the map labels have a flexible position within the digital map; determining one or more reference points corresponding to the route for alignment of the flagged subset of the map labels; repositioning the flagged subset of the map labels so as to align the flagged subset of the map labels with the one or more reference points for visual emphasis, wherein the repositioned flagged subset corresponds to a second placement in the digital map at the same zoom level; and transmitting the repositioned flagged subset for display on the digital map on a client computing device. 22. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein repositioning the subset of the map labels further includes:
flagging one or more map labels that have a flexible position within the digital map; and providing the one or more flagged map labels to the client computing device. 23. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, further comprising:
changing at least one aspect of a visual style corresponding to one or more map labels of the repositioned subset of the map labels. | 3,600 |
13,222 | 13,222 | 14,153,305 | 3,624 | A transportation service data assessment system includes a data set holding f performance metrics for various route components of a transportation service. When the system receives a selected set of operational data parameter labels, as well one or more route components, it develops a matrix of performance metrics corresponding to the operational data and route components, determines a distance between each row of the performance metric matrix to yield a multi-dimensional matrix, and maps the distance data to a 2-D or 3-D coordinate set so that to yield a coordinate matrix. The system groups the data of the third matrix into clusters and presents the clusters on a display so that outliers are visually distinguished from clustered items, and so that redundant items are also visually apparent in the clusters. | 1. A method of assessing a transportation service monitoring system, comprising, by a processor:
accessing a data set comprising a plurality of performance metrics for each of a plurality of route components of a transportation service; receiving a selected set of operational data parameter labels; retrieving from the data set, for each of a selected set of route components, the performance metrics that correspond to the labels; constructing a two-dimensional N×M first matrix P of the performance metrics so that one dimension of the first matrix is a performance metric and each other dimension of the first matrix is a parameter value for a route component with which the performance metric is associated; determining a distance between each row of the first matrix P and using the distance to construct a second matrix D; mapping the second matrix D to a coordinate set to yield a third matrix C; grouping data elements of third matrix C into clusters; and presenting the clusters on a display so that data elements that are outliers are visually distinguished from data elements that are clustered. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the clusters on the display also visually identifies clustered data elements that represent redundant information. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, by the processor:
before mapping the second matrix D to the third matrix C, detecting which of the outliers are extreme outliers; and when presenting the clusters on the display, also displaying the extreme outliers so that they are visually distinguished from the clusters and the other outliers. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein detecting the extreme outliers comprises applying robust principal component analysis to the second matrix D or to a function of the second matrix D. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein applying the robust principal component analysis is done to the function of the second matrix D, and the method further comprises generating the function of the second matrix D by:
constructing a matrix J=IN×N−(1, N)*1T*1 where I is the identity matrix, N is the number of rows of first matrix P, and each 1 is a vector containing one row and N columns of ones; determining D2 as a square of every element in second matrix D; constructing a matrix B=−0.5*J*D2*J; and using matrix B as the function of D to which the robust principal component analysis is applied. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising, by the processor before constructing the second matrix D, constructing a transpose M×N matrix PT of matrix P and using the transpose matrix PT in place of first matrix P when determining the distance between each row of the first matrix. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, by the processor:
from the data elements of third matrix C, identifying redundant data elements and non-redundant data elements; constructing a transpose M×N2 matrix PT, where N2 includes none of the redundant data elements; determining a distance between each row of the transpose matrix PT; using the determined distance between each row of the transpose matrix PT to construct an updated second matrix D2; mapping the updated second matrix D2 to a coordinate set to yield an updated third matrix C2; grouping data elements of matrix C2 into clusters; and presenting the clusters of matrix C2 on the display so that data elements that are outliers are visually distinguished from data elements that are clustered. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the clusters on a display so that outlier data elements are visually distinguished from clustered data elements comprises spatially separating the outlier data elements from the clustered data elements. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the clusters on a display so that outliers are visually distinguished from clustered data elements comprises, for any data element that is clustered with the group in a displayed two dimensions but an outlier with respect to a third dimension, highlighting the data element in a color that is different from that of the other clustered data elements. 10. A method of assessing transportation service performance, comprising, by a processor:
accessing a data set comprising a plurality of performance metrics for each of a plurality of route components of a transportation service; receiving a selected set of operational data parameter labels; retrieving from the data set, for each of a selected set of route components, the performance metrics that correspond to the labels; constructing a two-dimensional performance metric matrix using the retrieved performance metrics and parameter values; using values of the two-dimensional performance metric matrix to construct a higher-dimensional matrix; detecting extreme outliers from data in the higher-dimensional matrix using robust principal component analysis; mapping the higher-dimensional matrix data to a coordinate matrix; grouping data elements of the coordinate matrix into clusters; and presenting the clusters on a display so that data elements that are non-extreme outliers are visually distinguished from data elements that are clustered, and extreme outliers are visually distinguished from both the clustered data elements and the non-extreme outliers. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein presenting the clusters on the display also visually identifies clustered data elements that represent redundant information. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein detecting the extreme outliers comprises applying robust principal component analysis to the second matrix D or to a function of the second matrix D. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein presenting the clusters on a display so that the extreme outliers data elements are visually distinguished from clustered data elements comprises spatially separating the outlier data elements from the clustered data elements. 14. The method of claim 10, wherein presenting the clusters on a display so that outliers are visually distinguished from clustered data elements comprises, for any data element that is clustered with the group in a displayed two dimensions but an outlier with respect to a third dimension, highlighting the data element in a color that is different from that of the other clustered data elements. 15. A transportation service performance assessment system, comprising:
a data set comprising a plurality of performance metrics for each of a plurality of route components of a transportation service; a display; a processor; and a computer-readable medium containing programming instructions that, when executed, instruct the processor to:
receive a selected set of operational data parameter labels,
retrieve from the data set, for each of a selected set of route components, the performance metrics that correspond to the labels,
construct a two-dimensional performance metric matrix using the retrieved performance metrics and parameter values,
use values of the two-dimensional performance metric matrix to construct a higher-dimensional matrix,
detect extreme outliers from data in the higher-dimensional matrix using robust principal component analysis,
map the higher-dimensional matrix data to a coordinate matrix,
group data elements of the coordinate matrix into clusters, and
cause the clusters to be output on the display so that data elements that are non-extreme outliers are visually distinguished from data elements that are clustered, and so that data elements that are extreme outliers are visually distinguished from both the non-extreme outliers and the clustered data elements. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the instructions that cause the clusters to be output on the display also comprise instructions to visually distinguish clustered data elements that represent redundant information. 17. The system of claim 15, further comprising additional instructions that, when executed, instruct the processor to, before mapping the higher-dimensional matrix to the coordinate matrix, apply robust principal component analysis to the higher-dimensional matrix or to a function of the higher-dimensional matrix. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the instructions to apply the robust principal component analysis comprise instructions to do so to the function of the higher-dimensional matrix, and the instructions further comprises instructions to generate the function of the higher-dimensional matrix by:
constructing a matrix J=IN×N−(1, N)*1T*1 where I is the identity matrix, N is the number of rows of first matrix P, and each 1 is a vector containing one row and N columns of ones; determining D2 as a square of every element in higher-dimensional matrix; constructing a matrix B=−0.5*J*D2*J; and using matrix B as the function of D to which the robust principal component analysis is applied. 19. The system of claim 15, further comprising additional instructions that, when executed, instruct the processor to, before constructing the higher-dimensional matrix, construct a transpose M×N matrix PT of the two-dimensional performance metric matrix and using the transpose matrix PT to determine the distance between each row of the two-dimensional performance metric matrix when constructing the higher-dimensional matrix. 20. The system of claim 15, further comprising additional instructions that, when executed, instruct the processor to, before causing the clusters to be output on the display:
from the data elements of coordinate matrix, identify redundant data elements and non-redundant data elements; construct a transpose matrix PT, that includes the non-redundant data elements and none of the redundant data elements; determine a distance between each row of the transpose matrix PT; use the determined distance between each row of the transpose matrix PT to construct an updated higher-dimensional metric; map the updated higher-dimensional matrix to a coordinate set to yield an updated coordinate matrix; group data elements of the updated coordinate matrix into clusters; and when presenting the clusters of on the display, use the clusters from the updated coordinate matrix. 21. The system of claim 15, wherein the instructions to present the clusters on the display so that non-extreme outlier data elements are visually distinguished from clustered data elements comprise instructions to spatially separate the non-extreme outlier data elements from the clustered data elements. 22. The system of claim 15, wherein the instructions to present the clusters on a display so that non-extreme outliers are visually distinguished from clustered data elements comprise instructions to, for any data element that is clustered with the group in a displayed two dimensions but a non-extreme outlier with respect to a third dimension, highlight the data element in a color that is different from that of the other clustered data elements. | A transportation service data assessment system includes a data set holding f performance metrics for various route components of a transportation service. When the system receives a selected set of operational data parameter labels, as well one or more route components, it develops a matrix of performance metrics corresponding to the operational data and route components, determines a distance between each row of the performance metric matrix to yield a multi-dimensional matrix, and maps the distance data to a 2-D or 3-D coordinate set so that to yield a coordinate matrix. The system groups the data of the third matrix into clusters and presents the clusters on a display so that outliers are visually distinguished from clustered items, and so that redundant items are also visually apparent in the clusters.1. A method of assessing a transportation service monitoring system, comprising, by a processor:
accessing a data set comprising a plurality of performance metrics for each of a plurality of route components of a transportation service; receiving a selected set of operational data parameter labels; retrieving from the data set, for each of a selected set of route components, the performance metrics that correspond to the labels; constructing a two-dimensional N×M first matrix P of the performance metrics so that one dimension of the first matrix is a performance metric and each other dimension of the first matrix is a parameter value for a route component with which the performance metric is associated; determining a distance between each row of the first matrix P and using the distance to construct a second matrix D; mapping the second matrix D to a coordinate set to yield a third matrix C; grouping data elements of third matrix C into clusters; and presenting the clusters on a display so that data elements that are outliers are visually distinguished from data elements that are clustered. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the clusters on the display also visually identifies clustered data elements that represent redundant information. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, by the processor:
before mapping the second matrix D to the third matrix C, detecting which of the outliers are extreme outliers; and when presenting the clusters on the display, also displaying the extreme outliers so that they are visually distinguished from the clusters and the other outliers. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein detecting the extreme outliers comprises applying robust principal component analysis to the second matrix D or to a function of the second matrix D. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein applying the robust principal component analysis is done to the function of the second matrix D, and the method further comprises generating the function of the second matrix D by:
constructing a matrix J=IN×N−(1, N)*1T*1 where I is the identity matrix, N is the number of rows of first matrix P, and each 1 is a vector containing one row and N columns of ones; determining D2 as a square of every element in second matrix D; constructing a matrix B=−0.5*J*D2*J; and using matrix B as the function of D to which the robust principal component analysis is applied. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising, by the processor before constructing the second matrix D, constructing a transpose M×N matrix PT of matrix P and using the transpose matrix PT in place of first matrix P when determining the distance between each row of the first matrix. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, by the processor:
from the data elements of third matrix C, identifying redundant data elements and non-redundant data elements; constructing a transpose M×N2 matrix PT, where N2 includes none of the redundant data elements; determining a distance between each row of the transpose matrix PT; using the determined distance between each row of the transpose matrix PT to construct an updated second matrix D2; mapping the updated second matrix D2 to a coordinate set to yield an updated third matrix C2; grouping data elements of matrix C2 into clusters; and presenting the clusters of matrix C2 on the display so that data elements that are outliers are visually distinguished from data elements that are clustered. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the clusters on a display so that outlier data elements are visually distinguished from clustered data elements comprises spatially separating the outlier data elements from the clustered data elements. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the clusters on a display so that outliers are visually distinguished from clustered data elements comprises, for any data element that is clustered with the group in a displayed two dimensions but an outlier with respect to a third dimension, highlighting the data element in a color that is different from that of the other clustered data elements. 10. A method of assessing transportation service performance, comprising, by a processor:
accessing a data set comprising a plurality of performance metrics for each of a plurality of route components of a transportation service; receiving a selected set of operational data parameter labels; retrieving from the data set, for each of a selected set of route components, the performance metrics that correspond to the labels; constructing a two-dimensional performance metric matrix using the retrieved performance metrics and parameter values; using values of the two-dimensional performance metric matrix to construct a higher-dimensional matrix; detecting extreme outliers from data in the higher-dimensional matrix using robust principal component analysis; mapping the higher-dimensional matrix data to a coordinate matrix; grouping data elements of the coordinate matrix into clusters; and presenting the clusters on a display so that data elements that are non-extreme outliers are visually distinguished from data elements that are clustered, and extreme outliers are visually distinguished from both the clustered data elements and the non-extreme outliers. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein presenting the clusters on the display also visually identifies clustered data elements that represent redundant information. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein detecting the extreme outliers comprises applying robust principal component analysis to the second matrix D or to a function of the second matrix D. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein presenting the clusters on a display so that the extreme outliers data elements are visually distinguished from clustered data elements comprises spatially separating the outlier data elements from the clustered data elements. 14. The method of claim 10, wherein presenting the clusters on a display so that outliers are visually distinguished from clustered data elements comprises, for any data element that is clustered with the group in a displayed two dimensions but an outlier with respect to a third dimension, highlighting the data element in a color that is different from that of the other clustered data elements. 15. A transportation service performance assessment system, comprising:
a data set comprising a plurality of performance metrics for each of a plurality of route components of a transportation service; a display; a processor; and a computer-readable medium containing programming instructions that, when executed, instruct the processor to:
receive a selected set of operational data parameter labels,
retrieve from the data set, for each of a selected set of route components, the performance metrics that correspond to the labels,
construct a two-dimensional performance metric matrix using the retrieved performance metrics and parameter values,
use values of the two-dimensional performance metric matrix to construct a higher-dimensional matrix,
detect extreme outliers from data in the higher-dimensional matrix using robust principal component analysis,
map the higher-dimensional matrix data to a coordinate matrix,
group data elements of the coordinate matrix into clusters, and
cause the clusters to be output on the display so that data elements that are non-extreme outliers are visually distinguished from data elements that are clustered, and so that data elements that are extreme outliers are visually distinguished from both the non-extreme outliers and the clustered data elements. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the instructions that cause the clusters to be output on the display also comprise instructions to visually distinguish clustered data elements that represent redundant information. 17. The system of claim 15, further comprising additional instructions that, when executed, instruct the processor to, before mapping the higher-dimensional matrix to the coordinate matrix, apply robust principal component analysis to the higher-dimensional matrix or to a function of the higher-dimensional matrix. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the instructions to apply the robust principal component analysis comprise instructions to do so to the function of the higher-dimensional matrix, and the instructions further comprises instructions to generate the function of the higher-dimensional matrix by:
constructing a matrix J=IN×N−(1, N)*1T*1 where I is the identity matrix, N is the number of rows of first matrix P, and each 1 is a vector containing one row and N columns of ones; determining D2 as a square of every element in higher-dimensional matrix; constructing a matrix B=−0.5*J*D2*J; and using matrix B as the function of D to which the robust principal component analysis is applied. 19. The system of claim 15, further comprising additional instructions that, when executed, instruct the processor to, before constructing the higher-dimensional matrix, construct a transpose M×N matrix PT of the two-dimensional performance metric matrix and using the transpose matrix PT to determine the distance between each row of the two-dimensional performance metric matrix when constructing the higher-dimensional matrix. 20. The system of claim 15, further comprising additional instructions that, when executed, instruct the processor to, before causing the clusters to be output on the display:
from the data elements of coordinate matrix, identify redundant data elements and non-redundant data elements; construct a transpose matrix PT, that includes the non-redundant data elements and none of the redundant data elements; determine a distance between each row of the transpose matrix PT; use the determined distance between each row of the transpose matrix PT to construct an updated higher-dimensional metric; map the updated higher-dimensional matrix to a coordinate set to yield an updated coordinate matrix; group data elements of the updated coordinate matrix into clusters; and when presenting the clusters of on the display, use the clusters from the updated coordinate matrix. 21. The system of claim 15, wherein the instructions to present the clusters on the display so that non-extreme outlier data elements are visually distinguished from clustered data elements comprise instructions to spatially separate the non-extreme outlier data elements from the clustered data elements. 22. The system of claim 15, wherein the instructions to present the clusters on a display so that non-extreme outliers are visually distinguished from clustered data elements comprise instructions to, for any data element that is clustered with the group in a displayed two dimensions but a non-extreme outlier with respect to a third dimension, highlight the data element in a color that is different from that of the other clustered data elements. | 3,600 |
13,223 | 13,223 | 14,930,098 | 3,665 | A vehicle computing system includes a processor connected to a transceiver and programmed to prompt an occupant via a user interface to pair a device detected by the transceiver. The processor is further programmed to receive input at the user interface to associate the device with a pre-approval setting for enabling a vehicle start request when the device having the pre-approval setting and a vehicle key are detected by the processor. | 1. A system comprising:
a processor configured with a transceiver and programmed to, in response to detecting a device via the transceiver, prompt an occupant via a user interface to pair the device based on a predefined password; and receive input at the user interface to associate the device with a pre-approval setting for enabling a vehicle start request when the device having the pre-approval setting and a vehicle key are detected by the processor. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further programmed to, in response to at least one of the device having a preconfigured restriction limit meeting a threshold and an unpaired device not recognized by the processor, immobilize an ignition system. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the preconfigured restriction limit is at least one of a selected time period and a selected day of a week via the user interface. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to, in response to the device being paired, prompt the occupant to define one or more preconfigured restriction limits for the device. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the one or more preconfigured restriction limits are a first time period for the paired device to enable an ignition system and a second time period for the paired device to immobilize the ignition system. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to, in response to the occupant selecting a valet mode via the user interface, authorize the vehicle start request to enable an ignition system without the device. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle key is associated with a vehicle and transmits a wireless signal to an ignition system to enable the vehicle start request. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the wireless signal includes a rolling count encrypted code that is associated with the ignition system. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle key is at least one of a key blade, a key fob, and an integrated key blade and fob associated with the processor. 10. A driver authorization method comprising:
receiving, via a vehicle processor, a request to start a powertrain based on a recognized key; searching for a previously paired mobile device based on the request to start the powertrain; if the previously paired mobile device is detected, enabling the powertrain; and if the previously paired mobile device is associated with a predefined restriction by the vehicle processor, immobilizing the powertrain. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising, in response to a detected device that is not paired with the vehicle processor, prompting an occupant via a user interface to pair the detected device based on a predefined password. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising, in response to pairing the detected device, correlating a pre-approved setting with the detected device for authorizing an ignition system to start the powertrain when the key and the detected device are identified by the vehicle processor. 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising, in response to at least one of the previously paired mobile device having a preconfigured restriction limit and a non-paired device detected by the vehicle processor, immobilizing the powertrain. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the preconfigured restriction limit is at least one of a selected time period setting and a selected day of a week setting. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising prompting an occupant to define the preconfigured restriction limit for the previously paired device via a user interface screen. 16. The method of claim 10, further comprising,
in response to an occupant entering a predefined password via a user interface screen, prompting one or more driver authorization configurations, and selecting a valet mode via the user interface screen based on the one or more driver authorization configurations, the valet mode enabling the powertrain without the previously paired device being present. 17. A computer-program product embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored instructions for programming a processor, comprising instructions for:
prompting an occupant via a user interface to pair a mobile device based on a predefined password; and associating the mobile device with a start-approval setting to implement a vehicle start request by enabling a powertrain when a vehicle key and the mobile device having the start-approval setting are detected by the processor. 18. The computer-program product of claim 17, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises instructions for, in response to at least one of an unpaired device and the paired mobile device having a preconfigured restriction limit, immobilizing the vehicle via the powertrain. 19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the preconfigured restriction limit is at least one of a time period and a day of a week. 20. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises instructions for, in response to an occupant entering a predefined password via the user interface, prompting one or more driver authorization configurations for the mobile device, and
selecting a valet mode via the user interface based on the one or more driver authorization configurations, the valet mode enabling the vehicle without the previously paired device being present. | A vehicle computing system includes a processor connected to a transceiver and programmed to prompt an occupant via a user interface to pair a device detected by the transceiver. The processor is further programmed to receive input at the user interface to associate the device with a pre-approval setting for enabling a vehicle start request when the device having the pre-approval setting and a vehicle key are detected by the processor.1. A system comprising:
a processor configured with a transceiver and programmed to, in response to detecting a device via the transceiver, prompt an occupant via a user interface to pair the device based on a predefined password; and receive input at the user interface to associate the device with a pre-approval setting for enabling a vehicle start request when the device having the pre-approval setting and a vehicle key are detected by the processor. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further programmed to, in response to at least one of the device having a preconfigured restriction limit meeting a threshold and an unpaired device not recognized by the processor, immobilize an ignition system. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the preconfigured restriction limit is at least one of a selected time period and a selected day of a week via the user interface. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to, in response to the device being paired, prompt the occupant to define one or more preconfigured restriction limits for the device. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the one or more preconfigured restriction limits are a first time period for the paired device to enable an ignition system and a second time period for the paired device to immobilize the ignition system. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to, in response to the occupant selecting a valet mode via the user interface, authorize the vehicle start request to enable an ignition system without the device. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle key is associated with a vehicle and transmits a wireless signal to an ignition system to enable the vehicle start request. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the wireless signal includes a rolling count encrypted code that is associated with the ignition system. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle key is at least one of a key blade, a key fob, and an integrated key blade and fob associated with the processor. 10. A driver authorization method comprising:
receiving, via a vehicle processor, a request to start a powertrain based on a recognized key; searching for a previously paired mobile device based on the request to start the powertrain; if the previously paired mobile device is detected, enabling the powertrain; and if the previously paired mobile device is associated with a predefined restriction by the vehicle processor, immobilizing the powertrain. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising, in response to a detected device that is not paired with the vehicle processor, prompting an occupant via a user interface to pair the detected device based on a predefined password. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising, in response to pairing the detected device, correlating a pre-approved setting with the detected device for authorizing an ignition system to start the powertrain when the key and the detected device are identified by the vehicle processor. 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising, in response to at least one of the previously paired mobile device having a preconfigured restriction limit and a non-paired device detected by the vehicle processor, immobilizing the powertrain. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the preconfigured restriction limit is at least one of a selected time period setting and a selected day of a week setting. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising prompting an occupant to define the preconfigured restriction limit for the previously paired device via a user interface screen. 16. The method of claim 10, further comprising,
in response to an occupant entering a predefined password via a user interface screen, prompting one or more driver authorization configurations, and selecting a valet mode via the user interface screen based on the one or more driver authorization configurations, the valet mode enabling the powertrain without the previously paired device being present. 17. A computer-program product embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored instructions for programming a processor, comprising instructions for:
prompting an occupant via a user interface to pair a mobile device based on a predefined password; and associating the mobile device with a start-approval setting to implement a vehicle start request by enabling a powertrain when a vehicle key and the mobile device having the start-approval setting are detected by the processor. 18. The computer-program product of claim 17, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises instructions for, in response to at least one of an unpaired device and the paired mobile device having a preconfigured restriction limit, immobilizing the vehicle via the powertrain. 19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the preconfigured restriction limit is at least one of a time period and a day of a week. 20. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium further comprises instructions for, in response to an occupant entering a predefined password via the user interface, prompting one or more driver authorization configurations for the mobile device, and
selecting a valet mode via the user interface based on the one or more driver authorization configurations, the valet mode enabling the vehicle without the previously paired device being present. | 3,600 |
13,224 | 13,224 | 13,916,346 | 3,697 | Malicious software running in personal computers manipulates victims' bank accounts without their knowledge, performing transactions without the user's approval. The result is banking fraud, both against individual consumers and organizations. Using voice technologies, we demonstrate a prototype system to validate individual banking transactions without the need for out-of-band techniques such as telephone calls. | 1. (canceled) 2. A method for allowing a user of an online system to authorize transactions from untrusted computer systems, the method comprising, with the online system:
receiving a transaction request of the user, the transaction request to accomplish an online transaction, the transaction request comprising financial information, and in response to the transaction request: presenting a series of tests to the user, each of the tests comprising text that is human-intelligible but not intelligible by computers; creating a recording of the user's voice speaking one of the tests of the series of tests; recognizing the one of the tests spoken by the user in the recording as being one of the presented series of tests; verifying the recording by matching the recording to a known sample of the user's voice; and rejecting the transaction request if the one of the tests spoken by the user is not recognized as being one of the presented series of tests and/or if the recording does not match the known sample of the user's voice. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein presenting the series of tests comprises presenting a plurality of different Completely Automated Public Turing tests to tell Computers and Humans Apart (CAPTCHAs). 4. The method of claim 2, comprising performing automated speech recognition on the recording to recognize the one of the tests spoken by the user in the recording, and comparing the recognized one of the tests spoken by the user to the presented series of tests. 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the creating a recording comprises recording the user's voice speaking at least a portion of the financial information of the transaction request. 6. The method of claim 5, comprising performing automated speech recognition on the recording including the spoken financial information to verify the transaction request. 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the spoken financial information comprises an amount of money and a payee, and the method comprises verifying the amount or the payee using the automated speech recognition. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the spoken financial information identifies a payee, and the method comprises generating a plurality of patterns with the automated speech recognition system, each of the plurality of patterns possibly corresponding to the payee, and determining whether a portion of the recording including the payee corresponds to any of the patterns. 9. The method of claim 6, comprising, with the automated speech recognition system, generating a plurality of hypotheses, each of the plurality of hypotheses possibly corresponding to at least a portion of the recording, and using at least one of the hypotheses to recognize at least a portion of the spoken financial information. 10. The method of claim 2, wherein the financial information comprises an amount of money, a payee, a transaction date, and/or a financial account identifier, and the method comprises determining to present the series of tests to the user based on the amount of money, the payee, the transaction date, and/or the financial account identifier. 11. The method of claim 10, comprising determining if the amount of money exceeds a defined amount and presenting the series of tests to the user in response to determining that the amount of money exceeds the defined amount. 12. The method of claim 10, comprising determining if the payee is a payee that the user has not previously transacted with, and presenting the series of tests to the user in response to determining that the payee is a payee that the user has not previously transacted with. 13. The method of claim 2, comprising creating the known sample of the user's voice by recording the user's speech prior to the transaction request. 14. The method of claim 13, comprising recording the known sample of the user's speech during a user registration process. 15. The method of claim 2, comprising performing out-of-band voice authentication to determine if the comparison of the recording to the known sample is successful. 16. The method of claim 2, comprising creating a user-specific speaker model using training data for the user, and performing speaker verification of the recording with the user-specific speaker model. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein creating the user-specific speaker model comprises adapting a Gaussian mixture model using training data of the user. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the user-specific speaker model comprises speech segments from the user and speech segments from other speakers. 19. The method of claim 18, comprising applying a spectral transformation process to the speech segments to preserve relevant speaker information and reduce dimensionality. 20. An online system comprising:
a microphone, the microphone configured to receive speech spoken by a user of the online system; a speaker verification subsystem configured to, in response to a transaction request initiated by the user, the transaction request involving financial information:
present a series of tests to the user, each of the tests comprising text that is human-intelligible but not intelligible by computers;
create a recording of the user's voice speaking one of the tests of the series of tests;
determine the one of the tests spoken by the user in the recording; and
match the recording to a previously-made recording of the user's voice to verify that the recording is of the user's voice; and
a speech recognition subsystem configured to verify the recorded one of the tests spoken by the user as being one of the presented series of tests. 21. The online system of claim 20, comprising a user computer and a server, wherein the user computer creates the recording and the server verifies the recording of the user's voice and verifies the spoken test. 22. The online system of claim 21, wherein the server detects transaction requests involving large or anomalous financial transactions and in response to detecting a large or anomalous financial transaction, presents a challenge to the user to speak the financial information and one of the tests of the series of tests. 23. The online system of claim 21, wherein the user computer interacts with the server through a client interface including a browser. | Malicious software running in personal computers manipulates victims' bank accounts without their knowledge, performing transactions without the user's approval. The result is banking fraud, both against individual consumers and organizations. Using voice technologies, we demonstrate a prototype system to validate individual banking transactions without the need for out-of-band techniques such as telephone calls.1. (canceled) 2. A method for allowing a user of an online system to authorize transactions from untrusted computer systems, the method comprising, with the online system:
receiving a transaction request of the user, the transaction request to accomplish an online transaction, the transaction request comprising financial information, and in response to the transaction request: presenting a series of tests to the user, each of the tests comprising text that is human-intelligible but not intelligible by computers; creating a recording of the user's voice speaking one of the tests of the series of tests; recognizing the one of the tests spoken by the user in the recording as being one of the presented series of tests; verifying the recording by matching the recording to a known sample of the user's voice; and rejecting the transaction request if the one of the tests spoken by the user is not recognized as being one of the presented series of tests and/or if the recording does not match the known sample of the user's voice. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein presenting the series of tests comprises presenting a plurality of different Completely Automated Public Turing tests to tell Computers and Humans Apart (CAPTCHAs). 4. The method of claim 2, comprising performing automated speech recognition on the recording to recognize the one of the tests spoken by the user in the recording, and comparing the recognized one of the tests spoken by the user to the presented series of tests. 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the creating a recording comprises recording the user's voice speaking at least a portion of the financial information of the transaction request. 6. The method of claim 5, comprising performing automated speech recognition on the recording including the spoken financial information to verify the transaction request. 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the spoken financial information comprises an amount of money and a payee, and the method comprises verifying the amount or the payee using the automated speech recognition. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the spoken financial information identifies a payee, and the method comprises generating a plurality of patterns with the automated speech recognition system, each of the plurality of patterns possibly corresponding to the payee, and determining whether a portion of the recording including the payee corresponds to any of the patterns. 9. The method of claim 6, comprising, with the automated speech recognition system, generating a plurality of hypotheses, each of the plurality of hypotheses possibly corresponding to at least a portion of the recording, and using at least one of the hypotheses to recognize at least a portion of the spoken financial information. 10. The method of claim 2, wherein the financial information comprises an amount of money, a payee, a transaction date, and/or a financial account identifier, and the method comprises determining to present the series of tests to the user based on the amount of money, the payee, the transaction date, and/or the financial account identifier. 11. The method of claim 10, comprising determining if the amount of money exceeds a defined amount and presenting the series of tests to the user in response to determining that the amount of money exceeds the defined amount. 12. The method of claim 10, comprising determining if the payee is a payee that the user has not previously transacted with, and presenting the series of tests to the user in response to determining that the payee is a payee that the user has not previously transacted with. 13. The method of claim 2, comprising creating the known sample of the user's voice by recording the user's speech prior to the transaction request. 14. The method of claim 13, comprising recording the known sample of the user's speech during a user registration process. 15. The method of claim 2, comprising performing out-of-band voice authentication to determine if the comparison of the recording to the known sample is successful. 16. The method of claim 2, comprising creating a user-specific speaker model using training data for the user, and performing speaker verification of the recording with the user-specific speaker model. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein creating the user-specific speaker model comprises adapting a Gaussian mixture model using training data of the user. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the user-specific speaker model comprises speech segments from the user and speech segments from other speakers. 19. The method of claim 18, comprising applying a spectral transformation process to the speech segments to preserve relevant speaker information and reduce dimensionality. 20. An online system comprising:
a microphone, the microphone configured to receive speech spoken by a user of the online system; a speaker verification subsystem configured to, in response to a transaction request initiated by the user, the transaction request involving financial information:
present a series of tests to the user, each of the tests comprising text that is human-intelligible but not intelligible by computers;
create a recording of the user's voice speaking one of the tests of the series of tests;
determine the one of the tests spoken by the user in the recording; and
match the recording to a previously-made recording of the user's voice to verify that the recording is of the user's voice; and
a speech recognition subsystem configured to verify the recorded one of the tests spoken by the user as being one of the presented series of tests. 21. The online system of claim 20, comprising a user computer and a server, wherein the user computer creates the recording and the server verifies the recording of the user's voice and verifies the spoken test. 22. The online system of claim 21, wherein the server detects transaction requests involving large or anomalous financial transactions and in response to detecting a large or anomalous financial transaction, presents a challenge to the user to speak the financial information and one of the tests of the series of tests. 23. The online system of claim 21, wherein the user computer interacts with the server through a client interface including a browser. | 3,600 |
13,225 | 13,225 | 14,080,449 | 3,683 | A computer-implemented method for providing merchant recommendation data based on candidate merchant input data is provided. The method is implemented using a computing device in communication with a memory. The method includes storing transaction data for a plurality of model merchants within the memory, storing model merchant data for each of the plurality of model merchants within the memory, wherein the model merchant data includes geographic attributes associated with each of the model merchants, generating a location model by comparing the transaction data for each model merchant and the model merchant data for each model merchant, receiving candidate merchant input data for a candidate merchant, and providing, based on the location model and the candidate merchant input data, merchant recommendation data for the candidate merchant, wherein the merchant recommendation data includes at least one of a recommended merchant location and a recommended merchant type. | 1. A computer-implemented method for providing merchant recommendation data based on candidate merchant input data, said method implemented using a computing device in communication with a memory, said method comprising:
storing transaction data for a plurality of model merchants within the memory; storing model merchant data for each of the plurality of model merchants within the memory, wherein the model merchant data includes geographic attributes associated with each of the model merchants; generating a location model by comparing the transaction data for each model merchant and the model merchant data for each model merchant; receiving candidate merchant input data for a candidate merchant; and providing, based on the location model and the candidate merchant input data, merchant recommendation data for the candidate merchant, wherein the merchant recommendation data includes at least one of a recommended merchant location and a recommended merchant type. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein storing model merchant data further comprises associating a merchant type classification code with each model merchant. 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the candidate merchant input data includes a candidate merchant location, and providing the merchant recommendation data further comprises providing a recommended merchant type. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the candidate merchant input data includes a candidate merchant type, and providing the merchant recommendation data further comprises providing a recommended merchant location. 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the candidate merchant input data includes a candidate merchant location and providing the merchant recommendation data further comprises providing a recommended merchant type based at least in part on a market saturation value associated with the candidate merchant location. 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the candidate merchant input data includes a candidate merchant location and providing the merchant recommendation data further comprises providing a recommended merchant type based at least in part on a market opportunity value associated with the candidate merchant location. 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein generating the location model further comprises generating the location model for each model merchant associated with at least one specified geographic attribute. 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein generating the location model further comprises generating the location model for each model merchant associated with at least one specified merchant type classification code. 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein storing model merchant data further comprises storing demographic attributes associated with a respective region in which each model merchant is located. 10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein storing the model merchant data further comprises storing cardholder attributes associated with at least one cardholder involved in a transaction for each model merchant. 11. A computing device for providing merchant recommendation data based on candidate merchant input data, said computing device comprising a memory device and a processor coupled to said memory device, said computing device configured to:
store transaction data for a plurality of model merchants within said memory; store model merchant data for each of the plurality of model merchants within said memory, wherein the model merchant data includes geographic attributes associated with each of the model merchants; generate a location model by comparing the transaction data for each model merchant and the model merchant data for each model merchant; receive candidate merchant input data for a candidate merchant; and provide, based on the location model and the candidate merchant input data, merchant recommendation data for the candidate merchant, wherein the merchant recommendation data includes at least one of a recommended merchant location and a recommended merchant type. 12. The computing device of claim 11, wherein said computing device is further configured such that storing model merchant data further comprises associating a merchant type classification code with each model merchant. 13. The computing device of claim 11, wherein the candidate merchant input data includes a candidate merchant location and said computing device is further configured such that providing the merchant recommendation data further comprises providing a recommended merchant type. 14. The computing device of claim 11, wherein the candidate merchant input data includes a candidate merchant type and said computing device is further configured such that providing the merchant recommendation data further comprises providing a recommended merchant location. 15. The computing device of claim 11, wherein the candidate merchant input data includes a candidate merchant location and said computing device is further configured such that providing the merchant recommendation data further comprises providing a recommended merchant type based at least in part on a market saturation value associated with the candidate merchant location. 16. The computing device of claim 11, wherein the candidate merchant input data includes a candidate merchant location and said computing device is further configured such that providing the merchant recommendation data further comprises providing a recommended merchant type based at least in part on a market opportunity value associated with the candidate merchant location. 17. The computing device of claim 11, wherein said computing device is further configured such that generating the location model further comprises generating the location model for each model merchant associated with at least one specified merchant type classification code. 18. The computing device of claim 11, wherein said computing device is further configured such that storing model merchant data further comprises storing demographic attributes associated with a respective region in which each model merchant is located. 19. The computing device of claim 11, wherein said computing device is further configured such that storing the model merchant data further comprises storing cardholder attributes associated with at least one cardholder involved in a transaction for each model merchant. 20. A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon, wherein when executed by a computing device having at least one processor in communication with a memory, the computer-executable instructions cause the computing device to:
store transaction data for a plurality of model merchants within the memory; store model merchant data for each of the plurality of model merchants within the memory, wherein the model merchant data includes geographic attributes associated with each of the model merchants; generate a location model by comparing the transaction data for each model merchant and the model merchant data for each model merchant; receive candidate merchant input data for a candidate merchant; and provide, based on the location model and the candidate merchant input data, merchant recommendation data for the candidate merchant, wherein the merchant recommendation data includes at least one of a recommended merchant location and a recommended merchant type. | A computer-implemented method for providing merchant recommendation data based on candidate merchant input data is provided. The method is implemented using a computing device in communication with a memory. The method includes storing transaction data for a plurality of model merchants within the memory, storing model merchant data for each of the plurality of model merchants within the memory, wherein the model merchant data includes geographic attributes associated with each of the model merchants, generating a location model by comparing the transaction data for each model merchant and the model merchant data for each model merchant, receiving candidate merchant input data for a candidate merchant, and providing, based on the location model and the candidate merchant input data, merchant recommendation data for the candidate merchant, wherein the merchant recommendation data includes at least one of a recommended merchant location and a recommended merchant type.1. A computer-implemented method for providing merchant recommendation data based on candidate merchant input data, said method implemented using a computing device in communication with a memory, said method comprising:
storing transaction data for a plurality of model merchants within the memory; storing model merchant data for each of the plurality of model merchants within the memory, wherein the model merchant data includes geographic attributes associated with each of the model merchants; generating a location model by comparing the transaction data for each model merchant and the model merchant data for each model merchant; receiving candidate merchant input data for a candidate merchant; and providing, based on the location model and the candidate merchant input data, merchant recommendation data for the candidate merchant, wherein the merchant recommendation data includes at least one of a recommended merchant location and a recommended merchant type. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein storing model merchant data further comprises associating a merchant type classification code with each model merchant. 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the candidate merchant input data includes a candidate merchant location, and providing the merchant recommendation data further comprises providing a recommended merchant type. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the candidate merchant input data includes a candidate merchant type, and providing the merchant recommendation data further comprises providing a recommended merchant location. 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the candidate merchant input data includes a candidate merchant location and providing the merchant recommendation data further comprises providing a recommended merchant type based at least in part on a market saturation value associated with the candidate merchant location. 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the candidate merchant input data includes a candidate merchant location and providing the merchant recommendation data further comprises providing a recommended merchant type based at least in part on a market opportunity value associated with the candidate merchant location. 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein generating the location model further comprises generating the location model for each model merchant associated with at least one specified geographic attribute. 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein generating the location model further comprises generating the location model for each model merchant associated with at least one specified merchant type classification code. 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein storing model merchant data further comprises storing demographic attributes associated with a respective region in which each model merchant is located. 10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein storing the model merchant data further comprises storing cardholder attributes associated with at least one cardholder involved in a transaction for each model merchant. 11. A computing device for providing merchant recommendation data based on candidate merchant input data, said computing device comprising a memory device and a processor coupled to said memory device, said computing device configured to:
store transaction data for a plurality of model merchants within said memory; store model merchant data for each of the plurality of model merchants within said memory, wherein the model merchant data includes geographic attributes associated with each of the model merchants; generate a location model by comparing the transaction data for each model merchant and the model merchant data for each model merchant; receive candidate merchant input data for a candidate merchant; and provide, based on the location model and the candidate merchant input data, merchant recommendation data for the candidate merchant, wherein the merchant recommendation data includes at least one of a recommended merchant location and a recommended merchant type. 12. The computing device of claim 11, wherein said computing device is further configured such that storing model merchant data further comprises associating a merchant type classification code with each model merchant. 13. The computing device of claim 11, wherein the candidate merchant input data includes a candidate merchant location and said computing device is further configured such that providing the merchant recommendation data further comprises providing a recommended merchant type. 14. The computing device of claim 11, wherein the candidate merchant input data includes a candidate merchant type and said computing device is further configured such that providing the merchant recommendation data further comprises providing a recommended merchant location. 15. The computing device of claim 11, wherein the candidate merchant input data includes a candidate merchant location and said computing device is further configured such that providing the merchant recommendation data further comprises providing a recommended merchant type based at least in part on a market saturation value associated with the candidate merchant location. 16. The computing device of claim 11, wherein the candidate merchant input data includes a candidate merchant location and said computing device is further configured such that providing the merchant recommendation data further comprises providing a recommended merchant type based at least in part on a market opportunity value associated with the candidate merchant location. 17. The computing device of claim 11, wherein said computing device is further configured such that generating the location model further comprises generating the location model for each model merchant associated with at least one specified merchant type classification code. 18. The computing device of claim 11, wherein said computing device is further configured such that storing model merchant data further comprises storing demographic attributes associated with a respective region in which each model merchant is located. 19. The computing device of claim 11, wherein said computing device is further configured such that storing the model merchant data further comprises storing cardholder attributes associated with at least one cardholder involved in a transaction for each model merchant. 20. A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon, wherein when executed by a computing device having at least one processor in communication with a memory, the computer-executable instructions cause the computing device to:
store transaction data for a plurality of model merchants within the memory; store model merchant data for each of the plurality of model merchants within the memory, wherein the model merchant data includes geographic attributes associated with each of the model merchants; generate a location model by comparing the transaction data for each model merchant and the model merchant data for each model merchant; receive candidate merchant input data for a candidate merchant; and provide, based on the location model and the candidate merchant input data, merchant recommendation data for the candidate merchant, wherein the merchant recommendation data includes at least one of a recommended merchant location and a recommended merchant type. | 3,600 |
13,226 | 13,226 | 15,915,031 | 3,651 | An improved sanitary wipe apparatus, a sterile, naturally sanitizing wipe adapted to be stored within a dispenser box and removed one-by-one for use by a person to remove anti-microbial agents from a top drinking surface of a beverage can before drinking therefrom. | 1. An improved sanitary wipe apparatus comprising:
a dispenser box including:
a bottom wall;
a top wall including:
an aperture therethrough; and
at least one side wall;
wherein said at least one side wall is connected between said bottom wall and said top wall;
wherein said bottom wall, said top wall, and said at least one side wall form an interior volume; and
a plurality of sanitary wipe members, each comprising:
a main body;
wherein said main body is formed from a fabric material;
an anti-microbial agent;
wherein said end anti-microbial agent is impregnated within said fabric material, and is adapted to kill and remove anti-microbial agents from a top drinking surface of a beverage can;
wherein said plurality of sanitary wipe members are adapted to be stored within said dispenser box and removed one-by-one for use by a person to remove anti-microbial agents from said top drinking surface of said beverage can before drinking therefrom. 2. The improved sanitary wipe apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of said bottom wall and said at least one side wall includes an attachment member adapted to removably attach to a front surface of a beverage dispenser apparatus, such that said plurality of sanitary wipe members are accessible for use when a person removes a beverage can from said beverage dispenser apparatus to drink therefrom. 3. The improved sanitary wipe apparatus of claim 2, wherein said attachment member is formed as a magnet. 4. The improved sanitary wipe apparatus of claim 1, wherein said attachment member is formed as double-sided tape. 5. The improved sanitary wipe apparatus of claim 4, wherein said double-sided tape includes a peel-and-stick backing member adapted to be removed therefrom before attaching to said front surface of said beverage dispenser apparatus. 6. The improved sanitary wipe apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fabric material of said main body of said plurality of sanitary wipe members is formed from a biodegradable synthetic fiber. 7. The improved sanitary wipe apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fabric material of said main body of said plurality of sanitary wipe members is formed from a natural textile fiber. 8. The improved sanitary wipe apparatus of claim 1, wherein said dispenser box is formed from a material chosen from a list of materials consisting of molded plastic, aluminum, and stainless-steel. 9. A combination of a beverage dispenser apparatus and an improved sanitary wipe apparatus, comprising:
a beverage dispenser apparatus including:
a bottom wall;
a top wall; and
at least one side wall including:
an aperture therethrough;
wherein said at least one side wall is connected between said bottom wall and said top wall;
wherein said bottom wall, said top wall, and said at least one side wall form an interior volume adapted to store beverage containers therein; and
a door member;
wherein said door member is pivotally connected to said at least one side wall and adapted to removably cover said aperture of said at least one side wall; and
an improved sanitary wipe apparatus comprising:
a dispenser box including:
a bottom wall;
a top wall including:
an aperture therethrough; and
at least one side wall;
wherein said at least one side wall is connected between said bottom wall and said top wall;
wherein said bottom wall, said top wall, and said at least one side wall form an interior volume; and
a plurality of sanitary wipe members, each comprising:
a main body;
wherein said main body is formed from a fabric material;
an anti-microbial agent;
wherein said end anti-microbial agent is impregnated within said fabric material, and is adapted to kill and remove anti-microbial agents from a top drinking surface of a beverage can;
wherein said plurality of sanitary wipe members are adapted to be stored within said dispenser box and removed one-by-one for use by a person to remove anti-microbial agents from said top drinking surface of said beverage can before drinking therefrom;
wherein one of said bottom wall and said at least one side wall of said dispenser box includes an attachment member adapted to removably attach said dispenser box to a front surface of said door of said beverage dispenser apparatus, such that said plurality of sanitary wipe members are accessible for use when a person removes a beverage can from said beverage dispenser apparatus to drink therefrom. 10. The combination of claim 9, wherein said attachment member is formed as a magnet. 11. The combination of claim 9, wherein said attachment member is formed as double-sided tape. 12. The combination of claim 11, wherein said double-sided tape includes a peel-and-stick backing member adapted to be removed therefrom before attaching to said front surface of said beverage dispenser apparatus. 13. The combination of claim 9, wherein said fabric material of said main body of said plurality of sanitary wipe members is formed from a biodegradable synthetic fiber. 14. The combination of claim 9, wherein said fabric material of said main body of said plurality of sanitary wipe members is formed from a natural textile fiber. 15. The combination of claim 9, wherein said dispenser box is formed from a material chosen from a list of materials consisting of molded plastic, aluminum, and stainless-steel. | An improved sanitary wipe apparatus, a sterile, naturally sanitizing wipe adapted to be stored within a dispenser box and removed one-by-one for use by a person to remove anti-microbial agents from a top drinking surface of a beverage can before drinking therefrom.1. An improved sanitary wipe apparatus comprising:
a dispenser box including:
a bottom wall;
a top wall including:
an aperture therethrough; and
at least one side wall;
wherein said at least one side wall is connected between said bottom wall and said top wall;
wherein said bottom wall, said top wall, and said at least one side wall form an interior volume; and
a plurality of sanitary wipe members, each comprising:
a main body;
wherein said main body is formed from a fabric material;
an anti-microbial agent;
wherein said end anti-microbial agent is impregnated within said fabric material, and is adapted to kill and remove anti-microbial agents from a top drinking surface of a beverage can;
wherein said plurality of sanitary wipe members are adapted to be stored within said dispenser box and removed one-by-one for use by a person to remove anti-microbial agents from said top drinking surface of said beverage can before drinking therefrom. 2. The improved sanitary wipe apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of said bottom wall and said at least one side wall includes an attachment member adapted to removably attach to a front surface of a beverage dispenser apparatus, such that said plurality of sanitary wipe members are accessible for use when a person removes a beverage can from said beverage dispenser apparatus to drink therefrom. 3. The improved sanitary wipe apparatus of claim 2, wherein said attachment member is formed as a magnet. 4. The improved sanitary wipe apparatus of claim 1, wherein said attachment member is formed as double-sided tape. 5. The improved sanitary wipe apparatus of claim 4, wherein said double-sided tape includes a peel-and-stick backing member adapted to be removed therefrom before attaching to said front surface of said beverage dispenser apparatus. 6. The improved sanitary wipe apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fabric material of said main body of said plurality of sanitary wipe members is formed from a biodegradable synthetic fiber. 7. The improved sanitary wipe apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fabric material of said main body of said plurality of sanitary wipe members is formed from a natural textile fiber. 8. The improved sanitary wipe apparatus of claim 1, wherein said dispenser box is formed from a material chosen from a list of materials consisting of molded plastic, aluminum, and stainless-steel. 9. A combination of a beverage dispenser apparatus and an improved sanitary wipe apparatus, comprising:
a beverage dispenser apparatus including:
a bottom wall;
a top wall; and
at least one side wall including:
an aperture therethrough;
wherein said at least one side wall is connected between said bottom wall and said top wall;
wherein said bottom wall, said top wall, and said at least one side wall form an interior volume adapted to store beverage containers therein; and
a door member;
wherein said door member is pivotally connected to said at least one side wall and adapted to removably cover said aperture of said at least one side wall; and
an improved sanitary wipe apparatus comprising:
a dispenser box including:
a bottom wall;
a top wall including:
an aperture therethrough; and
at least one side wall;
wherein said at least one side wall is connected between said bottom wall and said top wall;
wherein said bottom wall, said top wall, and said at least one side wall form an interior volume; and
a plurality of sanitary wipe members, each comprising:
a main body;
wherein said main body is formed from a fabric material;
an anti-microbial agent;
wherein said end anti-microbial agent is impregnated within said fabric material, and is adapted to kill and remove anti-microbial agents from a top drinking surface of a beverage can;
wherein said plurality of sanitary wipe members are adapted to be stored within said dispenser box and removed one-by-one for use by a person to remove anti-microbial agents from said top drinking surface of said beverage can before drinking therefrom;
wherein one of said bottom wall and said at least one side wall of said dispenser box includes an attachment member adapted to removably attach said dispenser box to a front surface of said door of said beverage dispenser apparatus, such that said plurality of sanitary wipe members are accessible for use when a person removes a beverage can from said beverage dispenser apparatus to drink therefrom. 10. The combination of claim 9, wherein said attachment member is formed as a magnet. 11. The combination of claim 9, wherein said attachment member is formed as double-sided tape. 12. The combination of claim 11, wherein said double-sided tape includes a peel-and-stick backing member adapted to be removed therefrom before attaching to said front surface of said beverage dispenser apparatus. 13. The combination of claim 9, wherein said fabric material of said main body of said plurality of sanitary wipe members is formed from a biodegradable synthetic fiber. 14. The combination of claim 9, wherein said fabric material of said main body of said plurality of sanitary wipe members is formed from a natural textile fiber. 15. The combination of claim 9, wherein said dispenser box is formed from a material chosen from a list of materials consisting of molded plastic, aluminum, and stainless-steel. | 3,600 |
13,227 | 13,227 | 15,413,499 | 3,616 | A flush-mounted active grille shutter system includes a grille defining a plurality of airflow openings and including a plurality of bushings and a translatable blocking member translatable along guide slots defined by the plurality of bushings between an open position exposing the plurality of airflow openings and a closed position blocking the plurality of airflow openings. An actuator bracket carries an actuator configured to translate the translatable blocking member between the open position and the closed position. The actuator may be a rotary actuator. Vehicle grille assemblies and vehicles including the flush-mounted active grille shutter system are described. | 1. A flush-mounted active grille shutter system, comprising:
a grille defining a plurality of airflow openings and including a plurality of bushings; and a vertically translatable blocking member translatable along guide slots defined by the plurality of bushings between a fully open position exposing the plurality of airflow openings and a fully closed position blocking the plurality of airflow openings. 2. The flush-mounted active grille shutter system of claim 1, further comprising an actuator bracket adapted for carrying an actuator configured to translate the translatable blocking member between the open position and the closed position. 3. The flush-mounted active grille shutter system of claim 2, wherein the actuator bracket is vertically oriented and includes bracket arms attached to the grille. 4. The flush-mounted active grille shutter system of claim 1, wherein the translatable blocking member includes a plurality of spaced vanes configured and dimensioned to block the plurality of airflow openings when placed in the closed position. 5. The flush-mounted active grille shutter system of claim 1, wherein the guide slots are arcuate guide slots extending rearwardly and vertically away from the grille. 6. The flush-mounted active grille shutter system of claim 2, wherein the actuator is a rotary actuator. 7. The flush-mounted active grille shutter system of claim 6, wherein the actuator is a rotary stepper motor, a brushless DC motor, or a brush DC motor. 8. The flush-mounted active grille shutter system of claim 1, wherein the translatable blocking member comprises followers configured and dimensioned to travel within the guide slots. 9. The flush-mounted active grille shutter system of claim 1, wherein the grille defines a compound shape. 10. A flush-mounted active grille shutter system, comprising:
a grille defining a plurality of airflow openings and including a plurality of bushings each defining a guide slot; a vertically translatable blocking member comprising followers translatable along the guide slots between a fully open position exposing the plurality of airflow openings and a fully closed position blocking the plurality of airflow openings; and a rotary actuator configured to translate the vertically translatable blocking member. 11. The flush-mounted active grille shutter system of claim 10, further comprising a vertically-oriented bracket attached to the grille and adapted for carrying the rotary actuator. 12. The flush-mounted active grille shutter system of claim 10, wherein the translatable blocking member includes a plurality of spaced vanes configured and dimensioned to block the plurality of airflow openings when placed in the closed position. 13. The flush-mounted active grille shutter system of claim 10, wherein the rotary actuator is operatively connected to the translatable blocking member by at least one drive arm. 14. The flush-mounted active grille shutter system of claim 10, wherein the guide slots are arcuate guide slots extending rearwardly and vertically away from the grille. 15. A grille assembly, comprising:
a fascia panel defining a grille opening; a grille defining a plurality of airflow openings disposed in the grille opening; a vertically translatable blocking member including a plurality of spaced vanes disposed to block the airflow openings in a flush position; and a rotary actuator operatively connected to the vertically translatable blocking member. 16. The grille assembly of claim 15, further comprising a vertically-oriented bracket attached to the grille and adapted for carrying the rotary actuator. 17. The grille assembly of claim 15, wherein the rotary actuator is operatively connected to the translatable blocking member by at least one drive arm. 18. The grille assembly of claim 15, wherein the grille includes a plurality of bushings each defining a guide slot. 19. The grille assembly of claim 18, wherein the guide slots are arcuate guide slots extending rearwardly and vertically away from the grille. 20. The grille assembly of claim 19, wherein the translatable blocking member comprises followers configured and dimensioned to travel within the guide slots. | A flush-mounted active grille shutter system includes a grille defining a plurality of airflow openings and including a plurality of bushings and a translatable blocking member translatable along guide slots defined by the plurality of bushings between an open position exposing the plurality of airflow openings and a closed position blocking the plurality of airflow openings. An actuator bracket carries an actuator configured to translate the translatable blocking member between the open position and the closed position. The actuator may be a rotary actuator. Vehicle grille assemblies and vehicles including the flush-mounted active grille shutter system are described.1. A flush-mounted active grille shutter system, comprising:
a grille defining a plurality of airflow openings and including a plurality of bushings; and a vertically translatable blocking member translatable along guide slots defined by the plurality of bushings between a fully open position exposing the plurality of airflow openings and a fully closed position blocking the plurality of airflow openings. 2. The flush-mounted active grille shutter system of claim 1, further comprising an actuator bracket adapted for carrying an actuator configured to translate the translatable blocking member between the open position and the closed position. 3. The flush-mounted active grille shutter system of claim 2, wherein the actuator bracket is vertically oriented and includes bracket arms attached to the grille. 4. The flush-mounted active grille shutter system of claim 1, wherein the translatable blocking member includes a plurality of spaced vanes configured and dimensioned to block the plurality of airflow openings when placed in the closed position. 5. The flush-mounted active grille shutter system of claim 1, wherein the guide slots are arcuate guide slots extending rearwardly and vertically away from the grille. 6. The flush-mounted active grille shutter system of claim 2, wherein the actuator is a rotary actuator. 7. The flush-mounted active grille shutter system of claim 6, wherein the actuator is a rotary stepper motor, a brushless DC motor, or a brush DC motor. 8. The flush-mounted active grille shutter system of claim 1, wherein the translatable blocking member comprises followers configured and dimensioned to travel within the guide slots. 9. The flush-mounted active grille shutter system of claim 1, wherein the grille defines a compound shape. 10. A flush-mounted active grille shutter system, comprising:
a grille defining a plurality of airflow openings and including a plurality of bushings each defining a guide slot; a vertically translatable blocking member comprising followers translatable along the guide slots between a fully open position exposing the plurality of airflow openings and a fully closed position blocking the plurality of airflow openings; and a rotary actuator configured to translate the vertically translatable blocking member. 11. The flush-mounted active grille shutter system of claim 10, further comprising a vertically-oriented bracket attached to the grille and adapted for carrying the rotary actuator. 12. The flush-mounted active grille shutter system of claim 10, wherein the translatable blocking member includes a plurality of spaced vanes configured and dimensioned to block the plurality of airflow openings when placed in the closed position. 13. The flush-mounted active grille shutter system of claim 10, wherein the rotary actuator is operatively connected to the translatable blocking member by at least one drive arm. 14. The flush-mounted active grille shutter system of claim 10, wherein the guide slots are arcuate guide slots extending rearwardly and vertically away from the grille. 15. A grille assembly, comprising:
a fascia panel defining a grille opening; a grille defining a plurality of airflow openings disposed in the grille opening; a vertically translatable blocking member including a plurality of spaced vanes disposed to block the airflow openings in a flush position; and a rotary actuator operatively connected to the vertically translatable blocking member. 16. The grille assembly of claim 15, further comprising a vertically-oriented bracket attached to the grille and adapted for carrying the rotary actuator. 17. The grille assembly of claim 15, wherein the rotary actuator is operatively connected to the translatable blocking member by at least one drive arm. 18. The grille assembly of claim 15, wherein the grille includes a plurality of bushings each defining a guide slot. 19. The grille assembly of claim 18, wherein the guide slots are arcuate guide slots extending rearwardly and vertically away from the grille. 20. The grille assembly of claim 19, wherein the translatable blocking member comprises followers configured and dimensioned to travel within the guide slots. | 3,600 |
13,228 | 13,228 | 13,397,265 | 3,626 | The invention provides a health care delivery system comprising a plurality of health care delivery devices (e.g., via the Internet, etc.), which can disposed in treatment centers ranging from patient homes to commercial health care facilities such as hospitals, dialysis centers and so forth. Reporting functionality can, instead of or in addition to identifying (and reporting on) discrepancies in the raw and/or analyzed data from the delivery devices, infer (and report) on possible causes of those discrepancies and, in some aspects of the invention, remedy those causes, thereby, providing automated operations support for the treatment centers. | 1. A health care delivery system comprising:
A. a health care delivery device including
i. medical treatment apparatus,
ii. an input device that accept patient responses to one or more queries,
iii. sensors that sense (a) physiometric characteristics of the patient in connection with treatment by the medical treatment apparatus, and (b) operating conditions of any of the health device and the medical treatment apparatus,
B. functionality that transmits one or more of the patient responses, physiometric characteristics and operating conditions a remote digital data processor, C. the remote digital data processor
(i) correlating one or more of the patient responses, physiometric characteristics, and operating conditions received from the health care delivery device with any of (a) one another, (b) prior information received from the health care delivery device and/or from the patient's records, (c) one or more standards, and
(ii) any of generating a report and signaling an alert on determining that the patient is not doing as expected. 2. The health care delivery system of claim 36, wherein the remote digital data processor (i) correlates any of patient responses, physiometric characteristics, and operating conditions received from a plurality of health care delivery device with any of (a) one another, (b) prior information received from the health care delivery devices and/or from patient records, (c) one or more standards, and (ii) any of generates a report and signals an alert on determining that a treatment facility is not doing as expected. 3. A health care delivery system comprising:
A. a plurality of health care delivery devices, each comprising (i) medical treatment apparatus, and (ii) including sensors that sense (a) physiometric characteristics of the patient in connection with treatment by the medical treatment apparatus, and (b) operating conditions of any of the health care delivery device and the medical treatment apparatus, B. functionality that transmits the physiometric characteristics and operating conditions from the plurality of health care delivery devices to a remote digital data processor, C. the digital data processor
(i) inferring causes of hypotension evidenced in information received from one or more of the plurality of said health care delivery devices,
(ii) any of generating a report indicative of that cause, signaling an alert indicative of that cause, and transmitting to a said health care delivery device a control signal for correction of that cause. 4. The health care delivery system of claim 3, in which the digital data processor (i) infers from patterns of hypotension reflected in data from the health care delivery device that patients under care by one or more of said health care delivery devices may require “dry weight” adjustment, and (ii) generates reports and/or immediate alerts directing health care providers of the need for possible adjustments and/or effects such adjustment directly. 5. The health care delivery system of claim 4, in which the digital data processor makes such an inference in response to one or more instances of hypotension during a treatment session evidenced in information received from one or more of the plurality of said delivery devices. 6. The health care delivery system of claim 5, in which the digital data processor makes such an inference in response to a selected plurality of instances of hypotension during a selected number of treatment session evidenced in information received from one or more of the plurality of said delivery devices. 7. The health care delivery system of claim 5, in which the digital data processor makes such an inference by cross-correlating hypotension alerts signaled and/or blood pressure readings taken by one or more said delivery devices with treatment, administrative and/or other information from said delivery device and/or treatment centers in which they are disposed. 8. The health care delivery system of claim 3, in which the digital data processor (i) infers from patterns of hypotension reflected in treatment information from said delivery device and/or from treatment, administrative and/or other information from those delivery devices and/or treatment centers in which they are disposed that sensors of one or more devices may be signaling false hypotension alerts and/or providing incorrect blood pressure readings, and (ii) generates reports and/or immediate alerts directing health care providers of the need for possible adjustments and/or effects correction of faulty such delivery device. 9. A health care delivery system comprising:
A. a plurality of health care delivery devices, each comprising (i) medical treatment apparatus, and (ii) including sensors that sense (a) physiometric characteristics of the patient in connection with treatment by the medical treatment apparatus, and (b) operating conditions of any of the health care delivery device and the medical treatment apparatus, B. functionality that transmits the physiometric characteristics and operating conditions from the plurality of health care delivery devices to a remote digital data processor, C. a digital data processor (i) infers from patterns of hypotension reflected in data from the health care delivery device, as well, optionally, as from supplemental infusate supplies, sensors and/or monitoring logic of said apparatus that patients under care by one or more of said health care delivery devices may require medication adjustment, and (ii) generates reports and/or immediate alerts directing health care providers of the need for possible adjustments and/or effects such adjustment directly. 10. The health care delivery system of claim 9, in which the digital data processor makes such an inference by cross-correlating alerts signaled and sensor readings taken by one or more said delivery devices with treatment, administrative and/or other information from said delivery device and/or treatment centers in which they are disposed. 11. The health care delivery system of claim 9, in which the digital data processor (i) infers from patterns of hypotension reflected in treatment information from said apparatus and/or from treatment, administrative and/or other information from those delivery devices and/or treatment centers in which they are disposed that sensors of one or more devices may be triggering false alerts and/or providing incorrect readings, and (ii) generates reports and/or immediate alerts directing health care providers of the need for possible adjustments and/or effects correction of faulty such delivery device. 12. A health care delivery system comprising:
A. a plurality of health care delivery devices, each comprising (i) medical treatment apparatus, and (ii) including sensors that sense (a) physiometric characteristics of the patient in connection with treatment by the medical treatment apparatus, and (b) operating conditions of any of the health care delivery device and the medical treatment apparatus, B. functionality that transmits the physiometric characteristics and operating conditions from the plurality of health care delivery devices to a remote digital data processor, C. a digital data processor (i) infers from patterns of hypotension reflected in data from the health care delivery device, as well, optionally, as from information from other sensors and/or monitoring logic of said apparatus that one or more of said apparatus may require filtration rate adjustment, and (ii) generates reports and/or immediate alerts directing health care providers of the need for possible adjustments and/or effects such adjustment directly. 13. The health care delivery system of claim 12, in which the digital data processor makes such an inference by cross-correlating alerts signaled and sensor readings taken by one or more said delivery devices with treatment, administrative and/or other information from said delivery device and/or treatment centers in which they are disposed. 14. The health care delivery system of claim 12, in which the digital data processor (i) infers from patterns of hypotension reflected in treatment information from said apparatus and/or from treatment, administrative and/or other information from those delivery devices and/or treatment centers in which they are disposed that sensors of one or more devices may be triggering false alerts and/or providing incorrect readings, and (ii) generates reports and/or immediate alerts directing health care providers of the need for possible adjustments and/or effects correction of faulty such delivery device. 15. A health care delivery system comprising:
A. a plurality of health care delivery devices, each comprising (i) medical treatment apparatus, and (ii) including sensors that sense (a) physiometric characteristics of the patient in connection with treatment by the medical treatment apparatus, and (b) operating conditions of any of the health care delivery device and the medical treatment apparatus, B. functionality that transmits the physiometric characteristics and operating conditions from the plurality of health care delivery devices to a remote digital data processor, C. a digital data processor (i) infers from patterns of hypotension reflected in data from the health care delivery device, as well, optionally, as from information from other sensors and/or monitoring logic of said apparatus that one or more of said patients under care by said apparatus may require incoming/fresh dialysate temperature adjustment, and (ii) generates reports and/or immediate alerts directing health care providers of the need for possible adjustments and/or effects such adjustment directly. 16. The health care delivery system of claim 15, in which the digital data processor makes such an inference by cross-correlating alerts signaled and sensor readings taken by one or more said delivery devices with treatment, administrative and/or other information from said delivery device and/or treatment centers in which they are disposed. 17. The health care delivery system of claim 15, in which the digital data processor (i) infers from patterns of hypotension reflected in treatment information from said apparatus and/or from treatment, administrative and/or other information from those delivery devices and/or treatment centers in which they are disposed that sensors of one or more devices may be triggering false alerts and/or providing incorrect readings, and (ii) generates reports and/or immediate alerts directing health care providers of the need for possible adjustments and/or effects correction of faulty such delivery device. 18. A health care delivery system comprising:
A. a plurality of health care delivery devices, each comprising (i) medical treatment apparatus, and (ii) including sensors that sense (a) physiometric characteristics of the patient in connection with treatment by the medical treatment apparatus, and (b) operating conditions of any of the health care delivery device and the medical treatment apparatus, B. functionality that transmits the physiometric characteristics and operating conditions from the plurality of health care delivery devices to a remote digital data processor, C. a digital data processor (i) infers from patterns of arterial and/or venous pressure alarms reflected in data from the health care delivery device, as well, optionally, as from information from other sensors and/or monitoring logic of said apparatus that one or more of said patients under care by said apparatus may require hemocoagulant medication adjustment and/or vascular access evaluation, and (ii) generates reports and/or immediate alerts directing health care providers of the need for possible adjustments and/or effects such adjustment directly. 19. The health care delivery system of claim 18, in which the digital data processor makes such an inference by cross-correlating alerts signaled and sensor readings taken by one or more said delivery devices with treatment, administrative and/or other information from said delivery device and/or treatment centers in which they are disposed. 20. The health care delivery system of claim 18, in which the digital data processor (i) infers from patterns of hypotension reflected in treatment information from said apparatus and/or from treatment, administrative and/or other information from those delivery devices and/or treatment centers in which they are disposed that sensors of one or more devices may be triggering false alerts and/or providing incorrect readings, and (ii) generates reports and/or immediate alerts directing health care providers of the need for possible adjustments and/or effects correction of faulty such delivery device. 21. A health care delivery system comprising:
A. a plurality of health care delivery devices, each comprising (i) medical treatment apparatus, and (ii) including sensors that sense (a) physiometric characteristics of the patient in connection with treatment by the medical treatment apparatus, and (b) operating conditions of any of the health care delivery device and the medical treatment apparatus, B. functionality that transmits the physiometric characteristics and operating conditions from the plurality of health care delivery devices to a remote digital data processor, C. a digital data processor (i) infers from patterns of conductivity, temperature and/or flow alarms reflected in data from the health care delivery device, as well, optionally, as from conductivity, temperature and/or flow-related information from other sensors and/or monitoring logic of said apparatus that one or more of said apparatus may require supply correction, and (ii) generates reports and/or immediate alerts directing health care providers of the need for possible adjustments and/or effects such adjustment directly. 22. The health care delivery system of claim 21, in which the digital data processor makes such an inference by cross-correlating alerts signaled and sensor readings taken by one or more said delivery devices with treatment, administrative and/or other information from said delivery device and/or treatment centers in which they are disposed. 23. The health care delivery system of claim 21, in which the digital data processor (i) infers from patterns of hypotension reflected in treatment information from said apparatus and/or from treatment, administrative and/or other information from those delivery devices and/or treatment centers in which they are disposed that sensors of one or more devices may be triggering false alerts and/or providing incorrect readings, and (ii) generates reports and/or immediate alerts directing health care providers of the need for possible adjustments and/or effects correction of faulty such delivery device. 24. A method of health care delivery system comprising:
A. delivering medical treatment to a plurality of patients via one or more medical treatment apparatus, each including sensors that sense (a) physiometric characteristics of the patient in connection with treatment by the medical treatment apparatus, and (b) operating conditions of any of the health device and the medical treatment apparatus, B. transmitting the physiometric characteristics and operating conditions from the plurality of health care delivery devices to digital data processor, C. with the digital data processor, (i) inferring causes of hypotension evidenced in information received from one or more of the plurality of said delivery devices, (ii) any of generating a report indicative of that cause, signaling an alert indicative of that cause, and transmitting to a said health care delivery device a control signal for correction of that cause. | The invention provides a health care delivery system comprising a plurality of health care delivery devices (e.g., via the Internet, etc.), which can disposed in treatment centers ranging from patient homes to commercial health care facilities such as hospitals, dialysis centers and so forth. Reporting functionality can, instead of or in addition to identifying (and reporting on) discrepancies in the raw and/or analyzed data from the delivery devices, infer (and report) on possible causes of those discrepancies and, in some aspects of the invention, remedy those causes, thereby, providing automated operations support for the treatment centers.1. A health care delivery system comprising:
A. a health care delivery device including
i. medical treatment apparatus,
ii. an input device that accept patient responses to one or more queries,
iii. sensors that sense (a) physiometric characteristics of the patient in connection with treatment by the medical treatment apparatus, and (b) operating conditions of any of the health device and the medical treatment apparatus,
B. functionality that transmits one or more of the patient responses, physiometric characteristics and operating conditions a remote digital data processor, C. the remote digital data processor
(i) correlating one or more of the patient responses, physiometric characteristics, and operating conditions received from the health care delivery device with any of (a) one another, (b) prior information received from the health care delivery device and/or from the patient's records, (c) one or more standards, and
(ii) any of generating a report and signaling an alert on determining that the patient is not doing as expected. 2. The health care delivery system of claim 36, wherein the remote digital data processor (i) correlates any of patient responses, physiometric characteristics, and operating conditions received from a plurality of health care delivery device with any of (a) one another, (b) prior information received from the health care delivery devices and/or from patient records, (c) one or more standards, and (ii) any of generates a report and signals an alert on determining that a treatment facility is not doing as expected. 3. A health care delivery system comprising:
A. a plurality of health care delivery devices, each comprising (i) medical treatment apparatus, and (ii) including sensors that sense (a) physiometric characteristics of the patient in connection with treatment by the medical treatment apparatus, and (b) operating conditions of any of the health care delivery device and the medical treatment apparatus, B. functionality that transmits the physiometric characteristics and operating conditions from the plurality of health care delivery devices to a remote digital data processor, C. the digital data processor
(i) inferring causes of hypotension evidenced in information received from one or more of the plurality of said health care delivery devices,
(ii) any of generating a report indicative of that cause, signaling an alert indicative of that cause, and transmitting to a said health care delivery device a control signal for correction of that cause. 4. The health care delivery system of claim 3, in which the digital data processor (i) infers from patterns of hypotension reflected in data from the health care delivery device that patients under care by one or more of said health care delivery devices may require “dry weight” adjustment, and (ii) generates reports and/or immediate alerts directing health care providers of the need for possible adjustments and/or effects such adjustment directly. 5. The health care delivery system of claim 4, in which the digital data processor makes such an inference in response to one or more instances of hypotension during a treatment session evidenced in information received from one or more of the plurality of said delivery devices. 6. The health care delivery system of claim 5, in which the digital data processor makes such an inference in response to a selected plurality of instances of hypotension during a selected number of treatment session evidenced in information received from one or more of the plurality of said delivery devices. 7. The health care delivery system of claim 5, in which the digital data processor makes such an inference by cross-correlating hypotension alerts signaled and/or blood pressure readings taken by one or more said delivery devices with treatment, administrative and/or other information from said delivery device and/or treatment centers in which they are disposed. 8. The health care delivery system of claim 3, in which the digital data processor (i) infers from patterns of hypotension reflected in treatment information from said delivery device and/or from treatment, administrative and/or other information from those delivery devices and/or treatment centers in which they are disposed that sensors of one or more devices may be signaling false hypotension alerts and/or providing incorrect blood pressure readings, and (ii) generates reports and/or immediate alerts directing health care providers of the need for possible adjustments and/or effects correction of faulty such delivery device. 9. A health care delivery system comprising:
A. a plurality of health care delivery devices, each comprising (i) medical treatment apparatus, and (ii) including sensors that sense (a) physiometric characteristics of the patient in connection with treatment by the medical treatment apparatus, and (b) operating conditions of any of the health care delivery device and the medical treatment apparatus, B. functionality that transmits the physiometric characteristics and operating conditions from the plurality of health care delivery devices to a remote digital data processor, C. a digital data processor (i) infers from patterns of hypotension reflected in data from the health care delivery device, as well, optionally, as from supplemental infusate supplies, sensors and/or monitoring logic of said apparatus that patients under care by one or more of said health care delivery devices may require medication adjustment, and (ii) generates reports and/or immediate alerts directing health care providers of the need for possible adjustments and/or effects such adjustment directly. 10. The health care delivery system of claim 9, in which the digital data processor makes such an inference by cross-correlating alerts signaled and sensor readings taken by one or more said delivery devices with treatment, administrative and/or other information from said delivery device and/or treatment centers in which they are disposed. 11. The health care delivery system of claim 9, in which the digital data processor (i) infers from patterns of hypotension reflected in treatment information from said apparatus and/or from treatment, administrative and/or other information from those delivery devices and/or treatment centers in which they are disposed that sensors of one or more devices may be triggering false alerts and/or providing incorrect readings, and (ii) generates reports and/or immediate alerts directing health care providers of the need for possible adjustments and/or effects correction of faulty such delivery device. 12. A health care delivery system comprising:
A. a plurality of health care delivery devices, each comprising (i) medical treatment apparatus, and (ii) including sensors that sense (a) physiometric characteristics of the patient in connection with treatment by the medical treatment apparatus, and (b) operating conditions of any of the health care delivery device and the medical treatment apparatus, B. functionality that transmits the physiometric characteristics and operating conditions from the plurality of health care delivery devices to a remote digital data processor, C. a digital data processor (i) infers from patterns of hypotension reflected in data from the health care delivery device, as well, optionally, as from information from other sensors and/or monitoring logic of said apparatus that one or more of said apparatus may require filtration rate adjustment, and (ii) generates reports and/or immediate alerts directing health care providers of the need for possible adjustments and/or effects such adjustment directly. 13. The health care delivery system of claim 12, in which the digital data processor makes such an inference by cross-correlating alerts signaled and sensor readings taken by one or more said delivery devices with treatment, administrative and/or other information from said delivery device and/or treatment centers in which they are disposed. 14. The health care delivery system of claim 12, in which the digital data processor (i) infers from patterns of hypotension reflected in treatment information from said apparatus and/or from treatment, administrative and/or other information from those delivery devices and/or treatment centers in which they are disposed that sensors of one or more devices may be triggering false alerts and/or providing incorrect readings, and (ii) generates reports and/or immediate alerts directing health care providers of the need for possible adjustments and/or effects correction of faulty such delivery device. 15. A health care delivery system comprising:
A. a plurality of health care delivery devices, each comprising (i) medical treatment apparatus, and (ii) including sensors that sense (a) physiometric characteristics of the patient in connection with treatment by the medical treatment apparatus, and (b) operating conditions of any of the health care delivery device and the medical treatment apparatus, B. functionality that transmits the physiometric characteristics and operating conditions from the plurality of health care delivery devices to a remote digital data processor, C. a digital data processor (i) infers from patterns of hypotension reflected in data from the health care delivery device, as well, optionally, as from information from other sensors and/or monitoring logic of said apparatus that one or more of said patients under care by said apparatus may require incoming/fresh dialysate temperature adjustment, and (ii) generates reports and/or immediate alerts directing health care providers of the need for possible adjustments and/or effects such adjustment directly. 16. The health care delivery system of claim 15, in which the digital data processor makes such an inference by cross-correlating alerts signaled and sensor readings taken by one or more said delivery devices with treatment, administrative and/or other information from said delivery device and/or treatment centers in which they are disposed. 17. The health care delivery system of claim 15, in which the digital data processor (i) infers from patterns of hypotension reflected in treatment information from said apparatus and/or from treatment, administrative and/or other information from those delivery devices and/or treatment centers in which they are disposed that sensors of one or more devices may be triggering false alerts and/or providing incorrect readings, and (ii) generates reports and/or immediate alerts directing health care providers of the need for possible adjustments and/or effects correction of faulty such delivery device. 18. A health care delivery system comprising:
A. a plurality of health care delivery devices, each comprising (i) medical treatment apparatus, and (ii) including sensors that sense (a) physiometric characteristics of the patient in connection with treatment by the medical treatment apparatus, and (b) operating conditions of any of the health care delivery device and the medical treatment apparatus, B. functionality that transmits the physiometric characteristics and operating conditions from the plurality of health care delivery devices to a remote digital data processor, C. a digital data processor (i) infers from patterns of arterial and/or venous pressure alarms reflected in data from the health care delivery device, as well, optionally, as from information from other sensors and/or monitoring logic of said apparatus that one or more of said patients under care by said apparatus may require hemocoagulant medication adjustment and/or vascular access evaluation, and (ii) generates reports and/or immediate alerts directing health care providers of the need for possible adjustments and/or effects such adjustment directly. 19. The health care delivery system of claim 18, in which the digital data processor makes such an inference by cross-correlating alerts signaled and sensor readings taken by one or more said delivery devices with treatment, administrative and/or other information from said delivery device and/or treatment centers in which they are disposed. 20. The health care delivery system of claim 18, in which the digital data processor (i) infers from patterns of hypotension reflected in treatment information from said apparatus and/or from treatment, administrative and/or other information from those delivery devices and/or treatment centers in which they are disposed that sensors of one or more devices may be triggering false alerts and/or providing incorrect readings, and (ii) generates reports and/or immediate alerts directing health care providers of the need for possible adjustments and/or effects correction of faulty such delivery device. 21. A health care delivery system comprising:
A. a plurality of health care delivery devices, each comprising (i) medical treatment apparatus, and (ii) including sensors that sense (a) physiometric characteristics of the patient in connection with treatment by the medical treatment apparatus, and (b) operating conditions of any of the health care delivery device and the medical treatment apparatus, B. functionality that transmits the physiometric characteristics and operating conditions from the plurality of health care delivery devices to a remote digital data processor, C. a digital data processor (i) infers from patterns of conductivity, temperature and/or flow alarms reflected in data from the health care delivery device, as well, optionally, as from conductivity, temperature and/or flow-related information from other sensors and/or monitoring logic of said apparatus that one or more of said apparatus may require supply correction, and (ii) generates reports and/or immediate alerts directing health care providers of the need for possible adjustments and/or effects such adjustment directly. 22. The health care delivery system of claim 21, in which the digital data processor makes such an inference by cross-correlating alerts signaled and sensor readings taken by one or more said delivery devices with treatment, administrative and/or other information from said delivery device and/or treatment centers in which they are disposed. 23. The health care delivery system of claim 21, in which the digital data processor (i) infers from patterns of hypotension reflected in treatment information from said apparatus and/or from treatment, administrative and/or other information from those delivery devices and/or treatment centers in which they are disposed that sensors of one or more devices may be triggering false alerts and/or providing incorrect readings, and (ii) generates reports and/or immediate alerts directing health care providers of the need for possible adjustments and/or effects correction of faulty such delivery device. 24. A method of health care delivery system comprising:
A. delivering medical treatment to a plurality of patients via one or more medical treatment apparatus, each including sensors that sense (a) physiometric characteristics of the patient in connection with treatment by the medical treatment apparatus, and (b) operating conditions of any of the health device and the medical treatment apparatus, B. transmitting the physiometric characteristics and operating conditions from the plurality of health care delivery devices to digital data processor, C. with the digital data processor, (i) inferring causes of hypotension evidenced in information received from one or more of the plurality of said delivery devices, (ii) any of generating a report indicative of that cause, signaling an alert indicative of that cause, and transmitting to a said health care delivery device a control signal for correction of that cause. | 3,600 |
13,229 | 13,229 | 12,895,731 | 3,629 | The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AN ONLINE BEHAVIOR MONITOR (“OBM”) transform user social-gaming behavioral pattern data via various OBM components into online social-gaming experience customizations. In one embodiment, upon receiving a customer service request from a user, the OBM may obtain, for processing the customer service request, user social graph data identifying co-users, social networking action identifiers and associated social networking action timestamps; user online gaming action identifiers and associated gaming action timestamps; and customer service request evaluation rules and associated request evaluation score thresholds. The OBM may generate social-gaming activity timelines for the user and the co-users using the gaming action identifiers, social networking action identifiers and timestamps. The OBM may generate a social-gaming activity thread for the user using the social-gaming activity timelines. The OBM may calculate customer service request evaluation rule scores by applying the customer service request evaluation rules to the social-gaming activity thread, and compare each customer service request evaluation rule score to its associated request evaluation score threshold to generate request evaluation flags. The OBM may determine whether to process the customer service request based on whether any request evaluation flags were generated. | 1. A processor-implemented customer service request evaluation method, comprising:
obtaining a customer service request from a user; obtaining, for processing the customer service request, at least:
user social data including graph data identifying co-users, social networking action identifiers and associated social networking action timestamps;
user online gaming pattern data including gaming action identifiers and associated gaming action timestamps; and
customer service request evaluation rules and associated request evaluation score thresholds;
generating, via a processor, social-gaming activity timelines for the user and the co-users using the gaming action identifiers and the associated gaming action timestamps, as well as the social networking action identifiers and the associated social networking action timestamps; generating a social-gaming activity thread for the user using the social-gaming activity timelines for the user and the co-users; calculating customer service request evaluation rule scores by applying the customer service request evaluation rules to the generated social-gaming activity thread for the user; comparing each customer service request evaluation rule score to its associated request evaluation score threshold to generate request evaluation flags; and determining whether to process the customer service request based on whether any request evaluation flags were generated. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
generating a constraint of service order, upon determining that a request evaluation flags was generated; and providing a notification that the customer service request is denied. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
providing, for a law enforcement agency, the constraint of service order and the social-gaming activity thread for the user. 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
terminating a user gaming session of the user, upon generating the constraint of service order. 5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
modifying an online gaming experience of the user based on the customer service request evaluation rule scores. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
calculating a customer service request priority score associated with the customer service request using the customer service request evaluation rule scores, upon determining that no request evaluation flags were generated; and storing the customer service request along with the customer service request priority score and a customer service request timestamp in a service request queue of such customer service requests. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
obtaining a notification to process one of the customer service requests in the service request queue; and identifying one of the customer service requests in the service request queue to provide for processing, based on the customer service request priority scores and the customer service request timestamps; and providing the identified customer service request for processing. 8. A customer service request evaluation system, comprising:
a memory; and a processor disposed in communication with the memory and configured to issue processing instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor issues instructions to:
obtain a customer service request from a user;
obtain, for processing the customer service request, at least:
user social data including graph data identifying co-users, social networking action identifiers and associated social networking action timestamps;
user online gaming pattern data including gaming action identifiers and associated gaming action timestamps; and
customer service request evaluation rules and associated request evaluation score thresholds;
generate social-gaming activity timelines for the user and the co-users using the gaming action identifiers and the associated gaming action timestamps, as well as the social networking action identifiers and the associated social networking action timestamps;
generate a social-gaming activity thread for the user using the social-gaming activity timelines for the user and the co-users;
calculate customer service request evaluation rule scores by applying the customer service request evaluation rules to the generated social-gaming activity thread for the user;
compare each customer service request evaluation rule score to its associated request evaluation score threshold to generate request evaluation flags; and
determine whether to process the customer service request based on whether any request evaluation flags were generated. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor further issues instructions to:
generate a constraint of service order, upon determining that a request evaluation flags was generated; and provide a notification that the customer service request is denied. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor further issues instructions to:
provide, for a law enforcement agency, the constraint of service order and the social-gaming activity thread for the user. 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor further issues instructions to:
terminate a user gaming session of the user, upon generating the constraint of service order. 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor further issues instructions to:
modify an online gaming experience of the user based on the customer service request evaluation rule scores. 13. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor further issues instructions to:
calculate a customer service request priority score associated with the customer service request using the customer service request evaluation rule scores, upon determining that no request evaluation flags were generated; and store the customer service request along with the customer service request priority score and a customer service request timestamp in a service request queue of such customer service requests. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the processor further issues instructions to:
obtain a notification to process one of the customer service requests in the service request queue; and identify one of the customer service requests in the service request queue to provide for processing, based on the customer service request priority scores and the customer service request timestamps; and provide the identified customer service request for processing. 15. A processor-readable tangible medium storing processor-issuable customer service request evaluation instructions to:
obtain a customer service request from a user; obtain, for processing the customer service request, at least:
user social data including graph data identifying co-users, social networking action identifiers and associated social networking action timestamps;
user online gaming pattern data including gaming action identifiers and associated gaming action timestamps; and
customer service request evaluation rules and associated request evaluation score thresholds;
generate social-gaming activity timelines for the user and the co-users using the gaming action identifiers and the associated gaming action timestamps, as well as the social networking action identifiers and the associated social networking action timestamps; generate a social-gaming activity thread for the user using the social-gaming activity timelines for the user and the co-users; calculate customer service request evaluation rule scores by applying the customer service request evaluation rules to the generated social-gaming activity thread for the user; compare each customer service request evaluation rule score to its associated request evaluation score threshold to generate request evaluation flags; and determine whether to process the customer service request based on whether any request evaluation flags were generated. 16. The medium of claim 15, the medium further storing instructions to:
generate a constraint of service order, upon determining that a request evaluation flags was generated; and provide a notification that the customer service request is denied. 17. The medium of claim 16, the medium further storing instructions to:
provide, for a law enforcement agency, the constraint of service order and the social-gaming activity thread for the user. 18. The medium of claim 16, the medium further storing instructions to:
terminate a user gaming session of the user, upon generating the constraint of service order. 19. The medium of claim 16, the medium further storing instructions to:
modify an online gaming experience of the user based on the customer service request evaluation rule scores. 20. The medium of claim 15, the medium further storing instructions to:
calculate a customer service request priority score associated with the customer service request using the customer service request evaluation rule scores, upon determining that no request evaluation flags were generated; and store the customer service request along with the customer service request priority score and a customer service request timestamp in a service request queue of such customer service requests. 21. The medium of claim 20, the medium further storing instructions to:
obtain a notification to process one of the customer service requests in the service request queue; and identify one of the customer service requests in the service request queue to provide for processing, based on the customer service request priority scores and the customer service request timestamps; and provide the identified customer service request for processing. | The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AN ONLINE BEHAVIOR MONITOR (“OBM”) transform user social-gaming behavioral pattern data via various OBM components into online social-gaming experience customizations. In one embodiment, upon receiving a customer service request from a user, the OBM may obtain, for processing the customer service request, user social graph data identifying co-users, social networking action identifiers and associated social networking action timestamps; user online gaming action identifiers and associated gaming action timestamps; and customer service request evaluation rules and associated request evaluation score thresholds. The OBM may generate social-gaming activity timelines for the user and the co-users using the gaming action identifiers, social networking action identifiers and timestamps. The OBM may generate a social-gaming activity thread for the user using the social-gaming activity timelines. The OBM may calculate customer service request evaluation rule scores by applying the customer service request evaluation rules to the social-gaming activity thread, and compare each customer service request evaluation rule score to its associated request evaluation score threshold to generate request evaluation flags. The OBM may determine whether to process the customer service request based on whether any request evaluation flags were generated.1. A processor-implemented customer service request evaluation method, comprising:
obtaining a customer service request from a user; obtaining, for processing the customer service request, at least:
user social data including graph data identifying co-users, social networking action identifiers and associated social networking action timestamps;
user online gaming pattern data including gaming action identifiers and associated gaming action timestamps; and
customer service request evaluation rules and associated request evaluation score thresholds;
generating, via a processor, social-gaming activity timelines for the user and the co-users using the gaming action identifiers and the associated gaming action timestamps, as well as the social networking action identifiers and the associated social networking action timestamps; generating a social-gaming activity thread for the user using the social-gaming activity timelines for the user and the co-users; calculating customer service request evaluation rule scores by applying the customer service request evaluation rules to the generated social-gaming activity thread for the user; comparing each customer service request evaluation rule score to its associated request evaluation score threshold to generate request evaluation flags; and determining whether to process the customer service request based on whether any request evaluation flags were generated. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
generating a constraint of service order, upon determining that a request evaluation flags was generated; and providing a notification that the customer service request is denied. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
providing, for a law enforcement agency, the constraint of service order and the social-gaming activity thread for the user. 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
terminating a user gaming session of the user, upon generating the constraint of service order. 5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
modifying an online gaming experience of the user based on the customer service request evaluation rule scores. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
calculating a customer service request priority score associated with the customer service request using the customer service request evaluation rule scores, upon determining that no request evaluation flags were generated; and storing the customer service request along with the customer service request priority score and a customer service request timestamp in a service request queue of such customer service requests. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
obtaining a notification to process one of the customer service requests in the service request queue; and identifying one of the customer service requests in the service request queue to provide for processing, based on the customer service request priority scores and the customer service request timestamps; and providing the identified customer service request for processing. 8. A customer service request evaluation system, comprising:
a memory; and a processor disposed in communication with the memory and configured to issue processing instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor issues instructions to:
obtain a customer service request from a user;
obtain, for processing the customer service request, at least:
user social data including graph data identifying co-users, social networking action identifiers and associated social networking action timestamps;
user online gaming pattern data including gaming action identifiers and associated gaming action timestamps; and
customer service request evaluation rules and associated request evaluation score thresholds;
generate social-gaming activity timelines for the user and the co-users using the gaming action identifiers and the associated gaming action timestamps, as well as the social networking action identifiers and the associated social networking action timestamps;
generate a social-gaming activity thread for the user using the social-gaming activity timelines for the user and the co-users;
calculate customer service request evaluation rule scores by applying the customer service request evaluation rules to the generated social-gaming activity thread for the user;
compare each customer service request evaluation rule score to its associated request evaluation score threshold to generate request evaluation flags; and
determine whether to process the customer service request based on whether any request evaluation flags were generated. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor further issues instructions to:
generate a constraint of service order, upon determining that a request evaluation flags was generated; and provide a notification that the customer service request is denied. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor further issues instructions to:
provide, for a law enforcement agency, the constraint of service order and the social-gaming activity thread for the user. 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor further issues instructions to:
terminate a user gaming session of the user, upon generating the constraint of service order. 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor further issues instructions to:
modify an online gaming experience of the user based on the customer service request evaluation rule scores. 13. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor further issues instructions to:
calculate a customer service request priority score associated with the customer service request using the customer service request evaluation rule scores, upon determining that no request evaluation flags were generated; and store the customer service request along with the customer service request priority score and a customer service request timestamp in a service request queue of such customer service requests. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the processor further issues instructions to:
obtain a notification to process one of the customer service requests in the service request queue; and identify one of the customer service requests in the service request queue to provide for processing, based on the customer service request priority scores and the customer service request timestamps; and provide the identified customer service request for processing. 15. A processor-readable tangible medium storing processor-issuable customer service request evaluation instructions to:
obtain a customer service request from a user; obtain, for processing the customer service request, at least:
user social data including graph data identifying co-users, social networking action identifiers and associated social networking action timestamps;
user online gaming pattern data including gaming action identifiers and associated gaming action timestamps; and
customer service request evaluation rules and associated request evaluation score thresholds;
generate social-gaming activity timelines for the user and the co-users using the gaming action identifiers and the associated gaming action timestamps, as well as the social networking action identifiers and the associated social networking action timestamps; generate a social-gaming activity thread for the user using the social-gaming activity timelines for the user and the co-users; calculate customer service request evaluation rule scores by applying the customer service request evaluation rules to the generated social-gaming activity thread for the user; compare each customer service request evaluation rule score to its associated request evaluation score threshold to generate request evaluation flags; and determine whether to process the customer service request based on whether any request evaluation flags were generated. 16. The medium of claim 15, the medium further storing instructions to:
generate a constraint of service order, upon determining that a request evaluation flags was generated; and provide a notification that the customer service request is denied. 17. The medium of claim 16, the medium further storing instructions to:
provide, for a law enforcement agency, the constraint of service order and the social-gaming activity thread for the user. 18. The medium of claim 16, the medium further storing instructions to:
terminate a user gaming session of the user, upon generating the constraint of service order. 19. The medium of claim 16, the medium further storing instructions to:
modify an online gaming experience of the user based on the customer service request evaluation rule scores. 20. The medium of claim 15, the medium further storing instructions to:
calculate a customer service request priority score associated with the customer service request using the customer service request evaluation rule scores, upon determining that no request evaluation flags were generated; and store the customer service request along with the customer service request priority score and a customer service request timestamp in a service request queue of such customer service requests. 21. The medium of claim 20, the medium further storing instructions to:
obtain a notification to process one of the customer service requests in the service request queue; and identify one of the customer service requests in the service request queue to provide for processing, based on the customer service request priority scores and the customer service request timestamps; and provide the identified customer service request for processing. | 3,600 |
13,230 | 13,230 | 13,075,054 | 3,685 | Digital items may be lent from one user to another. A lending system may facilitate matching users that have a digital item to lend with users that wish to borrow a digital item. Each user may have a reputation associated with his or her lending behavior that is represented as a lending metric. The lending metric may show whether a given user is primarily a lender or borrower of digital items. Heavy borrowers that do not engage in commensurate lending may be penalized. Multiple users that lend and borrow digital items from one another may be connected in a social network. The nature of a relationship in the social network may and the lending metrics of users are factors used to make lending decisions. | 1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
under control of one or more processors configured with specific executable instructions, distributing, to a plurality of potential borrowers, a notice of a borrowing opportunity to borrow a digital item; identifying one of the plurality of potential borrowers that has a shortest response time for responding to the notice; and facilitating lending of the digital item to the one of the plurality of potential borrowers that has the shortest response time. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the notice is distributed over a social network. 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of potential borrowers is connected to an owner of the digital item through a social network. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of potential borrowers is specified by an owner of the digital item. 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein a number of times the digital item may be lent is limited. 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the number of times the digital item may be lent is limited by an owner of the digital item. 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the number of times the digital item may be lent is limited by an entity that holds rights in the digital item. 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein:
an amount of time is added to a response time for a one of the potential borrowers that previously had a shortest response time in response to a previous notice of a borrowing opportunity to borrow a different digital item, the adding of the amount of time generating a modified response time, and the shortest response time is based upon comparison of the modified response time to response times for other ones of the plurality of potential borrowers that respond to the notice. 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising providing a consolation message to at least one of the plurality of potential borrowers that does not have the shortest response time. 10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the consolation message comprises an offer to sell a copy of the digital item to the ones of the plurality of potential borrowers that respond to the notice having a response time longer than the shortest response time. 11. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the offer comprises a discounted price for the copy of the digital item. 12. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, further providing a portion of the purchase price of the copy of the digital item to an owner of the digital item. 13. A computer-readable storage media storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed, instruct a processor to perform acts comprising:
receiving an indication from a lender that a digital item is available to lend; receiving a plurality of responses from a plurality of potential borrowers that wish to borrow the digital item; ranking the plurality of potential borrowers; and facilitating lending of the digital item from the lender to one of the plurality of potential borrowers based at least in part on the ranking. 14. The computer-readable storage media of claim 13, wherein the indication from the lender comprises at least one of an email message, a text message, or an instant message. 15. The computer-readable storage media of claim 13, wherein the ranking of the potential borrowers is based at least in part on a time that each of the responses is received. 16. The computer-readable storage media of claim 13, wherein the ranking of the potential borrowers is based at least in part on a lending metric associated with each of the potential borrowers. 17. The computer-readable storage media of claim 16, wherein:
the facilitating the lending of the digital item based at least in part on the ranking comprises facilitating lending of the digital item from the lender to the potential borrower having a highest ranking; and the potential borrower having a highest lending metric is the potential borrower having the highest ranking. 18. The computer-readable storage media of claim 16, wherein the lending metric associated with one of the potential borrowers is determined from past lending and borrowing activity between an owner of the digital item and the one of the potential borrowers. 19. The computer-readable storage media of claim 13, wherein the ranking of the potential borrowers is based at least in part on a connection between the lender and each of the plurality of potential borrowers in a social network. 20. The computer-readable storage media of claim 13, wherein the ranking of the potential borrowers is based at least in part on a number of times each of the potential borrowers previously, based at least in part on a previous ranking, received a loan of a different digital item that was previously available to lend. 21. The computer-readable storage media of claim 13, wherein one of the potential borrowers having a lending metric below a threshold is prevented from being lent the digital item. 22. The computer-readable storage media of claim 13, wherein the acts further comprise generating a consolation message for at least one of the plurality of potential borrowers that is not lent the digital item. 23. The computer-readable storage media of claim 13, wherein the acts further comprise increasing a lending metric associated with an owner of the digital item when the digital item is lent to one of the plurality of potential borrowers. 24. The computer-readable storage media of claim 13, wherein the acts further comprise decreasing a lending metric associated with the one of the plurality of potential borrowers that receives the digital item when the digital item is borrowed. 25. A computing system for facilitating lending and borrowing of digital items, the computing system comprising:
one or more processors; memory accessible by the one or more processors; an offer module stored in the memory and executable by the one or more processors to (i) generate an offer to lend a digital item, the offer including a time period for indicating acceptance of the offer and (ii) send the offer to a plurality of potential borrowers; a selection module stored in the memory and executable by the one or more processors to (i) determine characteristics associated with each of the plurality of potential borrowers that responds to the offer during the time period and (ii) select one of the plurality of potential borrowers to lend the digital item based at least in part on the characteristics; and a lending module stored in the memory and executable by the one or more processors to facilitate lending the digital item to the selected one of the plurality of potential borrowers. 26. The computing system of claim 25, wherein the time period is specified by an owner of the digital item. 27. The computing system of claim 25, wherein the plurality of potential borrowers comprises users explicitly designated by an owner of the digital item. 28. The computing system of claim 25, wherein the plurality of potential borrowers comprises users connected through a social network to an owner of the digital item. 29. The computing system of claim 25, wherein the offer is sent through a social network. 30. The computing system of claim 25, wherein the characteristics comprise a lending metric. 31. The computing system of claim 25, wherein the characteristics comprise a degree of association with the owner of the digital item in a social network. 32. The computing system of claim 25, further comprising a messaging module stored in the memory and executable by the one or more processors to send consolation messages to the plurality of potential borrowers that respond to the offer during the time period and are not the selected one of the plurality of potential borrowers. 33. The computing system of claim 32, wherein the consolation message comprises an invitation to buy a copy of the digital item. 34. The computing system of claim 33, wherein the consolation message comprises a discount for the copy of the digital item. 35. The computing system of claim 33, further comprising a commission module stored in the memory and executable by the one or more processors to provide the owner of the digital item a portion of a purchase price when one of the plurality of potential borrowers buys a copy of the digital item in response to the consolation message. | Digital items may be lent from one user to another. A lending system may facilitate matching users that have a digital item to lend with users that wish to borrow a digital item. Each user may have a reputation associated with his or her lending behavior that is represented as a lending metric. The lending metric may show whether a given user is primarily a lender or borrower of digital items. Heavy borrowers that do not engage in commensurate lending may be penalized. Multiple users that lend and borrow digital items from one another may be connected in a social network. The nature of a relationship in the social network may and the lending metrics of users are factors used to make lending decisions.1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
under control of one or more processors configured with specific executable instructions, distributing, to a plurality of potential borrowers, a notice of a borrowing opportunity to borrow a digital item; identifying one of the plurality of potential borrowers that has a shortest response time for responding to the notice; and facilitating lending of the digital item to the one of the plurality of potential borrowers that has the shortest response time. 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the notice is distributed over a social network. 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of potential borrowers is connected to an owner of the digital item through a social network. 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of potential borrowers is specified by an owner of the digital item. 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein a number of times the digital item may be lent is limited. 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the number of times the digital item may be lent is limited by an owner of the digital item. 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the number of times the digital item may be lent is limited by an entity that holds rights in the digital item. 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein:
an amount of time is added to a response time for a one of the potential borrowers that previously had a shortest response time in response to a previous notice of a borrowing opportunity to borrow a different digital item, the adding of the amount of time generating a modified response time, and the shortest response time is based upon comparison of the modified response time to response times for other ones of the plurality of potential borrowers that respond to the notice. 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising providing a consolation message to at least one of the plurality of potential borrowers that does not have the shortest response time. 10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the consolation message comprises an offer to sell a copy of the digital item to the ones of the plurality of potential borrowers that respond to the notice having a response time longer than the shortest response time. 11. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the offer comprises a discounted price for the copy of the digital item. 12. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, further providing a portion of the purchase price of the copy of the digital item to an owner of the digital item. 13. A computer-readable storage media storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed, instruct a processor to perform acts comprising:
receiving an indication from a lender that a digital item is available to lend; receiving a plurality of responses from a plurality of potential borrowers that wish to borrow the digital item; ranking the plurality of potential borrowers; and facilitating lending of the digital item from the lender to one of the plurality of potential borrowers based at least in part on the ranking. 14. The computer-readable storage media of claim 13, wherein the indication from the lender comprises at least one of an email message, a text message, or an instant message. 15. The computer-readable storage media of claim 13, wherein the ranking of the potential borrowers is based at least in part on a time that each of the responses is received. 16. The computer-readable storage media of claim 13, wherein the ranking of the potential borrowers is based at least in part on a lending metric associated with each of the potential borrowers. 17. The computer-readable storage media of claim 16, wherein:
the facilitating the lending of the digital item based at least in part on the ranking comprises facilitating lending of the digital item from the lender to the potential borrower having a highest ranking; and the potential borrower having a highest lending metric is the potential borrower having the highest ranking. 18. The computer-readable storage media of claim 16, wherein the lending metric associated with one of the potential borrowers is determined from past lending and borrowing activity between an owner of the digital item and the one of the potential borrowers. 19. The computer-readable storage media of claim 13, wherein the ranking of the potential borrowers is based at least in part on a connection between the lender and each of the plurality of potential borrowers in a social network. 20. The computer-readable storage media of claim 13, wherein the ranking of the potential borrowers is based at least in part on a number of times each of the potential borrowers previously, based at least in part on a previous ranking, received a loan of a different digital item that was previously available to lend. 21. The computer-readable storage media of claim 13, wherein one of the potential borrowers having a lending metric below a threshold is prevented from being lent the digital item. 22. The computer-readable storage media of claim 13, wherein the acts further comprise generating a consolation message for at least one of the plurality of potential borrowers that is not lent the digital item. 23. The computer-readable storage media of claim 13, wherein the acts further comprise increasing a lending metric associated with an owner of the digital item when the digital item is lent to one of the plurality of potential borrowers. 24. The computer-readable storage media of claim 13, wherein the acts further comprise decreasing a lending metric associated with the one of the plurality of potential borrowers that receives the digital item when the digital item is borrowed. 25. A computing system for facilitating lending and borrowing of digital items, the computing system comprising:
one or more processors; memory accessible by the one or more processors; an offer module stored in the memory and executable by the one or more processors to (i) generate an offer to lend a digital item, the offer including a time period for indicating acceptance of the offer and (ii) send the offer to a plurality of potential borrowers; a selection module stored in the memory and executable by the one or more processors to (i) determine characteristics associated with each of the plurality of potential borrowers that responds to the offer during the time period and (ii) select one of the plurality of potential borrowers to lend the digital item based at least in part on the characteristics; and a lending module stored in the memory and executable by the one or more processors to facilitate lending the digital item to the selected one of the plurality of potential borrowers. 26. The computing system of claim 25, wherein the time period is specified by an owner of the digital item. 27. The computing system of claim 25, wherein the plurality of potential borrowers comprises users explicitly designated by an owner of the digital item. 28. The computing system of claim 25, wherein the plurality of potential borrowers comprises users connected through a social network to an owner of the digital item. 29. The computing system of claim 25, wherein the offer is sent through a social network. 30. The computing system of claim 25, wherein the characteristics comprise a lending metric. 31. The computing system of claim 25, wherein the characteristics comprise a degree of association with the owner of the digital item in a social network. 32. The computing system of claim 25, further comprising a messaging module stored in the memory and executable by the one or more processors to send consolation messages to the plurality of potential borrowers that respond to the offer during the time period and are not the selected one of the plurality of potential borrowers. 33. The computing system of claim 32, wherein the consolation message comprises an invitation to buy a copy of the digital item. 34. The computing system of claim 33, wherein the consolation message comprises a discount for the copy of the digital item. 35. The computing system of claim 33, further comprising a commission module stored in the memory and executable by the one or more processors to provide the owner of the digital item a portion of a purchase price when one of the plurality of potential borrowers buys a copy of the digital item in response to the consolation message. | 3,600 |
13,231 | 13,231 | 14,472,652 | 3,662 | A system includes a processor configured to detect a condition indicating that event data recording (EDR) should begin. The processor is further configured to begin and continue event data recording for a predetermined amount of time following the condition. Also, the processor is configured to save data recorded by the event data recording, if the predetermined amount of time has passed, and no severe incident has been detected. The processor is further configured to upload the data to a remote system once a connection with the remote system can be established. | 1. A system comprising:
a processor configured to: detect a threat condition indicating that event data recording (EDR) should begin; begin and continue event data recording for a predetermined amount of time following the condition; if the predetermined amount of time has passed, and no severe incident has been detected, save data recorded by the event data recording; and upload the saved data to a remote system once a connection with the remote system can be established. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the condition is predefined by a manufacturer. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the condition is indicative of an upcoming accident. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote system is an automotive manufacturer server. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote system is a fleet management server. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the condition relates to a vehicle braking state. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the condition relates to a vehicle movement state. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the condition relates to a vehicle change in speed. 9. A system comprising:
a processor configured to: receive variable input data from a plurality of wirelessly connected vehicles; compare the received variable input data to predetermined thresholds to determine if a condition likely to initiate event data recording (EDR) is imminent in any of the plurality of vehicles; for each vehicle in which the condition is imminent, issue an instruction for the vehicle to warn a vehicle driver; issue a request to each vehicle for which the condition is imminent, requesting event data recording; and gather data recorded by the requested event data recording(s). 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the warning is a visual warning. 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the warning is an audio warning. 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor is also configured to issue a warning to a fleet operator. 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the data is gathered while the recording is ongoing. 14. The system of claim 9, wherein the data is gathered following the event data recording. 15. A computer-implemented method comprising:
detecting a threat condition indicating that event data recording (EDR) should begin; beginning and continuing event data recording for a predetermined amount of time following the condition; if the predetermined amount of time has passed, and no severe incident has been detected, saving data recorded by the event data recording; and uploading the saved data to a remote system once a connection with the remote system can be established. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the condition is predefined by a manufacturer. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the condition is indicative of an upcoming accident. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the remote system is an automotive manufacturer server. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the remote system is a fleet management server. | A system includes a processor configured to detect a condition indicating that event data recording (EDR) should begin. The processor is further configured to begin and continue event data recording for a predetermined amount of time following the condition. Also, the processor is configured to save data recorded by the event data recording, if the predetermined amount of time has passed, and no severe incident has been detected. The processor is further configured to upload the data to a remote system once a connection with the remote system can be established.1. A system comprising:
a processor configured to: detect a threat condition indicating that event data recording (EDR) should begin; begin and continue event data recording for a predetermined amount of time following the condition; if the predetermined amount of time has passed, and no severe incident has been detected, save data recorded by the event data recording; and upload the saved data to a remote system once a connection with the remote system can be established. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the condition is predefined by a manufacturer. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the condition is indicative of an upcoming accident. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote system is an automotive manufacturer server. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote system is a fleet management server. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the condition relates to a vehicle braking state. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the condition relates to a vehicle movement state. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the condition relates to a vehicle change in speed. 9. A system comprising:
a processor configured to: receive variable input data from a plurality of wirelessly connected vehicles; compare the received variable input data to predetermined thresholds to determine if a condition likely to initiate event data recording (EDR) is imminent in any of the plurality of vehicles; for each vehicle in which the condition is imminent, issue an instruction for the vehicle to warn a vehicle driver; issue a request to each vehicle for which the condition is imminent, requesting event data recording; and gather data recorded by the requested event data recording(s). 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the warning is a visual warning. 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the warning is an audio warning. 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor is also configured to issue a warning to a fleet operator. 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the data is gathered while the recording is ongoing. 14. The system of claim 9, wherein the data is gathered following the event data recording. 15. A computer-implemented method comprising:
detecting a threat condition indicating that event data recording (EDR) should begin; beginning and continuing event data recording for a predetermined amount of time following the condition; if the predetermined amount of time has passed, and no severe incident has been detected, saving data recorded by the event data recording; and uploading the saved data to a remote system once a connection with the remote system can be established. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the condition is predefined by a manufacturer. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the condition is indicative of an upcoming accident. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the remote system is an automotive manufacturer server. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the remote system is a fleet management server. | 3,600 |
13,232 | 13,232 | 13,460,989 | 3,619 | A composition having from 45% to 90%, by weight, of a first portion and from 10% to 55%, by weight, a second portion. The first portion has a lower melting point than the second portion. The first portion can have a higher water activity than the second portion. The first portion contains a sensitive ingredient which can be a Probiotic. The composition can be a supplement intended to be given to a pet. | 1. A composition comprising:
a. from 45% to 90%, by weight, of a first portion wherein the first portion comprises a sensitive ingredient and wherein the first portion has a first melting point; and b. from 10% to 55%, by weight, of a second portion wherein the second portion has a second melting point and wherein the second melting point is greater than the first melting point. 2. The composition of claim 1 comprising from 60% to 80%, by weight, first portion and from 20% to 40%, by weight, second portion. 3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the first portion further comprises a fat and a sweetener. 4. The composition of claim 3 wherein the fat is a cocoa butter component. 5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the second portion further comprises a fat. 6. The composition of claim 5 wherein the fat is partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. 7. The composition of claim 6 wherein the second portion further comprises a sweetener. 8. The composition of claim 1 wherein the second portion is substantially free of a sensitive ingredient. 9. The composition of claim 1 wherein the second melting point is at least 3° F. greater than the first melting point. 10. The composition of claim 1 wherein the second melting point is at least 5° F. greater than the first melting point. 11. The composition of claim 1 wherein the first melting point is at least 85° F. and wherein the second melting point is at least 110° F. 12. The composition of claim 1 wherein the first portion has a water activity from 0.1 to 0.4. 13. The composition of claim 1 wherein the second portion covers from 10% to 50% of a surface of the first portion. 14. The composition of claim 1 wherein the first portion is adjacent to the second portion. 15. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition is a supplement for pets. 16. The composition of claim 1 wherein the sensitive ingredient is a Probiotic. 17. The composition of claim 16 wherein the first portion comprises greater than 105 CFUs/g of the composition. 18. The composition of claim 16 further comprising a second sensitive ingredient. 19. The composition of claim 16 wherein the second portion is substantially free of a Probiotic. 20. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition is enclosed within a blister package. | A composition having from 45% to 90%, by weight, of a first portion and from 10% to 55%, by weight, a second portion. The first portion has a lower melting point than the second portion. The first portion can have a higher water activity than the second portion. The first portion contains a sensitive ingredient which can be a Probiotic. The composition can be a supplement intended to be given to a pet.1. A composition comprising:
a. from 45% to 90%, by weight, of a first portion wherein the first portion comprises a sensitive ingredient and wherein the first portion has a first melting point; and b. from 10% to 55%, by weight, of a second portion wherein the second portion has a second melting point and wherein the second melting point is greater than the first melting point. 2. The composition of claim 1 comprising from 60% to 80%, by weight, first portion and from 20% to 40%, by weight, second portion. 3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the first portion further comprises a fat and a sweetener. 4. The composition of claim 3 wherein the fat is a cocoa butter component. 5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the second portion further comprises a fat. 6. The composition of claim 5 wherein the fat is partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. 7. The composition of claim 6 wherein the second portion further comprises a sweetener. 8. The composition of claim 1 wherein the second portion is substantially free of a sensitive ingredient. 9. The composition of claim 1 wherein the second melting point is at least 3° F. greater than the first melting point. 10. The composition of claim 1 wherein the second melting point is at least 5° F. greater than the first melting point. 11. The composition of claim 1 wherein the first melting point is at least 85° F. and wherein the second melting point is at least 110° F. 12. The composition of claim 1 wherein the first portion has a water activity from 0.1 to 0.4. 13. The composition of claim 1 wherein the second portion covers from 10% to 50% of a surface of the first portion. 14. The composition of claim 1 wherein the first portion is adjacent to the second portion. 15. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition is a supplement for pets. 16. The composition of claim 1 wherein the sensitive ingredient is a Probiotic. 17. The composition of claim 16 wherein the first portion comprises greater than 105 CFUs/g of the composition. 18. The composition of claim 16 further comprising a second sensitive ingredient. 19. The composition of claim 16 wherein the second portion is substantially free of a Probiotic. 20. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition is enclosed within a blister package. | 3,600 |
13,233 | 13,233 | 14,264,656 | 3,623 | A method for generating a meeting agenda associated with a calendar application and a team planning tool is provided. The method may include retrieving a plurality of work items associated with the team planning tool and the calendar application. The method may also include sorting the plurality of work items based on a pre-determined criteria. The method may further include determining at least one incomplete work item within the plurality of sorted work items. Additionally, the method may include creating a topic associated with the meeting agenda for the at least one incomplete work item. The method may include assigning a focal point for the created topic. The method may also include assigning a time limit for the created topic based on the sorting of the plurality of work items. | 1.-7. (canceled) 8. A computer system for generating a meeting agenda associated with a calendar application and a team planning tool, the computer system comprising:
one or more processors, one or more computer-readable memories, one or more computer-readable tangible storage medium, and program instructions stored on at least one of the one or more tangible storage medium for execution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories, wherein the computer system is capable of performing a method comprising: retrieving a plurality of work items associated with the team planning tool and the calendar application; sorting the plurality of work items based on a pre-determined criteria; determining at least one incomplete work item within the plurality of sorted work items; creating a topic associated with the meeting agenda for the at least one incomplete work item; assigning a focal point for the created topic; and assigning a time limit for the created topic based on the sorting of the plurality of work items. 9. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the pre-determined criteria comprises at least one of a completed status; a priority; and a sizing. 10. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the sorting comprises generating a list of the work items in order based on at least one of the largest work items; the incomplete work items; and the priority work items being placed first on the generated list. 11. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the assigning a focal point comprises assigning an owner associated with the work item as the focal point. 12. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the assigning the owner comprises retrieving an owner name associated with the work item from the team planning tool. 13. The computer system of claim 8, wherein retrieving a plurality of work items comprises filtering the plurality of work items based on attendees associated with a meeting invitation list corresponding to the calendar application. 14. The computer system of claim 8, wherein retrieving a plurality of work items comprises at least one of retrieving a list of current work items and retrieving a list of work items associated with a previous meeting's agenda. 15. A computer program product for generating a meeting agenda associated with a calendar application and a team planning tool, the computer program product comprising:
one or more computer-readable tangible storage medium and program instructions stored on at least one of the one or more tangible storage medium, the program instructions executable by a processor, the program instructions comprising: program instructions to retrieve a plurality of work items associated with the team planning tool and the calendar application; program instructions to sort the plurality of work items based on a pre-determined criteria; program instructions to determine at least one incomplete work item within the plurality of sorted work items; program instructions to create a topic associated with the meeting agenda for the at least one incomplete work item; program instructions to assign a focal point for the created topic; and program instructions to assign a time limit for the created topic based on the sorting of the plurality of work items. 16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the pre-determined criteria comprises at least one of a completed status; a priority; and a sizing. 17. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the sorting comprises generating a list of the work items in order based on at least one of the largest work items; the incomplete work items; and the priority work items being placed first on the generated list. 18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the assigning a focal point comprises assigning an owner associated with the work item as the focal point. 19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the assigning the owner comprises retrieving an owner name associated with the work item from the team planning tool. 20. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein retrieving a plurality of work items comprises filtering the plurality of work items based on attendees associated with a meeting invitation list corresponding to the calendar application. | A method for generating a meeting agenda associated with a calendar application and a team planning tool is provided. The method may include retrieving a plurality of work items associated with the team planning tool and the calendar application. The method may also include sorting the plurality of work items based on a pre-determined criteria. The method may further include determining at least one incomplete work item within the plurality of sorted work items. Additionally, the method may include creating a topic associated with the meeting agenda for the at least one incomplete work item. The method may include assigning a focal point for the created topic. The method may also include assigning a time limit for the created topic based on the sorting of the plurality of work items.1.-7. (canceled) 8. A computer system for generating a meeting agenda associated with a calendar application and a team planning tool, the computer system comprising:
one or more processors, one or more computer-readable memories, one or more computer-readable tangible storage medium, and program instructions stored on at least one of the one or more tangible storage medium for execution by at least one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one or more memories, wherein the computer system is capable of performing a method comprising: retrieving a plurality of work items associated with the team planning tool and the calendar application; sorting the plurality of work items based on a pre-determined criteria; determining at least one incomplete work item within the plurality of sorted work items; creating a topic associated with the meeting agenda for the at least one incomplete work item; assigning a focal point for the created topic; and assigning a time limit for the created topic based on the sorting of the plurality of work items. 9. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the pre-determined criteria comprises at least one of a completed status; a priority; and a sizing. 10. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the sorting comprises generating a list of the work items in order based on at least one of the largest work items; the incomplete work items; and the priority work items being placed first on the generated list. 11. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the assigning a focal point comprises assigning an owner associated with the work item as the focal point. 12. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the assigning the owner comprises retrieving an owner name associated with the work item from the team planning tool. 13. The computer system of claim 8, wherein retrieving a plurality of work items comprises filtering the plurality of work items based on attendees associated with a meeting invitation list corresponding to the calendar application. 14. The computer system of claim 8, wherein retrieving a plurality of work items comprises at least one of retrieving a list of current work items and retrieving a list of work items associated with a previous meeting's agenda. 15. A computer program product for generating a meeting agenda associated with a calendar application and a team planning tool, the computer program product comprising:
one or more computer-readable tangible storage medium and program instructions stored on at least one of the one or more tangible storage medium, the program instructions executable by a processor, the program instructions comprising: program instructions to retrieve a plurality of work items associated with the team planning tool and the calendar application; program instructions to sort the plurality of work items based on a pre-determined criteria; program instructions to determine at least one incomplete work item within the plurality of sorted work items; program instructions to create a topic associated with the meeting agenda for the at least one incomplete work item; program instructions to assign a focal point for the created topic; and program instructions to assign a time limit for the created topic based on the sorting of the plurality of work items. 16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the pre-determined criteria comprises at least one of a completed status; a priority; and a sizing. 17. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the sorting comprises generating a list of the work items in order based on at least one of the largest work items; the incomplete work items; and the priority work items being placed first on the generated list. 18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the assigning a focal point comprises assigning an owner associated with the work item as the focal point. 19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the assigning the owner comprises retrieving an owner name associated with the work item from the team planning tool. 20. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein retrieving a plurality of work items comprises filtering the plurality of work items based on attendees associated with a meeting invitation list corresponding to the calendar application. | 3,600 |
13,234 | 13,234 | 14,697,988 | 3,696 | A method and system include receiving, by a leverage/module, data associated with a purchase transaction; determining that an account identifier associated with the received data identifies a composite account, wherein the composite account includes a collection of two or more card products; analyzing, by the leverage module, composite account data to determine at least one card product of the collection of card products to process the purchase transaction; selecting, by the leverage module, an account associated with at least one card product to process the purchase transaction based on the analysis; transmitting, by the leverage module, the selected at least one account to an issuer of the selected at least one card product for authorization of the purchase transaction. Numerous other aspects are provided. | 1. A method comprising:
receiving, by a leverage module, data associated with a purchase transaction; determining that an account identifier associated with the received data identifies a composite account, wherein the composite account includes a collection of two or more card products; analyzing, by the leverage module, composite account data to determine at least one card product of the collection of card products to process the purchase transaction; selecting, by the leverage module, an account associated with at least one card product to process the purchase transaction based on the analysis; transmitting, by the leverage module, the selected at least one account to an issuer of the selected at least one card product for authorization of the purchase transaction. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, by a merchant device, an authorization approval from the issuer of the selected at least one card product. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, by the leverage module, an authorization denial from the issuer of the selected at least one card product; analyzing, by the leverage module, composite account data to determine at least one other card product of the collection of card products to process the purchase transaction; selecting, by the leverage module, the at least one other card product to process the purchase transaction based on the analysis; and transmitting, by the leverage module, the selected at least one other card product to an issuer of the selected at least one card product for authorization of the purchase transaction. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein selecting at least one other card product is iterative until one of: the selected card product transmitted by the leverage module to the issuer receives an authorization approval, or and end condition is achieved. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein an end condition is one of another card product is unavailable for selection or another card product is not selected in a predetermined amount of time. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising, identifying a split payment belongs to the same purchase. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to receiving, by the leverage module, data associated with the purchase transaction, registering two or more card products with the leverage module. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein registering two or more card products further comprises:
providing, to the leverage module, composite account data. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein composite account data includes for each card product, at least one of card product account details, an account nickname, a credit limit, balance information, an interest rate, currency conversion fees, currency conversion rates, an account type, and usage preferences. 10. The method of claim 7, wherein registering two or more card products further comprises:
providing data to the leverage module via at least one of a web interface, a customer service representative, a form received by a mail processing center, and a third party. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing, by the leverage module, composite account data to determine at least one card product of the collection of card products to process the purchase transaction further comprises:
determining, by the leverage module, for each card product of the collection of card products at least one of a default card status, a processing preference, and one or more usage rules, based on the composite account data. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more usage rules further comprises data related to at least one of:
categories authorized to be billed with the card product, amount thresholds authorized to be billed with the card product, transaction types authorized to be billed with the card product, split logic associated with usage of the card product, time preferences associated with usage of the card product, geography preferences associated with usage of the card product, and currency preferences associated with usage of the card product. 13. A system comprising:
a communication device operative to communicate with a merchant device to obtain a request for authorization to use a payment account number for a transaction; a leverage module, in communication with the communication device, to receive the request for authorization; a non-transitory computer medium operably coupled to the leverage module, the non-transitory computer medium storing instructions configured to cause the leverage module to:
receive, by a leverage module, an account number associated with a
composite account and data associated with a purchase transaction, wherein the composite account includes a collection of two or more card products;
analyze, by the leverage module, composite account data to determine at least one card product of the collection of card products to process the purchase transaction;
select, by the leverage module, an account associated with at least one card product to process the purchase transaction based on the analysis;
transmit, by the leverage module, the selected at least one account to an issuer of the selected at least one card product for authorization of the purchase transaction. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein an authorization denial is received by the leverage module from the issuer of the selected at least one card product, and in response to the received authorization denial, the leverage module is operative to:
analyze the composite account data to determine at least one other card product of the collection of card products to process the purchase transaction; select the at least one other card product to process the purchase transaction based on the analysis; and transmit the selected at least one other card product to an issuer of the selected at least one other card product for authorization of the purchase transaction. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the leverage module is operative to re-iterate the determining at least one other card product step until one of: the selected card product transmitted by the leverage module to the issuer receives an authorization approval, or an end condition is achieved. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein an end condition is one of another card product is unavailable for selection or another card product is not selected in a predetermined amount of time. 17. The system of claim 13, further comprising, identifying a split payment belongs to the same purchase transaction. 18. The system of claim 13, wherein composite account data further comprises, for each card product, at least one of card product account details, an account nickname, a credit limit, balance information, an interest rate, currency conversion fees, currency conversion rates, an account type, and usage preferences. 19. The system of claim 13, wherein each card product of the collection of card products is associated with a default card status, a processing preference, and one or more usage rules. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the one or more usage rules further comprises data related to at least one of categories authorized to be billed with the card product, amount thresholds authorized to be billed with the card product, transaction types authorized to be billed with the card product, split logic associated with usage of the card product, time preferences associated with usage of the card product, geography preferences associated with usage of the card product, and currency preferences associated with usage of the card product. | A method and system include receiving, by a leverage/module, data associated with a purchase transaction; determining that an account identifier associated with the received data identifies a composite account, wherein the composite account includes a collection of two or more card products; analyzing, by the leverage module, composite account data to determine at least one card product of the collection of card products to process the purchase transaction; selecting, by the leverage module, an account associated with at least one card product to process the purchase transaction based on the analysis; transmitting, by the leverage module, the selected at least one account to an issuer of the selected at least one card product for authorization of the purchase transaction. Numerous other aspects are provided.1. A method comprising:
receiving, by a leverage module, data associated with a purchase transaction; determining that an account identifier associated with the received data identifies a composite account, wherein the composite account includes a collection of two or more card products; analyzing, by the leverage module, composite account data to determine at least one card product of the collection of card products to process the purchase transaction; selecting, by the leverage module, an account associated with at least one card product to process the purchase transaction based on the analysis; transmitting, by the leverage module, the selected at least one account to an issuer of the selected at least one card product for authorization of the purchase transaction. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, by a merchant device, an authorization approval from the issuer of the selected at least one card product. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, by the leverage module, an authorization denial from the issuer of the selected at least one card product; analyzing, by the leverage module, composite account data to determine at least one other card product of the collection of card products to process the purchase transaction; selecting, by the leverage module, the at least one other card product to process the purchase transaction based on the analysis; and transmitting, by the leverage module, the selected at least one other card product to an issuer of the selected at least one card product for authorization of the purchase transaction. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein selecting at least one other card product is iterative until one of: the selected card product transmitted by the leverage module to the issuer receives an authorization approval, or and end condition is achieved. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein an end condition is one of another card product is unavailable for selection or another card product is not selected in a predetermined amount of time. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising, identifying a split payment belongs to the same purchase. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to receiving, by the leverage module, data associated with the purchase transaction, registering two or more card products with the leverage module. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein registering two or more card products further comprises:
providing, to the leverage module, composite account data. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein composite account data includes for each card product, at least one of card product account details, an account nickname, a credit limit, balance information, an interest rate, currency conversion fees, currency conversion rates, an account type, and usage preferences. 10. The method of claim 7, wherein registering two or more card products further comprises:
providing data to the leverage module via at least one of a web interface, a customer service representative, a form received by a mail processing center, and a third party. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing, by the leverage module, composite account data to determine at least one card product of the collection of card products to process the purchase transaction further comprises:
determining, by the leverage module, for each card product of the collection of card products at least one of a default card status, a processing preference, and one or more usage rules, based on the composite account data. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more usage rules further comprises data related to at least one of:
categories authorized to be billed with the card product, amount thresholds authorized to be billed with the card product, transaction types authorized to be billed with the card product, split logic associated with usage of the card product, time preferences associated with usage of the card product, geography preferences associated with usage of the card product, and currency preferences associated with usage of the card product. 13. A system comprising:
a communication device operative to communicate with a merchant device to obtain a request for authorization to use a payment account number for a transaction; a leverage module, in communication with the communication device, to receive the request for authorization; a non-transitory computer medium operably coupled to the leverage module, the non-transitory computer medium storing instructions configured to cause the leverage module to:
receive, by a leverage module, an account number associated with a
composite account and data associated with a purchase transaction, wherein the composite account includes a collection of two or more card products;
analyze, by the leverage module, composite account data to determine at least one card product of the collection of card products to process the purchase transaction;
select, by the leverage module, an account associated with at least one card product to process the purchase transaction based on the analysis;
transmit, by the leverage module, the selected at least one account to an issuer of the selected at least one card product for authorization of the purchase transaction. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein an authorization denial is received by the leverage module from the issuer of the selected at least one card product, and in response to the received authorization denial, the leverage module is operative to:
analyze the composite account data to determine at least one other card product of the collection of card products to process the purchase transaction; select the at least one other card product to process the purchase transaction based on the analysis; and transmit the selected at least one other card product to an issuer of the selected at least one other card product for authorization of the purchase transaction. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the leverage module is operative to re-iterate the determining at least one other card product step until one of: the selected card product transmitted by the leverage module to the issuer receives an authorization approval, or an end condition is achieved. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein an end condition is one of another card product is unavailable for selection or another card product is not selected in a predetermined amount of time. 17. The system of claim 13, further comprising, identifying a split payment belongs to the same purchase transaction. 18. The system of claim 13, wherein composite account data further comprises, for each card product, at least one of card product account details, an account nickname, a credit limit, balance information, an interest rate, currency conversion fees, currency conversion rates, an account type, and usage preferences. 19. The system of claim 13, wherein each card product of the collection of card products is associated with a default card status, a processing preference, and one or more usage rules. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the one or more usage rules further comprises data related to at least one of categories authorized to be billed with the card product, amount thresholds authorized to be billed with the card product, transaction types authorized to be billed with the card product, split logic associated with usage of the card product, time preferences associated with usage of the card product, geography preferences associated with usage of the card product, and currency preferences associated with usage of the card product. | 3,600 |
13,235 | 13,235 | 14,862,295 | 3,626 | Mechanisms for performing a duration-based operation are provided. At least one document is received having a plurality of associated dates and/or times and concepts associated with the dates and/or times. The at least one document does not explicitly specify a duration between the dates and/or times. Dates and/or times in the at least one document having similar associated concepts are correlated and, for the correlated dates and/or times, an implicit duration is calculated based on the dates and/or times. The concepts are associated with the implicit duration and a first document in the at least one document is annotated with an implicit duration annotation that specifies the implicit duration and the associated concepts. A duration based operation is then performed based on the implicit duration annotation. | 1. A method, in a data processing system comprising a processor and a memory, for performing a duration-based operation, the method comprising:
receiving, by the data processing system, at least one document having a plurality of associated dates and/or times and concepts associated with the dates and/or times, wherein the at least one document does not explicitly specify a duration between the dates and/or times; correlating, by the data processing system, dates and/or times in the at least one document having similar associated concepts; calculating, by the data processing system, for the correlated dates and/or times, an implicit duration based on the dates and/or times; associating, by the data processing system, the associated concepts with the implicit duration; annotating, by the data processing system, a first document in the at least one document with an implicit duration annotation that specifies the implicit duration and the associated concepts; and performing, by the data processing system, the duration-based operation based on the implicit duration annotation. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
analyzing the at least one document to identify the dates and/or times; and performing natural language processing to identify textual content corresponding to concepts associated with the dates and/or times identified in the at least one document. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein performing natural language processing to identify textual content corresponding to concepts associated with the dates and/or times comprises identifying keywords or phrases within a predetermined textual range of the dates and/or times. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating an implicit duration based on the dates and/or times comprises, for each portion of a plurality of portions of the at least one document associated with a date and/or time, calculating one or more implicit durations based on a comparison of a date and/or time associated with the portion to a date and/or time of another portion of the at least one document. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating an implicit duration based on the dates and/or times comprises:
clustering portions of the at least one document based on similarity of concepts in the portions of the at least one document; and calculating at least one implicit duration for each cluster generated by the clustering based on a comparison of dates and/or times associated with the portions of the at least one document associated with the cluster. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one implicit duration for each cluster is calculated to be a largest difference in date and/or time between dates and/or times associated with the portions of the at least one document associated with the cluster. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first document is a document specified through configuration of the data processing system to be a primary document type, and wherein other documents in the at least one document that are not designated to be the primary document type are not annotated. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the data processing system is a Question Answering (QA) system, and wherein performing the duration-based operation based on the implicit duration annotation comprises generating an answer to an input question based on the implicit duration annotation. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the duration-based operation further comprises modifying scoring of one or more candidate answers for the input question based on a correspondence between the implicit duration specified in the implicit duration annotation and one or more duration criteria associated with the one or more candidate answers. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one document comprises a patient medical record, and wherein performing the duration-based operation comprises generating and outputting a treatment recommendation for a patient corresponding to the patient medical record based on a comparison of the implicit duration to duration requirements in one or more medical treatment policies. 11-21. (canceled) | Mechanisms for performing a duration-based operation are provided. At least one document is received having a plurality of associated dates and/or times and concepts associated with the dates and/or times. The at least one document does not explicitly specify a duration between the dates and/or times. Dates and/or times in the at least one document having similar associated concepts are correlated and, for the correlated dates and/or times, an implicit duration is calculated based on the dates and/or times. The concepts are associated with the implicit duration and a first document in the at least one document is annotated with an implicit duration annotation that specifies the implicit duration and the associated concepts. A duration based operation is then performed based on the implicit duration annotation.1. A method, in a data processing system comprising a processor and a memory, for performing a duration-based operation, the method comprising:
receiving, by the data processing system, at least one document having a plurality of associated dates and/or times and concepts associated with the dates and/or times, wherein the at least one document does not explicitly specify a duration between the dates and/or times; correlating, by the data processing system, dates and/or times in the at least one document having similar associated concepts; calculating, by the data processing system, for the correlated dates and/or times, an implicit duration based on the dates and/or times; associating, by the data processing system, the associated concepts with the implicit duration; annotating, by the data processing system, a first document in the at least one document with an implicit duration annotation that specifies the implicit duration and the associated concepts; and performing, by the data processing system, the duration-based operation based on the implicit duration annotation. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
analyzing the at least one document to identify the dates and/or times; and performing natural language processing to identify textual content corresponding to concepts associated with the dates and/or times identified in the at least one document. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein performing natural language processing to identify textual content corresponding to concepts associated with the dates and/or times comprises identifying keywords or phrases within a predetermined textual range of the dates and/or times. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating an implicit duration based on the dates and/or times comprises, for each portion of a plurality of portions of the at least one document associated with a date and/or time, calculating one or more implicit durations based on a comparison of a date and/or time associated with the portion to a date and/or time of another portion of the at least one document. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating an implicit duration based on the dates and/or times comprises:
clustering portions of the at least one document based on similarity of concepts in the portions of the at least one document; and calculating at least one implicit duration for each cluster generated by the clustering based on a comparison of dates and/or times associated with the portions of the at least one document associated with the cluster. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one implicit duration for each cluster is calculated to be a largest difference in date and/or time between dates and/or times associated with the portions of the at least one document associated with the cluster. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first document is a document specified through configuration of the data processing system to be a primary document type, and wherein other documents in the at least one document that are not designated to be the primary document type are not annotated. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the data processing system is a Question Answering (QA) system, and wherein performing the duration-based operation based on the implicit duration annotation comprises generating an answer to an input question based on the implicit duration annotation. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the duration-based operation further comprises modifying scoring of one or more candidate answers for the input question based on a correspondence between the implicit duration specified in the implicit duration annotation and one or more duration criteria associated with the one or more candidate answers. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one document comprises a patient medical record, and wherein performing the duration-based operation comprises generating and outputting a treatment recommendation for a patient corresponding to the patient medical record based on a comparison of the implicit duration to duration requirements in one or more medical treatment policies. 11-21. (canceled) | 3,600 |
13,236 | 13,236 | 13,435,419 | 3,624 | Devices and methods provide route guidance by maintaining a plurality of user preferences, receiving a beginning location and an ending location of a trip, and receiving a trip purpose of the trip. Such devices and methods automatically generate multiple different routes between the beginning location and the ending location, automatically create a subset of less than all of the user preferences that match the trip purpose to produce purpose-specific preferences, and automatically rank the multiple different routes by ranking routes that match more of the purpose-specific preferences ahead of routes that match less of the purpose-specific preferences to produce a ranked order. Then, such devices and methods automatically output the multiple different routes in the ranked order. | 1. A computer implemented method of providing route guidance comprising:
maintaining a plurality of user preferences within a non-volatile storage medium of at least one computerized device; receiving a beginning location and an ending location of a trip into said at least one computerized device; receiving a trip purpose of said trip into said at least one computerized device; automatically generating multiple different routes between said beginning location and said ending location using said at least one computerized device; automatically creating a subset of less than all of said user preferences that match said trip purpose to produce purpose-specific preferences using said at least one computerized device; automatically ranking said multiple different routes by ranking routes that match more of said purpose-specific preferences ahead of routes that match less of said purpose-specific preferences to produce a ranked order, using said at least one computerized device; and automatically outputting said multiple different routes in said ranked order from said at least one computerized device. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising automatically obtaining, using said at least one computerized device, current status information of events occurring along each of said multiple different routes, said events comprising at least one of weather, concerts, sporting events, and parades. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising outputting targeted advertizing from said at least one computerized device based on said trip purpose. 4. The method according to claim 1, said user preferences comprising at least one of:
a preference regarding walking segments based on a weather forecast; a preference regarding amenities available at transfer stations; a preference regarding use of a specific fare payment method; a preference regarding use of stairs; a preference regarding traveling with a bicycle; a preference regarding rental of a car, bike and taxi; a preference regarding maximum number of transfers; a preference regarding a walking time and distance; a preference regarding carbon footprint; a preference regarding probability of seat availability; a preference regarding use of underground segments; a preference regarding risk on possible delays and cancellations; and a preference regarding desire to start and end the trip with a specific mode of transportation. 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving modifications to said user preferences into said at least one computerized device. 6. A computer implemented method of providing route guidance comprising:
maintaining a plurality of user preferences within a non-volatile storage medium of at least one computerized device, said user preferences being categorized into different trip purposes; receiving a beginning location and an ending location of a trip into said at least one computerized device; receiving a trip purpose of said trip into said at least one computerized device, said trip purpose comprising one of said trip purposes; automatically generating multiple different routes between said beginning location and said ending location using said at least one computerized device, at least two of said multiple different routes utilizing different transportation systems; automatically creating a subset of less than all of said user preferences that match said trip purpose to produce purpose-specific preferences using said at least one computerized device; automatically ranking said multiple different routes by ranking routes that match more of said purpose-specific preferences ahead of routes that match less of said purpose-specific preferences to produce a ranked order, using said at least one computerized device; and automatically outputting said multiple different routes in said ranked order from said at least one computerized device. 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising automatically obtaining, using said at least one computerized device, current status information of events occurring along each of said multiple different routes, said events comprising at least one of weather, concerts, sporting events, and parades. 8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising outputting targeted advertizing from said at least one computerized device based on said trip purpose. 9. The method according to claim 6, said user preferences comprising at least one of:
a preference regarding walking segments based on a weather forecast; a preference regarding amenities available at transfer stations; a preference regarding use of a specific fare payment method; a preference regarding use of stairs; a preference regarding traveling with a bicycle; a preference regarding rental of a car, bike and taxi; a preference regarding maximum number of transfers; a preference regarding a walking time and distance; a preference regarding carbon footprint; a preference regarding probability of seat availability; a preference regarding use of underground segments; a preference regarding risk on possible delays and cancellations; and a preference regarding desire to start and end the trip with a specific mode of transportation. 10. The method according to claim 6, further comprising receiving modifications to said user preferences into said at least one computerized device. 11. A computer implemented method of providing route guidance comprising:
maintaining a plurality of user preferences within a non-volatile storage medium of at least one computerized device, said user preferences being categorized into different trip purposes; receiving a beginning location and an ending location of a trip into said at least one computerized device; receiving a trip purpose of said trip into said at least one computerized device, said trip purpose comprising one of said different trip purposes; automatically generating multiple different routes between said beginning location and said ending location using said at least one computerized device, at least two of said multiple different routes utilizing different transportation systems, at least two of said multiple different routes comprising a single identical route departing at different departure times; automatically changing a weighting priority of less than all of said user preferences that match said trip purpose to produce purpose-specific weighted preferences using said at least one computerized device; automatically scoring each of said multiple different routes based on whether said multiple different routes match said user preferences, ones of said multiple different routes that match said purpose-specific weighted preferences receiving a higher scoring relative to ones of said multiple different routes that do not match said purpose-specific weighted preferences; automatically ranking said multiple different routes according to said scoring, using said at least one computerized device; and automatically outputting said multiple different routes in said ranked order from said at least one computerized device. 12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising automatically obtaining, using said at least one computerized device, current status information of events occurring along each of said multiple different routes, said events comprising at least one of weather, concerts, sporting events, and parades. 13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising outputting targeted advertizing from said at least one computerized device based on said trip purpose. 14. The method according to claim 11, said user preferences comprising at least one of:
a preference regarding walking segments based on a weather forecast; a preference regarding amenities available at transfer stations; a preference regarding use of a specific fare payment method; a preference regarding use of stairs; a preference regarding traveling with a bicycle; a preference regarding rental of a car, bike and taxi; a preference regarding maximum number of transfers; a preference regarding a walking time and distance; a preference regarding carbon footprint; a preference regarding probability of seat availability; a preference regarding use of underground segments; a preference regarding risk on possible delays and cancellations; and a preference regarding desire to start and end the trip with a specific mode of transportation. 15. The method according to claim 11, further comprising receiving modifications to said user preferences into said at least one computerized device. 16. A computerized device providing route guidance comprising:
a processor; a non-volatile storage medium operatively connected to said processor, said processor performing functions based on instructions stored in said non-volatile storage medium, and said non-volatile storage medium maintaining a plurality of user preferences; and a graphic user interface operatively connected to said processor, said graphic user interface receiving a beginning location and an ending location of a trip into said at least one computerized device; said graphic user interface receiving a trip purpose of said trip; said processor automatically generating multiple different routes between said beginning location and said ending location; said processor automatically creating a subset of less than all of said user preferences that match said trip purpose to produce purpose-specific preferences; said processor automatically ranking said multiple different routes by ranking routes that match more of said purpose-specific preferences ahead of routes that match less of said purpose-specific preferences to produce a ranked order; and said graphic user interface automatically outputting said multiple different routes in said ranked order. 17. The computerized device according to claim 16, said processor automatically obtaining current status information of events occurring along each of said multiple different routes, said events comprising at least one of weather, concerts, sporting events, and parades. 18. The computerized device according to claim 16, said graphic user interface outputting targeted advertizing based on said trip purpose. 19. The computerized device according to claim 16, said user preferences comprising at least one of:
a preference regarding walking segments based on a weather forecast; a preference regarding amenities available at transfer stations; a preference regarding use of a specific fare payment computerized device; a preference regarding use of stairs; a preference regarding traveling with a bicycle; a preference regarding rental of a car, bike and taxi; a preference regarding maximum number of transfers; a preference regarding a walking time and distance; a preference regarding carbon footprint; a preference regarding probability of seat availability; a preference regarding use of underground segments; a preference regarding risk on possible delays and cancellations; and a preference regarding desire to start and end the trip with a specific mode of transportation. 20. The computerized device according to claim 16, said graphic user interface receiving modifications to said user. | Devices and methods provide route guidance by maintaining a plurality of user preferences, receiving a beginning location and an ending location of a trip, and receiving a trip purpose of the trip. Such devices and methods automatically generate multiple different routes between the beginning location and the ending location, automatically create a subset of less than all of the user preferences that match the trip purpose to produce purpose-specific preferences, and automatically rank the multiple different routes by ranking routes that match more of the purpose-specific preferences ahead of routes that match less of the purpose-specific preferences to produce a ranked order. Then, such devices and methods automatically output the multiple different routes in the ranked order.1. A computer implemented method of providing route guidance comprising:
maintaining a plurality of user preferences within a non-volatile storage medium of at least one computerized device; receiving a beginning location and an ending location of a trip into said at least one computerized device; receiving a trip purpose of said trip into said at least one computerized device; automatically generating multiple different routes between said beginning location and said ending location using said at least one computerized device; automatically creating a subset of less than all of said user preferences that match said trip purpose to produce purpose-specific preferences using said at least one computerized device; automatically ranking said multiple different routes by ranking routes that match more of said purpose-specific preferences ahead of routes that match less of said purpose-specific preferences to produce a ranked order, using said at least one computerized device; and automatically outputting said multiple different routes in said ranked order from said at least one computerized device. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising automatically obtaining, using said at least one computerized device, current status information of events occurring along each of said multiple different routes, said events comprising at least one of weather, concerts, sporting events, and parades. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising outputting targeted advertizing from said at least one computerized device based on said trip purpose. 4. The method according to claim 1, said user preferences comprising at least one of:
a preference regarding walking segments based on a weather forecast; a preference regarding amenities available at transfer stations; a preference regarding use of a specific fare payment method; a preference regarding use of stairs; a preference regarding traveling with a bicycle; a preference regarding rental of a car, bike and taxi; a preference regarding maximum number of transfers; a preference regarding a walking time and distance; a preference regarding carbon footprint; a preference regarding probability of seat availability; a preference regarding use of underground segments; a preference regarding risk on possible delays and cancellations; and a preference regarding desire to start and end the trip with a specific mode of transportation. 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving modifications to said user preferences into said at least one computerized device. 6. A computer implemented method of providing route guidance comprising:
maintaining a plurality of user preferences within a non-volatile storage medium of at least one computerized device, said user preferences being categorized into different trip purposes; receiving a beginning location and an ending location of a trip into said at least one computerized device; receiving a trip purpose of said trip into said at least one computerized device, said trip purpose comprising one of said trip purposes; automatically generating multiple different routes between said beginning location and said ending location using said at least one computerized device, at least two of said multiple different routes utilizing different transportation systems; automatically creating a subset of less than all of said user preferences that match said trip purpose to produce purpose-specific preferences using said at least one computerized device; automatically ranking said multiple different routes by ranking routes that match more of said purpose-specific preferences ahead of routes that match less of said purpose-specific preferences to produce a ranked order, using said at least one computerized device; and automatically outputting said multiple different routes in said ranked order from said at least one computerized device. 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising automatically obtaining, using said at least one computerized device, current status information of events occurring along each of said multiple different routes, said events comprising at least one of weather, concerts, sporting events, and parades. 8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising outputting targeted advertizing from said at least one computerized device based on said trip purpose. 9. The method according to claim 6, said user preferences comprising at least one of:
a preference regarding walking segments based on a weather forecast; a preference regarding amenities available at transfer stations; a preference regarding use of a specific fare payment method; a preference regarding use of stairs; a preference regarding traveling with a bicycle; a preference regarding rental of a car, bike and taxi; a preference regarding maximum number of transfers; a preference regarding a walking time and distance; a preference regarding carbon footprint; a preference regarding probability of seat availability; a preference regarding use of underground segments; a preference regarding risk on possible delays and cancellations; and a preference regarding desire to start and end the trip with a specific mode of transportation. 10. The method according to claim 6, further comprising receiving modifications to said user preferences into said at least one computerized device. 11. A computer implemented method of providing route guidance comprising:
maintaining a plurality of user preferences within a non-volatile storage medium of at least one computerized device, said user preferences being categorized into different trip purposes; receiving a beginning location and an ending location of a trip into said at least one computerized device; receiving a trip purpose of said trip into said at least one computerized device, said trip purpose comprising one of said different trip purposes; automatically generating multiple different routes between said beginning location and said ending location using said at least one computerized device, at least two of said multiple different routes utilizing different transportation systems, at least two of said multiple different routes comprising a single identical route departing at different departure times; automatically changing a weighting priority of less than all of said user preferences that match said trip purpose to produce purpose-specific weighted preferences using said at least one computerized device; automatically scoring each of said multiple different routes based on whether said multiple different routes match said user preferences, ones of said multiple different routes that match said purpose-specific weighted preferences receiving a higher scoring relative to ones of said multiple different routes that do not match said purpose-specific weighted preferences; automatically ranking said multiple different routes according to said scoring, using said at least one computerized device; and automatically outputting said multiple different routes in said ranked order from said at least one computerized device. 12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising automatically obtaining, using said at least one computerized device, current status information of events occurring along each of said multiple different routes, said events comprising at least one of weather, concerts, sporting events, and parades. 13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising outputting targeted advertizing from said at least one computerized device based on said trip purpose. 14. The method according to claim 11, said user preferences comprising at least one of:
a preference regarding walking segments based on a weather forecast; a preference regarding amenities available at transfer stations; a preference regarding use of a specific fare payment method; a preference regarding use of stairs; a preference regarding traveling with a bicycle; a preference regarding rental of a car, bike and taxi; a preference regarding maximum number of transfers; a preference regarding a walking time and distance; a preference regarding carbon footprint; a preference regarding probability of seat availability; a preference regarding use of underground segments; a preference regarding risk on possible delays and cancellations; and a preference regarding desire to start and end the trip with a specific mode of transportation. 15. The method according to claim 11, further comprising receiving modifications to said user preferences into said at least one computerized device. 16. A computerized device providing route guidance comprising:
a processor; a non-volatile storage medium operatively connected to said processor, said processor performing functions based on instructions stored in said non-volatile storage medium, and said non-volatile storage medium maintaining a plurality of user preferences; and a graphic user interface operatively connected to said processor, said graphic user interface receiving a beginning location and an ending location of a trip into said at least one computerized device; said graphic user interface receiving a trip purpose of said trip; said processor automatically generating multiple different routes between said beginning location and said ending location; said processor automatically creating a subset of less than all of said user preferences that match said trip purpose to produce purpose-specific preferences; said processor automatically ranking said multiple different routes by ranking routes that match more of said purpose-specific preferences ahead of routes that match less of said purpose-specific preferences to produce a ranked order; and said graphic user interface automatically outputting said multiple different routes in said ranked order. 17. The computerized device according to claim 16, said processor automatically obtaining current status information of events occurring along each of said multiple different routes, said events comprising at least one of weather, concerts, sporting events, and parades. 18. The computerized device according to claim 16, said graphic user interface outputting targeted advertizing based on said trip purpose. 19. The computerized device according to claim 16, said user preferences comprising at least one of:
a preference regarding walking segments based on a weather forecast; a preference regarding amenities available at transfer stations; a preference regarding use of a specific fare payment computerized device; a preference regarding use of stairs; a preference regarding traveling with a bicycle; a preference regarding rental of a car, bike and taxi; a preference regarding maximum number of transfers; a preference regarding a walking time and distance; a preference regarding carbon footprint; a preference regarding probability of seat availability; a preference regarding use of underground segments; a preference regarding risk on possible delays and cancellations; and a preference regarding desire to start and end the trip with a specific mode of transportation. 20. The computerized device according to claim 16, said graphic user interface receiving modifications to said user. | 3,600 |
13,237 | 13,237 | 14,837,584 | 3,627 | Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with localized compensation approval within a global business are described. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes generating, in an electronic database, an electronic data structure that defines a compensation group comprised of a subset of employee records. The method includes creating a local approval rule that (a) defines criteria that are to be satisfied for approving distribution of compensation to the compensation group and (b) modifies compensation approval for the compensation group from a global approval rule. The method includes applying the local approval rule to the compensation group, in place of the global approval rule, to determine whether the criteria are satisfied for approving the electronic distribution of compensation. The method includes, in response to determining that the local approval rule has been satisfied, electronically distributing the compensation to the compensation group by transmitting an electronic communication indicating approval of the compensation. | 1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform functions, the instructions comprising:
instructions for generating, in an electronic database, an electronic data structure that defines a compensation group comprised of a subset of employee records that represent a sub-set of all employees of a business; instructions for creating, in the electronic database, a local approval rule that (a) defines criteria that are to be satisfied for approving the electronic distribution of compensation to the compensation group and (b) modifies compensation approval for the compensation group from a global approval rule that defines conditions for approving the electronic distribution of compensation and that controls electronic distribution of compensation to all employees of the business; and instructions for, in response to determining that the local approval rule has been satisfied for the compensation group, electronically distributing compensation to the compensation group by transmitting an electronic communication indicating approval of the compensation to cause the compensation to be transferred to the subset of the employee records. 2. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions for:
monitoring, according to the local approval rule, the subset of employee records and one or more compensation records by scanning, using at least a processor, the subset of employee records of the compensation group to identify whether the criteria for the local approval rule have been satisfied, and wherein scanning includes electronically traversing the subset of employee records in the electronic database to identify changes in the subset of employee records associated with the criteria specified by the local approval rule. 3. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the local approval rule indicates a managerial level of a reporting hierarchy that is to certify the compensation prior to distribution as the criteria, and wherein the global approval rule defines how compensation is distributed within the business based, at least in part, on the reporting hierarchy. 4. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 3, wherein the reporting hierarchy is a hierarchical tree data structure that defines managerial relationships between employee records of the business, and wherein each of the employee records of the business define at least a position in the reporting hierarchy, and wherein electronically distributing compensation to the compensation group prevents unapproved distributions of compensation in the business while permitting localized approvals that do not follow the global approval rule, and wherein the local approval rule controls when compensation is approved for electronic distribution to the compensation group. 5. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions configured for:
receiving an electronic communication over a communications network that specifies attributes for selecting the compensation group from the employee records for the business, and wherein the attributes indicate attributes that qualify respective employee records to be included in the compensation group. 6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions for generating the compensation group includes instructions for designating the compensation group as using the local approval rule instead of the global compensation rule, and wherein generating the compensation group includes selecting the subset of the employee records to identify the compensation group as an exception to the global approval rule that specifies how distribution of compensation is approved across the whole business, and wherein the local approval rule provides flexible approval for compensation outside of the global approval rule. 7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions configured for:
analyzing the compensation group to provide analytics regarding distribution of the compensation to the compensation group, wherein the analytics include a number of employees in the compensation group and statistics about the compensation group. 8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, further comprising instructions for:
updating statistics associated with the global approval rule according to the analytics of the local approval rule to maintain overall records for compensation within the business. 9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions configured for:
receiving an electronic communication over a communications network that specifies attributes for selecting the compensation group from the employee records for the business, wherein the attributes indicate attributes that qualify respective employee records to be included in the compensation group; analyzing the compensation group to provide analytics regarding distribution of the compensation to the compensation group, wherein the analytics include a number of employees in the compensation group and statistics about the compensation group; monitoring, according to the local approval rule, the subset of employee records and one or more compensation records by scanning, using at least a hardware processor, the subset of employee records of the compensation group to identify whether the criteria for the local approval rule have been satisfied, and wherein scanning includes electronically traversing the subset of employee records in the electronic database to identify changes in the subset of employee records associated with the criteria specified by the local approval rule, wherein the local approval rule indicates a managerial level of a reporting hierarchy that is to certify the compensation prior to distribution as the criteria, and wherein the global approval rule defines how compensation is distributed across the business according to the reporting hierarchy, wherein the reporting hierarchy is a hierarchical tree data structure that defines managerial relationships between employee records of the business, wherein each of the employee records of the business define at least a position in the reporting hierarchy, wherein generating the compensation group includes designating the compensation group as using the local approval rule instead of the global compensation rule, and wherein generating the compensation group includes selecting the subset of the employee records to identify the compensation group as an exception to the global approval rule that specifies how distribution of compensation is approved across the whole business, and wherein the local approval rule provides flexible approval for compensation outside of the global approval rule; and updating statistics associated with the global approval rule according to the analytics of the local approval rule to maintain overall records for compensation within the business. 10. A computing system, comprising:
a grouping module stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium and configured with instructions for generating, in an electronic database, an electronic data structure that defines a compensation group comprised of a subset of employee records that represent employees of a business; a compensation module stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium and configured with:
instructions for creating, in the electronic database, a local approval rule that (a) defines criteria that are to be satisfied for approving distribution of compensation to the compensation group and (b) modifies compensation approval for the compensation group from a global approval rule, and
instructions for electronically distributing, in response to determining that the local approval rule has been satisfied, compensation to the compensation group by transmitting an electronic communication indicating approval of the compensation to cause the compensation to be transferred to the subset of the employee records. 11. The computing system of claim 10, wherein the compensation module further includes instructions for:
monitoring, according to the local approval rule, the subset of employee records and one or more compensation records by scanning, using at least a hardware processor, the subset of employee records of the compensation group to identify whether the criteria for the local approval rule have been satisfied, and wherein scanning includes electronically traversing the subset of employee records in the electronic database to identify changes in the subset of employee records associated with the criteria specified by the local approval rule. 12. The computing system of claim 10, wherein the local approval rule indicates a managerial level of a reporting hierarchy that is to certify the compensation prior to distribution as the criteria, and wherein the global approval rule defines how compensation is distributed across the business according to the reporting hierarchy,
wherein the reporting hierarchy is a hierarchical tree data structure that defines managerial relationships between employee records of the business, and wherein each of the employee records of the business define at least a position in the reporting hierarchy, wherein electronically distributing compensation to the compensation group prevents unapproved distributions of compensation in the business while permitting localized approvals that do not follow the global approval rule, and wherein the local approval rule controls when compensation is distributed to the compensation group. 13. The computing system of claim 10, wherein the grouping module further includes instructions for:
receiving an electronic communication over a communications network that specifies attributes for selecting the compensation group from the employee records for the business, wherein the attributes indicate attributes that qualify respective employee records to be included in the compensation group. 14. The computing system of claim 10, wherein the compensation module further includes instructions for:
analyzing the compensation group to provide analytics regarding distribution of the compensation to the compensation group, wherein the analytics include a number of employees in the compensation group and statistics about the compensation group; and updating statistics associated with the global approval rule according to the analytics of the local approval rule to maintain overall records for compensation within the business, wherein generating the compensation group includes selecting the subset of the employee records to identify the compensation group as an exception to the global approval rule that specifies how distribution of compensation is approved across the whole business, and wherein the local approval rule provides flexible approval for compensation outside of the global approval rule. 15. A computer-implemented method performed by a computing device including at least a processor that executes instructions from a memory, the method comprising:
generating, in an electronic database, an electronic data structure that defines a compensation group comprised of a subset of employee records that represent employees of a business; creating, in the electronic database, a local approval rule that (a) defines criteria that are to be satisfied for approving distribution of compensation to the compensation group and (b) modifies compensation approval for the compensation group from a global approval rule; applying the local approval rule to the compensation group, in place of the global approval rule, to determine whether the criteria are satisfied for approving the electronic distribution of compensation to the compensation group; and in response to determining that the local approval rule has been satisfied, electronically distributing the compensation to the compensation group by transmitting an electronic communication indicating approval of the compensation to cause the compensation to be transferred to the subset of the employee records. 16. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, further comprising:
monitoring, according to the local approval rule, the subset of employee records and one or more compensation records by scanning, using at least a hardware processor, the subset of employee records of the compensation group to identify whether the criteria for the local approval rule have been satisfied, and wherein scanning includes electronically traversing the subset of employee records in the electronic database to identify changes in the subset of employee records associated with the criteria specified by the local approval rule. 17. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the local approval rule indicates a managerial level of a reporting hierarchy that is to certify the compensation prior to distribution as the criteria, and wherein the global approval rule defines how compensation is distributed across the business to the employee records based, at least in part, on the reporting hierarchy, wherein the reporting hierarchy is a hierarchical tree data structure that defines managerial relationships between employee records of the business, wherein each of the employee records of the business define at least a position in the reporting hierarchy. 18. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein generating the compensation group includes designating the compensation group as using the local approval rule instead of the global compensation rule, and wherein generating the compensation group includes selecting the subset of the employee records to identify the compensation group as an exception to the global approval rule that specifies how distribution of compensation is approved across the whole business, and wherein the local approval rule provides flexible approval for compensation outside of the global approval rule, and wherein the local approval rule controls when compensation is electronically distributed to the compensation group, and wherein electronically distributing the compensation to the compensation group prevents unapproved distributions of compensation in the business while permitting localized approvals that do not follow the global approval rule. 19. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, further comprising:
analyzing the compensation group to provide analytics regarding distribution of the compensation to the compensation group, wherein the analytics include a number of employees in the compensation group and statistics about the compensation group. 20. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, further comprising:
updating statistics associated with the global approval rule according to analytics of the local approval rule to maintain overall records for compensation within the business. | Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with localized compensation approval within a global business are described. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes generating, in an electronic database, an electronic data structure that defines a compensation group comprised of a subset of employee records. The method includes creating a local approval rule that (a) defines criteria that are to be satisfied for approving distribution of compensation to the compensation group and (b) modifies compensation approval for the compensation group from a global approval rule. The method includes applying the local approval rule to the compensation group, in place of the global approval rule, to determine whether the criteria are satisfied for approving the electronic distribution of compensation. The method includes, in response to determining that the local approval rule has been satisfied, electronically distributing the compensation to the compensation group by transmitting an electronic communication indicating approval of the compensation.1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform functions, the instructions comprising:
instructions for generating, in an electronic database, an electronic data structure that defines a compensation group comprised of a subset of employee records that represent a sub-set of all employees of a business; instructions for creating, in the electronic database, a local approval rule that (a) defines criteria that are to be satisfied for approving the electronic distribution of compensation to the compensation group and (b) modifies compensation approval for the compensation group from a global approval rule that defines conditions for approving the electronic distribution of compensation and that controls electronic distribution of compensation to all employees of the business; and instructions for, in response to determining that the local approval rule has been satisfied for the compensation group, electronically distributing compensation to the compensation group by transmitting an electronic communication indicating approval of the compensation to cause the compensation to be transferred to the subset of the employee records. 2. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions for:
monitoring, according to the local approval rule, the subset of employee records and one or more compensation records by scanning, using at least a processor, the subset of employee records of the compensation group to identify whether the criteria for the local approval rule have been satisfied, and wherein scanning includes electronically traversing the subset of employee records in the electronic database to identify changes in the subset of employee records associated with the criteria specified by the local approval rule. 3. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the local approval rule indicates a managerial level of a reporting hierarchy that is to certify the compensation prior to distribution as the criteria, and wherein the global approval rule defines how compensation is distributed within the business based, at least in part, on the reporting hierarchy. 4. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 3, wherein the reporting hierarchy is a hierarchical tree data structure that defines managerial relationships between employee records of the business, and wherein each of the employee records of the business define at least a position in the reporting hierarchy, and wherein electronically distributing compensation to the compensation group prevents unapproved distributions of compensation in the business while permitting localized approvals that do not follow the global approval rule, and wherein the local approval rule controls when compensation is approved for electronic distribution to the compensation group. 5. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions configured for:
receiving an electronic communication over a communications network that specifies attributes for selecting the compensation group from the employee records for the business, and wherein the attributes indicate attributes that qualify respective employee records to be included in the compensation group. 6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions for generating the compensation group includes instructions for designating the compensation group as using the local approval rule instead of the global compensation rule, and wherein generating the compensation group includes selecting the subset of the employee records to identify the compensation group as an exception to the global approval rule that specifies how distribution of compensation is approved across the whole business, and wherein the local approval rule provides flexible approval for compensation outside of the global approval rule. 7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions configured for:
analyzing the compensation group to provide analytics regarding distribution of the compensation to the compensation group, wherein the analytics include a number of employees in the compensation group and statistics about the compensation group. 8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, further comprising instructions for:
updating statistics associated with the global approval rule according to the analytics of the local approval rule to maintain overall records for compensation within the business. 9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, further comprising instructions configured for:
receiving an electronic communication over a communications network that specifies attributes for selecting the compensation group from the employee records for the business, wherein the attributes indicate attributes that qualify respective employee records to be included in the compensation group; analyzing the compensation group to provide analytics regarding distribution of the compensation to the compensation group, wherein the analytics include a number of employees in the compensation group and statistics about the compensation group; monitoring, according to the local approval rule, the subset of employee records and one or more compensation records by scanning, using at least a hardware processor, the subset of employee records of the compensation group to identify whether the criteria for the local approval rule have been satisfied, and wherein scanning includes electronically traversing the subset of employee records in the electronic database to identify changes in the subset of employee records associated with the criteria specified by the local approval rule, wherein the local approval rule indicates a managerial level of a reporting hierarchy that is to certify the compensation prior to distribution as the criteria, and wherein the global approval rule defines how compensation is distributed across the business according to the reporting hierarchy, wherein the reporting hierarchy is a hierarchical tree data structure that defines managerial relationships between employee records of the business, wherein each of the employee records of the business define at least a position in the reporting hierarchy, wherein generating the compensation group includes designating the compensation group as using the local approval rule instead of the global compensation rule, and wherein generating the compensation group includes selecting the subset of the employee records to identify the compensation group as an exception to the global approval rule that specifies how distribution of compensation is approved across the whole business, and wherein the local approval rule provides flexible approval for compensation outside of the global approval rule; and updating statistics associated with the global approval rule according to the analytics of the local approval rule to maintain overall records for compensation within the business. 10. A computing system, comprising:
a grouping module stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium and configured with instructions for generating, in an electronic database, an electronic data structure that defines a compensation group comprised of a subset of employee records that represent employees of a business; a compensation module stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium and configured with:
instructions for creating, in the electronic database, a local approval rule that (a) defines criteria that are to be satisfied for approving distribution of compensation to the compensation group and (b) modifies compensation approval for the compensation group from a global approval rule, and
instructions for electronically distributing, in response to determining that the local approval rule has been satisfied, compensation to the compensation group by transmitting an electronic communication indicating approval of the compensation to cause the compensation to be transferred to the subset of the employee records. 11. The computing system of claim 10, wherein the compensation module further includes instructions for:
monitoring, according to the local approval rule, the subset of employee records and one or more compensation records by scanning, using at least a hardware processor, the subset of employee records of the compensation group to identify whether the criteria for the local approval rule have been satisfied, and wherein scanning includes electronically traversing the subset of employee records in the electronic database to identify changes in the subset of employee records associated with the criteria specified by the local approval rule. 12. The computing system of claim 10, wherein the local approval rule indicates a managerial level of a reporting hierarchy that is to certify the compensation prior to distribution as the criteria, and wherein the global approval rule defines how compensation is distributed across the business according to the reporting hierarchy,
wherein the reporting hierarchy is a hierarchical tree data structure that defines managerial relationships between employee records of the business, and wherein each of the employee records of the business define at least a position in the reporting hierarchy, wherein electronically distributing compensation to the compensation group prevents unapproved distributions of compensation in the business while permitting localized approvals that do not follow the global approval rule, and wherein the local approval rule controls when compensation is distributed to the compensation group. 13. The computing system of claim 10, wherein the grouping module further includes instructions for:
receiving an electronic communication over a communications network that specifies attributes for selecting the compensation group from the employee records for the business, wherein the attributes indicate attributes that qualify respective employee records to be included in the compensation group. 14. The computing system of claim 10, wherein the compensation module further includes instructions for:
analyzing the compensation group to provide analytics regarding distribution of the compensation to the compensation group, wherein the analytics include a number of employees in the compensation group and statistics about the compensation group; and updating statistics associated with the global approval rule according to the analytics of the local approval rule to maintain overall records for compensation within the business, wherein generating the compensation group includes selecting the subset of the employee records to identify the compensation group as an exception to the global approval rule that specifies how distribution of compensation is approved across the whole business, and wherein the local approval rule provides flexible approval for compensation outside of the global approval rule. 15. A computer-implemented method performed by a computing device including at least a processor that executes instructions from a memory, the method comprising:
generating, in an electronic database, an electronic data structure that defines a compensation group comprised of a subset of employee records that represent employees of a business; creating, in the electronic database, a local approval rule that (a) defines criteria that are to be satisfied for approving distribution of compensation to the compensation group and (b) modifies compensation approval for the compensation group from a global approval rule; applying the local approval rule to the compensation group, in place of the global approval rule, to determine whether the criteria are satisfied for approving the electronic distribution of compensation to the compensation group; and in response to determining that the local approval rule has been satisfied, electronically distributing the compensation to the compensation group by transmitting an electronic communication indicating approval of the compensation to cause the compensation to be transferred to the subset of the employee records. 16. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, further comprising:
monitoring, according to the local approval rule, the subset of employee records and one or more compensation records by scanning, using at least a hardware processor, the subset of employee records of the compensation group to identify whether the criteria for the local approval rule have been satisfied, and wherein scanning includes electronically traversing the subset of employee records in the electronic database to identify changes in the subset of employee records associated with the criteria specified by the local approval rule. 17. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the local approval rule indicates a managerial level of a reporting hierarchy that is to certify the compensation prior to distribution as the criteria, and wherein the global approval rule defines how compensation is distributed across the business to the employee records based, at least in part, on the reporting hierarchy, wherein the reporting hierarchy is a hierarchical tree data structure that defines managerial relationships between employee records of the business, wherein each of the employee records of the business define at least a position in the reporting hierarchy. 18. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein generating the compensation group includes designating the compensation group as using the local approval rule instead of the global compensation rule, and wherein generating the compensation group includes selecting the subset of the employee records to identify the compensation group as an exception to the global approval rule that specifies how distribution of compensation is approved across the whole business, and wherein the local approval rule provides flexible approval for compensation outside of the global approval rule, and wherein the local approval rule controls when compensation is electronically distributed to the compensation group, and wherein electronically distributing the compensation to the compensation group prevents unapproved distributions of compensation in the business while permitting localized approvals that do not follow the global approval rule. 19. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, further comprising:
analyzing the compensation group to provide analytics regarding distribution of the compensation to the compensation group, wherein the analytics include a number of employees in the compensation group and statistics about the compensation group. 20. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, further comprising:
updating statistics associated with the global approval rule according to analytics of the local approval rule to maintain overall records for compensation within the business. | 3,600 |
13,238 | 13,238 | 14,314,629 | 3,681 | A system and method to provide a universal loyalty currency, facilitate exchange of loyalty benefits, and allow payments using loyalty benefits. A method includes: receiving registration information to associate account information of a payment account with at least one loyalty account to enable conversion of first loyalty benefits to second loyalty benefits; receiving, for a transaction, an authorization request identifying the account information and requesting the use of the second loyalty benefits to fund at least a portion of the transaction; and processing the transaction using the second benefits converted from the first loyalty benefits hosted in the loyalty account and funds from the payment account. | 1. A method, comprising:
providing, by a computing apparatus, a user interface to receive user input, the user input associating
loyalty benefits earned by a user from a first loyalty program provider and
a benefit associated with account information of a consumer payment account that is under control of an issuer processor;
storing, by the computing apparatus, data associating the loyalty benefits provided by the first loyalty program provider and the benefit associated with the account information; receiving, by the computing apparatus, an authorization communication for a payment transaction made in the consumer payment account using the account information, wherein the payment transaction pays an acquirer processor controlling a merchant account, via a transaction handler of a payment processing network, by the issuer processor controlling the consumer payment account; and applying, by the computing apparatus in response to the authorization communication, the benefit to the payment transaction based at least in part on funds backing the loyalty benefits provided by the first loyalty provider. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first loyalty program provider is separate from an issuer of the consumer account. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the benefit to the payment transaction is applied via a statement credit to the consumer payment account. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the benefit to the payment transaction is applied via a reduction of transaction amount in the consumer payment account for the payment transaction. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the benefit is applied via the transaction handler of the payment processing network. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the benefit to the payment transaction is applied during authorization of the payment transaction. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein an amount of the benefit redeemed is specified by the user. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the funds backing the amount of the benefit redeemed are provided to the merchant via the payment processing network. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
converting the loyalty benefits provided by the first loyalty program provider to the benefit associated with the account information of the consumer payment account. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the converting is in response to a user request received in a portal. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the converting is performed in an automated way based on a set of predefined preferences. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the converting is performed periodically. 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the converting is performed during authorization of use of the benefit. 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the converting is based on an exchange rate specified by a merchant of the payment transaction. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the exchange rate is specified by the merchant based on deals offered to customers. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the merchant is allowed to provide a discount via specifying an exchange rate different from a ratio between the loyalty benefits and the funds backing the loyalty benefits. 17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
authorizing redemption of the loyalty benefits in the payment transaction; and providing a confirmation alert to the user for the redemption of the loyalty benefits. 18. A non-transitory computer storage medium storing instructions configured to instruct a computing apparatus at least to:
provide, by the computing apparatus, a user interface to receive user input, the user input associating
loyalty benefits earned by a user from a first loyalty program provider and
a benefit associated with account information of a consumer payment account that is under control of an issuer processor;
store, by the computing apparatus, data associating the loyalty benefits provided by the first loyalty program provider and the benefit associated with the account information; receive, by the computing apparatus, an authorization communication for a payment transaction made in the consumer payment account using the account information, wherein the payment transaction pays an acquirer processor controlling a merchant account, via a transaction handler of a payment processing network, by the issuer processor controlling the consumer payment account; and apply, by the computing apparatus in response to the authorization communication, the benefit to the payment transaction based at least in part on funds backing the loyalty benefits provided by the first loyalty provider. 19. A computing apparatus, comprising:
at least one microprocessor; memory storing instructions configured to instruct the at least one microprocessor to at least:
provide, by the computing apparatus, a user interface to receive user input, the user input associating
loyalty benefits earned by a user from a first loyalty program provider and
a benefit associated with account information of a consumer payment account that is under control of an issuer processor;
store, by the computing apparatus, data associating the loyalty benefits provided by the first loyalty program provider and the benefit associated with the account information; receive, by the computing apparatus, an authorization communication for a payment transaction made in the consumer payment account using the account information, wherein the payment transaction pays an acquirer processor controlling a merchant account, via a transaction handler of a payment processing network, by the issuer processor controlling the consumer payment account; and apply, by the computing apparatus in response to the authorization communication, the benefit to the payment transaction based at least in part on funds backing the loyalty benefits provided by the first loyalty provider. 20. The computing apparatus, further comprising:
a loyalty broker configured to convert the loyalty benefits provided by the first loyalty program provider to the benefit associated with the account information of the consumer payment account. | A system and method to provide a universal loyalty currency, facilitate exchange of loyalty benefits, and allow payments using loyalty benefits. A method includes: receiving registration information to associate account information of a payment account with at least one loyalty account to enable conversion of first loyalty benefits to second loyalty benefits; receiving, for a transaction, an authorization request identifying the account information and requesting the use of the second loyalty benefits to fund at least a portion of the transaction; and processing the transaction using the second benefits converted from the first loyalty benefits hosted in the loyalty account and funds from the payment account.1. A method, comprising:
providing, by a computing apparatus, a user interface to receive user input, the user input associating
loyalty benefits earned by a user from a first loyalty program provider and
a benefit associated with account information of a consumer payment account that is under control of an issuer processor;
storing, by the computing apparatus, data associating the loyalty benefits provided by the first loyalty program provider and the benefit associated with the account information; receiving, by the computing apparatus, an authorization communication for a payment transaction made in the consumer payment account using the account information, wherein the payment transaction pays an acquirer processor controlling a merchant account, via a transaction handler of a payment processing network, by the issuer processor controlling the consumer payment account; and applying, by the computing apparatus in response to the authorization communication, the benefit to the payment transaction based at least in part on funds backing the loyalty benefits provided by the first loyalty provider. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first loyalty program provider is separate from an issuer of the consumer account. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the benefit to the payment transaction is applied via a statement credit to the consumer payment account. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the benefit to the payment transaction is applied via a reduction of transaction amount in the consumer payment account for the payment transaction. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the benefit is applied via the transaction handler of the payment processing network. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the benefit to the payment transaction is applied during authorization of the payment transaction. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein an amount of the benefit redeemed is specified by the user. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the funds backing the amount of the benefit redeemed are provided to the merchant via the payment processing network. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
converting the loyalty benefits provided by the first loyalty program provider to the benefit associated with the account information of the consumer payment account. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the converting is in response to a user request received in a portal. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the converting is performed in an automated way based on a set of predefined preferences. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the converting is performed periodically. 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the converting is performed during authorization of use of the benefit. 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the converting is based on an exchange rate specified by a merchant of the payment transaction. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the exchange rate is specified by the merchant based on deals offered to customers. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the merchant is allowed to provide a discount via specifying an exchange rate different from a ratio between the loyalty benefits and the funds backing the loyalty benefits. 17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
authorizing redemption of the loyalty benefits in the payment transaction; and providing a confirmation alert to the user for the redemption of the loyalty benefits. 18. A non-transitory computer storage medium storing instructions configured to instruct a computing apparatus at least to:
provide, by the computing apparatus, a user interface to receive user input, the user input associating
loyalty benefits earned by a user from a first loyalty program provider and
a benefit associated with account information of a consumer payment account that is under control of an issuer processor;
store, by the computing apparatus, data associating the loyalty benefits provided by the first loyalty program provider and the benefit associated with the account information; receive, by the computing apparatus, an authorization communication for a payment transaction made in the consumer payment account using the account information, wherein the payment transaction pays an acquirer processor controlling a merchant account, via a transaction handler of a payment processing network, by the issuer processor controlling the consumer payment account; and apply, by the computing apparatus in response to the authorization communication, the benefit to the payment transaction based at least in part on funds backing the loyalty benefits provided by the first loyalty provider. 19. A computing apparatus, comprising:
at least one microprocessor; memory storing instructions configured to instruct the at least one microprocessor to at least:
provide, by the computing apparatus, a user interface to receive user input, the user input associating
loyalty benefits earned by a user from a first loyalty program provider and
a benefit associated with account information of a consumer payment account that is under control of an issuer processor;
store, by the computing apparatus, data associating the loyalty benefits provided by the first loyalty program provider and the benefit associated with the account information; receive, by the computing apparatus, an authorization communication for a payment transaction made in the consumer payment account using the account information, wherein the payment transaction pays an acquirer processor controlling a merchant account, via a transaction handler of a payment processing network, by the issuer processor controlling the consumer payment account; and apply, by the computing apparatus in response to the authorization communication, the benefit to the payment transaction based at least in part on funds backing the loyalty benefits provided by the first loyalty provider. 20. The computing apparatus, further comprising:
a loyalty broker configured to convert the loyalty benefits provided by the first loyalty program provider to the benefit associated with the account information of the consumer payment account. | 3,600 |
13,239 | 13,239 | 15,005,240 | 3,659 | A driveline configured to connect a wind turbine rotor and a wind turbine generator has a planetary gear unit having a planet carrier rotatably supported relative to a housing part by at least one rolling-element bearing. The rolling-element bearing includes at least one inner ring and least one outer ring, and a plurality of rolling elements are disposed between the at least one inner ring and the at least one outer ring. The rolling element bearing further includes a spacer element disposed between adjacent pairs of the plurality of rolling elements, the spacer elements each having first and second running surfaces for guiding first and second ones of the plurality of rolling elements, and, apart from the spacer elements, a region between the bearing rings includes no cage elements. | 1. A driveline configured to connect a wind turbine rotor and a wind turbine generator, the driveline including a planetary gear unit having a planet carrier rotatably supported relative to a housing part by at least one rolling-element bearing, the rolling-element bearing including at least one inner ring and least one outer ring, and a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the at least one inner ring and the at least one outer ring,
wherein the rolling element bearing further includes a spacer element disposed between adjacent pairs of the plurality of rolling elements, the spacer elements each having a first running surface and a second running surface for guiding one of the plurality of rolling elements, and, wherein apart from the spacer elements, a region between the bearing rings includes no cage elements. 2. The driveline according to claim 1, wherein the spacer elements are comprised of plastic. 3. The driveline according to claim 2, wherein the plastic is polyether ether ketone (PEEK). 4. The driveline according to claim 2 wherein the spacer element is an injection molded spacer element. 5. The driveline according to claim 1, wherein the rolling elements have a hardened and ground surface and are free from black oxidation. 6. The driveline according to claim 1, wherein each of the spacer elements is disposed between the bearing rings such a radially inner-lying end of the spacer element lies radially below a pitch circle pf the rolling-element bearing and a radially outer-lying end of the spacer element lies radially above the pitch circle. 7. The driveline according to claim 1, wherein the spacer elements are connected to one another by a cord or a cable. 8. The driveline according to claim 1, wherein the rolling-element bearing is a cylindrical roller bearing. 9. The driveline according to claim 1, wherein the rolling-element bearing is a tapered roller bearing. 10. The driveline according to claim 9, wherein two axially spaced tapered roller bearings are axially preloaded against each other. 11. The driveline according to claim 1,
wherein the spacer elements are comprised of injection molded PEEK, wherein the rolling elements have a hardened and ground surface and are free from black oxidation, wherein each of the spacer elements is disposed between the bearing rings such a radially inner-lying end of the spacer element lies radially below a pitch circle pf the rolling-element bearing and a radially outer-lying end of the spacer element lies radially above the pitch circle, wherein the spacer elements are connected to one another by a cord or a cable, and wherein the rolling-element bearing is a cylindrical roller bearing. 12. A driveline configured to connect a wind turbine rotor and a wind turbine generator, the driveline including a planetary gear unit having a planet carrier rotatably supported relative to a housing part by at least one cage-less rolling-element bearing, the cage-less rolling-element bearing including at least one inner ring and least one outer ring, and a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the at least one inner ring and the at least one outer ring,
wherein the rolling element bearing further includes a spacer element disposed between adjacent pairs of the plurality of rolling elements, the spacer elements each having a first running surface and a second running surface for guiding one of the plurality of rolling elements. 13. The driveline according to claim 12, wherein the spacer elements are connected to one another by a flexible connector. 14. The driveline according to claim 13, wherein the flexible connector is a cord or cable. 15. The driveline according to claim 12, wherein the spacer elements are not connected to one another by a flexible connector. 16. A driveline configured to connect a wind turbine rotor and a wind turbine generator, the driveline including a planetary gear unit having a planet carrier rotatably supported relative to a housing part by at least one rolling-element bearing, the rolling-element bearing including at least one inner ring, least one outer ring, a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the at least one inner ring and the at least one outer ring, and means for spacing the rolling elements. | A driveline configured to connect a wind turbine rotor and a wind turbine generator has a planetary gear unit having a planet carrier rotatably supported relative to a housing part by at least one rolling-element bearing. The rolling-element bearing includes at least one inner ring and least one outer ring, and a plurality of rolling elements are disposed between the at least one inner ring and the at least one outer ring. The rolling element bearing further includes a spacer element disposed between adjacent pairs of the plurality of rolling elements, the spacer elements each having first and second running surfaces for guiding first and second ones of the plurality of rolling elements, and, apart from the spacer elements, a region between the bearing rings includes no cage elements.1. A driveline configured to connect a wind turbine rotor and a wind turbine generator, the driveline including a planetary gear unit having a planet carrier rotatably supported relative to a housing part by at least one rolling-element bearing, the rolling-element bearing including at least one inner ring and least one outer ring, and a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the at least one inner ring and the at least one outer ring,
wherein the rolling element bearing further includes a spacer element disposed between adjacent pairs of the plurality of rolling elements, the spacer elements each having a first running surface and a second running surface for guiding one of the plurality of rolling elements, and, wherein apart from the spacer elements, a region between the bearing rings includes no cage elements. 2. The driveline according to claim 1, wherein the spacer elements are comprised of plastic. 3. The driveline according to claim 2, wherein the plastic is polyether ether ketone (PEEK). 4. The driveline according to claim 2 wherein the spacer element is an injection molded spacer element. 5. The driveline according to claim 1, wherein the rolling elements have a hardened and ground surface and are free from black oxidation. 6. The driveline according to claim 1, wherein each of the spacer elements is disposed between the bearing rings such a radially inner-lying end of the spacer element lies radially below a pitch circle pf the rolling-element bearing and a radially outer-lying end of the spacer element lies radially above the pitch circle. 7. The driveline according to claim 1, wherein the spacer elements are connected to one another by a cord or a cable. 8. The driveline according to claim 1, wherein the rolling-element bearing is a cylindrical roller bearing. 9. The driveline according to claim 1, wherein the rolling-element bearing is a tapered roller bearing. 10. The driveline according to claim 9, wherein two axially spaced tapered roller bearings are axially preloaded against each other. 11. The driveline according to claim 1,
wherein the spacer elements are comprised of injection molded PEEK, wherein the rolling elements have a hardened and ground surface and are free from black oxidation, wherein each of the spacer elements is disposed between the bearing rings such a radially inner-lying end of the spacer element lies radially below a pitch circle pf the rolling-element bearing and a radially outer-lying end of the spacer element lies radially above the pitch circle, wherein the spacer elements are connected to one another by a cord or a cable, and wherein the rolling-element bearing is a cylindrical roller bearing. 12. A driveline configured to connect a wind turbine rotor and a wind turbine generator, the driveline including a planetary gear unit having a planet carrier rotatably supported relative to a housing part by at least one cage-less rolling-element bearing, the cage-less rolling-element bearing including at least one inner ring and least one outer ring, and a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the at least one inner ring and the at least one outer ring,
wherein the rolling element bearing further includes a spacer element disposed between adjacent pairs of the plurality of rolling elements, the spacer elements each having a first running surface and a second running surface for guiding one of the plurality of rolling elements. 13. The driveline according to claim 12, wherein the spacer elements are connected to one another by a flexible connector. 14. The driveline according to claim 13, wherein the flexible connector is a cord or cable. 15. The driveline according to claim 12, wherein the spacer elements are not connected to one another by a flexible connector. 16. A driveline configured to connect a wind turbine rotor and a wind turbine generator, the driveline including a planetary gear unit having a planet carrier rotatably supported relative to a housing part by at least one rolling-element bearing, the rolling-element bearing including at least one inner ring, least one outer ring, a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the at least one inner ring and the at least one outer ring, and means for spacing the rolling elements. | 3,600 |
13,240 | 13,240 | 13,124,280 | 3,626 | The systems, methods and associated devices performing diagnostic hearing tests which use a distributed, client-server architecture and the Internet to allow interaction between a test administration site and one or a plurality of remote patient sites. The test can be administered by an audiologist or clinician at a site remote from the patient, in a manner, which can allow interaction between the user and the clinician during at least a portion of the administration of the test. The diagnostic hearing tests can be performed such that they meet standardized guidelines such as ANSI requirements or certification standards and can include distortion product emission level measurements or middle ear compliance measurements. | 1. A method for performing hearing evaluation tests using a computer network, comprising:
providing a web-based service that provides a diagnostic hearing test system with at least one server that programmatically allows patient and registered audiologist users that are remote from each other to communicate during a hearing test, the web-based service having electronically defined different access privileges for different users, including patient users, administrative users including financial and system maintenance users, and clinical users, wherein different types of administrative users have different access privileges defined by function such that clinical services performed by clinical users are separate from financial and system maintenance services performed by administrative users; accepting electronic input from patients to communicate with the web-based service to request a test, schedule a test and/or take a test; and allowing a registered audiologist to communicate with a patient to carry out a hearing test and control an associated local audiometer at a patient site using the web-based service during a test session, wherein multiple patient and audiologist users can simultaneously access the web-based service to allow multiple concurrent hearing tests to be carried out. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises shipping a test adapter that includes or communicates with an audiometer to a patient prior to the test session, and wherein the audiologist transmits commands that control operation of the audiometer using the test adapter and the web-based service. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the web-based service is configured to hosts the diagnostic hearing test system and electronically select an audiologist from a list of registered audiologists to perform a hearing test for a patient based on patient geographic location and/or requested test times. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the web-based service is configured to electronically select an audiologist to perform a hearing test only if the audiologist has a current professional license for a state and/or country location where the patient is located. 5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising electronically identifying a user and/or user type, electronically correlating the user/user type to an approved access level with associated access privileges of the hearing system provided by the web-based services, and electronically restricting access to information and actions associated with the hearing system based on the approved access level such that the web-based services protect patient data security and privacy. 6. A method according to claim 1, further comprising electronically tracking and providing an inventory status of test adapters, including those test adapters ready for use and those at patient sites or scheduled for patient use. 7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising electronically storing hearing test results of a patient in a database taken at different past points in time, electronically reviewing the patient's past hearing test results, and electronically displaying a trend of hearing test results based at least in part on the review of past results. 8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the method comprises identifying a patient being at risk of future hearing loss based on the trend. 9. A method according to claim 8, further comprising electronically adjusting a hearing test interval of a patient identified as being at risk of future hearing loss so that such a patient has a shorter time between successive hearing tests than those patients not identified as having such risk. 10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the audiologist users can communicate with the respective patient users during a hearing test via the Internet using a PDA (personal digital assistant) or cellular telephone having web-browsing capability. 11. A method according to claim 2, wherein the test adapter is separate from the audiometer and defines a communication interface between the audiometer and a the web-based service using a global computer network. 12. A method according to claim 1, further comprising allowing a patient to electronically or telephonically request a hearing test, then: (a) scheduling a test session and shipping a test adapter that is adapted to communicate with an integral or separate audiometer to the requesting patient; or (b) shipping the test adapter to the patient, then scheduling the test session after patient receipt of the test adapter. 13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the test adapter connects an audiometer at a patient site with the web-based service using a global computer network, the respective test adapters including an integrated or separate audiometer, the test adapters configured to allow respective audiologists using the web-based service to control the output of hearing assessment signals of the audiometers at selected frequencies and hearing levels in substantially real-time during a testing session. 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the hearing assessment signals are sufficient in number and variation of frequency and sound intensity to allow the audiologist to perform a diagnostic hearing evaluation. 15. A method according to claim 14, wherein auditory tone presentation of the hearing assessment signals meets ANSI standards. 16. A telehearing system comprising:
at least one web server in communication with a global computer network configured to provide a web-based service that hosts a telehearing diagnostic testing system; a plurality of web clients in different physical locations in communication with the at least one server, the plurality of clients including different users with different access levels including a plurality of audiologists at different geographical locations; and a plurality of portable test adapters, each configured to (a) connect a respective patient user to the global computer network at a patient site, (b) convert data from an audiometer at the patient site and transmit the converted data over the global computer network to a web client associated with a remote audiologist, and (c) convert operational command data from the web client associated with the remote audiologist to control operation of the respective audiometer at the patient site. 17. A system according to claim 16, wherein the respective test adapters comprise at least one communication port that connects to a respective discrete audiometer. 18. A system according to claim 16, wherein the test adapters include an integral audiometer. 19. A system according to claim 17, wherein the test adapters include at least one communication port that connects to the global computer network and at least one communication port that connects to the audiometer. 20. A system according to claim 16, wherein the test adapters are configured to convert audiometer data to TCP/IP packets and transmit the converted data to an audiologist in substantially real time during a hearing test. 21. A system according to claim 16, further comprising:
an inventory control module in communication with the web server to track locations and inventory of test adapters; and a scheduling module in communication with the web server and at least some of the web clients allowing a patient to schedule a test session with a registered audiologist. 22. A system according to claim 21, wherein the system includes a shipping module in communication with the inventory control module and is configured to schedule shipment of a test adapter that includes or is associated with an audiometer to a patient based on a scheduled test date and/or a request for a hearing test. 23. A system according to claim 16, wherein the system is configured to allow a patient to electronically or telephonically request a hearing test, then: (a) to either electronically schedule a test session and ship a test adapter and/or audiometer to the requesting patient in response to the scheduled test session; or (b) ship the test adapter and/or audiometer to the patient, then electronically schedule the test session after the requesting patient electronically confirms receipt of the test adapter and/or audiometer. 24. A system according to claim 16, wherein the system is configured to electronically select one of a plurality of registered audiologists to perform a hearing test for a patient based on patient geographic location and/or requested test times, and wherein the web-based service is configured to electronically select an audiologist only if the system confirms that a registered audiologist has a current medical license for a state and/or country location where the patient is located. 25. A system according to claim 16, wherein the system is configured to electronically identify a user and/or user type associated with a web client, then electronically correlate the user/user type to an approved access level of the hearing system, and electronically restrict access to information and actions associated with the hearing system based on the approved access level, and wherein the system allows at least two defined user types to communicate with the system, clinical users that provide clinical services and administrative users that perform non-clinical services, with each user type having different levels of access to actions and information provided by the system. 26. A system according to claim 25, wherein the system defines at least four different user types with four different access levels, including an audiologist user, a nurse user, a financial user, and a system maintenance user. 27. A system according to claim 26, wherein the system displays different portal configurations with permissible actions and/or web pages specific to a user type on a computer display associated with a respective web client. 28. A system according to claim 16, further comprising a hearing loss analyzer module that electronically reviews a patient's past hearing test results, and provides a trend analysis of hearing loss based at least in part on the review of past results. 29. A system according to claim 28, wherein the system is configured to generate an electronic notice identifying a patient that is at risk of future hearing loss based on the trend analysis. | The systems, methods and associated devices performing diagnostic hearing tests which use a distributed, client-server architecture and the Internet to allow interaction between a test administration site and one or a plurality of remote patient sites. The test can be administered by an audiologist or clinician at a site remote from the patient, in a manner, which can allow interaction between the user and the clinician during at least a portion of the administration of the test. The diagnostic hearing tests can be performed such that they meet standardized guidelines such as ANSI requirements or certification standards and can include distortion product emission level measurements or middle ear compliance measurements.1. A method for performing hearing evaluation tests using a computer network, comprising:
providing a web-based service that provides a diagnostic hearing test system with at least one server that programmatically allows patient and registered audiologist users that are remote from each other to communicate during a hearing test, the web-based service having electronically defined different access privileges for different users, including patient users, administrative users including financial and system maintenance users, and clinical users, wherein different types of administrative users have different access privileges defined by function such that clinical services performed by clinical users are separate from financial and system maintenance services performed by administrative users; accepting electronic input from patients to communicate with the web-based service to request a test, schedule a test and/or take a test; and allowing a registered audiologist to communicate with a patient to carry out a hearing test and control an associated local audiometer at a patient site using the web-based service during a test session, wherein multiple patient and audiologist users can simultaneously access the web-based service to allow multiple concurrent hearing tests to be carried out. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises shipping a test adapter that includes or communicates with an audiometer to a patient prior to the test session, and wherein the audiologist transmits commands that control operation of the audiometer using the test adapter and the web-based service. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the web-based service is configured to hosts the diagnostic hearing test system and electronically select an audiologist from a list of registered audiologists to perform a hearing test for a patient based on patient geographic location and/or requested test times. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the web-based service is configured to electronically select an audiologist to perform a hearing test only if the audiologist has a current professional license for a state and/or country location where the patient is located. 5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising electronically identifying a user and/or user type, electronically correlating the user/user type to an approved access level with associated access privileges of the hearing system provided by the web-based services, and electronically restricting access to information and actions associated with the hearing system based on the approved access level such that the web-based services protect patient data security and privacy. 6. A method according to claim 1, further comprising electronically tracking and providing an inventory status of test adapters, including those test adapters ready for use and those at patient sites or scheduled for patient use. 7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising electronically storing hearing test results of a patient in a database taken at different past points in time, electronically reviewing the patient's past hearing test results, and electronically displaying a trend of hearing test results based at least in part on the review of past results. 8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the method comprises identifying a patient being at risk of future hearing loss based on the trend. 9. A method according to claim 8, further comprising electronically adjusting a hearing test interval of a patient identified as being at risk of future hearing loss so that such a patient has a shorter time between successive hearing tests than those patients not identified as having such risk. 10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the audiologist users can communicate with the respective patient users during a hearing test via the Internet using a PDA (personal digital assistant) or cellular telephone having web-browsing capability. 11. A method according to claim 2, wherein the test adapter is separate from the audiometer and defines a communication interface between the audiometer and a the web-based service using a global computer network. 12. A method according to claim 1, further comprising allowing a patient to electronically or telephonically request a hearing test, then: (a) scheduling a test session and shipping a test adapter that is adapted to communicate with an integral or separate audiometer to the requesting patient; or (b) shipping the test adapter to the patient, then scheduling the test session after patient receipt of the test adapter. 13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the test adapter connects an audiometer at a patient site with the web-based service using a global computer network, the respective test adapters including an integrated or separate audiometer, the test adapters configured to allow respective audiologists using the web-based service to control the output of hearing assessment signals of the audiometers at selected frequencies and hearing levels in substantially real-time during a testing session. 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the hearing assessment signals are sufficient in number and variation of frequency and sound intensity to allow the audiologist to perform a diagnostic hearing evaluation. 15. A method according to claim 14, wherein auditory tone presentation of the hearing assessment signals meets ANSI standards. 16. A telehearing system comprising:
at least one web server in communication with a global computer network configured to provide a web-based service that hosts a telehearing diagnostic testing system; a plurality of web clients in different physical locations in communication with the at least one server, the plurality of clients including different users with different access levels including a plurality of audiologists at different geographical locations; and a plurality of portable test adapters, each configured to (a) connect a respective patient user to the global computer network at a patient site, (b) convert data from an audiometer at the patient site and transmit the converted data over the global computer network to a web client associated with a remote audiologist, and (c) convert operational command data from the web client associated with the remote audiologist to control operation of the respective audiometer at the patient site. 17. A system according to claim 16, wherein the respective test adapters comprise at least one communication port that connects to a respective discrete audiometer. 18. A system according to claim 16, wherein the test adapters include an integral audiometer. 19. A system according to claim 17, wherein the test adapters include at least one communication port that connects to the global computer network and at least one communication port that connects to the audiometer. 20. A system according to claim 16, wherein the test adapters are configured to convert audiometer data to TCP/IP packets and transmit the converted data to an audiologist in substantially real time during a hearing test. 21. A system according to claim 16, further comprising:
an inventory control module in communication with the web server to track locations and inventory of test adapters; and a scheduling module in communication with the web server and at least some of the web clients allowing a patient to schedule a test session with a registered audiologist. 22. A system according to claim 21, wherein the system includes a shipping module in communication with the inventory control module and is configured to schedule shipment of a test adapter that includes or is associated with an audiometer to a patient based on a scheduled test date and/or a request for a hearing test. 23. A system according to claim 16, wherein the system is configured to allow a patient to electronically or telephonically request a hearing test, then: (a) to either electronically schedule a test session and ship a test adapter and/or audiometer to the requesting patient in response to the scheduled test session; or (b) ship the test adapter and/or audiometer to the patient, then electronically schedule the test session after the requesting patient electronically confirms receipt of the test adapter and/or audiometer. 24. A system according to claim 16, wherein the system is configured to electronically select one of a plurality of registered audiologists to perform a hearing test for a patient based on patient geographic location and/or requested test times, and wherein the web-based service is configured to electronically select an audiologist only if the system confirms that a registered audiologist has a current medical license for a state and/or country location where the patient is located. 25. A system according to claim 16, wherein the system is configured to electronically identify a user and/or user type associated with a web client, then electronically correlate the user/user type to an approved access level of the hearing system, and electronically restrict access to information and actions associated with the hearing system based on the approved access level, and wherein the system allows at least two defined user types to communicate with the system, clinical users that provide clinical services and administrative users that perform non-clinical services, with each user type having different levels of access to actions and information provided by the system. 26. A system according to claim 25, wherein the system defines at least four different user types with four different access levels, including an audiologist user, a nurse user, a financial user, and a system maintenance user. 27. A system according to claim 26, wherein the system displays different portal configurations with permissible actions and/or web pages specific to a user type on a computer display associated with a respective web client. 28. A system according to claim 16, further comprising a hearing loss analyzer module that electronically reviews a patient's past hearing test results, and provides a trend analysis of hearing loss based at least in part on the review of past results. 29. A system according to claim 28, wherein the system is configured to generate an electronic notice identifying a patient that is at risk of future hearing loss based on the trend analysis. | 3,600 |
13,241 | 13,241 | 14,095,112 | 3,689 | An appraisal error detection method includes accessing a database of appraisal-data-field entries of property appraisals. Because sales transactions are cited repetitively as comparables on multiple appraisals, it is possible to inspect appraisal-data-field entries for consistency. An error detection operation is performed for each of the corresponding appraisal-data-field entries by detecting any discrepancies, both between appraisers, and between different appraisals by the same appraisers, where corresponding appraisal-data-field entries are for a same property characteristic of a same property. Appraisal-data-field entries determined by the error detection operation to be erroneous are flagged, and a discrepancy score may be assigned to flagged erroneous entries that indicates an amount of risk posed by the entry. Appraisals in the database may be assigned a score based upon the sum of their entries' discrepancy scores. | 1. A method comprising, causing a processor to:
access appraisal-data-field entries from a plurality of property appraisals, each of the appraisal-data-field entries indicating a value assigned to a property characteristic of a property included in the respective property appraisal; perform an error detection operation for each of the accessed appraisal-data-field entries as a target entry, the error detection operation comprising detecting a discrepancy between the target entry and an appraisal-data-field entry corresponding to the target entry; and flag as erroneous appraisal-data-field entries determined by the error detection operation to be erroneous, wherein appraisal-data-field entries that correspond to one another indicate respective values assigned to a same property characteristic of a same property. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising causing the processor to:
assign respective numerical discrepancy values to flagged appraisal-data-field entries, wherein a magnitude of the discrepancy value assigned to at least one of the flagged appraisal-data-field entries is different than a magnitude of the discrepancy value assigned to at least one other of the flagged appraisal-data-field entries. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising causing the processor to:
assign a total discrepancy score to at least one of the plurality of property appraisals that depends upon a sum of any numerical discrepancy values assigned to those appraisal-data-field entries that are included in the property appraisal being assigned the total discrepancy score. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising causing the processor to:
display data corresponding to at least some of the plurality of property appraisals, the displayed data including the respective total discrepancy scores assigned thereto, receive input specifying one of the displayed property appraisals, and display in response to the received input at least any flagged appraisal-data-field entries of the specified property appraisal in association with respective deemed-correct values for the displayed flagged appraisal-data-field entries. 5. The method of claim 2,
wherein respective magnitudes of the assigned discrepancy values depend at least in part upon how much the flagged appraisal-data-field being assigned the discrepancy value affects valuation of a subject property in the property appraisal that includes the flagged appraisal-data-field entry being assigned the discrepancy value. 6. The method of claim 2,
wherein respective magnitudes of the assigned discrepancy values depend on a type of property characteristic indicated by the flagged appraisal-data-field entry being assigned a discrepancy value. 7. The method of claim 2,
wherein respective magnitudes of the assigned discrepancy values depend on at least one of: a type of property characteristic indicated by the flagged appraisal-data-field entry being assigned the discrepancy value, a discrepancy type of the discrepancy detected for the flagged appraisal-data-field entry being assigned the discrepancy value, and a magnitude of the discrepancy detected for the flagged appraisal-data-field entry being assigned the discrepancy value. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising causing the processor to:
assign a total discrepancy score to at least one of the plurality of property appraisals that depends upon a sum of any numerical discrepancy values assigned to those appraisal-data-field entries that are included in the property appraisal total discrepancy score. 9. The method of claim 7,
wherein respective magnitudes of the assigned discrepancy values further depend upon how much the flagged appraisal-data-field entry being assigned the discrepancy value affects a valuation of a subject property of the appraisal that includes the flagged appraisal-data-field entry being assigned the discrepancy value. 10. The method of claim 7,
wherein the magnitude of the numerical discrepancy value further depends upon whether the target entry corresponds to a subject property of the respective property appraisal that includes the target entry. 11. The method of claim 2,
wherein respective magnitudes of the assigned discrepancy values depend on a discrepancy type of the discrepancy detected for the flagged appraisal-data-field entry being assigned the discrepancy value, and said discrepancy types include self-discrepancies and peer-discrepancies. 12. The method of claim 11,
wherein a target entry for which a self-discrepancy is detected is flagged as erroneous when at least one of the following is true:
a value different from the value of the target entry is agreed upon by at least a predetermined number of appraisal-data-field entries that correspond to the target entry, and
the target entry inflates a valuation of a subject property of the appraisal that includes the target entry. 13. The method of claim 11,
wherein a target entry for which a peer-discrepancy is detected is flagged as erroneous when a value different from the value of the target entry is agreed upon by at least a predetermined number of appraisal-data-field entries that correspond to the target entry. 14. The method of claim 11,
wherein the discrepancy types include outlier discrepancies, and a flagged appraisal-data-field entry has an outlier discrepancy when:
a magnitude of the discrepancy detected for the target entry exceeds a predetermined threshold, and
the target entry inflates a valuation of a subject property of the appraisal that includes the target entry. 15. The method of claim 11,
wherein, for at least one type of property characteristic, a higher discrepancy value is assigned when a detected discrepancy is both a self-discrepancy and a peer-discrepancy than when an otherwise identical detected discrepancy is only one of a peer-discrepancy and a self-discrepancy. 16. The method of claim 11,
wherein for at least one type of property characteristic, a higher discrepancy value is assigned when a self-discrepancy is detected than when an otherwise identical peer-discrepancy is detected. 17. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having program code stored thereon, the program code being executable by a processor to perform the method of claim 1. 18. A method comprising causing a processor to:
access appraisal-data-field entries from a plurality of property appraisals, each of the appraisal-data-field entries indicating a value assigned to a property characteristic in the respective property appraisal; associate with one another those appraisal-data-field entries that correspond to a same property as one another, correspond to a same property characteristic as one another, and have transaction dates separated by less than a predetermined time from of one another; perform an error detection operation for each of the accessed appraisal-data-field entries as a target entry, the error detection operation comprising detecting a discrepancy between the target entry and an appraisal-data-field entry associated therewith; flag as erroneous appraisal-data-field entries determined by the error detection operation to be erroneous, said flag indicating a type and magnitude of the detected discrepancy; and identify at least one property appraisal of the plurality of property appraisals as suspect based upon flagged appraisal-data-field entries. 19. A computing device comprising:
at least one processor, and a memory unit, having stored thereon program code executable by the at least one processor to perform the method of claim 1. 20. A system comprising:
at least one processor; a database including a plurality of appraisal-data-field entries from a plurality of property appraisals, each of the appraisal-data-field entries indicating a value assigned to a property characteristic in the respective property appraisal; and a non-transitory computer readable medium having program code stored thereon, the program code being executable by the at least one processor to perform the following operations:
access the appraisal-data-field entries from the database,
perform an error detection operation for each of the accessed appraisal-data-field entries as a target entry, the error detection operation comprising detecting a discrepancy between the target entry and an appraisal-data-field entry corresponding to the target entry,
flag as erroneous appraisal-data-field entries determined by the error detection operation to be erroneous, said flag indicating a type and magnitude of the discrepancy, and
identify at least one property appraisal of the plurality of property appraisals as suspect based upon flagged appraisal-data-field entries,
wherein appraisal-data-field entries that correspond to one another indicate respective values assigned to a same property characteristic of a same property. | An appraisal error detection method includes accessing a database of appraisal-data-field entries of property appraisals. Because sales transactions are cited repetitively as comparables on multiple appraisals, it is possible to inspect appraisal-data-field entries for consistency. An error detection operation is performed for each of the corresponding appraisal-data-field entries by detecting any discrepancies, both between appraisers, and between different appraisals by the same appraisers, where corresponding appraisal-data-field entries are for a same property characteristic of a same property. Appraisal-data-field entries determined by the error detection operation to be erroneous are flagged, and a discrepancy score may be assigned to flagged erroneous entries that indicates an amount of risk posed by the entry. Appraisals in the database may be assigned a score based upon the sum of their entries' discrepancy scores.1. A method comprising, causing a processor to:
access appraisal-data-field entries from a plurality of property appraisals, each of the appraisal-data-field entries indicating a value assigned to a property characteristic of a property included in the respective property appraisal; perform an error detection operation for each of the accessed appraisal-data-field entries as a target entry, the error detection operation comprising detecting a discrepancy between the target entry and an appraisal-data-field entry corresponding to the target entry; and flag as erroneous appraisal-data-field entries determined by the error detection operation to be erroneous, wherein appraisal-data-field entries that correspond to one another indicate respective values assigned to a same property characteristic of a same property. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising causing the processor to:
assign respective numerical discrepancy values to flagged appraisal-data-field entries, wherein a magnitude of the discrepancy value assigned to at least one of the flagged appraisal-data-field entries is different than a magnitude of the discrepancy value assigned to at least one other of the flagged appraisal-data-field entries. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising causing the processor to:
assign a total discrepancy score to at least one of the plurality of property appraisals that depends upon a sum of any numerical discrepancy values assigned to those appraisal-data-field entries that are included in the property appraisal being assigned the total discrepancy score. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising causing the processor to:
display data corresponding to at least some of the plurality of property appraisals, the displayed data including the respective total discrepancy scores assigned thereto, receive input specifying one of the displayed property appraisals, and display in response to the received input at least any flagged appraisal-data-field entries of the specified property appraisal in association with respective deemed-correct values for the displayed flagged appraisal-data-field entries. 5. The method of claim 2,
wherein respective magnitudes of the assigned discrepancy values depend at least in part upon how much the flagged appraisal-data-field being assigned the discrepancy value affects valuation of a subject property in the property appraisal that includes the flagged appraisal-data-field entry being assigned the discrepancy value. 6. The method of claim 2,
wherein respective magnitudes of the assigned discrepancy values depend on a type of property characteristic indicated by the flagged appraisal-data-field entry being assigned a discrepancy value. 7. The method of claim 2,
wherein respective magnitudes of the assigned discrepancy values depend on at least one of: a type of property characteristic indicated by the flagged appraisal-data-field entry being assigned the discrepancy value, a discrepancy type of the discrepancy detected for the flagged appraisal-data-field entry being assigned the discrepancy value, and a magnitude of the discrepancy detected for the flagged appraisal-data-field entry being assigned the discrepancy value. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising causing the processor to:
assign a total discrepancy score to at least one of the plurality of property appraisals that depends upon a sum of any numerical discrepancy values assigned to those appraisal-data-field entries that are included in the property appraisal total discrepancy score. 9. The method of claim 7,
wherein respective magnitudes of the assigned discrepancy values further depend upon how much the flagged appraisal-data-field entry being assigned the discrepancy value affects a valuation of a subject property of the appraisal that includes the flagged appraisal-data-field entry being assigned the discrepancy value. 10. The method of claim 7,
wherein the magnitude of the numerical discrepancy value further depends upon whether the target entry corresponds to a subject property of the respective property appraisal that includes the target entry. 11. The method of claim 2,
wherein respective magnitudes of the assigned discrepancy values depend on a discrepancy type of the discrepancy detected for the flagged appraisal-data-field entry being assigned the discrepancy value, and said discrepancy types include self-discrepancies and peer-discrepancies. 12. The method of claim 11,
wherein a target entry for which a self-discrepancy is detected is flagged as erroneous when at least one of the following is true:
a value different from the value of the target entry is agreed upon by at least a predetermined number of appraisal-data-field entries that correspond to the target entry, and
the target entry inflates a valuation of a subject property of the appraisal that includes the target entry. 13. The method of claim 11,
wherein a target entry for which a peer-discrepancy is detected is flagged as erroneous when a value different from the value of the target entry is agreed upon by at least a predetermined number of appraisal-data-field entries that correspond to the target entry. 14. The method of claim 11,
wherein the discrepancy types include outlier discrepancies, and a flagged appraisal-data-field entry has an outlier discrepancy when:
a magnitude of the discrepancy detected for the target entry exceeds a predetermined threshold, and
the target entry inflates a valuation of a subject property of the appraisal that includes the target entry. 15. The method of claim 11,
wherein, for at least one type of property characteristic, a higher discrepancy value is assigned when a detected discrepancy is both a self-discrepancy and a peer-discrepancy than when an otherwise identical detected discrepancy is only one of a peer-discrepancy and a self-discrepancy. 16. The method of claim 11,
wherein for at least one type of property characteristic, a higher discrepancy value is assigned when a self-discrepancy is detected than when an otherwise identical peer-discrepancy is detected. 17. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium having program code stored thereon, the program code being executable by a processor to perform the method of claim 1. 18. A method comprising causing a processor to:
access appraisal-data-field entries from a plurality of property appraisals, each of the appraisal-data-field entries indicating a value assigned to a property characteristic in the respective property appraisal; associate with one another those appraisal-data-field entries that correspond to a same property as one another, correspond to a same property characteristic as one another, and have transaction dates separated by less than a predetermined time from of one another; perform an error detection operation for each of the accessed appraisal-data-field entries as a target entry, the error detection operation comprising detecting a discrepancy between the target entry and an appraisal-data-field entry associated therewith; flag as erroneous appraisal-data-field entries determined by the error detection operation to be erroneous, said flag indicating a type and magnitude of the detected discrepancy; and identify at least one property appraisal of the plurality of property appraisals as suspect based upon flagged appraisal-data-field entries. 19. A computing device comprising:
at least one processor, and a memory unit, having stored thereon program code executable by the at least one processor to perform the method of claim 1. 20. A system comprising:
at least one processor; a database including a plurality of appraisal-data-field entries from a plurality of property appraisals, each of the appraisal-data-field entries indicating a value assigned to a property characteristic in the respective property appraisal; and a non-transitory computer readable medium having program code stored thereon, the program code being executable by the at least one processor to perform the following operations:
access the appraisal-data-field entries from the database,
perform an error detection operation for each of the accessed appraisal-data-field entries as a target entry, the error detection operation comprising detecting a discrepancy between the target entry and an appraisal-data-field entry corresponding to the target entry,
flag as erroneous appraisal-data-field entries determined by the error detection operation to be erroneous, said flag indicating a type and magnitude of the discrepancy, and
identify at least one property appraisal of the plurality of property appraisals as suspect based upon flagged appraisal-data-field entries,
wherein appraisal-data-field entries that correspond to one another indicate respective values assigned to a same property characteristic of a same property. | 3,600 |
13,242 | 13,242 | 15,370,374 | 3,689 | The present invention is a system for generating property appraisal reports providing an appraisal of a property. The system includes a portable computing device running software that generates the property appraisal report according to an appraisal report specification. The software causes the computer processor to obtain required information and generate the appraisal report based on an appraisal report specification specifying items to be included in the report, including an estimated value of the property, a video of the property, and information about other properties comparable to the subject property. The appraisal report specification also specifies locations in the report to place the specified item. The software then generates the appraisal report for the subject property according to the appraisal report specification including each specified item in the specified location in the property appraisal report. | 1. A system for generating electronic property appraisal reports, each property appraisal report providing an appraisal by an appraiser of a subject property, the subject property being a real property, the system comprising:
a portable computing device comprising:
a computer processor, the computer processor being programmable by software;
a display screen;
an electronic network interface for receiving information over an electronic network; and
a camera configured to capture digital photographs and videos; and
software that when executed by the computer processor causes the computer processor to:
retrieve an appraisal report specification specifying:
the format of the property appraisal report;
a plurality of items to be included in the property appraisal report including information identifying the subject property, an estimated value of the subject property, a video of a portion of the subject property, and information about one or more other properties designated by the appraiser to be comparable to the subject property; and
for each specified item, a location in the property appraisal report at which the specified item is to be placed;
receive the information identifying the subject property;
receive from the appraiser the estimated value of the subject property;
receive from the camera the video of a portion of the subject property;
receive via the network the information about other properties designated by the appraiser to be comparable to the subject property;
generate the property appraisal report for the subject property according to the appraisal report specification including each specified item in the specified location in the property appraisal report. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the network is the internet, and the software provides an interface for the appraiser to search for information over the internet regarding the other properties designated by the appraiser to be comparable to the subject property, and to specify that the information regarding the other properties be included in the property appraisal report. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the network is the internet, and at least some of the information about other properties designated by the appraiser to be comparable to the subject property is obtained by the appraiser using an internet browser running on the portable computing device. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the computer processor receives the information about other properties directly from the internet browser. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device further comprises a global positioning system (OPS) receiver, the information identifying the subject property includes the geographic location of the subject property, and the computer processor receives the geographic location of the subject property from the GPS receiver when the appraiser is at the subject property. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the property appraisal report specification specifies locations in the property appraisal report in which to place digital photographs of the subject property, and the software is further configured to cause the computer processor to receive from the camera the digital photographs and include the digital photographs in the specified locations in the property appraisal report along with, for one or more of the photographs, location information obtained from the GPS receiver at the time the photograph was captured. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the information identifying the subject property includes the location of the property, the plurality of items specified in the appraisal report specification further includes an aerial image including the subject property, and the software is further configured to cause the computer processor to automatically obtain the aerial image via the network based on the location of the property. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the video is located at the specified location in the property appraisal report by including a link in the property appraisal report wherein when a user viewing the property appraisal report selects the link the video is displayed to the user. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the subject property comprises a house, the video is specified to be a video of the inside of the house, and the software causes the portable computing device to prompt the appraiser to obtain the video using the camera inside the house. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of items specified in the appraisal report specification further includes a second video of the outside of the house. 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the house has a plurality of rooms, the plurality of items specified in the appraisal report specification further includes a digital photograph of each room in the house, and the appraiser uses the camera to capture the digital photograph of each room. 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the software is further configured to cause the computer processor to display to the appraiser a menu of the specified items to be included in the property appraisal report, wherein the appraiser can select one of the specified items and the computer processor then prompts the appraiser to obtain the specified item. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein when the appraiser selects the video of a portion of the subject property, the computer processor prompts the appraiser to obtain the video by putting the camera into video recording mode and displaying video obtained by the camera on the display screen of the portable computing device. 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of items specified in the appraisal report specification further includes a digital photograph of the subject property, and wherein the software is configured to permit the appraiser to capture the digital photograph using the camera and to annotate the digital photograph. 15. The system of claim 1, wherein immediately after the computer processor receives one of the specified items, the software causes the computer processor to display a portion of the property appraisal report that includes the specified location of the specified item so that the specified item or a link to the specified item is displayed to the appraiser and the appraiser can provide and edit text associated with the specified item in the property appraisal report that is automatically inserted in the property appraisal report proximate to the specified item by the computer processor. 16. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device is a smartphone. 17. The system of claim 1, wherein the locations in the property appraisal report at which the specified items are to be placed are relative locations indicating the location of each specified item relative to the other specified items. 18. The system of claim 1, wherein for each of the plurality of items specified in the appraisal report specification, the computer processor automatically inserts a title comprising text in the property appraisal report proximate to the specified item. 19. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of items specified in the appraisal report specification further includes an aerial map view and the software is further configured to cause the computer processor to automatically obtain the aerial map view via the network based on the location of the subject property. 20. A method for making a system for generating an electronic property appraisal report providing an appraisal by an appraiser of a subject property, the subject property being a real property, using a portable computing device comprising a programmable computer processor, a display screen, an electronic network interface for receiving information over an electronic network, and a camera configured to capture digital photographs and videos, the method comprising:
providing software that when executed by the computer processor causes the computer processor to:
retrieve an appraisal report specification specifying:
the format of the property appraisal report;
a plurality of items to be included in the property appraisal report including information identifying the subject property, an estimated value of the subject property, a video of a portion of the subject property, and information about one or more other properties designated by the appraiser to be comparable to the subject property; and
for each specified item, a location in the property appraisal report at which the specified item is to be placed;
receive the information identifying the subject property;
receive from the appraiser the estimated value of the subject property;
receive from the camera the video of a portion of the subject property;
receive via the network the information about other properties designated by the appraiser to be comparable to the subject property; and
generate the property appraisal report for the subject property according to the appraisal report specification including each specified item in the specified location in the property appraisal report, and
installing the software on the portable computing device. | The present invention is a system for generating property appraisal reports providing an appraisal of a property. The system includes a portable computing device running software that generates the property appraisal report according to an appraisal report specification. The software causes the computer processor to obtain required information and generate the appraisal report based on an appraisal report specification specifying items to be included in the report, including an estimated value of the property, a video of the property, and information about other properties comparable to the subject property. The appraisal report specification also specifies locations in the report to place the specified item. The software then generates the appraisal report for the subject property according to the appraisal report specification including each specified item in the specified location in the property appraisal report.1. A system for generating electronic property appraisal reports, each property appraisal report providing an appraisal by an appraiser of a subject property, the subject property being a real property, the system comprising:
a portable computing device comprising:
a computer processor, the computer processor being programmable by software;
a display screen;
an electronic network interface for receiving information over an electronic network; and
a camera configured to capture digital photographs and videos; and
software that when executed by the computer processor causes the computer processor to:
retrieve an appraisal report specification specifying:
the format of the property appraisal report;
a plurality of items to be included in the property appraisal report including information identifying the subject property, an estimated value of the subject property, a video of a portion of the subject property, and information about one or more other properties designated by the appraiser to be comparable to the subject property; and
for each specified item, a location in the property appraisal report at which the specified item is to be placed;
receive the information identifying the subject property;
receive from the appraiser the estimated value of the subject property;
receive from the camera the video of a portion of the subject property;
receive via the network the information about other properties designated by the appraiser to be comparable to the subject property;
generate the property appraisal report for the subject property according to the appraisal report specification including each specified item in the specified location in the property appraisal report. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the network is the internet, and the software provides an interface for the appraiser to search for information over the internet regarding the other properties designated by the appraiser to be comparable to the subject property, and to specify that the information regarding the other properties be included in the property appraisal report. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the network is the internet, and at least some of the information about other properties designated by the appraiser to be comparable to the subject property is obtained by the appraiser using an internet browser running on the portable computing device. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the computer processor receives the information about other properties directly from the internet browser. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device further comprises a global positioning system (OPS) receiver, the information identifying the subject property includes the geographic location of the subject property, and the computer processor receives the geographic location of the subject property from the GPS receiver when the appraiser is at the subject property. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the property appraisal report specification specifies locations in the property appraisal report in which to place digital photographs of the subject property, and the software is further configured to cause the computer processor to receive from the camera the digital photographs and include the digital photographs in the specified locations in the property appraisal report along with, for one or more of the photographs, location information obtained from the GPS receiver at the time the photograph was captured. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the information identifying the subject property includes the location of the property, the plurality of items specified in the appraisal report specification further includes an aerial image including the subject property, and the software is further configured to cause the computer processor to automatically obtain the aerial image via the network based on the location of the property. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the video is located at the specified location in the property appraisal report by including a link in the property appraisal report wherein when a user viewing the property appraisal report selects the link the video is displayed to the user. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the subject property comprises a house, the video is specified to be a video of the inside of the house, and the software causes the portable computing device to prompt the appraiser to obtain the video using the camera inside the house. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of items specified in the appraisal report specification further includes a second video of the outside of the house. 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the house has a plurality of rooms, the plurality of items specified in the appraisal report specification further includes a digital photograph of each room in the house, and the appraiser uses the camera to capture the digital photograph of each room. 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the software is further configured to cause the computer processor to display to the appraiser a menu of the specified items to be included in the property appraisal report, wherein the appraiser can select one of the specified items and the computer processor then prompts the appraiser to obtain the specified item. 13. The system of claim 12, wherein when the appraiser selects the video of a portion of the subject property, the computer processor prompts the appraiser to obtain the video by putting the camera into video recording mode and displaying video obtained by the camera on the display screen of the portable computing device. 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of items specified in the appraisal report specification further includes a digital photograph of the subject property, and wherein the software is configured to permit the appraiser to capture the digital photograph using the camera and to annotate the digital photograph. 15. The system of claim 1, wherein immediately after the computer processor receives one of the specified items, the software causes the computer processor to display a portion of the property appraisal report that includes the specified location of the specified item so that the specified item or a link to the specified item is displayed to the appraiser and the appraiser can provide and edit text associated with the specified item in the property appraisal report that is automatically inserted in the property appraisal report proximate to the specified item by the computer processor. 16. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device is a smartphone. 17. The system of claim 1, wherein the locations in the property appraisal report at which the specified items are to be placed are relative locations indicating the location of each specified item relative to the other specified items. 18. The system of claim 1, wherein for each of the plurality of items specified in the appraisal report specification, the computer processor automatically inserts a title comprising text in the property appraisal report proximate to the specified item. 19. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of items specified in the appraisal report specification further includes an aerial map view and the software is further configured to cause the computer processor to automatically obtain the aerial map view via the network based on the location of the subject property. 20. A method for making a system for generating an electronic property appraisal report providing an appraisal by an appraiser of a subject property, the subject property being a real property, using a portable computing device comprising a programmable computer processor, a display screen, an electronic network interface for receiving information over an electronic network, and a camera configured to capture digital photographs and videos, the method comprising:
providing software that when executed by the computer processor causes the computer processor to:
retrieve an appraisal report specification specifying:
the format of the property appraisal report;
a plurality of items to be included in the property appraisal report including information identifying the subject property, an estimated value of the subject property, a video of a portion of the subject property, and information about one or more other properties designated by the appraiser to be comparable to the subject property; and
for each specified item, a location in the property appraisal report at which the specified item is to be placed;
receive the information identifying the subject property;
receive from the appraiser the estimated value of the subject property;
receive from the camera the video of a portion of the subject property;
receive via the network the information about other properties designated by the appraiser to be comparable to the subject property; and
generate the property appraisal report for the subject property according to the appraisal report specification including each specified item in the specified location in the property appraisal report, and
installing the software on the portable computing device. | 3,600 |
13,243 | 13,243 | 14,482,726 | 3,695 | A method of transforming time series data to cluster data is provided. Time series data including a plurality of time series is received. A distance between a first time series of the plurality of time series and each of a remaining set of time series of the plurality of time series is computed pairwise between each of the remaining set of time series of the plurality of time series and the first time series. The computed values of the distance are sorted in increasing value. Gap width values are computed as a difference between successive pairs of the sorted, computed values. Whether a cluster including the received time series data is uniform is determined based on the computed gap width values. Cluster data including the first time series and the remaining set of time series assigned to the cluster is output when the cluster is determined to be uniform. | 1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-readable instructions that when executed by a computing device cause the computing device to:
receive time series data, wherein the time series data includes a plurality of time series, wherein a plurality of time points are defined in association with each of the plurality of time series; compute values of a distance between a first time series of the plurality of time series and each of a remaining set of time series of the plurality of time series, wherein values of the distance are computed pairwise between each of the remaining set of time series of the plurality of time series and the first time series; sort the computed values of the distance in increasing value; compute gap width values as a difference between successive pairs of the sorted, computed values; determine whether a cluster including the received time series data is uniform based on the computed gap width values; and output cluster data that includes the first time series and the remaining set of time series assigned to the cluster when the cluster is determined to be uniform. 2. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein determining whether a cluster is uniform comprises computer-readable instructions that further cause the computing device to:
compute a uniformity measure using the computed gap width values; compute a uniformity criterion using the computed gap width values; and compare the computed uniformity measure to the computed uniformity criterion to determine whether the cluster is uniform. 3. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein the cluster is determined to be uniform when the computed uniformity measure is greater than or equal to the computed uniformity criterion. 4. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein the uniformity criterion is computed as a statistic of the computed gap width values, wherein the statistic is selected from the group consisting of a maximum, a minimum, a mean, and a median of the computed gap width values. 5. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein computing the uniformity criterion comprises computer-readable instructions that further cause the computing device to sort the computed gap width values in order of decreasing value and to select a defined number of candidates of the sorted, computed gap width values to include when computing the uniformity criterion. 6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein computing the uniformity criterion further comprises computer-readable instructions that further cause the computing device to compute a statistic using the selected, defined number of candidates of the sorted, computed gap width values. 7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the statistic is selected from the group consisting of a maximum, a minimum, a mean, and a median. 8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein computing the uniformity measure comprises computer-readable instructions that further cause the computing device to compute a mean of the computed gap width values and to compute a standard deviation of the computed gap width values, wherein the uniformity measure is computed using UGk= G k+c*se(Gk), where c is a confidence parameter value, G k is the computed mean, and se(Gk) is the computed standard deviation. 9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein computing the uniformity criterion comprises computer-readable instructions that further cause the computing device to compute a test statistic value using a test statistic computation method. 10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein computing the uniformity criterion further comprises computer-readable instructions that further cause the computing device to compute a p-value based on the test statistic value, wherein the p-value is a probability of obtaining a test statistic result at least as extreme as the test statistic value, assuming that a null hypothesis is true. 11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the uniformity criterion is a value of a significance level. 12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein, when the cluster is determined to not be uniform, the computer-readable instructions further cause the computing device to:
compute a break location using the computed gap width values; assign time series associated with computed values of the distance greater than the distance associated with the computed break location to a next cluster; select a next time series from the time series associated with computed values of the distance greater than the distance associated with the computed break location; identify a next remaining set of time series from the time series associated with computed values of the distance greater than the distance associated with the computed break location excluding the selected next time series; compute second values of a second distance between the selected next time series and each of the identified next remaining set of time series, wherein second values of the second distance are computed between each of the identified next remaining set of time series and the selected next time series; sort the computed second values of the second distance in increasing value; compute second gap width values as a second difference between successive pairs of the sorted, computed second values; determine if the next cluster is uniform based on the computed second gap width values; and output cluster data that includes the selected next time series and the identified next remaining set of time series assigned to the next cluster when the next cluster is determined to be uniform. 13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein computing the break location comprises computer-readable instructions that further cause the computing device to sort the computed gap width values in order of decreasing value and to select a defined number of candidates of the sorted, computed gap width values to include when computing the break location. 14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein computing the break location further comprises computer-readable instructions that further cause the computing device to compute a statistic using the selected, defined number of candidates of the sorted, computed gap width values. 15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the statistic is selected from the group consisting of a maximum, a minimum, a mean, and a median. 16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the break location is computed as a statistic of the computed gap width values, wherein the statistic is selected from the group consisting of a maximum, a minimum, a mean, and a median. 17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the break location is computed using a sequential local uniformity test of the computed gap width values. 18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the next time series is selected as a time series associated with a maximum value of the computed values of the distance. 19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the computer-readable instructions further cause the computing device to output second cluster data that includes the first time series and any time series associated with computed values of the distance less than the distance associated with the computed break location to a first cluster. 20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the values of the distance are computed using a dynamic time warping distance computation method or a Euclidian distance computation method. 21. A computing device comprising:
a processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium operably coupled to the processor, the computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the computing device to
receive time series data, wherein the time series data includes a plurality of time series, wherein a plurality of time points are defined in association with each of the plurality of time series;
compute values of a distance between a first time series of the plurality of time series and each of a remaining set of time series of the plurality of time series, wherein values of the distance are computed pairwise between each of the remaining set of time series of the plurality of time series and the first time series;
sort the computed values of the distance in increasing value;
compute gap width values as a difference between successive pairs of the sorted, computed values;
determine whether a cluster including the received time series data is uniform based on the computed gap width values; and
output cluster data that includes the first time series and the remaining set of time series assigned to the cluster when the cluster is determined to be uniform. 22. The computing device of claim 21, wherein determining whether a cluster is uniform comprises computer-readable instructions that further cause the computing device to:
compute a uniformity measure using the computed gap width values; compute a uniformity criterion using the computed gap width values; and compare the computed uniformity measure to the computed uniformity criterion to determine whether the cluster is uniform. 23. The computing device of claim 22, wherein the uniformity criterion is computed as a statistic of the computed gap width values, wherein the statistic is selected from the group consisting of a maximum, a minimum, a mean, and a median of the computed gap width values. 24. The computing device of claim 22, wherein computing the uniformity measure comprises computer-readable instructions that further cause the computing device to compute a mean of the computed gap width values and to compute a standard deviation of the computed gap width values, wherein the uniformity measure is computed using UGk= G k+c*se(Gk), where c is a confidence parameter value, G k is the computed mean, and se(Gk) is the computed standard deviation. 25. The computing device of claim 22, wherein computing the uniformity criterion comprises computer-readable instructions that further cause the computing device to compute a test statistic value using a test statistic computation method. 26. The computing device of claim 21, wherein, when the cluster is determined to not be uniform, the computer-readable instructions further cause the computing device to:
compute a break location using the computed gap width values; assign time series associated with computed values of the distance greater than the distance associated with the computed break location to a next cluster; select a next time series from the time series associated with computed values of the distance greater than the distance associated with the computed break location; identify a next remaining set of time series from the time series associated with computed values of the distance greater than the distance associated with the computed break location excluding the selected next time series; compute second values of a second distance between the selected next time series and each of the identified next remaining set of time series, wherein second values of the second distance are computed between each of the identified next remaining set of time series and the selected next time series; sort the computed second values of the second distance in increasing value; compute second gap width values as a second difference between successive pairs of the sorted, computed second values; determine if the next cluster is uniform based on the computed second gap width values; and output cluster data that includes the selected next time series and the identified next remaining set of time series assigned to the next cluster when the next cluster is determined to be uniform. 27. A method of transforming time series data to cluster data, the method comprising:
receiving time series data, wherein the time series data includes a plurality of time series, wherein a plurality of time points are defined in association with each of the plurality of time series; computing, by a computing device, values of a distance between a first time series of the plurality of time series and each of a remaining set of time series of the plurality of time series, wherein values of the distance are computed pairwise between each of the remaining set of time series of the plurality of time series and the first time series; sorting, by the computing device, the computed values of the distance in increasing value; computing, by the computing device, gap width values as a difference between successive pairs of the sorted, computed values; determining, by the computing device, whether a cluster including the received time series data is uniform based on the computed gap width values; and outputting, by the computing device, cluster data that includes the first time series and the remaining set of time series assigned to the cluster when the cluster is determined to be uniform. 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
computing, by the computing device, a uniformity measure using the computed gap width values; computing, by the computing device, a uniformity criterion using the computed gap width values; and comparing, by the computing device, the computed uniformity measure to the computed uniformity criterion to determine whether the cluster is uniform. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the uniformity criterion is computed as a statistic of the computed gap width values, wherein the statistic is selected from the group consisting of a maximum, a minimum, a mean, and a median of the computed gap width values. 30. The method of claim 28, wherein computing the uniformity measure comprises computing a mean of the computed gap width values and computing a standard deviation of the computed gap width values, wherein the uniformity measure is computed using UGk= G k+c*se(Gk), where c is a confidence parameter value, G k is the computed mean, and se(Gk) is the computed standard deviation. 31. The method of claim 28, wherein the uniformity criterion comprises computing a test statistic value using a test statistic computation method. 32. The method of claim 27, further comprising, when the cluster is determined to not be uniform:
computing, by the computing device, a break location using the computed gap width values; assigning, by the computing device, time series associated with computed values of the distance greater than the distance associated with the computed break location to a next cluster; selecting, by the computing device, a next time series from the time series associated with computed values of the distance greater than the distance associated with the computed break location; identifying, by the computing device, a next remaining set of time series from the time series associated with computed values of the distance greater than the distance associated with the computed break location excluding the selected next time series; computing, by the computing device, second values of a second distance between the selected next time series and each of the identified next remaining set of time series, wherein second values of the second distance are computed between each of the identified next remaining set of time series and the selected next time series; sorting, by the computing device, the computed second values of the second distance in increasing value; computing, by the computing device, second gap width values as a second difference between successive pairs of the sorted, computed second values; determining, by the computing device, if the next cluster is uniform based on the computed second gap width values; and outputting, by the computing device, cluster data that includes the selected next time series and the identified next remaining set of time series assigned to the next cluster when the next cluster is determined to be uniform. | A method of transforming time series data to cluster data is provided. Time series data including a plurality of time series is received. A distance between a first time series of the plurality of time series and each of a remaining set of time series of the plurality of time series is computed pairwise between each of the remaining set of time series of the plurality of time series and the first time series. The computed values of the distance are sorted in increasing value. Gap width values are computed as a difference between successive pairs of the sorted, computed values. Whether a cluster including the received time series data is uniform is determined based on the computed gap width values. Cluster data including the first time series and the remaining set of time series assigned to the cluster is output when the cluster is determined to be uniform.1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-readable instructions that when executed by a computing device cause the computing device to:
receive time series data, wherein the time series data includes a plurality of time series, wherein a plurality of time points are defined in association with each of the plurality of time series; compute values of a distance between a first time series of the plurality of time series and each of a remaining set of time series of the plurality of time series, wherein values of the distance are computed pairwise between each of the remaining set of time series of the plurality of time series and the first time series; sort the computed values of the distance in increasing value; compute gap width values as a difference between successive pairs of the sorted, computed values; determine whether a cluster including the received time series data is uniform based on the computed gap width values; and output cluster data that includes the first time series and the remaining set of time series assigned to the cluster when the cluster is determined to be uniform. 2. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein determining whether a cluster is uniform comprises computer-readable instructions that further cause the computing device to:
compute a uniformity measure using the computed gap width values; compute a uniformity criterion using the computed gap width values; and compare the computed uniformity measure to the computed uniformity criterion to determine whether the cluster is uniform. 3. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein the cluster is determined to be uniform when the computed uniformity measure is greater than or equal to the computed uniformity criterion. 4. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein the uniformity criterion is computed as a statistic of the computed gap width values, wherein the statistic is selected from the group consisting of a maximum, a minimum, a mean, and a median of the computed gap width values. 5. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein computing the uniformity criterion comprises computer-readable instructions that further cause the computing device to sort the computed gap width values in order of decreasing value and to select a defined number of candidates of the sorted, computed gap width values to include when computing the uniformity criterion. 6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein computing the uniformity criterion further comprises computer-readable instructions that further cause the computing device to compute a statistic using the selected, defined number of candidates of the sorted, computed gap width values. 7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the statistic is selected from the group consisting of a maximum, a minimum, a mean, and a median. 8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein computing the uniformity measure comprises computer-readable instructions that further cause the computing device to compute a mean of the computed gap width values and to compute a standard deviation of the computed gap width values, wherein the uniformity measure is computed using UGk= G k+c*se(Gk), where c is a confidence parameter value, G k is the computed mean, and se(Gk) is the computed standard deviation. 9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein computing the uniformity criterion comprises computer-readable instructions that further cause the computing device to compute a test statistic value using a test statistic computation method. 10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein computing the uniformity criterion further comprises computer-readable instructions that further cause the computing device to compute a p-value based on the test statistic value, wherein the p-value is a probability of obtaining a test statistic result at least as extreme as the test statistic value, assuming that a null hypothesis is true. 11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the uniformity criterion is a value of a significance level. 12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein, when the cluster is determined to not be uniform, the computer-readable instructions further cause the computing device to:
compute a break location using the computed gap width values; assign time series associated with computed values of the distance greater than the distance associated with the computed break location to a next cluster; select a next time series from the time series associated with computed values of the distance greater than the distance associated with the computed break location; identify a next remaining set of time series from the time series associated with computed values of the distance greater than the distance associated with the computed break location excluding the selected next time series; compute second values of a second distance between the selected next time series and each of the identified next remaining set of time series, wherein second values of the second distance are computed between each of the identified next remaining set of time series and the selected next time series; sort the computed second values of the second distance in increasing value; compute second gap width values as a second difference between successive pairs of the sorted, computed second values; determine if the next cluster is uniform based on the computed second gap width values; and output cluster data that includes the selected next time series and the identified next remaining set of time series assigned to the next cluster when the next cluster is determined to be uniform. 13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein computing the break location comprises computer-readable instructions that further cause the computing device to sort the computed gap width values in order of decreasing value and to select a defined number of candidates of the sorted, computed gap width values to include when computing the break location. 14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein computing the break location further comprises computer-readable instructions that further cause the computing device to compute a statistic using the selected, defined number of candidates of the sorted, computed gap width values. 15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the statistic is selected from the group consisting of a maximum, a minimum, a mean, and a median. 16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the break location is computed as a statistic of the computed gap width values, wherein the statistic is selected from the group consisting of a maximum, a minimum, a mean, and a median. 17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the break location is computed using a sequential local uniformity test of the computed gap width values. 18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the next time series is selected as a time series associated with a maximum value of the computed values of the distance. 19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the computer-readable instructions further cause the computing device to output second cluster data that includes the first time series and any time series associated with computed values of the distance less than the distance associated with the computed break location to a first cluster. 20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the values of the distance are computed using a dynamic time warping distance computation method or a Euclidian distance computation method. 21. A computing device comprising:
a processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium operably coupled to the processor, the computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the computing device to
receive time series data, wherein the time series data includes a plurality of time series, wherein a plurality of time points are defined in association with each of the plurality of time series;
compute values of a distance between a first time series of the plurality of time series and each of a remaining set of time series of the plurality of time series, wherein values of the distance are computed pairwise between each of the remaining set of time series of the plurality of time series and the first time series;
sort the computed values of the distance in increasing value;
compute gap width values as a difference between successive pairs of the sorted, computed values;
determine whether a cluster including the received time series data is uniform based on the computed gap width values; and
output cluster data that includes the first time series and the remaining set of time series assigned to the cluster when the cluster is determined to be uniform. 22. The computing device of claim 21, wherein determining whether a cluster is uniform comprises computer-readable instructions that further cause the computing device to:
compute a uniformity measure using the computed gap width values; compute a uniformity criterion using the computed gap width values; and compare the computed uniformity measure to the computed uniformity criterion to determine whether the cluster is uniform. 23. The computing device of claim 22, wherein the uniformity criterion is computed as a statistic of the computed gap width values, wherein the statistic is selected from the group consisting of a maximum, a minimum, a mean, and a median of the computed gap width values. 24. The computing device of claim 22, wherein computing the uniformity measure comprises computer-readable instructions that further cause the computing device to compute a mean of the computed gap width values and to compute a standard deviation of the computed gap width values, wherein the uniformity measure is computed using UGk= G k+c*se(Gk), where c is a confidence parameter value, G k is the computed mean, and se(Gk) is the computed standard deviation. 25. The computing device of claim 22, wherein computing the uniformity criterion comprises computer-readable instructions that further cause the computing device to compute a test statistic value using a test statistic computation method. 26. The computing device of claim 21, wherein, when the cluster is determined to not be uniform, the computer-readable instructions further cause the computing device to:
compute a break location using the computed gap width values; assign time series associated with computed values of the distance greater than the distance associated with the computed break location to a next cluster; select a next time series from the time series associated with computed values of the distance greater than the distance associated with the computed break location; identify a next remaining set of time series from the time series associated with computed values of the distance greater than the distance associated with the computed break location excluding the selected next time series; compute second values of a second distance between the selected next time series and each of the identified next remaining set of time series, wherein second values of the second distance are computed between each of the identified next remaining set of time series and the selected next time series; sort the computed second values of the second distance in increasing value; compute second gap width values as a second difference between successive pairs of the sorted, computed second values; determine if the next cluster is uniform based on the computed second gap width values; and output cluster data that includes the selected next time series and the identified next remaining set of time series assigned to the next cluster when the next cluster is determined to be uniform. 27. A method of transforming time series data to cluster data, the method comprising:
receiving time series data, wherein the time series data includes a plurality of time series, wherein a plurality of time points are defined in association with each of the plurality of time series; computing, by a computing device, values of a distance between a first time series of the plurality of time series and each of a remaining set of time series of the plurality of time series, wherein values of the distance are computed pairwise between each of the remaining set of time series of the plurality of time series and the first time series; sorting, by the computing device, the computed values of the distance in increasing value; computing, by the computing device, gap width values as a difference between successive pairs of the sorted, computed values; determining, by the computing device, whether a cluster including the received time series data is uniform based on the computed gap width values; and outputting, by the computing device, cluster data that includes the first time series and the remaining set of time series assigned to the cluster when the cluster is determined to be uniform. 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising:
computing, by the computing device, a uniformity measure using the computed gap width values; computing, by the computing device, a uniformity criterion using the computed gap width values; and comparing, by the computing device, the computed uniformity measure to the computed uniformity criterion to determine whether the cluster is uniform. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the uniformity criterion is computed as a statistic of the computed gap width values, wherein the statistic is selected from the group consisting of a maximum, a minimum, a mean, and a median of the computed gap width values. 30. The method of claim 28, wherein computing the uniformity measure comprises computing a mean of the computed gap width values and computing a standard deviation of the computed gap width values, wherein the uniformity measure is computed using UGk= G k+c*se(Gk), where c is a confidence parameter value, G k is the computed mean, and se(Gk) is the computed standard deviation. 31. The method of claim 28, wherein the uniformity criterion comprises computing a test statistic value using a test statistic computation method. 32. The method of claim 27, further comprising, when the cluster is determined to not be uniform:
computing, by the computing device, a break location using the computed gap width values; assigning, by the computing device, time series associated with computed values of the distance greater than the distance associated with the computed break location to a next cluster; selecting, by the computing device, a next time series from the time series associated with computed values of the distance greater than the distance associated with the computed break location; identifying, by the computing device, a next remaining set of time series from the time series associated with computed values of the distance greater than the distance associated with the computed break location excluding the selected next time series; computing, by the computing device, second values of a second distance between the selected next time series and each of the identified next remaining set of time series, wherein second values of the second distance are computed between each of the identified next remaining set of time series and the selected next time series; sorting, by the computing device, the computed second values of the second distance in increasing value; computing, by the computing device, second gap width values as a second difference between successive pairs of the sorted, computed second values; determining, by the computing device, if the next cluster is uniform based on the computed second gap width values; and outputting, by the computing device, cluster data that includes the selected next time series and the identified next remaining set of time series assigned to the next cluster when the next cluster is determined to be uniform. | 3,600 |
13,244 | 13,244 | 14,268,357 | 3,695 | A method includes receiving paper comprising information regarding a vehicular violation, the information comprising a unique vehicle identifier and a violation classification, extracting from the paper the unique vehicle identifier and the violation classification via automated pattern recognition, uploading the extracted unique vehicle identifier and the violation classification to a database, determining whether the extracted unique vehicle identifier is associated with a predefined plurality of vehicles, responsive to a determination that the unique vehicle identifier is associated with a vehicle of the predefined plurality of vehicles, charging a violation fee for the vehicular violation to a party that was responsible for the vehicle at the time of the vehicular violation, responsive to a determination that the unique vehicle identifier is not associated with the predefined plurality of vehicles, disputing responsibility for the vehicular violation. | 1. (canceled) 2. A method comprising:
by a computer system comprising computer hardware: receiving violation notice comprising information regarding a vehicular violation, the information comprising identification data and a violation classification; automatically extracting from the violation notice the identification data and the violation classification; uploading, to a database, the automatically extracted identification data and the violation classification; determining whether the automatically extracted identification data corresponds to a predefined plurality of vehicles; responsive to a determination that the identification data corresponds a vehicle of the predefined plurality of vehicles, charging a violation fee to a responsible party at a time of the vehicular violation; and responsive to a determination that the identification data is not associated with the predefined plurality of vehicles, disputing responsibility for the vehicular violation. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the disputing responsibility for the vehicular violation comprises providing evidence of non-responsibility for the vehicle at the time of the vehicular violation. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the evidence of non-responsibility comprises sale documents. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the evidence of non-responsibility comprises lease-return documents. 6. The method of claim 2, wherein the predefined plurality of vehicles is a plurality of vehicles available for rent by a rental-car agency. 7. The method of claim 6, comprising, responsive to a determination that the identification data is associated with the vehicle of the predefined plurality of vehicles:
determining whether the vehicle was rented at the time of the vehicular violation; responsive to a determination that the vehicle was rented at the time of the vehicular violation, identifying a renter of the vehicle at the time of the vehicular violation as the party responsible for the vehicle at the time of the vehicular violation; and responsive to a determination that the vehicle was not rented at the time of the vehicular violation, identifying the rental-car agency as the party responsible for the vehicle at the time of the vehicular violation. 8. The method of claim 2, comprising paying the violation fee. 9. The method of claim 2, wherein the identification data comprises a license plate number. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the determining comprises comparing the license plate number to a plurality of license plate numbers in a database. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the database comprises rental-car-agreement data of a rental-car agency. 12. The method of claim 7, comprising:
identifying an employee of the rental-car agency who was responsible for the vehicle at the time of the vehicular violation; and charging the employee the violation fee. 13. The method of claim 2, wherein the vehicular violation is selected from the group consisting of a toll violation, a parking violation, and a traffic violation. 14. The method of claim 2, wherein the violation classification is selected from the group consisting of a first notice, a second notice, a collection letter, and a court notice. 15. The method of claim 2, comprising sorting the vehicular violation among a plurality of vehicular violations by the violation classification. 16. The method of claim 2, wherein the automatically extracting comprises optical character recognition (OCR) extraction. 17. The method of claim 2, wherein the violation notice comprises paper. 18. A system for vehicular violations automation, the system comprising:
a first entity for receiving violation notice comprising information regarding a vehicular violation, the information comprising vehicle identification data and a violation classification; a first computer associated with the first entity and configured to automatically extract from the violation notice the identification data and the violation classification; a database associated with the first entity and configured to receive the extracted identification data and the violation classification; a second computer associated with the first entity and configured to execute violation processing logic to determine whether the extracted identification data corresponds to a predefined plurality of vehicles; responsive to a determination that the identification data corresponds to a vehicle of the predefined plurality of vehicles, the second computer charges a violation fee for the vehicular violation to a party that was responsible for the vehicle at the time of the vehicular violation; and responsive to a determination that the identification data does not correspond to the predefined plurality of vehicles, the second computer disputes responsibility for the vehicular violation. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the vehicular violation is selected from the group consisting of a toll violation, a parking violation, and a traffic violation. 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the second computer provides evidence of non-responsibility for the vehicle at the time of the vehicular violation. 21. An article of manufacture for providing toll service to a third-party-operated transport user, the article of manufacture comprising:
at least one computer readable medium; processor instructions contained on the at least one computer readable medium, the processor instructions configured to be readable from the at least one computer readable medium by at least one processor and thereby cause the at least one processor to operate as to perform:
receiving violation notice comprising information regarding a vehicular violation, the information comprising identification data and a violation classification;
automatically extracting from the violation notice the identification data and the violation classification;
uploading, to a database, the automatically extracted identification data and the violation classification;
determining whether the automatically extracted identification data corresponds to a predefined plurality of vehicles;
responsive to a determination that the identification data corresponds a vehicle of the predefined plurality of vehicles, charging a violation fee to a responsible party at a time of the vehicular violation; and
responsive to a determination that the identification data is not associated with the predefined plurality of vehicles, disputing responsibility for the vehicular violation. | A method includes receiving paper comprising information regarding a vehicular violation, the information comprising a unique vehicle identifier and a violation classification, extracting from the paper the unique vehicle identifier and the violation classification via automated pattern recognition, uploading the extracted unique vehicle identifier and the violation classification to a database, determining whether the extracted unique vehicle identifier is associated with a predefined plurality of vehicles, responsive to a determination that the unique vehicle identifier is associated with a vehicle of the predefined plurality of vehicles, charging a violation fee for the vehicular violation to a party that was responsible for the vehicle at the time of the vehicular violation, responsive to a determination that the unique vehicle identifier is not associated with the predefined plurality of vehicles, disputing responsibility for the vehicular violation.1. (canceled) 2. A method comprising:
by a computer system comprising computer hardware: receiving violation notice comprising information regarding a vehicular violation, the information comprising identification data and a violation classification; automatically extracting from the violation notice the identification data and the violation classification; uploading, to a database, the automatically extracted identification data and the violation classification; determining whether the automatically extracted identification data corresponds to a predefined plurality of vehicles; responsive to a determination that the identification data corresponds a vehicle of the predefined plurality of vehicles, charging a violation fee to a responsible party at a time of the vehicular violation; and responsive to a determination that the identification data is not associated with the predefined plurality of vehicles, disputing responsibility for the vehicular violation. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the disputing responsibility for the vehicular violation comprises providing evidence of non-responsibility for the vehicle at the time of the vehicular violation. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the evidence of non-responsibility comprises sale documents. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the evidence of non-responsibility comprises lease-return documents. 6. The method of claim 2, wherein the predefined plurality of vehicles is a plurality of vehicles available for rent by a rental-car agency. 7. The method of claim 6, comprising, responsive to a determination that the identification data is associated with the vehicle of the predefined plurality of vehicles:
determining whether the vehicle was rented at the time of the vehicular violation; responsive to a determination that the vehicle was rented at the time of the vehicular violation, identifying a renter of the vehicle at the time of the vehicular violation as the party responsible for the vehicle at the time of the vehicular violation; and responsive to a determination that the vehicle was not rented at the time of the vehicular violation, identifying the rental-car agency as the party responsible for the vehicle at the time of the vehicular violation. 8. The method of claim 2, comprising paying the violation fee. 9. The method of claim 2, wherein the identification data comprises a license plate number. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the determining comprises comparing the license plate number to a plurality of license plate numbers in a database. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the database comprises rental-car-agreement data of a rental-car agency. 12. The method of claim 7, comprising:
identifying an employee of the rental-car agency who was responsible for the vehicle at the time of the vehicular violation; and charging the employee the violation fee. 13. The method of claim 2, wherein the vehicular violation is selected from the group consisting of a toll violation, a parking violation, and a traffic violation. 14. The method of claim 2, wherein the violation classification is selected from the group consisting of a first notice, a second notice, a collection letter, and a court notice. 15. The method of claim 2, comprising sorting the vehicular violation among a plurality of vehicular violations by the violation classification. 16. The method of claim 2, wherein the automatically extracting comprises optical character recognition (OCR) extraction. 17. The method of claim 2, wherein the violation notice comprises paper. 18. A system for vehicular violations automation, the system comprising:
a first entity for receiving violation notice comprising information regarding a vehicular violation, the information comprising vehicle identification data and a violation classification; a first computer associated with the first entity and configured to automatically extract from the violation notice the identification data and the violation classification; a database associated with the first entity and configured to receive the extracted identification data and the violation classification; a second computer associated with the first entity and configured to execute violation processing logic to determine whether the extracted identification data corresponds to a predefined plurality of vehicles; responsive to a determination that the identification data corresponds to a vehicle of the predefined plurality of vehicles, the second computer charges a violation fee for the vehicular violation to a party that was responsible for the vehicle at the time of the vehicular violation; and responsive to a determination that the identification data does not correspond to the predefined plurality of vehicles, the second computer disputes responsibility for the vehicular violation. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the vehicular violation is selected from the group consisting of a toll violation, a parking violation, and a traffic violation. 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the second computer provides evidence of non-responsibility for the vehicle at the time of the vehicular violation. 21. An article of manufacture for providing toll service to a third-party-operated transport user, the article of manufacture comprising:
at least one computer readable medium; processor instructions contained on the at least one computer readable medium, the processor instructions configured to be readable from the at least one computer readable medium by at least one processor and thereby cause the at least one processor to operate as to perform:
receiving violation notice comprising information regarding a vehicular violation, the information comprising identification data and a violation classification;
automatically extracting from the violation notice the identification data and the violation classification;
uploading, to a database, the automatically extracted identification data and the violation classification;
determining whether the automatically extracted identification data corresponds to a predefined plurality of vehicles;
responsive to a determination that the identification data corresponds a vehicle of the predefined plurality of vehicles, charging a violation fee to a responsible party at a time of the vehicular violation; and
responsive to a determination that the identification data is not associated with the predefined plurality of vehicles, disputing responsibility for the vehicular violation. | 3,600 |
13,245 | 13,245 | 14,216,123 | 3,696 | Embodiments of the present invention delineate systems and methods for dynamically assessing and mitigating risk of an insured entity. An entity that provides insurance may, in various embodiments, use applications installed on mobile devices to monitor information that may reduce or mitigate fraudulent insurance claims. Additional embodiments of the present invention delineate systems and methods for providing a user of a mobile device with information relevant to a position of a mobile device, wherein such information may describe one of a risk and an opportunity within a predetermined distance of a location for the mobile device. | 1. A method comprising:
installing a security application on a provided mobile device; executing a device audit function whereby device configuration parameters are obtained regarding the mobile device; determining a unique device ID for the mobile device from the device configuration parameters; storing the device configuration parameters in an insurance tracking database in a record associated with the device ID; and associating the device ID in the insurance tracking database with an authorized user of the mobile device. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the device configuration parameters include at least one of: a device type, a manufacturer, a model number, a serial number, a manufacturing date, a hardware configuration list, a memory capacity, a software manifest, a list of operable features, a list of inoperable features, an electronic serial number, an ESN, an IMEI number, an international mobile equipment identifier number, an IMSI number, an international mobile subscriber identity number, a UIMID number, and a user identity module identifier. 3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:
determining that at least one of the stored device configuration parameters includes an IMSI number within a SIM of the device;
flagging in the insurance tracking database a parameter that indicates that any mobile device that possesses a SIM with the included the IMSI within the SIM should be covered under a provided insurance policy. 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving an insurance claim regarding a loss event pertaining to the mobile device; and making an assessment that the claim is likely fraudulent by:
determining that a SIM card associated with the mobile device has been inserted into a second mobile device prior to the reported date of loss of the mobile device by:
retrieving from the insurance tracking database the IMSI number associated with the SIM card of the mobile device;
submitting a query to a mobile network operator comprising the IMSI number and a date of first use in a currently operating mobile device; and
finding from the mobile network operator that the date of first use of the IMSI in the current mobile device precedes a reported date of loss of the mobile device and antedates a date of installation of the security application in the mobile device. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the device audit function is performed in part by a computing device attached to the mobile device. 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
computing an electronic device fingerprint that uniquely identifies the mobile device; and
storing the fingerprint in the insurance tracking database as associated with the authorized user. 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
through a provided interface to a mobile network operator, obtaining mobile device location information corresponding to the device ID; and
storing the location information in the insurance tracking database record associated with the device ID. 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
through a provided interface to a Location-as-a-Service provider, obtaining mobile device location information corresponding to the device ID; and
storing the location information in the insurance tracking database record associated with the device ID. 9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
determining the mobile device has been lost in lieu of being stolen by:
determining a plurality of locations of the mobile device over a plurality of time intervals;
determining that from the plurality of locations that the mobile device is not in motion; and
determining from the location, that the device is likely not in the control or possession of a person. 10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
Obtaining an install date and version number of the security application installed on the mobile device;
transmitting the install date and version number of the security application to the insurance tracking server; and
storing the install date and version number of the security application in the insurance tracking database record associated with the device ID. 11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
obtaining a WiFi address of a WiFi network in communication with the mobile device;
transmitting the WiFi address to the insurance tracking server; and
storing the WiFi address in the insurance tracking database record associated with the device ID. 12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
obtaining a mobile network operator identifier of a mobile wireless network in communication with the mobile device;
transmitting the mobile network operator identifier to the insurance tracking server;
and storing the mobile network operator identifier in the insurance tracking database record associated with the device ID. 13. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
determining a risk level associated with the stored device configuration parameters and generating a risk insurance profile based on the device configuration parameters. 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:
determining an insurance policy price adjustment based upon the insurance risk profile. 15. The method of claim 13 further comprising:
communicating to the authorized user an adjustment in the term of an insurance policy that was modified based upon a change in the insurance risk profile. 16. The method of claim 13 further comprising:
modifying the determined risk level by determining the device configuration parameters have been modified since a previous risk level determination was performed. 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:
Adjusting the cost of an insurance policy provided to an authorized user of the mobile device in response to the modification of the determined risk level. 18. The method of claim 13 further comprising:
decreasing the determined risk level when at least one of the following is determined to apply to the device configuration parameters:
the authorized user of the mobile device allows the insuring entity to monitor and remotely track the mobile device;
the authorized user of the mobile device allows the insuring entity to download and store user-specific settings from the device;
the authorized user of the mobile device allows the insuring entity to download and store device-specific settings from the device;
the authorized user of the mobile device allows the insuring entity to download and store network-specific settings from the device;
the authorized user of the mobile device allows the insuring entity to download and store browsing history information for the device;
the authorized user of the mobile device allows the insuring entity to download and store forensics information obtained from the device;
the authorized user of the mobile device allows the insuring entity to activate the camera of the device and download at least one of a still image or a video from one or more cameras on the device;
the authorized user of the mobile device allows the insuring entity to:
remotely activate a sensor of the mobile device upon receiving a loss claim regarding the mobile device; and
surreptitiously monitor the activated sensors;
the authorized user of the mobile device allows the insuring entity to have the security application provide automatic notification when a successful passcode has been entered on the mobile device;
the authorized user of the mobile device allows the insuring entity to lock the device remotely by sending the a command to the security application running on the mobile device;
the authorized user of the mobile device allows the insuring entity to execute a command that causes the mobile device to render itself permanently nonfunctional; and
the authorized user of the mobile device allows the insuring entity to receive periodic handshake confirmations from the security application on the mobile device that it is actively operating. 19. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving an insurance claim regarding a loss event pertaining to the mobile device; and
contacting a third party financial services provider to determine, using the stored device configuration parameters, that the mobile device has been used to conduct at least one financial transaction after a date of a reported loss event as specified in the received insurance claim. 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the financial transaction includes one of: an NFC transaction; a point of sale transaction; a credit card authorization transaction; an account debit transaction; an electronic payment transaction; and a credit card payment transaction. 21. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving an insurance claim regarding a loss event pertaining to the mobile device; and
determining that the mobile device is in use after the claimed date of loss submitted in the insurance claim. 22. The method of claim 21 wherein determining that the mobile device is in use further comprises contacting a wireless mobile network provider and requesting whether the Device ID corresponds to a device being utilized on a wireless network after the claimed date of loss. 23. The method of claim 21 wherein determining that the mobile device is in use further comprises performing an internet IP traceroute for a IP address assigned to the mobile device, and determining that the mobile device has been in use after the date of the claim by the IP traceroute results. 24. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving an insurance claim regarding a loss event pertaining to the mobile device; and making an assessment that the claim is likely fraudulent by at least one of:
determining that the security application was disabled proximate to the reported date of loss;
determining that a user of the mobile device attempted to disable the security application proximate to the reported date of loss;
determining that a user of the mobile device successfully entered a passcode to unlock the mobile device after the reported date of loss;
determining that a new phone number was assigned to the mobile device after the reported date of loss;
determining that the authorized user of the mobile device has suppressed receipt of messages sent from an insuring entity;
determining that a security application was installed after the reported date of loss of the mobile device;
determining that the mobile device's location after the reported date of loss is proximate to previous locations stored in the insurance tracking database;
determining that one or more phone numbers called by the mobile device after the reported date of loss exist within a contact list stored in the insurance tracking database;
determining that the mobile device is in communication with the same WiFi network as it was before the insurance claim was submitted;
determining that the mobile device switches communication between the same WiFi network and mobile telephony network as it did before the insurance claim was submitted;
determining that a last known location reported by the user differs from a last reported location transmitted by the mobile device to the insurance tracking database;
instructing the authorized user to submit insurance claim information through a website, wherein the website is configured to query the identity of the device contacting the website, and if a match to the mobile device that is the subject of the loss claim is made, indicating likely fraud to the insurance tracking database;
instructing the authorized user to submit insurance claim information through a website, wherein the website is configured to query the contact list from the device contacting the website, and if a match to a contact list stored in a record in the insurance tracking database associated with the mobile device that is the subject of the loss claim is made, indicating likely fraud to the insurance tracking database;
determining, by analyzing the insurance tracking database, that current mobile device's assigned phone number was in a second contact list stored in the insurance tracking database for a second mobile device, and a loss claim had been submitted by a user of the second mobile device; and
determining that web browsing history obtained from the mobile device indicated that prior to the reported date of loss, a user had conducted web searches with the mobile device related to how to submit insurance claims. 25. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving an insurance claim regarding a loss event pertaining to the mobile device;
accessing the information tracking database to determine a list of most recently visited locations reported by the security application of the mobile device to the insurance tracking database; and
formatting a report for the authorized user to suggest locations the user may search to locate the mobile device. 26. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
sending, from an insurance entity, a message to the mobile device wherein the message is presented by the security application for viewing by a current user of the mobile device. 27. The method of claim 26 wherein the message comprises a summary of the value of the device if the authorized user were to relinquish ownership of the mobile device. 28. The method of claim 27 further comprising offering to pay the authorized user the value of the device presented to the authorized user. 29. The method of claim 26 wherein the message comprises one of:
information regarding a remaining duration of an insurance policy related to the mobile device;
information informing a current user of the mobile device that the mobile device is presently in a location where theft of electronic devices is of an enhanced likelihood;
a report notifying the current user about how the tracking data obtained by an insurance entity has been used; and
helpful tips to reduce insurance costs to the authorized user. 30. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
reinstalling, by one of the authorized user or the insurance entity the security application if the security application had been previously installed and then un-installed. 31. The method of claim 30 wherein upon re-installation the security application resumes communication with the insurance tracking server. 32. The method of claim 31 wherein upon re-installation the security application gathers forensics information and relays the forensics information to the insurance tracking server. 33. The method of claim 32 wherein the forensics information comprises one or more of a still image file taken by a camera of the mobile device; a video file taken by a camera on the mobile device; an audio recording taken by a microphone in the mobile device; a location of the mobile device; a phone number of a call made by the mobile device; a current phone number assigned to the mobile device; and a contact list stored in the mobile device. 34. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving an insurance claim regarding a loss event pertaining to the mobile device;
transmitting, to the mobile device, a command to record forensics information and transmit the forensics information to the insurance tracking database, wherein:
the forensics information comprises one or more of:
a still image file taken by a camera of the mobile device;
a video file taken by a camera on the mobile device;
an audio recording taken by a microphone in the mobile device;
a location of the mobile device;
a phone number of a call made by the mobile device; a current phone number assigned to the mobile device; and a contact list stored in the mobile device. 35. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
determining, by the security application, that a second mobile device is in the proximity of the mobile device;
determining that the second mobile device had been reported as the subject of a loss claim;
transmitting, to the insurance tracking database, a report indicating the identifying information of the second mobile device, and a current location proximate to the second mobile device. 36. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving, by the mobile device, a list of device IDs corresponding to lost or stolen mobile devices upon which the security application had been previously installed;
determining, by the security application of the mobile device, that a second mobile device in communication with the mobile device represents one of the lost or stolen mobile devices itemized in the list of device IDs; and
transmitting, to the insurance tracking database, a report indicating the identifying information of the second mobile device, and a current location proximate to the second mobile device. 37. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving, by the mobile device, a communication from a second mobile device in proximity to the mobile device, wherein:
the second mobile device has been previously reported as the subject of a loss claim; and
the second mobile device has previously been installed with the security application;
the security application of the second mobile device wishes to broadcast an alert that the second mobile device has been reported lost or stolen;
receiving, by the mobile device, an alert from the second mobile device, the alert including the second device ID and a location of the second mobile device; and
transmitting the alert from the mobile device to the insurance tracking database. 38. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving, by the mobile device, a request to attempt to locate a second mobile device, the request including a device ID of the second mobile device;
transmitting, by the mobile device, a request to a second mobile device in proximity to and in communication with the mobile device, wherein:
the second mobile device has previously been installed with the security application; and
the second mobile device determines whether the device ID of the second mobile device in the request matches its own device ID; and
if the match is affirmative, the second mobile device broadcasts an alert. 39. The method of claim 38 wherein the alert comprises one of:
an audible siren played over a loudspeaker of the second mobile device;
an audible recorded sound of a scream played over a loudspeaker of the second mobile device;
a communication to the mobile device comprising the device ID of the second mobile device and a location of the second mobile device, wherein the mobile device relays the communication to the insurance tracking database. 40. The method of claim 1 further comprising storing, in a record of the insurance tracking device associated with the device ID of the mobile device, one or more of:
a version number and date of installation of the security application;
one or more location measurements relayed by the mobile device;
one or more phone numbers called by the mobile device;
one or more phone numbers of callers calling the mobile device;
a list of wireless networks accessible by the mobile device and the dates in which such accessibility was applicable;
dates in which a SIM card was removed or substituted within the device; and
dates and times in which successful communications were made between the insurance tracking database and the mobile device;
dates and times in which successful communications were made between a security authority and the mobile device;
a date the security application was uninstalled, such date obtained from the application store that hosted installation of the security application; and
a status of whether the mobile device has been reported as the subject of a claim of loss, and the date appurtenant thereto. 41. A method comprising:
creating a respository of a plurality of IMEI numbers stored in an IMEI database, each of the IMEI numbers corresponding to a mobile device that had been reported as lost or stolen; determining a first IMEI number stored in the IMEI database has become active on a network; and transmitting a fraud alert to a security authority, the fraud alert including the first IMEI number. 42. The method of claim 41 further comprising:
determining from a mobile network operator, a currently assigned phone number corresponding to the first IMEI number; and
determining, from a location-based aggregator, a location of a suspect mobile device that utilizes the first IMEI number and the currently assigned phone number. | Embodiments of the present invention delineate systems and methods for dynamically assessing and mitigating risk of an insured entity. An entity that provides insurance may, in various embodiments, use applications installed on mobile devices to monitor information that may reduce or mitigate fraudulent insurance claims. Additional embodiments of the present invention delineate systems and methods for providing a user of a mobile device with information relevant to a position of a mobile device, wherein such information may describe one of a risk and an opportunity within a predetermined distance of a location for the mobile device.1. A method comprising:
installing a security application on a provided mobile device; executing a device audit function whereby device configuration parameters are obtained regarding the mobile device; determining a unique device ID for the mobile device from the device configuration parameters; storing the device configuration parameters in an insurance tracking database in a record associated with the device ID; and associating the device ID in the insurance tracking database with an authorized user of the mobile device. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the device configuration parameters include at least one of: a device type, a manufacturer, a model number, a serial number, a manufacturing date, a hardware configuration list, a memory capacity, a software manifest, a list of operable features, a list of inoperable features, an electronic serial number, an ESN, an IMEI number, an international mobile equipment identifier number, an IMSI number, an international mobile subscriber identity number, a UIMID number, and a user identity module identifier. 3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:
determining that at least one of the stored device configuration parameters includes an IMSI number within a SIM of the device;
flagging in the insurance tracking database a parameter that indicates that any mobile device that possesses a SIM with the included the IMSI within the SIM should be covered under a provided insurance policy. 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving an insurance claim regarding a loss event pertaining to the mobile device; and making an assessment that the claim is likely fraudulent by:
determining that a SIM card associated with the mobile device has been inserted into a second mobile device prior to the reported date of loss of the mobile device by:
retrieving from the insurance tracking database the IMSI number associated with the SIM card of the mobile device;
submitting a query to a mobile network operator comprising the IMSI number and a date of first use in a currently operating mobile device; and
finding from the mobile network operator that the date of first use of the IMSI in the current mobile device precedes a reported date of loss of the mobile device and antedates a date of installation of the security application in the mobile device. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the device audit function is performed in part by a computing device attached to the mobile device. 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
computing an electronic device fingerprint that uniquely identifies the mobile device; and
storing the fingerprint in the insurance tracking database as associated with the authorized user. 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
through a provided interface to a mobile network operator, obtaining mobile device location information corresponding to the device ID; and
storing the location information in the insurance tracking database record associated with the device ID. 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
through a provided interface to a Location-as-a-Service provider, obtaining mobile device location information corresponding to the device ID; and
storing the location information in the insurance tracking database record associated with the device ID. 9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
determining the mobile device has been lost in lieu of being stolen by:
determining a plurality of locations of the mobile device over a plurality of time intervals;
determining that from the plurality of locations that the mobile device is not in motion; and
determining from the location, that the device is likely not in the control or possession of a person. 10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
Obtaining an install date and version number of the security application installed on the mobile device;
transmitting the install date and version number of the security application to the insurance tracking server; and
storing the install date and version number of the security application in the insurance tracking database record associated with the device ID. 11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
obtaining a WiFi address of a WiFi network in communication with the mobile device;
transmitting the WiFi address to the insurance tracking server; and
storing the WiFi address in the insurance tracking database record associated with the device ID. 12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
obtaining a mobile network operator identifier of a mobile wireless network in communication with the mobile device;
transmitting the mobile network operator identifier to the insurance tracking server;
and storing the mobile network operator identifier in the insurance tracking database record associated with the device ID. 13. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
determining a risk level associated with the stored device configuration parameters and generating a risk insurance profile based on the device configuration parameters. 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:
determining an insurance policy price adjustment based upon the insurance risk profile. 15. The method of claim 13 further comprising:
communicating to the authorized user an adjustment in the term of an insurance policy that was modified based upon a change in the insurance risk profile. 16. The method of claim 13 further comprising:
modifying the determined risk level by determining the device configuration parameters have been modified since a previous risk level determination was performed. 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:
Adjusting the cost of an insurance policy provided to an authorized user of the mobile device in response to the modification of the determined risk level. 18. The method of claim 13 further comprising:
decreasing the determined risk level when at least one of the following is determined to apply to the device configuration parameters:
the authorized user of the mobile device allows the insuring entity to monitor and remotely track the mobile device;
the authorized user of the mobile device allows the insuring entity to download and store user-specific settings from the device;
the authorized user of the mobile device allows the insuring entity to download and store device-specific settings from the device;
the authorized user of the mobile device allows the insuring entity to download and store network-specific settings from the device;
the authorized user of the mobile device allows the insuring entity to download and store browsing history information for the device;
the authorized user of the mobile device allows the insuring entity to download and store forensics information obtained from the device;
the authorized user of the mobile device allows the insuring entity to activate the camera of the device and download at least one of a still image or a video from one or more cameras on the device;
the authorized user of the mobile device allows the insuring entity to:
remotely activate a sensor of the mobile device upon receiving a loss claim regarding the mobile device; and
surreptitiously monitor the activated sensors;
the authorized user of the mobile device allows the insuring entity to have the security application provide automatic notification when a successful passcode has been entered on the mobile device;
the authorized user of the mobile device allows the insuring entity to lock the device remotely by sending the a command to the security application running on the mobile device;
the authorized user of the mobile device allows the insuring entity to execute a command that causes the mobile device to render itself permanently nonfunctional; and
the authorized user of the mobile device allows the insuring entity to receive periodic handshake confirmations from the security application on the mobile device that it is actively operating. 19. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving an insurance claim regarding a loss event pertaining to the mobile device; and
contacting a third party financial services provider to determine, using the stored device configuration parameters, that the mobile device has been used to conduct at least one financial transaction after a date of a reported loss event as specified in the received insurance claim. 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the financial transaction includes one of: an NFC transaction; a point of sale transaction; a credit card authorization transaction; an account debit transaction; an electronic payment transaction; and a credit card payment transaction. 21. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving an insurance claim regarding a loss event pertaining to the mobile device; and
determining that the mobile device is in use after the claimed date of loss submitted in the insurance claim. 22. The method of claim 21 wherein determining that the mobile device is in use further comprises contacting a wireless mobile network provider and requesting whether the Device ID corresponds to a device being utilized on a wireless network after the claimed date of loss. 23. The method of claim 21 wherein determining that the mobile device is in use further comprises performing an internet IP traceroute for a IP address assigned to the mobile device, and determining that the mobile device has been in use after the date of the claim by the IP traceroute results. 24. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving an insurance claim regarding a loss event pertaining to the mobile device; and making an assessment that the claim is likely fraudulent by at least one of:
determining that the security application was disabled proximate to the reported date of loss;
determining that a user of the mobile device attempted to disable the security application proximate to the reported date of loss;
determining that a user of the mobile device successfully entered a passcode to unlock the mobile device after the reported date of loss;
determining that a new phone number was assigned to the mobile device after the reported date of loss;
determining that the authorized user of the mobile device has suppressed receipt of messages sent from an insuring entity;
determining that a security application was installed after the reported date of loss of the mobile device;
determining that the mobile device's location after the reported date of loss is proximate to previous locations stored in the insurance tracking database;
determining that one or more phone numbers called by the mobile device after the reported date of loss exist within a contact list stored in the insurance tracking database;
determining that the mobile device is in communication with the same WiFi network as it was before the insurance claim was submitted;
determining that the mobile device switches communication between the same WiFi network and mobile telephony network as it did before the insurance claim was submitted;
determining that a last known location reported by the user differs from a last reported location transmitted by the mobile device to the insurance tracking database;
instructing the authorized user to submit insurance claim information through a website, wherein the website is configured to query the identity of the device contacting the website, and if a match to the mobile device that is the subject of the loss claim is made, indicating likely fraud to the insurance tracking database;
instructing the authorized user to submit insurance claim information through a website, wherein the website is configured to query the contact list from the device contacting the website, and if a match to a contact list stored in a record in the insurance tracking database associated with the mobile device that is the subject of the loss claim is made, indicating likely fraud to the insurance tracking database;
determining, by analyzing the insurance tracking database, that current mobile device's assigned phone number was in a second contact list stored in the insurance tracking database for a second mobile device, and a loss claim had been submitted by a user of the second mobile device; and
determining that web browsing history obtained from the mobile device indicated that prior to the reported date of loss, a user had conducted web searches with the mobile device related to how to submit insurance claims. 25. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving an insurance claim regarding a loss event pertaining to the mobile device;
accessing the information tracking database to determine a list of most recently visited locations reported by the security application of the mobile device to the insurance tracking database; and
formatting a report for the authorized user to suggest locations the user may search to locate the mobile device. 26. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
sending, from an insurance entity, a message to the mobile device wherein the message is presented by the security application for viewing by a current user of the mobile device. 27. The method of claim 26 wherein the message comprises a summary of the value of the device if the authorized user were to relinquish ownership of the mobile device. 28. The method of claim 27 further comprising offering to pay the authorized user the value of the device presented to the authorized user. 29. The method of claim 26 wherein the message comprises one of:
information regarding a remaining duration of an insurance policy related to the mobile device;
information informing a current user of the mobile device that the mobile device is presently in a location where theft of electronic devices is of an enhanced likelihood;
a report notifying the current user about how the tracking data obtained by an insurance entity has been used; and
helpful tips to reduce insurance costs to the authorized user. 30. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
reinstalling, by one of the authorized user or the insurance entity the security application if the security application had been previously installed and then un-installed. 31. The method of claim 30 wherein upon re-installation the security application resumes communication with the insurance tracking server. 32. The method of claim 31 wherein upon re-installation the security application gathers forensics information and relays the forensics information to the insurance tracking server. 33. The method of claim 32 wherein the forensics information comprises one or more of a still image file taken by a camera of the mobile device; a video file taken by a camera on the mobile device; an audio recording taken by a microphone in the mobile device; a location of the mobile device; a phone number of a call made by the mobile device; a current phone number assigned to the mobile device; and a contact list stored in the mobile device. 34. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving an insurance claim regarding a loss event pertaining to the mobile device;
transmitting, to the mobile device, a command to record forensics information and transmit the forensics information to the insurance tracking database, wherein:
the forensics information comprises one or more of:
a still image file taken by a camera of the mobile device;
a video file taken by a camera on the mobile device;
an audio recording taken by a microphone in the mobile device;
a location of the mobile device;
a phone number of a call made by the mobile device; a current phone number assigned to the mobile device; and a contact list stored in the mobile device. 35. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
determining, by the security application, that a second mobile device is in the proximity of the mobile device;
determining that the second mobile device had been reported as the subject of a loss claim;
transmitting, to the insurance tracking database, a report indicating the identifying information of the second mobile device, and a current location proximate to the second mobile device. 36. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving, by the mobile device, a list of device IDs corresponding to lost or stolen mobile devices upon which the security application had been previously installed;
determining, by the security application of the mobile device, that a second mobile device in communication with the mobile device represents one of the lost or stolen mobile devices itemized in the list of device IDs; and
transmitting, to the insurance tracking database, a report indicating the identifying information of the second mobile device, and a current location proximate to the second mobile device. 37. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving, by the mobile device, a communication from a second mobile device in proximity to the mobile device, wherein:
the second mobile device has been previously reported as the subject of a loss claim; and
the second mobile device has previously been installed with the security application;
the security application of the second mobile device wishes to broadcast an alert that the second mobile device has been reported lost or stolen;
receiving, by the mobile device, an alert from the second mobile device, the alert including the second device ID and a location of the second mobile device; and
transmitting the alert from the mobile device to the insurance tracking database. 38. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving, by the mobile device, a request to attempt to locate a second mobile device, the request including a device ID of the second mobile device;
transmitting, by the mobile device, a request to a second mobile device in proximity to and in communication with the mobile device, wherein:
the second mobile device has previously been installed with the security application; and
the second mobile device determines whether the device ID of the second mobile device in the request matches its own device ID; and
if the match is affirmative, the second mobile device broadcasts an alert. 39. The method of claim 38 wherein the alert comprises one of:
an audible siren played over a loudspeaker of the second mobile device;
an audible recorded sound of a scream played over a loudspeaker of the second mobile device;
a communication to the mobile device comprising the device ID of the second mobile device and a location of the second mobile device, wherein the mobile device relays the communication to the insurance tracking database. 40. The method of claim 1 further comprising storing, in a record of the insurance tracking device associated with the device ID of the mobile device, one or more of:
a version number and date of installation of the security application;
one or more location measurements relayed by the mobile device;
one or more phone numbers called by the mobile device;
one or more phone numbers of callers calling the mobile device;
a list of wireless networks accessible by the mobile device and the dates in which such accessibility was applicable;
dates in which a SIM card was removed or substituted within the device; and
dates and times in which successful communications were made between the insurance tracking database and the mobile device;
dates and times in which successful communications were made between a security authority and the mobile device;
a date the security application was uninstalled, such date obtained from the application store that hosted installation of the security application; and
a status of whether the mobile device has been reported as the subject of a claim of loss, and the date appurtenant thereto. 41. A method comprising:
creating a respository of a plurality of IMEI numbers stored in an IMEI database, each of the IMEI numbers corresponding to a mobile device that had been reported as lost or stolen; determining a first IMEI number stored in the IMEI database has become active on a network; and transmitting a fraud alert to a security authority, the fraud alert including the first IMEI number. 42. The method of claim 41 further comprising:
determining from a mobile network operator, a currently assigned phone number corresponding to the first IMEI number; and
determining, from a location-based aggregator, a location of a suspect mobile device that utilizes the first IMEI number and the currently assigned phone number. | 3,600 |
13,246 | 13,246 | 13,890,734 | 3,685 | In some embodiments, fast and secure communication can be achieved (e.g., in a fueling environment payment system) with systems and methods that validate an authentication request based on one or more pre-validated cryptographic keys. | 1. A terminal, comprising:
a wireless transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly with a mobile device; a secure element configured to store one or more pre-validated cryptographic keys; and a processor coupled to the secure element and the wireless transceiver, the processor being programmed to
receive, via the wireless transceiver, an authentication request from the mobile device,
authenticate the mobile device by validating the authentication request based on the one or more pre-validated cryptographic keys stored in the secure element,
generate a session key based on a random number received in the authentication request,
transmit, via the wireless transceiver, when the mobile device is successfully authenticated, an authentication response including the session key to the mobile device, and
receive secure information from the mobile device, the secure information being encrypted by the session key. 2. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the terminal comprises at least one of a payment terminal, a kiosk, and a fuel dispenser. 3. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the transceiver comprises a near-field communication (NFC) transceiver. 4. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the authentication request comprises:
a first public key specific to the mobile device, the first public key being encrypted by a private key that is superior to the first public key in a certificate hierarchy; a unique identifier that specifies the chain of public keys in the certificate hierarchy which ultimately decrypts the first public key; and a random number R1 encrypted by a private key corresponding to the first public key. 5. The terminal of claim 4, wherein the authentication request does not include a digital certificate corresponding to the first public key. 6. The terminal of claim 4, wherein the processor is configured to validate the authentication request by:
using a lookup table to determine whether a superior public key specified in the unique identifier is stored in the terminal and pre-validated; and if the superior public key is stored in the terminal and pre-validated, retrieving the superior public key and decrypting the first public key using the superior public key. 7. The terminal of claim 6, wherein the authentication request includes the superior public key and wherein the processor is configured to validate the authentication request by:
if the superior public key is not stored in the terminal or not pre-validated, using the lookup table to determine whether a more-superior public key specified in the unique identifier is stored and pre-validated in the terminal, and
if the more-superior public key is stored and pre-validated in the terminal, retrieving the more-superior public key and decrypting the superior public key using the more-superior public key; and
if the more-superior public key is not stored in the terminal or not pre-validated, at least one of requesting the more-superior public key from the mobile device, obtaining the more-superior public key from a network, and rejecting the authentication request as originating from a non-authenticable mobile device. 8. The terminal of claim 4, wherein the session key comprises a combination of the random number R1 and a random number R2 generated by the terminal. 9. The terminal of claim 4, wherein the authentication response comprises:
a second public key specific to the terminal, the second public key being encrypted by a terminal-side private key that is superior to the second public key in the certificate hierarchy; a terminal-side unique identifier that specifies the chain of public keys in the certificate hierarchy which ultimately decrypts the second public key; the session key, said session key being encrypted by the first public key of the mobile device; and a session key checksum generated by the processor, said session key checksum being encrypted by a private key corresponding to the second public key of the terminal. 10. The terminal of claim 9, wherein the authentication response does not include a digital certificate corresponding to the second public key. 11. The terminal of claim 9, wherein the authentication response comprises a terminal-side superior public key corresponding to the terminal-side superior private key. 12. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the terminal is configured to complete an authentication process with the mobile device in less than 500 ms. 13. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the terminal is configured to complete an authentication process with the mobile device in a single exchange. 14. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the secure information comprises payment information and wherein the terminal is configured to complete a payment transaction without communication between a mobile payment infrastructure to which the mobile device is coupled and a payment infrastructure to which the terminal is coupled. 15. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the secure information comprises a service instruction to open a door of the terminal, and wherein the terminal is configured to open the door in response to the service instruction. 16. A secure communication method for execution by a terminal that includes a wireless transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly with a mobile device, a secure element configured to store one or more pre-validated cryptographic keys, and a processor coupled to the secure element and the wireless transceiver, the method comprising:
receiving, via the wireless transceiver, an authentication request from the mobile device; authenticating the mobile device by using the processor to validate the authentication request based on the one or more pre-validated cryptographic keys stored in the secure element; using the processor to generate a session key based on a random number received in the authentication request; transmitting, via the wireless transceiver, when the mobile device is successfully authenticated, an authentication response including the session key to the mobile device; and receiving, via the wireless transceiver, secure information from the mobile device, the secure information being encrypted by the session key. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising executing a payment transaction using the secure information and dispensing fuel from a fuel dispenser operatively coupled to the terminal. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the authentication request comprises:
a first public key specific to the mobile device, the first public key being encrypted by a private key that is superior to the first public key in a certificate hierarchy; a unique identifier that specifies the chain of public keys in the certificate hierarchy which ultimately decrypts the first public key; and a random number R1 encrypted by a private key corresponding to the first public key. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the authentication request does not include a digital certificate corresponding to the first public key. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein validating the authentication request using the processor comprises:
using a lookup table to determine whether a superior public key specified in the unique identifier is stored in the terminal and pre-validated; and if the superior public key is stored in the terminal and pre-validated, retrieving the superior public key and decrypting the first public key using the superior public key. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the authentication request includes the superior public key and wherein validating the authentication request using the processor comprises:
if the superior public key is not stored in the terminal or not pre-validated, using the lookup table to determine whether a more-superior public key specified in the unique identifier is stored and pre-validated in the terminal, and
if the more-superior public key is stored and pre-validated in the terminal, retrieving the more-superior public key and decrypting the superior public key using the more-superior public key; and
if the more-superior public key is not stored in the terminal or not pre-validated, at least one of requesting the more-superior public key from the mobile device, obtaining the more-superior public key from a network, and rejecting the authentication request as originating from a non-authenticable mobile device. 22. The method of claim 18, wherein the session key comprises a combination of the random number R1 and a random number R2 generated by the terminal. 23. The method of claim 18, wherein the authentication response comprises:
a second public key specific to the terminal, the second public key being encrypted by a terminal-side private key that is superior to the second public key in the certificate hierarchy; a terminal-side unique identifier that specifies the chain of public keys in the certificate hierarchy which ultimately decrypts the second public key; the session key, said session key being encrypted by the first public key of the mobile device; and a session key checksum generated by the processor, said session key checksum being encrypted by a private key corresponding to the second public key of the terminal. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the authentication response does not include a digital certificate corresponding to the second public key. 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the authentication response comprises a terminal-side superior public key corresponding to the terminal-side superior private key. 26. The method of claim 16, wherein the secure information comprises a service instruction to open a door of the terminal, and wherein the method includes controlling an electronic actuator to open the door in response to the service instruction. 27. The method of claim 16, wherein the terminal completes an authentication process with the mobile device in a single exchange. 28. The method of claim 16, wherein the secure information comprises payment information and wherein the method includes completing a payment transaction without communication between a mobile payment infrastructure to which the mobile device is coupled and a payment infrastructure to which the terminal is coupled. | In some embodiments, fast and secure communication can be achieved (e.g., in a fueling environment payment system) with systems and methods that validate an authentication request based on one or more pre-validated cryptographic keys.1. A terminal, comprising:
a wireless transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly with a mobile device; a secure element configured to store one or more pre-validated cryptographic keys; and a processor coupled to the secure element and the wireless transceiver, the processor being programmed to
receive, via the wireless transceiver, an authentication request from the mobile device,
authenticate the mobile device by validating the authentication request based on the one or more pre-validated cryptographic keys stored in the secure element,
generate a session key based on a random number received in the authentication request,
transmit, via the wireless transceiver, when the mobile device is successfully authenticated, an authentication response including the session key to the mobile device, and
receive secure information from the mobile device, the secure information being encrypted by the session key. 2. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the terminal comprises at least one of a payment terminal, a kiosk, and a fuel dispenser. 3. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the transceiver comprises a near-field communication (NFC) transceiver. 4. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the authentication request comprises:
a first public key specific to the mobile device, the first public key being encrypted by a private key that is superior to the first public key in a certificate hierarchy; a unique identifier that specifies the chain of public keys in the certificate hierarchy which ultimately decrypts the first public key; and a random number R1 encrypted by a private key corresponding to the first public key. 5. The terminal of claim 4, wherein the authentication request does not include a digital certificate corresponding to the first public key. 6. The terminal of claim 4, wherein the processor is configured to validate the authentication request by:
using a lookup table to determine whether a superior public key specified in the unique identifier is stored in the terminal and pre-validated; and if the superior public key is stored in the terminal and pre-validated, retrieving the superior public key and decrypting the first public key using the superior public key. 7. The terminal of claim 6, wherein the authentication request includes the superior public key and wherein the processor is configured to validate the authentication request by:
if the superior public key is not stored in the terminal or not pre-validated, using the lookup table to determine whether a more-superior public key specified in the unique identifier is stored and pre-validated in the terminal, and
if the more-superior public key is stored and pre-validated in the terminal, retrieving the more-superior public key and decrypting the superior public key using the more-superior public key; and
if the more-superior public key is not stored in the terminal or not pre-validated, at least one of requesting the more-superior public key from the mobile device, obtaining the more-superior public key from a network, and rejecting the authentication request as originating from a non-authenticable mobile device. 8. The terminal of claim 4, wherein the session key comprises a combination of the random number R1 and a random number R2 generated by the terminal. 9. The terminal of claim 4, wherein the authentication response comprises:
a second public key specific to the terminal, the second public key being encrypted by a terminal-side private key that is superior to the second public key in the certificate hierarchy; a terminal-side unique identifier that specifies the chain of public keys in the certificate hierarchy which ultimately decrypts the second public key; the session key, said session key being encrypted by the first public key of the mobile device; and a session key checksum generated by the processor, said session key checksum being encrypted by a private key corresponding to the second public key of the terminal. 10. The terminal of claim 9, wherein the authentication response does not include a digital certificate corresponding to the second public key. 11. The terminal of claim 9, wherein the authentication response comprises a terminal-side superior public key corresponding to the terminal-side superior private key. 12. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the terminal is configured to complete an authentication process with the mobile device in less than 500 ms. 13. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the terminal is configured to complete an authentication process with the mobile device in a single exchange. 14. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the secure information comprises payment information and wherein the terminal is configured to complete a payment transaction without communication between a mobile payment infrastructure to which the mobile device is coupled and a payment infrastructure to which the terminal is coupled. 15. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the secure information comprises a service instruction to open a door of the terminal, and wherein the terminal is configured to open the door in response to the service instruction. 16. A secure communication method for execution by a terminal that includes a wireless transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly with a mobile device, a secure element configured to store one or more pre-validated cryptographic keys, and a processor coupled to the secure element and the wireless transceiver, the method comprising:
receiving, via the wireless transceiver, an authentication request from the mobile device; authenticating the mobile device by using the processor to validate the authentication request based on the one or more pre-validated cryptographic keys stored in the secure element; using the processor to generate a session key based on a random number received in the authentication request; transmitting, via the wireless transceiver, when the mobile device is successfully authenticated, an authentication response including the session key to the mobile device; and receiving, via the wireless transceiver, secure information from the mobile device, the secure information being encrypted by the session key. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising executing a payment transaction using the secure information and dispensing fuel from a fuel dispenser operatively coupled to the terminal. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the authentication request comprises:
a first public key specific to the mobile device, the first public key being encrypted by a private key that is superior to the first public key in a certificate hierarchy; a unique identifier that specifies the chain of public keys in the certificate hierarchy which ultimately decrypts the first public key; and a random number R1 encrypted by a private key corresponding to the first public key. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the authentication request does not include a digital certificate corresponding to the first public key. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein validating the authentication request using the processor comprises:
using a lookup table to determine whether a superior public key specified in the unique identifier is stored in the terminal and pre-validated; and if the superior public key is stored in the terminal and pre-validated, retrieving the superior public key and decrypting the first public key using the superior public key. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the authentication request includes the superior public key and wherein validating the authentication request using the processor comprises:
if the superior public key is not stored in the terminal or not pre-validated, using the lookup table to determine whether a more-superior public key specified in the unique identifier is stored and pre-validated in the terminal, and
if the more-superior public key is stored and pre-validated in the terminal, retrieving the more-superior public key and decrypting the superior public key using the more-superior public key; and
if the more-superior public key is not stored in the terminal or not pre-validated, at least one of requesting the more-superior public key from the mobile device, obtaining the more-superior public key from a network, and rejecting the authentication request as originating from a non-authenticable mobile device. 22. The method of claim 18, wherein the session key comprises a combination of the random number R1 and a random number R2 generated by the terminal. 23. The method of claim 18, wherein the authentication response comprises:
a second public key specific to the terminal, the second public key being encrypted by a terminal-side private key that is superior to the second public key in the certificate hierarchy; a terminal-side unique identifier that specifies the chain of public keys in the certificate hierarchy which ultimately decrypts the second public key; the session key, said session key being encrypted by the first public key of the mobile device; and a session key checksum generated by the processor, said session key checksum being encrypted by a private key corresponding to the second public key of the terminal. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the authentication response does not include a digital certificate corresponding to the second public key. 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the authentication response comprises a terminal-side superior public key corresponding to the terminal-side superior private key. 26. The method of claim 16, wherein the secure information comprises a service instruction to open a door of the terminal, and wherein the method includes controlling an electronic actuator to open the door in response to the service instruction. 27. The method of claim 16, wherein the terminal completes an authentication process with the mobile device in a single exchange. 28. The method of claim 16, wherein the secure information comprises payment information and wherein the method includes completing a payment transaction without communication between a mobile payment infrastructure to which the mobile device is coupled and a payment infrastructure to which the terminal is coupled. | 3,600 |
13,247 | 13,247 | 14,536,577 | 3,687 | 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:
a third-party service provider computer in communication with:
a third-party service provider bank computer;
a merchant computer;
a merchant bank computer; and
one or more taxing entity bank computers, each associated with a taxing entity;
wherein the third-party service provider 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 from the merchant computer, the third-party service provider 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 third-party service provider computer coordinates a fund transfer corresponding to the tax liability owed to each taxing entity between the third-party service provider bank computer and the merchant bank computer; and the third-party service provider computer further coordinates one or more fund transfers corresponding to the tax liability owed to each taxing entity between the third-party service provider bank computer and the one or more taxing entity bank computers. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein a gateway computer facilitates communication between the third-party service provider computer and the merchant computer. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein location information includes location of the consumer. 4. The system of claim 1 wherein location information includes location of the merchant. 5. 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. 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the third-party service provider computer calculates the tax liability owed to each taxing entity based on predetermined distribution rules. 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the tax liability is a sales tax. 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the fund transfer request corresponding to the tax liability between the third-party service provider bank computer and the merchant bank computer is a debit request. 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the one or more fund transfer requests corresponding to the tax liability owed to each taxing entity between the third-party service provider bank computer and the one or more taxing entity bank computers is a payment request. 10. A computer-implemented method for collection and distribution of taxes comprising the steps of:
receiving, in a third-party service provider computer in communication with:
a third-party service provider bank computer;
a merchant computer;
a merchant bank 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 the tax liability owed to each taxing entity between the third-party service provider bank 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 third-party service provider bank computer and the one or more taxing entity bank computers. 11. The method of claim 10 wherein a gateway computer facilitates communication between the third-party service provider computer and the merchant computer. 12. The method of claim 10 wherein location information includes location of the consumer. 13. The method of claim 10 wherein location information includes location of the merchant. 14. The method of claim 10 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 10 wherein the third-party service provider computer calculates the tax liability owed to each taxing entity based on predetermined distribution rules. 16. The method of claim 10 wherein the tax liability is a sales tax. 17. The method of claim 10 wherein the fund transfer request corresponding to the tax liability between the third-party service provider bank computer and the merchant bank computer is a debit request. 18. The method of claim 10 wherein the one or more fund transfer requests corresponding to the tax liability owed to each taxing entity between the third-party service provider bank computer and the one or more taxing entity bank computers is a payment request. 19. A system for collection and distribution of taxes comprising:
one or more third-party service provider computers, each including memory, wherein the memory is configured to store program instructions executable by the third-party service provider computer, further wherein, in response to executing the program instructions, one or more of the third-party service provider 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;
communicate the tax amount to a merchant financial institution;
receive a tax amount payment from the financial institution; and
send the tax amount payment to a tax authority. 20. The system of claim 19 wherein the controller is configured to not send the tax amount payment to the merchant. 21. The system of claim 19 wherein the controller is further configured to:
receive a purchase amount payment from the financial institution; and
send the purchase amount payment to the merchant. 22. The system of claim 19 wherein the merchant is an individual customer. 23. The system of claim 19 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. 24. The system of claim 19 wherein the controller is further configured to:
receive payment information from the merchant; and
communicate the payment information to a payment processing center in communication with the merchant financial institution. 25. The system of claim 19 wherein the location identifier is a zip code. 26. The system of claim 19 wherein the location identifier is a shipping address. 27. The system of claim 19 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:
a third-party service provider computer in communication with:
a third-party service provider bank computer;
a merchant computer;
a merchant bank computer; and
one or more taxing entity bank computers, each associated with a taxing entity;
wherein the third-party service provider 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 from the merchant computer, the third-party service provider 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 third-party service provider computer coordinates a fund transfer corresponding to the tax liability owed to each taxing entity between the third-party service provider bank computer and the merchant bank computer; and the third-party service provider computer further coordinates one or more fund transfers corresponding to the tax liability owed to each taxing entity between the third-party service provider bank computer and the one or more taxing entity bank computers. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein a gateway computer facilitates communication between the third-party service provider computer and the merchant computer. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein location information includes location of the consumer. 4. The system of claim 1 wherein location information includes location of the merchant. 5. 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. 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the third-party service provider computer calculates the tax liability owed to each taxing entity based on predetermined distribution rules. 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the tax liability is a sales tax. 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the fund transfer request corresponding to the tax liability between the third-party service provider bank computer and the merchant bank computer is a debit request. 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the one or more fund transfer requests corresponding to the tax liability owed to each taxing entity between the third-party service provider bank computer and the one or more taxing entity bank computers is a payment request. 10. A computer-implemented method for collection and distribution of taxes comprising the steps of:
receiving, in a third-party service provider computer in communication with:
a third-party service provider bank computer;
a merchant computer;
a merchant bank 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 the tax liability owed to each taxing entity between the third-party service provider bank 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 third-party service provider bank computer and the one or more taxing entity bank computers. 11. The method of claim 10 wherein a gateway computer facilitates communication between the third-party service provider computer and the merchant computer. 12. The method of claim 10 wherein location information includes location of the consumer. 13. The method of claim 10 wherein location information includes location of the merchant. 14. The method of claim 10 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 10 wherein the third-party service provider computer calculates the tax liability owed to each taxing entity based on predetermined distribution rules. 16. The method of claim 10 wherein the tax liability is a sales tax. 17. The method of claim 10 wherein the fund transfer request corresponding to the tax liability between the third-party service provider bank computer and the merchant bank computer is a debit request. 18. The method of claim 10 wherein the one or more fund transfer requests corresponding to the tax liability owed to each taxing entity between the third-party service provider bank computer and the one or more taxing entity bank computers is a payment request. 19. A system for collection and distribution of taxes comprising:
one or more third-party service provider computers, each including memory, wherein the memory is configured to store program instructions executable by the third-party service provider computer, further wherein, in response to executing the program instructions, one or more of the third-party service provider 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;
communicate the tax amount to a merchant financial institution;
receive a tax amount payment from the financial institution; and
send the tax amount payment to a tax authority. 20. The system of claim 19 wherein the controller is configured to not send the tax amount payment to the merchant. 21. The system of claim 19 wherein the controller is further configured to:
receive a purchase amount payment from the financial institution; and
send the purchase amount payment to the merchant. 22. The system of claim 19 wherein the merchant is an individual customer. 23. The system of claim 19 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. 24. The system of claim 19 wherein the controller is further configured to:
receive payment information from the merchant; and
communicate the payment information to a payment processing center in communication with the merchant financial institution. 25. The system of claim 19 wherein the location identifier is a zip code. 26. The system of claim 19 wherein the location identifier is a shipping address. 27. The system of claim 19 wherein the location identifier is a billing address. | 3,600 |
13,248 | 13,248 | 13,070,038 | 3,622 | Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing conversion path performance measures and reports. In one aspect, user interaction data are obtained, were the user interaction data specify user interactions for a plurality of conversions. User interactions that are associated with each conversion are selected from the user interaction data, where the associated user interactions for each conversion are user interactions with a converting user during the conversion cycle for the conversion. Using the user interaction data for the selected user interactions, a quantity of user interactions that are associated with each conversion and occurred during the conversion cycle for the conversion are determined. In turn, conversion path performance measures are computed and reports specifying the conversion path performance measures are generated. | 1. A method performed by a data processing apparatus, the method comprising:
obtaining user interaction data for a plurality of conversions, the user interaction data specifying, for each of the conversions, corresponding user interactions with content items, each of the content items being associated with one or more targeting keywords, wherein the targeting keywords control distribution of the content items, and wherein the corresponding user interactions for each conversion are one or more presentations of content items during a conversion cycle for the conversion and zero or more user selections of the content items that occurred during the conversion cycle, the conversion cycle for each conversion being a period preceding a user interaction that constitutes a conversion and ending with the conversion; for each of the conversions:
selecting, from the user interaction data, user interactions that are associated with the conversion, wherein the associated user interactions are user interactions by a converting user during the conversion cycle, and
determining, using the user interaction data for the selected user interactions, a quantity of user interactions that are associated with the conversion and occurred during the conversion cycle for the conversion;
computing a path length measure that represents an aggregate quantity of user interactions that occurred during conversion cycles for the conversions; and providing data that cause presentation of the path length measure. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the content items include advertisements, presentation of an advertisement comprises an advertisement impression, and wherein determining a quantity of user interactions that are associated with the conversion comprises determining a quantity of advertisement impressions during the conversion cycle. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the content items include advertisements, the user interactions include user selections of advertisements, and determining a quantity of user interactions comprises determining a quantity of user selections of advertisements during the conversion cycle. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein presentation of an advertisement comprises an advertisement impression, and determining a quantity of user interactions comprises determining a quantity of advertisement impressions and a quantity of user selections occurring within a specified time period preceding a last click for the conversion. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the content items include advertisements and computing the path length measure comprises computing the path length measure on a per keyword basis, wherein each keyword for which the path length measure is computed is a targeting keyword that caused presentation of a first clicked advertisement, where the first clicked advertisement is an advertisement that was first selected by a converting user during a conversion cycle for the conversion. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein computing the path length measure comprises computing a click path length that specifies a quantity of advertisement selections by converting users during the conversion cycle. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein computing the path length measure comprises computing an impression path length that represents a quantity of search queries that were submitted during the conversion cycle and match the targeting keywords. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the content items include advertisements, and obtaining user interaction data comprises obtaining a list of conversions, user identifiers representing converting users, and data representing user interactions, by converting users, with advertisements during the conversion cycle. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
obtaining value measures for the conversions, each value measure being a measure of value that is assigned to a particular conversion; computing an aggregate value of the conversions; and providing data that cause presentation of the aggregate value of the conversions. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein computing an aggregate value of the conversions comprises computing an average value for the conversions, and wherein providing data comprises providing data that cause presentation of the average value of the conversions. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
generating a histogram of path length measures, histogram including histogram groups with each histogram group representing a particular path length and specifying a quantity of conversions having the particular path length; and providing data that cause presentation of the histogram. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
determining, for each histogram group, an aggregate value of the conversions that are represented by the histogram group; and providing data that cause presentation of a report that specifies aggregate values of conversions relative to path lengths. 13. A system comprising:
a data store storing user interaction data for a plurality of conversions, the user interaction data specifying, for each of the conversions, corresponding user interactions with content items, each of the content items being associated with one or more targeting keywords, wherein the targeting keywords control distribution of the content items, and wherein the corresponding user interactions for each conversion are one or more presentations of content items during a conversion cycle for the conversion and zero or more user selections of the content items that occurred during the conversion cycle, the conversion cycle for each conversion being a period preceding a user interaction that constitutes a conversion and ending with the conversion; and one or more computers configured to interact with the data store and further configured to: for each of the conversions:
select, from the user interaction data, user interactions that are associated with the conversion, wherein the associated user interactions are user interactions by a converting user during the conversion cycle, and
determine, using the user interaction data for the selected user interactions, a quantity of user interactions that are associated with the conversion and occurred during the conversion cycle for the conversion;
compute a path length measure that represents an aggregate quantity of user interactions that occurred during conversion cycles for the conversions; and provide data that cause presentation of the path length measure. 14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a user device, wherein the one or more computers are further configured to interact with the user device, and wherein the one or more computers are configured to provide the data that cause presentation of the path length measure to the user device. 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the content items include advertisements, presentation of an advertisement comprises an advertisement impression, and wherein the one or more computers are configured to determine a quantity of advertisement impressions during the conversion cycle. 16. The system of claim 13, wherein the content items include advertisements, the user interactions include user selections of advertisements, and the one or more computers are configured to determine a quantity of user selections of advertisements during the conversion cycle. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein presentation of an advertisement comprises an advertisement impression, and wherein the one or more computers are configured to determine a quantity of advertisement impressions and a quantity of user selections within a specified time period preceding a last click for the conversion. 18. The system of claim 13, wherein the content items include advertisements and the one or more computers are configured to compute the path length measure on a per keyword basis, wherein each keyword for which the path length measure is computed is a targeting keyword that caused presentation of a first clicked advertisement, where the first clicked advertisement is an advertisement that was first selected by a converting user during a conversion cycle for the conversion. 19. The system of claim 13, wherein the one or more computers are configured to compute a click path length that specifies a quantity of advertisement selections by converting users during the conversion cycle. 20. The system of claim 13, wherein the one or more computers are configured to compute an impression path length that represents a quantity of search queries that were submitted during the conversion cycle and match the targeting keywords. 21. The system of claim 13, wherein the content items include advertisements, and the one or more computers are configured to obtain a list of conversions, user identifiers representing converting users, and data representing user interactions, by converting users, with advertisements during the conversion cycle. 22. The system of claim 13, wherein the one or more computers are further configured to:
obtain value measures for the conversions, each value measure being a measure of value that is assigned to a particular conversion; compute an aggregate value of the conversions; and provide data that cause presentation of the aggregate value of the conversions. 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the one or more computers are further configured to compute an average value for the conversions, and wherein providing data comprises providing data that cause presentation of the average value of the conversions. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the one or more computers are further configured to:
generate a histogram of path length measures, histogram including histogram groups with each histogram group representing a particular path length and specifying a quantity of conversions having the particular path length; and provide data that cause presentation of the histogram. 25. The system of claim 24, wherein the one or more computers are further configured to:
determine, for each histogram group, an aggregate value of the conversions that are represented by the histogram group; and provide data that cause presentation of a report that specifies aggregate values of conversions relative to path lengths. 26. A computer storage medium encoded with a computer program, the program comprising instructions that when executed by data processing apparatus cause the data processing apparatus to perform operations comprising:
obtaining user interaction data for a plurality of conversions, the user interaction data specifying, for each of the conversions, corresponding user interactions with content items that are associated with one or more targeting keywords, wherein the targeting keywords control distribution of the content items, and wherein the corresponding user interactions for each conversion are one or more presentations of content items during a conversion cycle for the conversion and zero or more user selections of the content items that occurred during the conversion cycle, the conversion cycle for each conversion being a period preceding a user interaction that constitutes a conversion and ending with the conversion; for each of the conversions:
selecting, from the user interaction data, user interactions that are associated with the conversion, wherein the associated user interactions are user interactions by a converting user during the conversion cycle, and
determining, using the user interaction data for the selected user interactions, a quantity of user interactions that are associated with the conversion and occurred during the conversion cycle for the conversion;
computing a path length measure that represents an aggregate quantity of user interactions that occurred during conversion cycles for the conversions; and providing data that cause presentation of the path length measure. | Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing conversion path performance measures and reports. In one aspect, user interaction data are obtained, were the user interaction data specify user interactions for a plurality of conversions. User interactions that are associated with each conversion are selected from the user interaction data, where the associated user interactions for each conversion are user interactions with a converting user during the conversion cycle for the conversion. Using the user interaction data for the selected user interactions, a quantity of user interactions that are associated with each conversion and occurred during the conversion cycle for the conversion are determined. In turn, conversion path performance measures are computed and reports specifying the conversion path performance measures are generated.1. A method performed by a data processing apparatus, the method comprising:
obtaining user interaction data for a plurality of conversions, the user interaction data specifying, for each of the conversions, corresponding user interactions with content items, each of the content items being associated with one or more targeting keywords, wherein the targeting keywords control distribution of the content items, and wherein the corresponding user interactions for each conversion are one or more presentations of content items during a conversion cycle for the conversion and zero or more user selections of the content items that occurred during the conversion cycle, the conversion cycle for each conversion being a period preceding a user interaction that constitutes a conversion and ending with the conversion; for each of the conversions:
selecting, from the user interaction data, user interactions that are associated with the conversion, wherein the associated user interactions are user interactions by a converting user during the conversion cycle, and
determining, using the user interaction data for the selected user interactions, a quantity of user interactions that are associated with the conversion and occurred during the conversion cycle for the conversion;
computing a path length measure that represents an aggregate quantity of user interactions that occurred during conversion cycles for the conversions; and providing data that cause presentation of the path length measure. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the content items include advertisements, presentation of an advertisement comprises an advertisement impression, and wherein determining a quantity of user interactions that are associated with the conversion comprises determining a quantity of advertisement impressions during the conversion cycle. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the content items include advertisements, the user interactions include user selections of advertisements, and determining a quantity of user interactions comprises determining a quantity of user selections of advertisements during the conversion cycle. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein presentation of an advertisement comprises an advertisement impression, and determining a quantity of user interactions comprises determining a quantity of advertisement impressions and a quantity of user selections occurring within a specified time period preceding a last click for the conversion. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the content items include advertisements and computing the path length measure comprises computing the path length measure on a per keyword basis, wherein each keyword for which the path length measure is computed is a targeting keyword that caused presentation of a first clicked advertisement, where the first clicked advertisement is an advertisement that was first selected by a converting user during a conversion cycle for the conversion. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein computing the path length measure comprises computing a click path length that specifies a quantity of advertisement selections by converting users during the conversion cycle. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein computing the path length measure comprises computing an impression path length that represents a quantity of search queries that were submitted during the conversion cycle and match the targeting keywords. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the content items include advertisements, and obtaining user interaction data comprises obtaining a list of conversions, user identifiers representing converting users, and data representing user interactions, by converting users, with advertisements during the conversion cycle. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
obtaining value measures for the conversions, each value measure being a measure of value that is assigned to a particular conversion; computing an aggregate value of the conversions; and providing data that cause presentation of the aggregate value of the conversions. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein computing an aggregate value of the conversions comprises computing an average value for the conversions, and wherein providing data comprises providing data that cause presentation of the average value of the conversions. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
generating a histogram of path length measures, histogram including histogram groups with each histogram group representing a particular path length and specifying a quantity of conversions having the particular path length; and providing data that cause presentation of the histogram. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
determining, for each histogram group, an aggregate value of the conversions that are represented by the histogram group; and providing data that cause presentation of a report that specifies aggregate values of conversions relative to path lengths. 13. A system comprising:
a data store storing user interaction data for a plurality of conversions, the user interaction data specifying, for each of the conversions, corresponding user interactions with content items, each of the content items being associated with one or more targeting keywords, wherein the targeting keywords control distribution of the content items, and wherein the corresponding user interactions for each conversion are one or more presentations of content items during a conversion cycle for the conversion and zero or more user selections of the content items that occurred during the conversion cycle, the conversion cycle for each conversion being a period preceding a user interaction that constitutes a conversion and ending with the conversion; and one or more computers configured to interact with the data store and further configured to: for each of the conversions:
select, from the user interaction data, user interactions that are associated with the conversion, wherein the associated user interactions are user interactions by a converting user during the conversion cycle, and
determine, using the user interaction data for the selected user interactions, a quantity of user interactions that are associated with the conversion and occurred during the conversion cycle for the conversion;
compute a path length measure that represents an aggregate quantity of user interactions that occurred during conversion cycles for the conversions; and provide data that cause presentation of the path length measure. 14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a user device, wherein the one or more computers are further configured to interact with the user device, and wherein the one or more computers are configured to provide the data that cause presentation of the path length measure to the user device. 15. The system of claim 13, wherein the content items include advertisements, presentation of an advertisement comprises an advertisement impression, and wherein the one or more computers are configured to determine a quantity of advertisement impressions during the conversion cycle. 16. The system of claim 13, wherein the content items include advertisements, the user interactions include user selections of advertisements, and the one or more computers are configured to determine a quantity of user selections of advertisements during the conversion cycle. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein presentation of an advertisement comprises an advertisement impression, and wherein the one or more computers are configured to determine a quantity of advertisement impressions and a quantity of user selections within a specified time period preceding a last click for the conversion. 18. The system of claim 13, wherein the content items include advertisements and the one or more computers are configured to compute the path length measure on a per keyword basis, wherein each keyword for which the path length measure is computed is a targeting keyword that caused presentation of a first clicked advertisement, where the first clicked advertisement is an advertisement that was first selected by a converting user during a conversion cycle for the conversion. 19. The system of claim 13, wherein the one or more computers are configured to compute a click path length that specifies a quantity of advertisement selections by converting users during the conversion cycle. 20. The system of claim 13, wherein the one or more computers are configured to compute an impression path length that represents a quantity of search queries that were submitted during the conversion cycle and match the targeting keywords. 21. The system of claim 13, wherein the content items include advertisements, and the one or more computers are configured to obtain a list of conversions, user identifiers representing converting users, and data representing user interactions, by converting users, with advertisements during the conversion cycle. 22. The system of claim 13, wherein the one or more computers are further configured to:
obtain value measures for the conversions, each value measure being a measure of value that is assigned to a particular conversion; compute an aggregate value of the conversions; and provide data that cause presentation of the aggregate value of the conversions. 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the one or more computers are further configured to compute an average value for the conversions, and wherein providing data comprises providing data that cause presentation of the average value of the conversions. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the one or more computers are further configured to:
generate a histogram of path length measures, histogram including histogram groups with each histogram group representing a particular path length and specifying a quantity of conversions having the particular path length; and provide data that cause presentation of the histogram. 25. The system of claim 24, wherein the one or more computers are further configured to:
determine, for each histogram group, an aggregate value of the conversions that are represented by the histogram group; and provide data that cause presentation of a report that specifies aggregate values of conversions relative to path lengths. 26. A computer storage medium encoded with a computer program, the program comprising instructions that when executed by data processing apparatus cause the data processing apparatus to perform operations comprising:
obtaining user interaction data for a plurality of conversions, the user interaction data specifying, for each of the conversions, corresponding user interactions with content items that are associated with one or more targeting keywords, wherein the targeting keywords control distribution of the content items, and wherein the corresponding user interactions for each conversion are one or more presentations of content items during a conversion cycle for the conversion and zero or more user selections of the content items that occurred during the conversion cycle, the conversion cycle for each conversion being a period preceding a user interaction that constitutes a conversion and ending with the conversion; for each of the conversions:
selecting, from the user interaction data, user interactions that are associated with the conversion, wherein the associated user interactions are user interactions by a converting user during the conversion cycle, and
determining, using the user interaction data for the selected user interactions, a quantity of user interactions that are associated with the conversion and occurred during the conversion cycle for the conversion;
computing a path length measure that represents an aggregate quantity of user interactions that occurred during conversion cycles for the conversions; and providing data that cause presentation of the path length measure. | 3,600 |
13,249 | 13,249 | 14,416,866 | 3,625 | A method of establishing enablers of a relationship between a first entity and a second entity, a computer program product and relationship establishment unit operable to perform that method. The method comprises: determining a set of indications of primary relationship characteristics to define a generic relationship between the first entity and the second entity; expressing primary first entity relationship requirements and primary second entity relationship requirements in terms of the indications of primary relationship characteristics; assessing, based on common indications of primary relationship characteristics, whether commonality between the primary first entity relationship requirements and primary second entity relationship requirements passes a preselected threshold; and, if so, establishing enablers of a relationship between the first entity and said second entity based on the common indications of primary relationship characteristics. | 1. A method of establishing enablers of a relationship between a first entity and a second entity, said method comprising:
determining a set of indications of primary relationship characteristics to define a generic relationship between said first entity and said second entity; expressing primary first entity relationship requirements and primary second entity relationship requirements in terms of said indications of primary relationship characteristics; assessing, based on common indications of primary relationship characteristics, whether commonality between said primary first entity relationship requirements and primary second entity relationship requirements passes a preselected threshold; and, if so, establishing enablers of a relationship between said first entity and said second entity based on said common indications of primary relationship characteristics. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first and second entities comprise a different type of entity. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein
said relationship between said entities comprises a reciprocal relationship. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said method comprises assessing commonality based on common indications of primary relationship characteristics for a plurality of said first and second entities, to identify a set of first and second entities between which relationships may be successfully established. 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said determination of said set of indications comprises establishing a database of domain-based relationship parameters. 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said expressing of entity relationship requirements comprises analysing a set of preferred operational parameters associated with each entity to determine how those operational parameters are expressed using said indications of primary relationship characteristics. 7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising: determining a set of indications of secondary relationship characteristics to further define a primary relationship having a commonality past a predetermined threshold between said first entity and said second entity;
expressing secondary first entity relationship requirements and secondary second entity relationship requirements in terms of said indications of secondary relationship characteristics; assessing, based on common indications of secondary relationship characteristics, whether commonality between said secondary first entity relationship requirements and secondary second entity relationship requirements passes a preselected threshold; and, if so, establishing enablers of a relationship between said first entity and said second entity based on said common indications of primary and secondary relationship characteristics. 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein determining a set of indications of primary relationship characteristics comprises defining a set of domain specific atomic concepts. 9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said domain specific atomic concepts comprise one or more of: entity characteristics, relationship characteristics. 10. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:
analysing operation of said established relationship and reconciling said operation with said enablers. 11. A computer program product operable, when executed on a computer, to perform the method of claim 1. 12. A relationship establishment unit operable to establish enablers of a relationship between a first entity and a second entity, said unit comprising:
determination logic operable to determine a set of indications of primary relationship characteristics to define a generic relationship between said first entity and said second entity; expression logic operable to express primary first entity relationship requirements and primary second entity relationship requirements in terms of said indications of primary relationship characteristics; assessment logic operable to assess, based on common indications of primary relationship characteristics, whether commonality between said primary first entity relationship requirements and primary second entity relationship requirements passes a preselected threshold; and, if so, establishment logic operable to establish enablers of a relationship between said first entity and said second entity based on said common indications of primary relationship characteristics. | A method of establishing enablers of a relationship between a first entity and a second entity, a computer program product and relationship establishment unit operable to perform that method. The method comprises: determining a set of indications of primary relationship characteristics to define a generic relationship between the first entity and the second entity; expressing primary first entity relationship requirements and primary second entity relationship requirements in terms of the indications of primary relationship characteristics; assessing, based on common indications of primary relationship characteristics, whether commonality between the primary first entity relationship requirements and primary second entity relationship requirements passes a preselected threshold; and, if so, establishing enablers of a relationship between the first entity and said second entity based on the common indications of primary relationship characteristics.1. A method of establishing enablers of a relationship between a first entity and a second entity, said method comprising:
determining a set of indications of primary relationship characteristics to define a generic relationship between said first entity and said second entity; expressing primary first entity relationship requirements and primary second entity relationship requirements in terms of said indications of primary relationship characteristics; assessing, based on common indications of primary relationship characteristics, whether commonality between said primary first entity relationship requirements and primary second entity relationship requirements passes a preselected threshold; and, if so, establishing enablers of a relationship between said first entity and said second entity based on said common indications of primary relationship characteristics. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said first and second entities comprise a different type of entity. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein
said relationship between said entities comprises a reciprocal relationship. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said method comprises assessing commonality based on common indications of primary relationship characteristics for a plurality of said first and second entities, to identify a set of first and second entities between which relationships may be successfully established. 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said determination of said set of indications comprises establishing a database of domain-based relationship parameters. 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said expressing of entity relationship requirements comprises analysing a set of preferred operational parameters associated with each entity to determine how those operational parameters are expressed using said indications of primary relationship characteristics. 7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising: determining a set of indications of secondary relationship characteristics to further define a primary relationship having a commonality past a predetermined threshold between said first entity and said second entity;
expressing secondary first entity relationship requirements and secondary second entity relationship requirements in terms of said indications of secondary relationship characteristics; assessing, based on common indications of secondary relationship characteristics, whether commonality between said secondary first entity relationship requirements and secondary second entity relationship requirements passes a preselected threshold; and, if so, establishing enablers of a relationship between said first entity and said second entity based on said common indications of primary and secondary relationship characteristics. 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein determining a set of indications of primary relationship characteristics comprises defining a set of domain specific atomic concepts. 9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said domain specific atomic concepts comprise one or more of: entity characteristics, relationship characteristics. 10. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:
analysing operation of said established relationship and reconciling said operation with said enablers. 11. A computer program product operable, when executed on a computer, to perform the method of claim 1. 12. A relationship establishment unit operable to establish enablers of a relationship between a first entity and a second entity, said unit comprising:
determination logic operable to determine a set of indications of primary relationship characteristics to define a generic relationship between said first entity and said second entity; expression logic operable to express primary first entity relationship requirements and primary second entity relationship requirements in terms of said indications of primary relationship characteristics; assessment logic operable to assess, based on common indications of primary relationship characteristics, whether commonality between said primary first entity relationship requirements and primary second entity relationship requirements passes a preselected threshold; and, if so, establishment logic operable to establish enablers of a relationship between said first entity and said second entity based on said common indications of primary relationship characteristics. | 3,600 |
13,250 | 13,250 | 13,754,871 | 3,624 | Disclosed are methods and apparatuses that efficiently provides for end user reporting from interactive applications. One embodiment provides an approach for implementing dynamic field selection for a user to select report parameters for an end user report using the user interface of an ERP application. User inputs are used to automatically generate queries to form a report data model usable by a reporting tool. | 1. A method for generating a report definition for an resource management system, comprising the steps of:
receiving a plurality of user inputs at an resource management application, comprising selections for a plurality of report parameters; creating a report data model based at least in part on the user inputs; loading the report data model into a reporting tool; and designing a report definition using the reporting tool, wherein the report definition is based at least in part upon the report parameters from the report data model. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the resource management system is an ERP system. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the report definition defines visualization aspects of the report. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the report parameters comprise data fields to be included in the report. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the report parameters further comprise which rows in a data field are to be included in the report. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the reporting tool is invoked through the resource management application. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the report data model and the report definition are saved to a computer storage device. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
receiving a user input at the resource management application selecting one or more queries; receiving a user input selecting a report definition; querying the database using the selected queries; and generating report based at least in part on the data returned by the database in response to the queries, and on the report definition of the selected report. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more queries are generated automatically by the resource management application based at least in part on a plurality of user inputs at the resource management application. 10. A system for generating a report for an resource management system, comprising:
a database containing data for which a report is to be generated; a resource management application, wherein the resource management application is configured to receive inputs from a user selecting a plurality of report parameters and to create a report data model based at least in part upon the selected report parameters; and a reporting tool, wherein the reporting tool is configured to load a report data model and to receive inputs from a user to create a report definition. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the resource management system is an ERP system. 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the report definition defines visualization aspects of the report. 13. The system of claim 10, wherein the report parameters comprise data fields to be included in the report. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the report parameters further comprise which rows in a data field are to be included in the report. 15. The system of claim 10, wherein the reporting tool is invoked through the resource management application. 16. The system of claim 10, wherein the report data model and the report definition are saved to a computer storage device. 17. The system of claim 10, wherein the resource management application is further configured to allow a user to execute a report definition, comprising the steps of:
receiving a user input at the resource management application selecting one or more queries; receiving a user input selecting a report definition; querying the database using the selected queries; and generating report based at least in part on the data returned by the database in response to the queries, and on the report definition of the selected report. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the one or more queries are generated automatically by the resource management application based at least in part on a plurality of user inputs at the resource management application 19. A computer program product including a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform a process for generating a report definition for an resource management system, the process comprising:
receiving a plurality of user inputs at an resource management application, comprising selections for a plurality of report parameters; creating a report data model based at least in part on the user inputs; loading the report data model into a reporting tool; and designing a report definition using the reporting tool, wherein the report definition is based at least in part upon the report parameters from the report data model. 20. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the resource management system is an ERP system. 21. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the report definition defines visualization aspects of the report. 22. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the report parameters comprise data fields to be included in the report. 23. The computer program product of claim 22, wherein the report parameters further comprise which rows in a data field are to be included in the report. 24. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the reporting tool is invoked through the resource management application. 25. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the report data model and the report definition are saved to a computer storage device. 26. The computer program product of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:
receiving a user input at the resource management application selecting one or more queries; receiving a user input selecting a report definition; querying the database using the selected queries; and generating report based at least in part on the data returned by the database in response to the queries, and on the report definition of the selected report. 27. The computer program product of claim 26, wherein the one or more queries are generated automatically by the resource management application based at least in part on a plurality of user inputs at the resource management application. | Disclosed are methods and apparatuses that efficiently provides for end user reporting from interactive applications. One embodiment provides an approach for implementing dynamic field selection for a user to select report parameters for an end user report using the user interface of an ERP application. User inputs are used to automatically generate queries to form a report data model usable by a reporting tool.1. A method for generating a report definition for an resource management system, comprising the steps of:
receiving a plurality of user inputs at an resource management application, comprising selections for a plurality of report parameters; creating a report data model based at least in part on the user inputs; loading the report data model into a reporting tool; and designing a report definition using the reporting tool, wherein the report definition is based at least in part upon the report parameters from the report data model. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the resource management system is an ERP system. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the report definition defines visualization aspects of the report. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the report parameters comprise data fields to be included in the report. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the report parameters further comprise which rows in a data field are to be included in the report. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the reporting tool is invoked through the resource management application. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the report data model and the report definition are saved to a computer storage device. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
receiving a user input at the resource management application selecting one or more queries; receiving a user input selecting a report definition; querying the database using the selected queries; and generating report based at least in part on the data returned by the database in response to the queries, and on the report definition of the selected report. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more queries are generated automatically by the resource management application based at least in part on a plurality of user inputs at the resource management application. 10. A system for generating a report for an resource management system, comprising:
a database containing data for which a report is to be generated; a resource management application, wherein the resource management application is configured to receive inputs from a user selecting a plurality of report parameters and to create a report data model based at least in part upon the selected report parameters; and a reporting tool, wherein the reporting tool is configured to load a report data model and to receive inputs from a user to create a report definition. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the resource management system is an ERP system. 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the report definition defines visualization aspects of the report. 13. The system of claim 10, wherein the report parameters comprise data fields to be included in the report. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the report parameters further comprise which rows in a data field are to be included in the report. 15. The system of claim 10, wherein the reporting tool is invoked through the resource management application. 16. The system of claim 10, wherein the report data model and the report definition are saved to a computer storage device. 17. The system of claim 10, wherein the resource management application is further configured to allow a user to execute a report definition, comprising the steps of:
receiving a user input at the resource management application selecting one or more queries; receiving a user input selecting a report definition; querying the database using the selected queries; and generating report based at least in part on the data returned by the database in response to the queries, and on the report definition of the selected report. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the one or more queries are generated automatically by the resource management application based at least in part on a plurality of user inputs at the resource management application 19. A computer program product including a non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform a process for generating a report definition for an resource management system, the process comprising:
receiving a plurality of user inputs at an resource management application, comprising selections for a plurality of report parameters; creating a report data model based at least in part on the user inputs; loading the report data model into a reporting tool; and designing a report definition using the reporting tool, wherein the report definition is based at least in part upon the report parameters from the report data model. 20. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the resource management system is an ERP system. 21. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the report definition defines visualization aspects of the report. 22. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the report parameters comprise data fields to be included in the report. 23. The computer program product of claim 22, wherein the report parameters further comprise which rows in a data field are to be included in the report. 24. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the reporting tool is invoked through the resource management application. 25. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the report data model and the report definition are saved to a computer storage device. 26. The computer program product of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:
receiving a user input at the resource management application selecting one or more queries; receiving a user input selecting a report definition; querying the database using the selected queries; and generating report based at least in part on the data returned by the database in response to the queries, and on the report definition of the selected report. 27. The computer program product of claim 26, wherein the one or more queries are generated automatically by the resource management application based at least in part on a plurality of user inputs at the resource management application. | 3,600 |
13,251 | 13,251 | 14,255,029 | 3,621 | A method and arrangement in an advertisement control system for providing adaptive bitrate-dynamic advertisements in an adaptively streamed video stream defined by a manifest. A bitrate monitor monitors the varying delivery bitrate of the video stream. A processor determines whether the delivery bitrate has fallen below a minimum bitrate threshold of a next advertisement in the manifest. If so, the arrangement replaces the next advertisement with a replacement video chunk such as a replacement advertisement having a minimum bitrate threshold lower than or equal to the delivery bitrate of the video stream. The arrangement may be implemented in an advertisement server, a client device, or a manifest creator. | 1. A method in an advertisement control system for providing adaptive bitrate-dynamic advertisements in a video stream defined by a manifest, wherein adaptive streaming in a delivery network causes a delivery bitrate of the video stream to vary due to changes in delivery network conditions, the method comprising:
monitoring the delivery bitrate of the video stream in the delivery network; determining whether the delivery bitrate of the video stream has fallen below a minimum bitrate threshold of a next advertisement in the manifest; and when the delivery bitrate of the video stream has fallen below the minimum bitrate threshold of the next advertisement, replacing the next advertisement in the manifest with a replacement video chunk having a minimum bitrate threshold lower than or equal to the delivery bitrate of the video stream. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is performed by an advertisement server. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the determining step includes determining the minimum bitrate threshold of the next advertisement by reading metadata included with the next advertisement. 4. The method according to claim 2, further comprising, when the delivery bitrate of the video stream has not fallen below the minimum bitrate threshold of the next advertisement, streaming the next advertisement to a client device. 5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the replacement video chunk is a replacement advertisement, and upon determining that the delivery bitrate of the video stream has fallen below the minimum bitrate threshold of the next advertisement, the advertisement server performs the steps of:
attempting to identify a replacement advertisement having a minimum bitrate threshold lower than or equal to the delivery bitrate of the video stream; when a replacement advertisement having a minimum bitrate threshold lower than or equal to the delivery bitrate of the video stream cannot be identified, streaming the next advertisement to a client device; and when a replacement advertisement having a minimum bitrate threshold lower than or equal to the delivery bitrate of the video stream can be identified, performing the replacing step with the identified replacement advertisement. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is performed by a client device. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the determining step includes determining the minimum bitrate threshold of the next advertisement by reading metadata included with the next advertisement. 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the replacing step includes retrieving the replacement video chunk from a local memory in the client device. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the replacement video chunk is a replacement advertisement having a bitrate profile of similar quality to the delivery bitrate for consistency of viewing by an end user. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is performed by a manifest creator. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the determining step includes determining the minimum bitrate threshold of the next advertisement by reading metadata included with the next advertisement. 12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the manifest creator obtains advertisements from a plurality of advertisement sources, each advertisement source providing advertisements with different minimum bitrate thresholds, and the next advertisement is provided by a first advertisement source, the replacing step comprising:
selecting a different, second advertisement source that provides advertisements with a lower minimum bitrate threshold than the first advertisement source; obtaining a replacement advertisement from the second advertisement source; and including the replacement advertisement from the second advertisement source in the manifest in place of the next advertisement when the replacement advertisement has a minimum bitrate threshold lower than or equal to the delivery bitrate of the video stream. 13. An arrangement in an advertisement control system for providing adaptive bitrate-dynamic advertisements in a video stream defined by a manifest, wherein adaptive streaming in a delivery network causes a delivery bitrate of the video stream to vary due to changes in delivery network conditions, the arrangement comprising:
a bitrate monitor configured to monitor the delivery bitrate of the video stream; and a processor configured to:
determine whether the delivery bitrate of the video stream has fallen below a minimum bitrate threshold of a next advertisement in the manifest; and
replace the next advertisement in the manifest with a replacement video chunk when the delivery bitrate of the video stream has fallen below the minimum bitrate threshold of the next advertisement, wherein the replacement video chunk has a minimum bitrate threshold lower than or equal to the delivery bitrate of the video stream. 14. The arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the arrangement is implemented in an advertisement server. 15. The arrangement according to claim 14, wherein the processor is configured to determine the minimum bitrate threshold of the next advertisement by reading metadata included with the next advertisement. 16. The arrangement according to claim 14, wherein an output interface is configured to stream the next advertisement to a client device, when the delivery bitrate of the video stream has not fallen below the minimum bitrate threshold of the next advertisement. 17. The arrangement according to claim 14, wherein the replacement video chunk is a replacement advertisement, and upon determining that the delivery bitrate of the video stream has fallen below the minimum bitrate threshold of the next advertisement, the advertisement server is configured to:
attempt to identify a replacement advertisement having a minimum bitrate threshold lower than or equal to the delivery bitrate of the video stream; when a replacement advertisement having a minimum bitrate threshold lower than or equal to the delivery bitrate of the video stream cannot be identified, stream the next advertisement to a client device; and when a replacement advertisement having a minimum bitrate threshold lower than or equal to the delivery bitrate of the video stream can be identified, replace the next advertisement in the manifest with the identified replacement advertisement. 18. The arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the arrangement is implemented in a client device. 19. The arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the processor is configured to determine the minimum bitrate threshold of the next advertisement by reading metadata included with the next advertisement. 20. The arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the processor is configured to retrieve the replacement video chunk from a local memory in the client device. 21. The arrangement according to claim 20, wherein the replacement video chunk is a replacement advertisement having a bitrate profile of similar quality to the delivery bitrate for consistency of viewing by an end user. 22. The arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the arrangement is implemented in a manifest creator. 23. The arrangement according to claim 22, wherein the processor is configured to determine the minimum bitrate threshold of the next advertisement by reading metadata included with the next advertisement. 24. The arrangement according to claim 22, wherein the manifest creator obtains advertisements from a plurality of advertisement sources, each advertisement source providing advertisements with different minimum bitrate thresholds, and the next advertisement is provided by a first advertisement source, wherein the processor is configured to control the following components to replace the next advertisement in the manifest:
an advertisement source selector configured to select a different, second advertisement source that provides advertisements with a lower minimum bitrate threshold than the first advertisement source; an advertisement source interface configured to obtain a replacement advertisement from the second advertisement source; and an output interface configured to replace the next advertisement in the manifest with the replacement advertisement from the second advertisement source when the replacement advertisement has a minimum bitrate threshold lower than or equal to the delivery bitrate of the video stream. | A method and arrangement in an advertisement control system for providing adaptive bitrate-dynamic advertisements in an adaptively streamed video stream defined by a manifest. A bitrate monitor monitors the varying delivery bitrate of the video stream. A processor determines whether the delivery bitrate has fallen below a minimum bitrate threshold of a next advertisement in the manifest. If so, the arrangement replaces the next advertisement with a replacement video chunk such as a replacement advertisement having a minimum bitrate threshold lower than or equal to the delivery bitrate of the video stream. The arrangement may be implemented in an advertisement server, a client device, or a manifest creator.1. A method in an advertisement control system for providing adaptive bitrate-dynamic advertisements in a video stream defined by a manifest, wherein adaptive streaming in a delivery network causes a delivery bitrate of the video stream to vary due to changes in delivery network conditions, the method comprising:
monitoring the delivery bitrate of the video stream in the delivery network; determining whether the delivery bitrate of the video stream has fallen below a minimum bitrate threshold of a next advertisement in the manifest; and when the delivery bitrate of the video stream has fallen below the minimum bitrate threshold of the next advertisement, replacing the next advertisement in the manifest with a replacement video chunk having a minimum bitrate threshold lower than or equal to the delivery bitrate of the video stream. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is performed by an advertisement server. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the determining step includes determining the minimum bitrate threshold of the next advertisement by reading metadata included with the next advertisement. 4. The method according to claim 2, further comprising, when the delivery bitrate of the video stream has not fallen below the minimum bitrate threshold of the next advertisement, streaming the next advertisement to a client device. 5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the replacement video chunk is a replacement advertisement, and upon determining that the delivery bitrate of the video stream has fallen below the minimum bitrate threshold of the next advertisement, the advertisement server performs the steps of:
attempting to identify a replacement advertisement having a minimum bitrate threshold lower than or equal to the delivery bitrate of the video stream; when a replacement advertisement having a minimum bitrate threshold lower than or equal to the delivery bitrate of the video stream cannot be identified, streaming the next advertisement to a client device; and when a replacement advertisement having a minimum bitrate threshold lower than or equal to the delivery bitrate of the video stream can be identified, performing the replacing step with the identified replacement advertisement. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is performed by a client device. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the determining step includes determining the minimum bitrate threshold of the next advertisement by reading metadata included with the next advertisement. 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the replacing step includes retrieving the replacement video chunk from a local memory in the client device. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the replacement video chunk is a replacement advertisement having a bitrate profile of similar quality to the delivery bitrate for consistency of viewing by an end user. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is performed by a manifest creator. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the determining step includes determining the minimum bitrate threshold of the next advertisement by reading metadata included with the next advertisement. 12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the manifest creator obtains advertisements from a plurality of advertisement sources, each advertisement source providing advertisements with different minimum bitrate thresholds, and the next advertisement is provided by a first advertisement source, the replacing step comprising:
selecting a different, second advertisement source that provides advertisements with a lower minimum bitrate threshold than the first advertisement source; obtaining a replacement advertisement from the second advertisement source; and including the replacement advertisement from the second advertisement source in the manifest in place of the next advertisement when the replacement advertisement has a minimum bitrate threshold lower than or equal to the delivery bitrate of the video stream. 13. An arrangement in an advertisement control system for providing adaptive bitrate-dynamic advertisements in a video stream defined by a manifest, wherein adaptive streaming in a delivery network causes a delivery bitrate of the video stream to vary due to changes in delivery network conditions, the arrangement comprising:
a bitrate monitor configured to monitor the delivery bitrate of the video stream; and a processor configured to:
determine whether the delivery bitrate of the video stream has fallen below a minimum bitrate threshold of a next advertisement in the manifest; and
replace the next advertisement in the manifest with a replacement video chunk when the delivery bitrate of the video stream has fallen below the minimum bitrate threshold of the next advertisement, wherein the replacement video chunk has a minimum bitrate threshold lower than or equal to the delivery bitrate of the video stream. 14. The arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the arrangement is implemented in an advertisement server. 15. The arrangement according to claim 14, wherein the processor is configured to determine the minimum bitrate threshold of the next advertisement by reading metadata included with the next advertisement. 16. The arrangement according to claim 14, wherein an output interface is configured to stream the next advertisement to a client device, when the delivery bitrate of the video stream has not fallen below the minimum bitrate threshold of the next advertisement. 17. The arrangement according to claim 14, wherein the replacement video chunk is a replacement advertisement, and upon determining that the delivery bitrate of the video stream has fallen below the minimum bitrate threshold of the next advertisement, the advertisement server is configured to:
attempt to identify a replacement advertisement having a minimum bitrate threshold lower than or equal to the delivery bitrate of the video stream; when a replacement advertisement having a minimum bitrate threshold lower than or equal to the delivery bitrate of the video stream cannot be identified, stream the next advertisement to a client device; and when a replacement advertisement having a minimum bitrate threshold lower than or equal to the delivery bitrate of the video stream can be identified, replace the next advertisement in the manifest with the identified replacement advertisement. 18. The arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the arrangement is implemented in a client device. 19. The arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the processor is configured to determine the minimum bitrate threshold of the next advertisement by reading metadata included with the next advertisement. 20. The arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the processor is configured to retrieve the replacement video chunk from a local memory in the client device. 21. The arrangement according to claim 20, wherein the replacement video chunk is a replacement advertisement having a bitrate profile of similar quality to the delivery bitrate for consistency of viewing by an end user. 22. The arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the arrangement is implemented in a manifest creator. 23. The arrangement according to claim 22, wherein the processor is configured to determine the minimum bitrate threshold of the next advertisement by reading metadata included with the next advertisement. 24. The arrangement according to claim 22, wherein the manifest creator obtains advertisements from a plurality of advertisement sources, each advertisement source providing advertisements with different minimum bitrate thresholds, and the next advertisement is provided by a first advertisement source, wherein the processor is configured to control the following components to replace the next advertisement in the manifest:
an advertisement source selector configured to select a different, second advertisement source that provides advertisements with a lower minimum bitrate threshold than the first advertisement source; an advertisement source interface configured to obtain a replacement advertisement from the second advertisement source; and an output interface configured to replace the next advertisement in the manifest with the replacement advertisement from the second advertisement source when the replacement advertisement has a minimum bitrate threshold lower than or equal to the delivery bitrate of the video stream. | 3,600 |
13,252 | 13,252 | 15,400,650 | 3,657 | A brake rotor having a substantially tubular rotor body, a first annular braking disc, a second annular braking disc, and a plurality of vanes. The first annular braking disc is directly connected to the rotor body at an inner periphery of the first braking disc. Likewise, the second annular braking disc is directly connected to the rotor body at an inner periphery of the second braking disc. The second annular braking disc is positioned a distance axially from the first braking disc, forming a space between the first braking disc and the second braking disc. The plurality of vanes is disposed within the space, and the vanes axially interconnect the first braking disc and the second braking disc. | 1. A dual-connection disc brake rotor comprising:
a substantially tubular rotor body; a first annular braking disc directly connected to the rotor body at an inner periphery of the first braking disc; a second annular braking disc directly connected to the rotor body at an inner periphery of the second braking disc and positioned a distance axially from the first braking disc, forming a space between the first braking disc and the second braking disc; and a plurality of vanes disposed within the space and axially interconnecting the first braking disc and the second braking disc. 2. The brake rotor of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of radial passageways aligned with the space and extending radially through the rotor body, connecting the space to a region interior to the rotor body encircled by an inner diameter of the rotor body. 3. The brake rotor of claim 2, in which an axial height of the radial passageways is substantially equal to the distance between the first braking disc and the second braking disc. 4. The brake rotor of claim 1, further comprising axial passageways disposed around the inner periphery of the first disc and the inner periphery of the second disc, the axial passageways extending axially through the first disc and the second disc, connecting the space to a first region exterior to the rotor body and adjacent to the inner periphery of the first disc, and connecting the space to a second region exterior to the rotor body and adjacent to the inner periphery of the second disc. 5. The brake rotor of claim 4, further comprising radial passageways aligned with the space and extending radially through the rotor body, connecting the space to a region interior to the rotor body encircled by an inner diameter of the rotor body, the axial passageways being radially aligned with the radial passageways. 6. The brake rotor of claim 1, further comprising alternating axial passageways, the alternating axial passageways comprising:
first axial passageways disposed around the inner periphery of the first disc, the first axial passageways extending axially through the first disc but not the second disc and connecting the space to a first region exterior to the rotor body and adjacent to the inner periphery of the first disc; and second axial passageways disposed around the inner periphery of the second disc, the second axial passageways extending axially through the second disc but not the first disc and connecting the space to a second region exterior to the rotor body and adjacent to the inner periphery of the second disc, the second axial passageways not being radially aligned with the first axial passageways. 7. The brake rotor of claim 6, further comprising radial passageways aligned with the space and extending radially through the rotor body, connecting the space to a region interior to the rotor body encircled by an inner diameter of the rotor body, in which one of the first axial passageways or the second axial passageways are radially aligned with the radial passageways. 8. The brake rotor of claim 7, in which the first axial passageways are radially aligned with the radial passageways. 9. The brake rotor of claim 7, in which the second axial passageways are radially aligned with the radial passageways. | A brake rotor having a substantially tubular rotor body, a first annular braking disc, a second annular braking disc, and a plurality of vanes. The first annular braking disc is directly connected to the rotor body at an inner periphery of the first braking disc. Likewise, the second annular braking disc is directly connected to the rotor body at an inner periphery of the second braking disc. The second annular braking disc is positioned a distance axially from the first braking disc, forming a space between the first braking disc and the second braking disc. The plurality of vanes is disposed within the space, and the vanes axially interconnect the first braking disc and the second braking disc.1. A dual-connection disc brake rotor comprising:
a substantially tubular rotor body; a first annular braking disc directly connected to the rotor body at an inner periphery of the first braking disc; a second annular braking disc directly connected to the rotor body at an inner periphery of the second braking disc and positioned a distance axially from the first braking disc, forming a space between the first braking disc and the second braking disc; and a plurality of vanes disposed within the space and axially interconnecting the first braking disc and the second braking disc. 2. The brake rotor of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of radial passageways aligned with the space and extending radially through the rotor body, connecting the space to a region interior to the rotor body encircled by an inner diameter of the rotor body. 3. The brake rotor of claim 2, in which an axial height of the radial passageways is substantially equal to the distance between the first braking disc and the second braking disc. 4. The brake rotor of claim 1, further comprising axial passageways disposed around the inner periphery of the first disc and the inner periphery of the second disc, the axial passageways extending axially through the first disc and the second disc, connecting the space to a first region exterior to the rotor body and adjacent to the inner periphery of the first disc, and connecting the space to a second region exterior to the rotor body and adjacent to the inner periphery of the second disc. 5. The brake rotor of claim 4, further comprising radial passageways aligned with the space and extending radially through the rotor body, connecting the space to a region interior to the rotor body encircled by an inner diameter of the rotor body, the axial passageways being radially aligned with the radial passageways. 6. The brake rotor of claim 1, further comprising alternating axial passageways, the alternating axial passageways comprising:
first axial passageways disposed around the inner periphery of the first disc, the first axial passageways extending axially through the first disc but not the second disc and connecting the space to a first region exterior to the rotor body and adjacent to the inner periphery of the first disc; and second axial passageways disposed around the inner periphery of the second disc, the second axial passageways extending axially through the second disc but not the first disc and connecting the space to a second region exterior to the rotor body and adjacent to the inner periphery of the second disc, the second axial passageways not being radially aligned with the first axial passageways. 7. The brake rotor of claim 6, further comprising radial passageways aligned with the space and extending radially through the rotor body, connecting the space to a region interior to the rotor body encircled by an inner diameter of the rotor body, in which one of the first axial passageways or the second axial passageways are radially aligned with the radial passageways. 8. The brake rotor of claim 7, in which the first axial passageways are radially aligned with the radial passageways. 9. The brake rotor of claim 7, in which the second axial passageways are radially aligned with the radial passageways. | 3,600 |
13,253 | 13,253 | 14,966,988 | 3,663 | A method of providing a simplified practice for dealing with aviation turbulence and other weather hazards that allows the end users to better communicate turbulence as a state of the atmosphere metric and the additional weather threats affecting the flight is described. The method provides an Atmospheric State Index (ASI) that allows all the users to work with a standardized metric that describes the turbulence as the state of the atmosphere and a similar scale for other weather risks to the flight. This system makes the correlation between the forecast and aircraft reports for turbulence easier to interpret for the end users. This approach concentrates on turbulence as a weather hazard with a more objective and easier to use metric. This configuration provides a transition for moving from a system based on turbulence Pilot Reports (PIREPS) to a more objective data driven process in the air traffic environment. | 1. A computer-implemented method for facilitating the execution of a path of air travel, said method comprising the steps of:
receiving, via one or more processors, hazard data indicative of a deterministic intensity of at least one hazard of at least one hazard type, wherein the deterministic intensity of the at least one hazard is determined based at least in part on a forecast model; converting, via the one or more processors, the deterministic intensity of the at least one hazard indicated by the hazard data to fit an atmospheric state intensity scale defined by a plurality of deterministic intensity values common across a plurality of hazard types such that the hazard data is indicative of the deterministic intensity of the at least one hazard along said atmospheric state intensity scale, wherein a value of said plurality of deterministic intensity values is indicative of the deterministic intensity of each of said at least one hazard; and generating, via a display device in communication with the one or more processors, a graphical display indicative of: the path of air travel and the deterministic intensity of said at least one hazard along said atmospheric state intensity scale. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one hazard type comprises at least one of turbulence or icing. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said hazard data comprises data dependent at least in part upon aircraft response characteristics. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said hazard data comprises data indicative of live reports of observed hazard conditions; and said graphical display is further indicative of the location of the live reports. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the hazard data comprises data indicative of a deterministic intensity for each of at least two hazards of at least two hazard types; generating a graphical display comprises generating a graphical display corresponding to each of the at least two hazard types; and each graphical display is indicative of the deterministic intensity of the corresponding hazard of the at least two hazard types along the atmospheric state intensity scale. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising steps for:
organizing, via the one or more processors, at least a portion of said hazard data into a plurality of data points corresponding to the at least one hazard, each of said plurality of data points comprising information indicative of at least one of: the hazard type, a hazard location in a three-dimensional space, the deterministic intensity of the hazard, or a hazard probability indicative of a probability associated with the at least one hazard, and a time. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising steps for:
establishing at least one travel tolerance parameter (TTP) following said atmospheric state intensity scale for each of said at least one hazard type; and determining, based at least in part on the hazard data and the at least one TTP, an executable path of air travel that satisfies the at least one TTP. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said at least one TTP is established at least partially in light of one of pilot training, employer guidelines, a flight equipment type, or other pilots. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein said at least one TTP comprises a probability element. 10. The method of claim 7, further comprising steps for:
generating, via the one or more computer processors, an altered path of air travel based at least in part on the path of air travel, changes in the hazard data, and upon recognition that said path of air travel is incompatible with the at least one TTP. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising steps for:
determining an expected completion time of said path of air travel; and updating the expected completion time of said path of air travel based on the altered path of air travel. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein said graphical display comprises a color gradation corresponding to one or more deterministic intensity values of the atmospheric state intensity scale. 13. The method of claim 7, further comprising steps for generating an alert upon a determination that the at least one TTP is not satisfied by the hazard data. 14. A hazard avoidance system for facilitating the execution of a path of air travel, the system comprising:
one or more memory storage areas; and one or more computer processors configured to:
receive hazard data indicative of a deterministic intensity of at least one hazard of at least one hazard type, wherein the deterministic intensity of the at least one hazard is determined based at least in part on a forecast model;
convert the deterministic intensity of the at least one hazard indicated by the hazard data to fit an atmospheric state intensity scale defined by a plurality of deterministic intensity values common across a plurality of hazard types such that the hazard data is indicative of the deterministic intensity of the at least one hazard along said atmospheric state intensity scale, wherein a value of said plurality of deterministic intensity values is indicative of the deterministic intensity of each of said at least one hazard; and
generate a graphical display indicative of: the path of air travel and the deterministic intensity of said at least one hazard along said atmospheric state intensity scale. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
establish at least one travel tolerance parameter (TTP) following said atmospheric state intensity scale for each of said at least one hazard type; and determine, based at least in part on the hazard data and the at least one TTP, an executable path of air travel that satisfies the at least one TTP. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more computer processors are further configured to generate an alert upon a determination that the at least one TTP is not satisfied by the hazard data. 17. A non-transitory computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions embodied therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:
an executable portion configured for receiving hazard data indicative of a deterministic intensity of at least one hazard of at least one hazard type, wherein the deterministic intensity of the at least one hazard is determined based at least in part on a forecast model; an executable portion configured for converting the deterministic intensity of the at least one hazard indicated by the hazard data to fit an atmospheric state intensity scale defined by a plurality of deterministic intensity values common across a plurality of hazard types such that the hazard data is indicative of the deterministic intensity of the at least one hazard along said atmospheric state intensity scale, wherein a value of said plurality of deterministic intensity values is indicative of the deterministic intensity of each of said at least one hazard; and an executable portion configured for generating a graphical display indicative of: the path of air travel and the deterministic intensity of said at least one hazard along said atmospheric state intensity scale. 18. The non-transitory computer program product of claim 17, further comprising:
an executable portion configured for establishing at least one travel tolerance parameter (TTP) following said atmospheric state intensity scale for each of said at least one hazard type; and an executable portion configured to determine, based at least in part on the hazard data and the at least one TTP, an executable path of air travel that satisfies the at least one TTP. 19. The non-transitory computer program product of claim 18, further comprising an executable portion configured to generate an alert upon a determination that the at least one TTP is not satisfied by the hazard data. | A method of providing a simplified practice for dealing with aviation turbulence and other weather hazards that allows the end users to better communicate turbulence as a state of the atmosphere metric and the additional weather threats affecting the flight is described. The method provides an Atmospheric State Index (ASI) that allows all the users to work with a standardized metric that describes the turbulence as the state of the atmosphere and a similar scale for other weather risks to the flight. This system makes the correlation between the forecast and aircraft reports for turbulence easier to interpret for the end users. This approach concentrates on turbulence as a weather hazard with a more objective and easier to use metric. This configuration provides a transition for moving from a system based on turbulence Pilot Reports (PIREPS) to a more objective data driven process in the air traffic environment.1. A computer-implemented method for facilitating the execution of a path of air travel, said method comprising the steps of:
receiving, via one or more processors, hazard data indicative of a deterministic intensity of at least one hazard of at least one hazard type, wherein the deterministic intensity of the at least one hazard is determined based at least in part on a forecast model; converting, via the one or more processors, the deterministic intensity of the at least one hazard indicated by the hazard data to fit an atmospheric state intensity scale defined by a plurality of deterministic intensity values common across a plurality of hazard types such that the hazard data is indicative of the deterministic intensity of the at least one hazard along said atmospheric state intensity scale, wherein a value of said plurality of deterministic intensity values is indicative of the deterministic intensity of each of said at least one hazard; and generating, via a display device in communication with the one or more processors, a graphical display indicative of: the path of air travel and the deterministic intensity of said at least one hazard along said atmospheric state intensity scale. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one hazard type comprises at least one of turbulence or icing. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said hazard data comprises data dependent at least in part upon aircraft response characteristics. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said hazard data comprises data indicative of live reports of observed hazard conditions; and said graphical display is further indicative of the location of the live reports. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the hazard data comprises data indicative of a deterministic intensity for each of at least two hazards of at least two hazard types; generating a graphical display comprises generating a graphical display corresponding to each of the at least two hazard types; and each graphical display is indicative of the deterministic intensity of the corresponding hazard of the at least two hazard types along the atmospheric state intensity scale. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising steps for:
organizing, via the one or more processors, at least a portion of said hazard data into a plurality of data points corresponding to the at least one hazard, each of said plurality of data points comprising information indicative of at least one of: the hazard type, a hazard location in a three-dimensional space, the deterministic intensity of the hazard, or a hazard probability indicative of a probability associated with the at least one hazard, and a time. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising steps for:
establishing at least one travel tolerance parameter (TTP) following said atmospheric state intensity scale for each of said at least one hazard type; and determining, based at least in part on the hazard data and the at least one TTP, an executable path of air travel that satisfies the at least one TTP. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said at least one TTP is established at least partially in light of one of pilot training, employer guidelines, a flight equipment type, or other pilots. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein said at least one TTP comprises a probability element. 10. The method of claim 7, further comprising steps for:
generating, via the one or more computer processors, an altered path of air travel based at least in part on the path of air travel, changes in the hazard data, and upon recognition that said path of air travel is incompatible with the at least one TTP. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising steps for:
determining an expected completion time of said path of air travel; and updating the expected completion time of said path of air travel based on the altered path of air travel. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein said graphical display comprises a color gradation corresponding to one or more deterministic intensity values of the atmospheric state intensity scale. 13. The method of claim 7, further comprising steps for generating an alert upon a determination that the at least one TTP is not satisfied by the hazard data. 14. A hazard avoidance system for facilitating the execution of a path of air travel, the system comprising:
one or more memory storage areas; and one or more computer processors configured to:
receive hazard data indicative of a deterministic intensity of at least one hazard of at least one hazard type, wherein the deterministic intensity of the at least one hazard is determined based at least in part on a forecast model;
convert the deterministic intensity of the at least one hazard indicated by the hazard data to fit an atmospheric state intensity scale defined by a plurality of deterministic intensity values common across a plurality of hazard types such that the hazard data is indicative of the deterministic intensity of the at least one hazard along said atmospheric state intensity scale, wherein a value of said plurality of deterministic intensity values is indicative of the deterministic intensity of each of said at least one hazard; and
generate a graphical display indicative of: the path of air travel and the deterministic intensity of said at least one hazard along said atmospheric state intensity scale. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:
establish at least one travel tolerance parameter (TTP) following said atmospheric state intensity scale for each of said at least one hazard type; and determine, based at least in part on the hazard data and the at least one TTP, an executable path of air travel that satisfies the at least one TTP. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more computer processors are further configured to generate an alert upon a determination that the at least one TTP is not satisfied by the hazard data. 17. A non-transitory computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions embodied therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:
an executable portion configured for receiving hazard data indicative of a deterministic intensity of at least one hazard of at least one hazard type, wherein the deterministic intensity of the at least one hazard is determined based at least in part on a forecast model; an executable portion configured for converting the deterministic intensity of the at least one hazard indicated by the hazard data to fit an atmospheric state intensity scale defined by a plurality of deterministic intensity values common across a plurality of hazard types such that the hazard data is indicative of the deterministic intensity of the at least one hazard along said atmospheric state intensity scale, wherein a value of said plurality of deterministic intensity values is indicative of the deterministic intensity of each of said at least one hazard; and an executable portion configured for generating a graphical display indicative of: the path of air travel and the deterministic intensity of said at least one hazard along said atmospheric state intensity scale. 18. The non-transitory computer program product of claim 17, further comprising:
an executable portion configured for establishing at least one travel tolerance parameter (TTP) following said atmospheric state intensity scale for each of said at least one hazard type; and an executable portion configured to determine, based at least in part on the hazard data and the at least one TTP, an executable path of air travel that satisfies the at least one TTP. 19. The non-transitory computer program product of claim 18, further comprising an executable portion configured to generate an alert upon a determination that the at least one TTP is not satisfied by the hazard data. | 3,600 |
13,254 | 13,254 | 15,887,492 | 3,635 | The process includes forming a concrete form at least one end wall where the concrete form is adapted to receive concrete placed thereinto. The process also includes setting a fixed end anchor and a tensioning end anchor on at least one end wall where the fixed end anchor and tensioning end anchor are each adapted to receive a tendon. The process further includes threading the tendon through the fixed end anchor and tensioning end anchor such that a tensioning end portion of the tendon extends from the tensioning end anchor and placing concrete into the concrete form. The process includes installing a cap about the circumference of the tensioning end portion of the tendon. The cap includes a cap body. The cap body includes an inner bore, where the inner bore has a diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the tendon. | 1. A system for inhibiting fluid intrusion into a post-tensioned concrete member comprising:
a concrete member; a tensioning end anchor embedded in the concrete member and having an interior channel therethrough, the tensioning end anchor including a front extension and being positioned within the concrete member such that the front extension is generally positioned at an edge of the concrete member; a tendon embedded in the concrete member and threaded through the interior channel of the tensioning end anchor such that a tensioning end portion of the tendon extends from the tensioning end anchor; and a removable cap, the cap including a cap body, the cap body having an inner bore therethrough, the cap adapted to receive the tensioning end portion of the tendon in the inner bore and to abut and cover the end of the front extension of the tensioning end anchor so as to inhibit the intrusion of fluid into the interior channel while allowing the tensioning end portion of the tendon to extend from the tensioning end anchor. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the cap body has an outer diameter generally corresponding to the outer diameter of the front extension of the tensioning end anchor so that the cap body covers the interior channel of the tensioning end anchor. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the cap body is held to the front extension of the tensioning end anchor by frictional force between the cap body and the tendon. 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the cap body has an outer diameter generally corresponding to the inner diameter of the front extension of the tensioning end anchor so that the cap body fits into the front extension of the tensioning end anchor. 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the front extension of the tensioning end anchor further comprises an annular groove formed on an inner surface of the front extension so that the cap body fits into the annular groove. 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the cap body includes one or more cap bayonet ramps positioned on the outer surface of the cap body, the cap bayonet ramps positioned to couple to corresponding tensioning end anchor bayonet ramps positioned on the inner surface of the front extension of the tensioning end anchor to selectively retain the cap body within the front extension of the tensioning end anchor. 7. The process of claim 6 wherein the cap further comprises at least one rotation feature positioned to assist rotation of the cap to engage the cap bayonet ramps with the tensioning end anchor bayonet ramps. 8. The process of claim 7 wherein the rotation feature is selected from one of: raised ridges formed on a protrusion from the cap body; a square, hexagonal, splined, or other polygonal protrusion from the cap body; one or more wrenching points formed on a protrusion from the cap body; or one or more holes formed in the cap positioned to accept a tool. 9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a seal positioned between the cap body and the tensioning end anchor. 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the cap further comprises an inner flange, the inner flange being a generally tubular extension of the cap body, the inner flange having an inner diameter generally the same size as the diameter of the inner bore. 11. The system of claim 10 wherein the inner flange extends away from the tensioning end anchor. 12. The system of claim 10 wherein the inner flange extends toward the tensioning end anchor. 13. The system of claim 1 wherein the cap further comprises an outer flange, the outer flange being a generally tubular extension of the cap body, the outer flange having an outer diameter generally corresponding to the outer diameter of the cap body. 14. The system of claim 1 wherein the cap body is formed from two or more cap subcomponents. 15. The system of claim 1 wherein the cap body is formed as a single generally annular member. 16. The system of claim 15 wherein the cap body includes a radial split, the radial split allowing the tendon to be inserted into the inner bore from the side. 17. The system of claim 1, further including at least two wedges disposed in the interior channel of the tensioning end anchor adjacent to the tendon. 18. The system of claim 17 wherein cap prevents intrusion of fluid between the wedges. | The process includes forming a concrete form at least one end wall where the concrete form is adapted to receive concrete placed thereinto. The process also includes setting a fixed end anchor and a tensioning end anchor on at least one end wall where the fixed end anchor and tensioning end anchor are each adapted to receive a tendon. The process further includes threading the tendon through the fixed end anchor and tensioning end anchor such that a tensioning end portion of the tendon extends from the tensioning end anchor and placing concrete into the concrete form. The process includes installing a cap about the circumference of the tensioning end portion of the tendon. The cap includes a cap body. The cap body includes an inner bore, where the inner bore has a diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the tendon.1. A system for inhibiting fluid intrusion into a post-tensioned concrete member comprising:
a concrete member; a tensioning end anchor embedded in the concrete member and having an interior channel therethrough, the tensioning end anchor including a front extension and being positioned within the concrete member such that the front extension is generally positioned at an edge of the concrete member; a tendon embedded in the concrete member and threaded through the interior channel of the tensioning end anchor such that a tensioning end portion of the tendon extends from the tensioning end anchor; and a removable cap, the cap including a cap body, the cap body having an inner bore therethrough, the cap adapted to receive the tensioning end portion of the tendon in the inner bore and to abut and cover the end of the front extension of the tensioning end anchor so as to inhibit the intrusion of fluid into the interior channel while allowing the tensioning end portion of the tendon to extend from the tensioning end anchor. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the cap body has an outer diameter generally corresponding to the outer diameter of the front extension of the tensioning end anchor so that the cap body covers the interior channel of the tensioning end anchor. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the cap body is held to the front extension of the tensioning end anchor by frictional force between the cap body and the tendon. 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the cap body has an outer diameter generally corresponding to the inner diameter of the front extension of the tensioning end anchor so that the cap body fits into the front extension of the tensioning end anchor. 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the front extension of the tensioning end anchor further comprises an annular groove formed on an inner surface of the front extension so that the cap body fits into the annular groove. 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the cap body includes one or more cap bayonet ramps positioned on the outer surface of the cap body, the cap bayonet ramps positioned to couple to corresponding tensioning end anchor bayonet ramps positioned on the inner surface of the front extension of the tensioning end anchor to selectively retain the cap body within the front extension of the tensioning end anchor. 7. The process of claim 6 wherein the cap further comprises at least one rotation feature positioned to assist rotation of the cap to engage the cap bayonet ramps with the tensioning end anchor bayonet ramps. 8. The process of claim 7 wherein the rotation feature is selected from one of: raised ridges formed on a protrusion from the cap body; a square, hexagonal, splined, or other polygonal protrusion from the cap body; one or more wrenching points formed on a protrusion from the cap body; or one or more holes formed in the cap positioned to accept a tool. 9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a seal positioned between the cap body and the tensioning end anchor. 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the cap further comprises an inner flange, the inner flange being a generally tubular extension of the cap body, the inner flange having an inner diameter generally the same size as the diameter of the inner bore. 11. The system of claim 10 wherein the inner flange extends away from the tensioning end anchor. 12. The system of claim 10 wherein the inner flange extends toward the tensioning end anchor. 13. The system of claim 1 wherein the cap further comprises an outer flange, the outer flange being a generally tubular extension of the cap body, the outer flange having an outer diameter generally corresponding to the outer diameter of the cap body. 14. The system of claim 1 wherein the cap body is formed from two or more cap subcomponents. 15. The system of claim 1 wherein the cap body is formed as a single generally annular member. 16. The system of claim 15 wherein the cap body includes a radial split, the radial split allowing the tendon to be inserted into the inner bore from the side. 17. The system of claim 1, further including at least two wedges disposed in the interior channel of the tensioning end anchor adjacent to the tendon. 18. The system of claim 17 wherein cap prevents intrusion of fluid between the wedges. | 3,600 |
13,255 | 13,255 | 14,689,894 | 3,685 | A financial institution and a payment initiator may exchange public keys to enable the secure exchange of data. A business wishing to collect payment can provide its account information to the payment initiator. A customer wishing to pay can instruct the payment initiator to encrypt the business's account information along with details for a particular invoice and transmit the information to the financial institution. The financial institution can decrypt the information and initiate a transfer of money from the customer to the business. The financial institution may present the information about the transaction to the customer for modification or confirmation before initiating the transfer. The information may be sent from the payment initiator to the financial institution via the customer. After the payment has been initiated by the financial institution, a confirmation may be sent to the customer, the payment initiator, the business, or any suitable combination thereof. | 1. A method comprising:
receiving, from a machine, a request to pay an amount to an entity through a user account; responsive to the request to pay:
sending encrypted data to the machine; and
redirecting the machine to a website associated with the user account; and
receiving an indication, from the website, that the amount was transferred from the user account to an account of the entity. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the encrypted data includes at least one of the following: data identifying a bank of the user, an identity of the user, the amount, a description associated with an invoice, and data identifying the account of the entity. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the transfer of the amount from the user account to the account of the entity does not transfer the amount through an intermediate account. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication indicates that the amount was transferred via Automated Clearing House (ACH). 5. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the account of the user is a bank account; and the encrypted data is encrypted using a public key of the bank. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising receiving the public key of the bank from the bank. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the encrypted data is signed using a private key. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising sending a public key corresponding to the private key to the bank. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, from the entity, a payment request, the payment request including an identity of the user, the amount, a description associated with the invoice, and data identifying the account of the entity; and presenting the payment request and a payment button on the machine, the payment request identifying the amount owed by the user to the entity, the payment button being associated with an option to pay the amount to the entity through a bank of the user. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
presenting an invoice and a payment button to a client device of a user, the invoice identifying an amount owed by the user to an entity, the payment button being associated with an option to pay the amount to the entity; and in response to activation of the payment button, presenting a user interface operable to select a financial institution associated with the user account. 11. A system comprising:
a memory; and one or more modules coupled to the memory and configured to: receive, from a machine, a request to pay the an amount to an entity through a user account; responsive to the request to pay:
send encrypted data to the machine; and
redirecting the machine to a website associated with the user account; and
receive, from the website, an indication indicating the amount was transferred from the user account to an account of the entity. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the encrypted data includes at least one of the following: data identifying a bank of the user, an identity of the user, the amount, a description associated with an invoice, and data identifying the account of the entity. 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the transfer of the amount from the user account to the account of the entity does not transfer the amount through an intermediate account. 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the indication indicates that the amount was transferred via Automated Clearing House (ACH). 15. The system of claim 11, wherein:
the account of the user is a bank account; and the encrypted data is encrypted using a public key of the bank. 16. The system of claim 11, wherein:
the one or more modules are further configured to:
generate a set of banks based on availability of a public key for each bank of the set of banks in a database;
present a user interface operable to select a bank from the set of banks; and
detect a selection of the bank in the user interface; and
the website associated with the account of the user is associated with the selected bank. 17. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more modules are further configured to:
retrieve data for the payment request from a database; present a request interface to the entity operable to request payment of the payment request, the user interface including at least a portion of the retrieved data; and receive a request for payment of the payment request generated via the request interface. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the one or more modules are further configured to:
responsive to the request for payment of the payment request, send an electronic communication to the user, the electronic communication including a link to a web page hosted by the system; and wherein the presenting of the payment request and the payment button are in response to an operation of the link. 19. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more modules are further configured to:
receive a login by the user; and present the payment request to the user in response to the login. 20. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
receiving, from a machine, a request to pay an amount to an entity through a user account; responsive to the request to pay:
sending encrypted data to the machine; and
redirecting the machine to a website associated with the user account; and
receiving an indication, from the website, that the amount was transferred from the user account to an account of the entity. | A financial institution and a payment initiator may exchange public keys to enable the secure exchange of data. A business wishing to collect payment can provide its account information to the payment initiator. A customer wishing to pay can instruct the payment initiator to encrypt the business's account information along with details for a particular invoice and transmit the information to the financial institution. The financial institution can decrypt the information and initiate a transfer of money from the customer to the business. The financial institution may present the information about the transaction to the customer for modification or confirmation before initiating the transfer. The information may be sent from the payment initiator to the financial institution via the customer. After the payment has been initiated by the financial institution, a confirmation may be sent to the customer, the payment initiator, the business, or any suitable combination thereof.1. A method comprising:
receiving, from a machine, a request to pay an amount to an entity through a user account; responsive to the request to pay:
sending encrypted data to the machine; and
redirecting the machine to a website associated with the user account; and
receiving an indication, from the website, that the amount was transferred from the user account to an account of the entity. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the encrypted data includes at least one of the following: data identifying a bank of the user, an identity of the user, the amount, a description associated with an invoice, and data identifying the account of the entity. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the transfer of the amount from the user account to the account of the entity does not transfer the amount through an intermediate account. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication indicates that the amount was transferred via Automated Clearing House (ACH). 5. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the account of the user is a bank account; and the encrypted data is encrypted using a public key of the bank. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising receiving the public key of the bank from the bank. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the encrypted data is signed using a private key. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising sending a public key corresponding to the private key to the bank. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, from the entity, a payment request, the payment request including an identity of the user, the amount, a description associated with the invoice, and data identifying the account of the entity; and presenting the payment request and a payment button on the machine, the payment request identifying the amount owed by the user to the entity, the payment button being associated with an option to pay the amount to the entity through a bank of the user. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
presenting an invoice and a payment button to a client device of a user, the invoice identifying an amount owed by the user to an entity, the payment button being associated with an option to pay the amount to the entity; and in response to activation of the payment button, presenting a user interface operable to select a financial institution associated with the user account. 11. A system comprising:
a memory; and one or more modules coupled to the memory and configured to: receive, from a machine, a request to pay the an amount to an entity through a user account; responsive to the request to pay:
send encrypted data to the machine; and
redirecting the machine to a website associated with the user account; and
receive, from the website, an indication indicating the amount was transferred from the user account to an account of the entity. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the encrypted data includes at least one of the following: data identifying a bank of the user, an identity of the user, the amount, a description associated with an invoice, and data identifying the account of the entity. 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the transfer of the amount from the user account to the account of the entity does not transfer the amount through an intermediate account. 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the indication indicates that the amount was transferred via Automated Clearing House (ACH). 15. The system of claim 11, wherein:
the account of the user is a bank account; and the encrypted data is encrypted using a public key of the bank. 16. The system of claim 11, wherein:
the one or more modules are further configured to:
generate a set of banks based on availability of a public key for each bank of the set of banks in a database;
present a user interface operable to select a bank from the set of banks; and
detect a selection of the bank in the user interface; and
the website associated with the account of the user is associated with the selected bank. 17. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more modules are further configured to:
retrieve data for the payment request from a database; present a request interface to the entity operable to request payment of the payment request, the user interface including at least a portion of the retrieved data; and receive a request for payment of the payment request generated via the request interface. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the one or more modules are further configured to:
responsive to the request for payment of the payment request, send an electronic communication to the user, the electronic communication including a link to a web page hosted by the system; and wherein the presenting of the payment request and the payment button are in response to an operation of the link. 19. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more modules are further configured to:
receive a login by the user; and present the payment request to the user in response to the login. 20. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
receiving, from a machine, a request to pay an amount to an entity through a user account; responsive to the request to pay:
sending encrypted data to the machine; and
redirecting the machine to a website associated with the user account; and
receiving an indication, from the website, that the amount was transferred from the user account to an account of the entity. | 3,600 |
13,256 | 13,256 | 14,253,648 | 3,687 | A method and system for receiving digital artifacts from a management server. The method includes sending a request for a digital artifact from a mobile application to the management server for display within a specific mobile application generated screen, receiving the digital artifact from the management server, and displaying the digital artifact with the specific mobile application generated screen. | 1. A method, comprising:
maintaining a mobile application in a mobile device memory included in a mobile device, wherein the mobile application is non browser based and is preinstalled or downloaded and installed on the mobile device, the mobile device comprising a mobile device display, a mobile device processor, and a mobile device radio interface; sending a request to a management server for a ticket for display within a specific mobile application generated screen, the mobile application screen corresponding to a specific screen, scene, or real estate property, wherein the management server maintains plurality of user profiles and ticket and selects the ticket based on correlating targeting parameters; receiving the ticket from the management server; and displaying the ticket within the specific mobile application generated screen. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the wherein the ticket includes metadata operable to trigger a call to action. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the secondary call-to-action comprises entering an email address, accepting a coupon, accepting a reward, opt-in for alerts, and opt-in for notifications. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein a data exchange between the mobile application and the management server has already occurred, wherein the management server permits a user associated with the mobile application running on the mobile device to access ticket result of the data exchange. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the data exchange includes exchanging an identification code. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the identification code is a personal identification number (PIN). 7. The method of claim 1, wherein targeting parameters comprises personal information and/or transaction history. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein personal information comprises location, gender, age, interest, affiliation, userid, pageid, zip code, area code, and occupation. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein transaction history comprises contactless transactions made using a secure element coupled to the mobile communication device, internet commerce, bill pay, top spend categories, merchants, storage of banking information, accessing banking services, tickets, transactions made by the user but not through the mobile communication device, and raw data downloaded from banks. 10. The method of claim 1, further wherein coupons are sent to the mobile application based on one or more of a shopping list, preferences, previous shopping history, or proximity to a physical retail store. 11. A mobile device, comprising:
a mobile device memory included in a mobile device, the mobile device memory configured to maintain a mobile application, wherein the mobile application is non browser based and is preinstalled or downloaded and installed on the mobile device; a mobile device application configured to send a request for a ticket for display within a specific mobile application generated screen to a management server and receive ticket from the management server, the specific mobile application screen corresponding to a specific screen, scene, or real estate property, wherein the management server maintains plurality of user profiles and ticket and selects the ticket based on correlating targeting parameters; and a mobile application configured to display the ticket within the specific mobile application generated screen. 12. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein the ticket includes metadata operable to trigger a call to action. 13. The mobile device of claim 12, wherein the secondary call-to-action comprises entering an email address, accepting a coupon, accepting a reward, opt-in for alerts, and opt-in for notifications. 14. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein a data exchange between the mobile application and the management server has already occurred, wherein the management server permits a user associated with the mobile application running on the mobile device to access ticket as a result of the data exchange. 15. The mobile device of claim 14, wherein the data exchange includes exchanging an identification code. 16. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein the identification code is a personal identification number (PIN). 17. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein targeting parameters comprises personal information and/or transaction history. 18. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein personal information comprises location, gender, age, interest, affiliation, userid, pageid, zip code, area code, and occupation. 19. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein transaction history comprises contactless transactions made using a secure element coupled to the mobile communication device, internet commerce, bill pay, top spend categories, merchants, storage of banking information, accessing banking services, tickets, transactions made by the user but not through the mobile communication device, and raw data downloaded from banks. 20. A non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising:
computer code for maintaining a mobile application in a mobile device memory included in a mobile device, wherein the mobile application is non browser based and is preinstalled or downloaded and installed on the mobile device, the mobile device comprising a mobile device display, a mobile device processor, and a mobile device radio interface; computer code for sending a request to a management server for a ticket for display within a specific mobile application generated screen, the specific mobile application screen corresponding to a specific screen, scene, or real estate property, wherein the management server maintains plurality of user profiles and ticket and selects the ticket based on correlating targeting parameters; computer code for receiving the ticket from the management server; and computer code for displaying the ticket within the specific mobile application generated screen. | A method and system for receiving digital artifacts from a management server. The method includes sending a request for a digital artifact from a mobile application to the management server for display within a specific mobile application generated screen, receiving the digital artifact from the management server, and displaying the digital artifact with the specific mobile application generated screen.1. A method, comprising:
maintaining a mobile application in a mobile device memory included in a mobile device, wherein the mobile application is non browser based and is preinstalled or downloaded and installed on the mobile device, the mobile device comprising a mobile device display, a mobile device processor, and a mobile device radio interface; sending a request to a management server for a ticket for display within a specific mobile application generated screen, the mobile application screen corresponding to a specific screen, scene, or real estate property, wherein the management server maintains plurality of user profiles and ticket and selects the ticket based on correlating targeting parameters; receiving the ticket from the management server; and displaying the ticket within the specific mobile application generated screen. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the wherein the ticket includes metadata operable to trigger a call to action. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the secondary call-to-action comprises entering an email address, accepting a coupon, accepting a reward, opt-in for alerts, and opt-in for notifications. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein a data exchange between the mobile application and the management server has already occurred, wherein the management server permits a user associated with the mobile application running on the mobile device to access ticket result of the data exchange. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the data exchange includes exchanging an identification code. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the identification code is a personal identification number (PIN). 7. The method of claim 1, wherein targeting parameters comprises personal information and/or transaction history. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein personal information comprises location, gender, age, interest, affiliation, userid, pageid, zip code, area code, and occupation. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein transaction history comprises contactless transactions made using a secure element coupled to the mobile communication device, internet commerce, bill pay, top spend categories, merchants, storage of banking information, accessing banking services, tickets, transactions made by the user but not through the mobile communication device, and raw data downloaded from banks. 10. The method of claim 1, further wherein coupons are sent to the mobile application based on one or more of a shopping list, preferences, previous shopping history, or proximity to a physical retail store. 11. A mobile device, comprising:
a mobile device memory included in a mobile device, the mobile device memory configured to maintain a mobile application, wherein the mobile application is non browser based and is preinstalled or downloaded and installed on the mobile device; a mobile device application configured to send a request for a ticket for display within a specific mobile application generated screen to a management server and receive ticket from the management server, the specific mobile application screen corresponding to a specific screen, scene, or real estate property, wherein the management server maintains plurality of user profiles and ticket and selects the ticket based on correlating targeting parameters; and a mobile application configured to display the ticket within the specific mobile application generated screen. 12. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein the ticket includes metadata operable to trigger a call to action. 13. The mobile device of claim 12, wherein the secondary call-to-action comprises entering an email address, accepting a coupon, accepting a reward, opt-in for alerts, and opt-in for notifications. 14. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein a data exchange between the mobile application and the management server has already occurred, wherein the management server permits a user associated with the mobile application running on the mobile device to access ticket as a result of the data exchange. 15. The mobile device of claim 14, wherein the data exchange includes exchanging an identification code. 16. The mobile device of claim 15, wherein the identification code is a personal identification number (PIN). 17. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein targeting parameters comprises personal information and/or transaction history. 18. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein personal information comprises location, gender, age, interest, affiliation, userid, pageid, zip code, area code, and occupation. 19. The mobile device of claim 17, wherein transaction history comprises contactless transactions made using a secure element coupled to the mobile communication device, internet commerce, bill pay, top spend categories, merchants, storage of banking information, accessing banking services, tickets, transactions made by the user but not through the mobile communication device, and raw data downloaded from banks. 20. A non-transitory computer readable medium, comprising:
computer code for maintaining a mobile application in a mobile device memory included in a mobile device, wherein the mobile application is non browser based and is preinstalled or downloaded and installed on the mobile device, the mobile device comprising a mobile device display, a mobile device processor, and a mobile device radio interface; computer code for sending a request to a management server for a ticket for display within a specific mobile application generated screen, the specific mobile application screen corresponding to a specific screen, scene, or real estate property, wherein the management server maintains plurality of user profiles and ticket and selects the ticket based on correlating targeting parameters; computer code for receiving the ticket from the management server; and computer code for displaying the ticket within the specific mobile application generated screen. | 3,600 |
13,257 | 13,257 | 14,220,395 | 3,669 | An automotive vehicle includes engine start/stop (ESS) and adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality (ACCS&G). A method of coordinating operation of the ESS and ACCS&G systems is provided. The ACCS&G system brings the vehicle to a stop. After a delay and satisfaction of autostop conditions, the ESS system stops the engine. Upon receipt of an input and satisfaction of start conditions, the ESS system restarts the engine. The ACCS&G system then resumes control of the restarted engine. | 1. A method of controlling an engine comprising:
automatically bringing a vehicle propelled by the engine to a stop with a first system while a second system is active; after a delay, stopping the engine of the stationary vehicle with the second system upon detection of a status of the first system; restarting the stopped engine with the second system upon receipt of an input; resuming propelling the vehicle with the first system using the restarted engine. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first system is an adaptive cruise control system with stop-and-go functionality and the second system is an engine start/stop system. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first system status received by the second system is that the first system is active, the first system is not requesting acceleration, and the first system is requesting braking. 4. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of holding the vehicle stationary with brakes of the vehicle prior to the second system stopping the engine. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the input is from the first system. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the input is from observing a position of a second vehicle relative to the vehicle. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the input is from a driver of the vehicle. 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the input is from a condition of the vehicle. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the first system brings the vehicle to a stop as a result of a second vehicle having stopped. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein, prior to the second system restarting the stopped engine, the first system is requesting acceleration. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein, prior to the second system restarting the stopped engine, the first system is not requesting braking to stop the vehicle. 12. The method of claim 1 wherein, prior to the second system restarting the stopped engine, the vehicle is not held stationary by brakes. 13. A method of controlling an engine comprising:
automatically bringing a vehicle propelled by the engine to a stop with a first system while a second system is active; after a delay, stopping the engine of the stationary vehicle with the second system upon detection of a status of the first system; detecting an input with the first system; controlling the engine per the input with the second system. 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the first system is an adaptive cruise control system with stop and go functionality and the second system is an engine start/stop system. 15. The method of claim 13 wherein the first system status received by the second system is that the first system is active, the first system is not requesting acceleration, and the first system is requesting braking. 16. The method of claim 13 comprising the additional step of holding the vehicle stationary with brakes of the vehicle prior to the second system stopping the engine. 17. The method of claim 13 wherein the input is the driver pressing a brake pedal and the second system controlling the engine is the second system maintaining the engine stopped. 18. The method of claim 13 comprising the additional step of deactivating the first system when the driver presses the brake pedal. 19. The method of claim 13 wherein the input is other than the driver pressing a brake pedal and the second system controlling the engine is the second system restarting the engine. 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the input of other than the driver pressing the brake pedal is the first system directing the vehicle to be propelled. 21. The method of claim 13 wherein the first system brings the vehicle to a stop as a result of a second vehicle having stopped. 22. A method of controlling an engine comprising:
applying brakes to bring the vehicle to a stop while a first system is deactivated and a second system is activated, the vehicle being propelled by the engine; after a delay, stopping the engine while the vehicle is stationary with the second system, and the first system remaining deactivated; activating the first system while the vehicle is stationary, the engine stopped, and the brake activated; releasing the brake while the first and second systems are activated and the engine stopped; holding the vehicle stationary with the first system while the second system keeps the engine stopped. 23. The method of claim 22 wherein the first system is an adaptive cruise control system with stop-and-go functionality and the second system is an engine start/stop system. | An automotive vehicle includes engine start/stop (ESS) and adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality (ACCS&G). A method of coordinating operation of the ESS and ACCS&G systems is provided. The ACCS&G system brings the vehicle to a stop. After a delay and satisfaction of autostop conditions, the ESS system stops the engine. Upon receipt of an input and satisfaction of start conditions, the ESS system restarts the engine. The ACCS&G system then resumes control of the restarted engine.1. A method of controlling an engine comprising:
automatically bringing a vehicle propelled by the engine to a stop with a first system while a second system is active; after a delay, stopping the engine of the stationary vehicle with the second system upon detection of a status of the first system; restarting the stopped engine with the second system upon receipt of an input; resuming propelling the vehicle with the first system using the restarted engine. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first system is an adaptive cruise control system with stop-and-go functionality and the second system is an engine start/stop system. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first system status received by the second system is that the first system is active, the first system is not requesting acceleration, and the first system is requesting braking. 4. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of holding the vehicle stationary with brakes of the vehicle prior to the second system stopping the engine. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the input is from the first system. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the input is from observing a position of a second vehicle relative to the vehicle. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the input is from a driver of the vehicle. 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the input is from a condition of the vehicle. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the first system brings the vehicle to a stop as a result of a second vehicle having stopped. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein, prior to the second system restarting the stopped engine, the first system is requesting acceleration. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein, prior to the second system restarting the stopped engine, the first system is not requesting braking to stop the vehicle. 12. The method of claim 1 wherein, prior to the second system restarting the stopped engine, the vehicle is not held stationary by brakes. 13. A method of controlling an engine comprising:
automatically bringing a vehicle propelled by the engine to a stop with a first system while a second system is active; after a delay, stopping the engine of the stationary vehicle with the second system upon detection of a status of the first system; detecting an input with the first system; controlling the engine per the input with the second system. 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the first system is an adaptive cruise control system with stop and go functionality and the second system is an engine start/stop system. 15. The method of claim 13 wherein the first system status received by the second system is that the first system is active, the first system is not requesting acceleration, and the first system is requesting braking. 16. The method of claim 13 comprising the additional step of holding the vehicle stationary with brakes of the vehicle prior to the second system stopping the engine. 17. The method of claim 13 wherein the input is the driver pressing a brake pedal and the second system controlling the engine is the second system maintaining the engine stopped. 18. The method of claim 13 comprising the additional step of deactivating the first system when the driver presses the brake pedal. 19. The method of claim 13 wherein the input is other than the driver pressing a brake pedal and the second system controlling the engine is the second system restarting the engine. 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the input of other than the driver pressing the brake pedal is the first system directing the vehicle to be propelled. 21. The method of claim 13 wherein the first system brings the vehicle to a stop as a result of a second vehicle having stopped. 22. A method of controlling an engine comprising:
applying brakes to bring the vehicle to a stop while a first system is deactivated and a second system is activated, the vehicle being propelled by the engine; after a delay, stopping the engine while the vehicle is stationary with the second system, and the first system remaining deactivated; activating the first system while the vehicle is stationary, the engine stopped, and the brake activated; releasing the brake while the first and second systems are activated and the engine stopped; holding the vehicle stationary with the first system while the second system keeps the engine stopped. 23. The method of claim 22 wherein the first system is an adaptive cruise control system with stop-and-go functionality and the second system is an engine start/stop system. | 3,600 |
13,258 | 13,258 | 15,294,272 | 3,697 | A blockchain configuration may log asset data as well as transaction data. One example method of operation may include logging a transaction on a blockchain, linking assets to the transaction, recording a current asset state on the blockchain of the assets responsive to linking the assets to the transaction, determining parties to the blockchain transaction have requirement criteria associated with the current asset state, and monitoring the current asset state to identify whether a lapse in the requirement criteria has occurred. | 1. A method, comprising:
logging a transaction on a blockchain; linking one or more assets to the transaction; recording a current asset state on the blockchain of the one or more assets responsive to linking the one or more assets to the transaction; determining one or more parties to the blockchain transaction has a requirement criteria associated with the current asset state; and monitoring the current asset state to identify whether a lapse in the requirement criteria has occurred. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the requirement criteria comprises one or more of a product rating and product compliance. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the current asset state comprises a produced state. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the current asset state changes to a consumed state responsive to a lapse in a period of time. 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
unlinking the current asset state on the blockchain responsive to receiving an indication that the one or more assets are consumed. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
creating an alert responsive to identifying the current asset state has lapsed in the requirement criteria. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
logging another transaction on the blockchain; and determining whether any changes to the asset state have occurred and whether any changes to the requirement criteria have occurred based on the another transaction. 8. An apparatus, comprising:
a processor configured to:
log a transaction on a blockchain,
link one or more assets to the transaction,
record a current asset state on the blockchain of the one or more assets responsive to the one or more assets being linked to the transaction,
determine one or more parties to the blockchain transaction has a requirement criteria associated with the current asset state, and
monitor the current asset state to identify whether a lapse in the requirement criteria has occurred. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the requirement criteria comprises one or more of a product rating and product compliance. 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the current asset state comprises a produced state. 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the current asset state changes to a consumed state responsive to a lapse in a period of time. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to unlink the current asset state on the blockchain responsive to an indication being received that the one or more assets are consumed. 13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to create an alert responsive to the current asset state being identified as lapsed in the requirement criteria. 14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to log another transaction on the blockchain, and determine whether any changes to the asset state have occurred and whether any changes to the requirement criteria have occurred based on the another transaction. 15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium configured to store instructions that when executed causes a processor to perform:
logging a transaction on a blockchain; linking one or more assets to the transaction; recording a current asset state on the blockchain of the one or more assets responsive to linking the one or more assets to the transaction; determining one or more parties to the blockchain transaction has a requirement criteria associated with the current asset state; and monitoring the current asset state to identify whether a lapse in the requirement criteria has occurred. 16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the requirement criteria comprises one or more of a product rating and product compliance. 17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 5, wherein the current asset state comprises a produced state. 18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the current asset state changes to a consumed state responsive to a lapse in a period of time. 19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to perform:
unlinking the current asset state on the blockchain responsive to receiving an indication that the one or more assets are consumed. 20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to perform:
creating an alert responsive to identifying the current asset state has lapsed in the requirement criteria; logging another transaction on the blockchain; and determining whether any changes to the asset state have occurred and whether any changes to the requirement criteria have occurred based on the another transaction. | A blockchain configuration may log asset data as well as transaction data. One example method of operation may include logging a transaction on a blockchain, linking assets to the transaction, recording a current asset state on the blockchain of the assets responsive to linking the assets to the transaction, determining parties to the blockchain transaction have requirement criteria associated with the current asset state, and monitoring the current asset state to identify whether a lapse in the requirement criteria has occurred.1. A method, comprising:
logging a transaction on a blockchain; linking one or more assets to the transaction; recording a current asset state on the blockchain of the one or more assets responsive to linking the one or more assets to the transaction; determining one or more parties to the blockchain transaction has a requirement criteria associated with the current asset state; and monitoring the current asset state to identify whether a lapse in the requirement criteria has occurred. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the requirement criteria comprises one or more of a product rating and product compliance. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the current asset state comprises a produced state. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the current asset state changes to a consumed state responsive to a lapse in a period of time. 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
unlinking the current asset state on the blockchain responsive to receiving an indication that the one or more assets are consumed. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
creating an alert responsive to identifying the current asset state has lapsed in the requirement criteria. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
logging another transaction on the blockchain; and determining whether any changes to the asset state have occurred and whether any changes to the requirement criteria have occurred based on the another transaction. 8. An apparatus, comprising:
a processor configured to:
log a transaction on a blockchain,
link one or more assets to the transaction,
record a current asset state on the blockchain of the one or more assets responsive to the one or more assets being linked to the transaction,
determine one or more parties to the blockchain transaction has a requirement criteria associated with the current asset state, and
monitor the current asset state to identify whether a lapse in the requirement criteria has occurred. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the requirement criteria comprises one or more of a product rating and product compliance. 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the current asset state comprises a produced state. 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the current asset state changes to a consumed state responsive to a lapse in a period of time. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to unlink the current asset state on the blockchain responsive to an indication being received that the one or more assets are consumed. 13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to create an alert responsive to the current asset state being identified as lapsed in the requirement criteria. 14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to log another transaction on the blockchain, and determine whether any changes to the asset state have occurred and whether any changes to the requirement criteria have occurred based on the another transaction. 15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium configured to store instructions that when executed causes a processor to perform:
logging a transaction on a blockchain; linking one or more assets to the transaction; recording a current asset state on the blockchain of the one or more assets responsive to linking the one or more assets to the transaction; determining one or more parties to the blockchain transaction has a requirement criteria associated with the current asset state; and monitoring the current asset state to identify whether a lapse in the requirement criteria has occurred. 16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the requirement criteria comprises one or more of a product rating and product compliance. 17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 5, wherein the current asset state comprises a produced state. 18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the current asset state changes to a consumed state responsive to a lapse in a period of time. 19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to perform:
unlinking the current asset state on the blockchain responsive to receiving an indication that the one or more assets are consumed. 20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to perform:
creating an alert responsive to identifying the current asset state has lapsed in the requirement criteria; logging another transaction on the blockchain; and determining whether any changes to the asset state have occurred and whether any changes to the requirement criteria have occurred based on the another transaction. | 3,600 |
13,259 | 13,259 | 13,271,131 | 3,685 | A system and method for the purchase, downloading and opening of digital content, which is accomplished with one or two gestures, e.g., button or taps. Digital content items are displayed on the user's local device along with a button, i.e., a “Buy” button that can be selected to purchase a particular item of content. The user taps, clicks, or selects the “Buy” button to initiate the purchase, downloading and opening of the content. The instruction to purchase the content is transmitted to the remote server, which completes the purchase transaction and begins the download of the purchased content. Included with the downloaded content, preferably as parameters or metadata, is an indication of which reader application is required to open and read the digital content. When the download to the user's local device is completed, it uses these parameters to automatically launch the appropriate reader and automatically open the purchased, downloaded content, without any action required by the user. | 1. A method for acquiring and accessing digital content on a local device comprising:
receiving an indication from a user of the local device of an item of digital content to be acquired; transmitting the indication of the item of digital content to a remote server; receiving a download of the item of digital content from the remote server; receiving parameters associated with the item of digital content indicating an application required to access the downloaded item of digital content; automatically launching the application; and automatically accessing the item of digital content using the launched application. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the digital content is an electronic book and the application is an electronic book reader. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the digital content is a digital periodical and the application is a digital periodical reader. 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
receiving a query with respect to digital content from the user; transmitting the query to the remote server; receiving digital content data corresponding to digital content that satisfy the query; and displaying the digital content data to the user. 5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising:
displaying a button associated the digital content data for each item of digital content data, the button enabling the user to provide the user's indication of the item of digital content to be acquired. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the indication from the user is a commitment from the user to purchase the item of digital content. 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:
receiving a confirmation from the user confirming the commitment to purchase the item of digital content. 8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
receiving a confirmation from the user confirming the indication to acquire the item of digital content. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein parameters are contained in the downloaded item of digital content. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein parameters are contained in metadata of the downloaded item of digital content. 11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
receiving a password from the user; and transmitting the password to the remote server, the password enabling access to a user's account on the remote server. 12. A method for providing digital content to a local device comprising:
receiving an indication from the local device of an item of digital content to be acquired; downloading the item of digital content to the local device; downloading parameters associated with the item of digital content, the parameters indicating an application required to access the downloaded item of digital content, the parameters operable to enable the local device to automatically launch the application and automatically access the item of digital content using the launched application. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the digital content is an electronic book and the application is an electronic book reader. 14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the digital content is a digital periodical and the application is a digital periodical reader. 15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:
receiving a query with respect to digital content from the local device; determining digital content that satisfies the query; and transmitting to the local device digital content data corresponding to digital content that satisfy the query. 16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the indication from the local device is a commitment from the user to purchase the item of digital content. 17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:
verifying a credit card of the user; and performing a financial transaction with the credit card of the user for the purchase of the item of digital content. 18. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:
receiving a confirmation from the local device confirming the commitment to purchase the item of digital content. 19. The method according to claim 12, wherein parameters are contained in the downloaded item of digital content. 20. The method according to claim 12, wherein parameters are contained in metadata of the downloaded item of digital content. 21. A device for acquiring and accessing digital content on a local device comprising:
a user interface subsystem operable to receive an indication from a user of the local device of an item of digital content to be acquired; an input output subsystem operable to transmit the indication of the item of digital content to a remote server, receive a download of the item of digital content from the remote server, and receive parameters associated with the item of digital content indicating an application required to access the downloaded item of digital content; and an operating system operable to automatically launch the application and automatically access the item of digital content using the launched application. 22. A system for providing digital content to a local device comprising:
a digital content database storing digital content available for downloading to the local device, the digital content database further storing parameters indicating an application required to access the digital content on the local device, the parameters operable to enable the local device to automatically launch the application and automatically access the digital content using the launched application; and an interface server coupled to the digital content database, the interface server operable to:
receive an indication from the local device of an item of digital content to be acquired,
locate the item of digital content in the digital content database,
download the item of digital content to the local device, and
download to the local device the parameters associated with the item of digital content. | A system and method for the purchase, downloading and opening of digital content, which is accomplished with one or two gestures, e.g., button or taps. Digital content items are displayed on the user's local device along with a button, i.e., a “Buy” button that can be selected to purchase a particular item of content. The user taps, clicks, or selects the “Buy” button to initiate the purchase, downloading and opening of the content. The instruction to purchase the content is transmitted to the remote server, which completes the purchase transaction and begins the download of the purchased content. Included with the downloaded content, preferably as parameters or metadata, is an indication of which reader application is required to open and read the digital content. When the download to the user's local device is completed, it uses these parameters to automatically launch the appropriate reader and automatically open the purchased, downloaded content, without any action required by the user.1. A method for acquiring and accessing digital content on a local device comprising:
receiving an indication from a user of the local device of an item of digital content to be acquired; transmitting the indication of the item of digital content to a remote server; receiving a download of the item of digital content from the remote server; receiving parameters associated with the item of digital content indicating an application required to access the downloaded item of digital content; automatically launching the application; and automatically accessing the item of digital content using the launched application. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the digital content is an electronic book and the application is an electronic book reader. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the digital content is a digital periodical and the application is a digital periodical reader. 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
receiving a query with respect to digital content from the user; transmitting the query to the remote server; receiving digital content data corresponding to digital content that satisfy the query; and displaying the digital content data to the user. 5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising:
displaying a button associated the digital content data for each item of digital content data, the button enabling the user to provide the user's indication of the item of digital content to be acquired. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the indication from the user is a commitment from the user to purchase the item of digital content. 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:
receiving a confirmation from the user confirming the commitment to purchase the item of digital content. 8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
receiving a confirmation from the user confirming the indication to acquire the item of digital content. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein parameters are contained in the downloaded item of digital content. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein parameters are contained in metadata of the downloaded item of digital content. 11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
receiving a password from the user; and transmitting the password to the remote server, the password enabling access to a user's account on the remote server. 12. A method for providing digital content to a local device comprising:
receiving an indication from the local device of an item of digital content to be acquired; downloading the item of digital content to the local device; downloading parameters associated with the item of digital content, the parameters indicating an application required to access the downloaded item of digital content, the parameters operable to enable the local device to automatically launch the application and automatically access the item of digital content using the launched application. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the digital content is an electronic book and the application is an electronic book reader. 14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the digital content is a digital periodical and the application is a digital periodical reader. 15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:
receiving a query with respect to digital content from the local device; determining digital content that satisfies the query; and transmitting to the local device digital content data corresponding to digital content that satisfy the query. 16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the indication from the local device is a commitment from the user to purchase the item of digital content. 17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:
verifying a credit card of the user; and performing a financial transaction with the credit card of the user for the purchase of the item of digital content. 18. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:
receiving a confirmation from the local device confirming the commitment to purchase the item of digital content. 19. The method according to claim 12, wherein parameters are contained in the downloaded item of digital content. 20. The method according to claim 12, wherein parameters are contained in metadata of the downloaded item of digital content. 21. A device for acquiring and accessing digital content on a local device comprising:
a user interface subsystem operable to receive an indication from a user of the local device of an item of digital content to be acquired; an input output subsystem operable to transmit the indication of the item of digital content to a remote server, receive a download of the item of digital content from the remote server, and receive parameters associated with the item of digital content indicating an application required to access the downloaded item of digital content; and an operating system operable to automatically launch the application and automatically access the item of digital content using the launched application. 22. A system for providing digital content to a local device comprising:
a digital content database storing digital content available for downloading to the local device, the digital content database further storing parameters indicating an application required to access the digital content on the local device, the parameters operable to enable the local device to automatically launch the application and automatically access the digital content using the launched application; and an interface server coupled to the digital content database, the interface server operable to:
receive an indication from the local device of an item of digital content to be acquired,
locate the item of digital content in the digital content database,
download the item of digital content to the local device, and
download to the local device the parameters associated with the item of digital content. | 3,600 |
13,260 | 13,260 | 15,077,910 | 3,658 | A joint structure for a robot of the present invention includes: a first member; a speed reducer coupled to one surface of a wall portion of the first member; a motor located at a side opposite to the one surface of the wall portion of the first member; a first gear attached to a shaft of the motor; a second gear attached to a shaft of an input unit of the speed reducer and intermeshing with the first gear; and a second member attached to an output unit of the speed reducer. The diameter of the second gear is larger than a coupling unit that couples to the first member. The first member is provided with a gear accommodating portion that accommodates the first and second gear, a part of the gear accommodating portion which covers at least the second gear is removable with respect to the first member. | 1. A joint structure for a robot, comprising:
a first member; a speed reducer coupled to one surface of a wall portion of the first member, a shaft of an input unit of the speed reducer being passed through the wall portion; a motor located at a side opposite to the one surface of the wall portion; a first gear attached to a shaft of the motor; a second gear attached to the shaft of the input unit and intermeshing with the first gear; a second member attached to an output unit of the speed reducer, wherein the second gear has a larger diameter than a diameter of a coupling unit of the speed reducer which couples to the first member, the first member is provided with a gear accommodating portion that accommodates the first gear and the second gear which intermesh with each other, and a part of the gear accommodating portion which covers at least the second gear is attachable and removable with respect to the first member. 2. The joint structure for a robot according to claim 1 wherein:
the gear accommodating portion is formed by a cover member covering the first gear and the second gear which intermesh with each other; and
the cover member is removably fixed to the first member, and the motor is held at the cover member. 3. The joint structure for a robot according to claim 1, wherein the gear accommodating portion comprises:
a motor holding portion formed integrally with the first member, the motor holding portion accommodating the first gear and holding the motor; and a cover member removably fixed to the first member and covering the second gear. | A joint structure for a robot of the present invention includes: a first member; a speed reducer coupled to one surface of a wall portion of the first member; a motor located at a side opposite to the one surface of the wall portion of the first member; a first gear attached to a shaft of the motor; a second gear attached to a shaft of an input unit of the speed reducer and intermeshing with the first gear; and a second member attached to an output unit of the speed reducer. The diameter of the second gear is larger than a coupling unit that couples to the first member. The first member is provided with a gear accommodating portion that accommodates the first and second gear, a part of the gear accommodating portion which covers at least the second gear is removable with respect to the first member.1. A joint structure for a robot, comprising:
a first member; a speed reducer coupled to one surface of a wall portion of the first member, a shaft of an input unit of the speed reducer being passed through the wall portion; a motor located at a side opposite to the one surface of the wall portion; a first gear attached to a shaft of the motor; a second gear attached to the shaft of the input unit and intermeshing with the first gear; a second member attached to an output unit of the speed reducer, wherein the second gear has a larger diameter than a diameter of a coupling unit of the speed reducer which couples to the first member, the first member is provided with a gear accommodating portion that accommodates the first gear and the second gear which intermesh with each other, and a part of the gear accommodating portion which covers at least the second gear is attachable and removable with respect to the first member. 2. The joint structure for a robot according to claim 1 wherein:
the gear accommodating portion is formed by a cover member covering the first gear and the second gear which intermesh with each other; and
the cover member is removably fixed to the first member, and the motor is held at the cover member. 3. The joint structure for a robot according to claim 1, wherein the gear accommodating portion comprises:
a motor holding portion formed integrally with the first member, the motor holding portion accommodating the first gear and holding the motor; and a cover member removably fixed to the first member and covering the second gear. | 3,600 |
13,261 | 13,261 | 14,244,491 | 3,621 | A system and method are described for tracking on-line advertisement exposure information for particular user devices. Alternative approaches are proposed as alternatives to using cookies on user devices to maintain a summary of previous on-line advertisement exposure. A survey participant server maintains a database including elements containing the summary of previous on-line advertisement exposure, each element being associated with a unique identifier value assigned to a particular user device. Such information is subsequently used to administer on-line surveys presented to users via the user devices. | 1. A method for administering on-line advertisement campaigns on a network including a user device having a unique identification (UID), a survey participant server and an advertisement server, the method comprising:
creating, on the survey participant server, a database element associated with the UID of the user device, the database element including information corresponding to on-line advertisements previously executed on the user device; receiving, by the survey participant server, an on-line advertisement exposure notification from the user device, the on-line advertisement exposure notification including the UID and an on-line advertisement ID corresponding to an on-line advertisement provided by the advertisement server; and updating, by the survey participant server, the database element associated with the UID in accordance with advertisement exposure on the user device associated with the on-line advertisement ID. 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
designating an on-line survey for presentation to the user device based upon the information stored in the database element, associated with the UID of the user device, corresponding to on-line advertisements previously executed on the user device. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the UID is stored in a browser cache of the user device, and wherein the UID stored in the browser cache of the user device is accessed by a browser and sent to the survey participant server within the on-line advertisement exposure notification. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the UID is stored in a local storage of the user device, wherein the local storage supports access to information via name-value pairs of data, and
wherein the UID stored in the local storage of the user device is accessed and sent to the survey participant server within the on-line advertisement exposure notification. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the UID is provided by an on-line advertisement server to the survey participant server. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the UID is a telecom company unique identifier assigned to the user device. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the UID is a physical device-specific unique identifier assigned to the user device. 8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions for administering on-line advertisement campaigns on a network including a user device having a unique identification (UID), a survey participant server and an advertisement server, the computer-executable instructions facilitating performing a method comprising:
creating, on the survey participant server, a database element associated with the UID of the user device, the database element including information corresponding to on-line advertisements previously executed on the user device; receiving, by the survey participant server, an on-line advertisement exposure notification from the user device, the on-line advertisement exposure notification including the UID and an on-line advertisement ID corresponding to an on-line advertisement provided by the advertisement server; and updating, by the survey participant server, the database element associated with the UID in accordance with advertisement exposure on the user device associated with the on-line advertisement ID. 9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 further comprising computer-executable instructions for:
designating an on-line survey for presentation to the user device based upon the information stored in the database element, associated with the UID of the user device, corresponding to on-line advertisements previously executed on the user device. 10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein the UID is stored in a browser cache of the user device, and wherein the UID stored in the browser cache of the user device is accessed by a browser and sent to the survey participant server within the on-line advertisement exposure notification. 11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein the UID is stored in a local storage of the user device, wherein the local storage supports access to information via name-value pairs of data, and
wherein the UID stored in the local storage of the user device is accessed and sent to the survey participant server within the on-line advertisement exposure notification. 12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein the UID is provided by an on-line advertisement server to the survey participant server. 13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein the UID is a telecom company unique identifier assigned to the user device. 14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein the UID is a physical device-specific unique identifier assigned to the user device. 15. A networked computer system comprising one or more programmed processors and configured by computer-executable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium to carry out a method including:
creating, on the survey participant server, a database element associated with the UID of the user device, the database element including information corresponding to on-line advertisements previously executed on the user device; receiving, by the survey participant server, an on-line advertisement exposure notification from the user device, the on-line advertisement exposure notification including the UID and an on-line advertisement ID corresponding to an on-line advertisement provided by the advertisement server; and updating, by the survey participant server, the database element associated with the UID in accordance with advertisement exposure on the user device associated with the on-line advertisement ID. 16. The system of claim 15 wherein the survey participant server further comprises computer-executable instructions for:
designating an on-line survey for presentation to the user device based upon the information stored in the database element, associated with the UID of the user device, corresponding to on-line advertisements previously executed on the user device. 17. The system of claim 15 wherein the UID is stored in a browser cache of the user device, and wherein the UID stored in the browser cache of the user device is accessed by a browser and sent to the survey participant server within the on-line advertisement exposure notification. 18. The system of claim 15 wherein the UID is stored in a local storage of the user device, wherein the local storage supports access to information via name-value pairs of data, and
wherein the UID stored in the local storage of the user device is accessed and sent to the survey participant server within the on-line advertisement exposure notification. 19. The system of claim 15 wherein the UID is provided by an on-line advertisement server to the survey participant server. 20. The system of claim 15 wherein the UID is a telecom company unique identifier assigned to the user device. 21. The system of claim 15 wherein the UID is a physical device-specific unique identifier assigned to the user device. | A system and method are described for tracking on-line advertisement exposure information for particular user devices. Alternative approaches are proposed as alternatives to using cookies on user devices to maintain a summary of previous on-line advertisement exposure. A survey participant server maintains a database including elements containing the summary of previous on-line advertisement exposure, each element being associated with a unique identifier value assigned to a particular user device. Such information is subsequently used to administer on-line surveys presented to users via the user devices.1. A method for administering on-line advertisement campaigns on a network including a user device having a unique identification (UID), a survey participant server and an advertisement server, the method comprising:
creating, on the survey participant server, a database element associated with the UID of the user device, the database element including information corresponding to on-line advertisements previously executed on the user device; receiving, by the survey participant server, an on-line advertisement exposure notification from the user device, the on-line advertisement exposure notification including the UID and an on-line advertisement ID corresponding to an on-line advertisement provided by the advertisement server; and updating, by the survey participant server, the database element associated with the UID in accordance with advertisement exposure on the user device associated with the on-line advertisement ID. 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
designating an on-line survey for presentation to the user device based upon the information stored in the database element, associated with the UID of the user device, corresponding to on-line advertisements previously executed on the user device. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the UID is stored in a browser cache of the user device, and wherein the UID stored in the browser cache of the user device is accessed by a browser and sent to the survey participant server within the on-line advertisement exposure notification. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the UID is stored in a local storage of the user device, wherein the local storage supports access to information via name-value pairs of data, and
wherein the UID stored in the local storage of the user device is accessed and sent to the survey participant server within the on-line advertisement exposure notification. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the UID is provided by an on-line advertisement server to the survey participant server. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the UID is a telecom company unique identifier assigned to the user device. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the UID is a physical device-specific unique identifier assigned to the user device. 8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions for administering on-line advertisement campaigns on a network including a user device having a unique identification (UID), a survey participant server and an advertisement server, the computer-executable instructions facilitating performing a method comprising:
creating, on the survey participant server, a database element associated with the UID of the user device, the database element including information corresponding to on-line advertisements previously executed on the user device; receiving, by the survey participant server, an on-line advertisement exposure notification from the user device, the on-line advertisement exposure notification including the UID and an on-line advertisement ID corresponding to an on-line advertisement provided by the advertisement server; and updating, by the survey participant server, the database element associated with the UID in accordance with advertisement exposure on the user device associated with the on-line advertisement ID. 9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 further comprising computer-executable instructions for:
designating an on-line survey for presentation to the user device based upon the information stored in the database element, associated with the UID of the user device, corresponding to on-line advertisements previously executed on the user device. 10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein the UID is stored in a browser cache of the user device, and wherein the UID stored in the browser cache of the user device is accessed by a browser and sent to the survey participant server within the on-line advertisement exposure notification. 11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein the UID is stored in a local storage of the user device, wherein the local storage supports access to information via name-value pairs of data, and
wherein the UID stored in the local storage of the user device is accessed and sent to the survey participant server within the on-line advertisement exposure notification. 12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein the UID is provided by an on-line advertisement server to the survey participant server. 13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein the UID is a telecom company unique identifier assigned to the user device. 14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 wherein the UID is a physical device-specific unique identifier assigned to the user device. 15. A networked computer system comprising one or more programmed processors and configured by computer-executable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium to carry out a method including:
creating, on the survey participant server, a database element associated with the UID of the user device, the database element including information corresponding to on-line advertisements previously executed on the user device; receiving, by the survey participant server, an on-line advertisement exposure notification from the user device, the on-line advertisement exposure notification including the UID and an on-line advertisement ID corresponding to an on-line advertisement provided by the advertisement server; and updating, by the survey participant server, the database element associated with the UID in accordance with advertisement exposure on the user device associated with the on-line advertisement ID. 16. The system of claim 15 wherein the survey participant server further comprises computer-executable instructions for:
designating an on-line survey for presentation to the user device based upon the information stored in the database element, associated with the UID of the user device, corresponding to on-line advertisements previously executed on the user device. 17. The system of claim 15 wherein the UID is stored in a browser cache of the user device, and wherein the UID stored in the browser cache of the user device is accessed by a browser and sent to the survey participant server within the on-line advertisement exposure notification. 18. The system of claim 15 wherein the UID is stored in a local storage of the user device, wherein the local storage supports access to information via name-value pairs of data, and
wherein the UID stored in the local storage of the user device is accessed and sent to the survey participant server within the on-line advertisement exposure notification. 19. The system of claim 15 wherein the UID is provided by an on-line advertisement server to the survey participant server. 20. The system of claim 15 wherein the UID is a telecom company unique identifier assigned to the user device. 21. The system of claim 15 wherein the UID is a physical device-specific unique identifier assigned to the user device. | 3,600 |
13,262 | 13,262 | 12,842,695 | 3,691 | A system and method of processing a mailing label through a postal service that requires an account that can be charged for generating the mailing label are described. The method includes charging or deducting a fictitiously fundable or chargeable account to enable generation of a mailing label for a mail piece. The mailing label includes a tracking indicium associated with the fictitiously fundable or chargeable account. The method further includes receiving the tracking indicium scanned from the mailing label on the mail piece when the mail piece is inducted in the mail stream or during transit of the mail piece in the mail stream, and charging or deducting funds from an actually fundable or chargeable account based upon the received scanned tracking indicium. | 1. A method of processing a mailing label through a postal service that requires an account that can be charged for generating the mailing label, comprising:
charging or deducting a fictitiously fundable or chargeable account to enable generation of a mailing label for a mail piece, wherein the mailing label includes a tracking indicium associated with the fictitiously fundable or chargeable account; receiving the tracking indicium scanned from the mailing label on the mail piece when the mail piece is inducted in the mail stream or during transit of the mail piece in the mail stream; charging or deducting funds from an actually fundable or chargeable account based upon the received scanned tracking indicium. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein charging or deducting funds from the actually fundable account includes creating a transaction indicium for the charging or deducting funds and associating the transaction indicium with the actually fundable or chargeable account. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein deducting funds from the actually fundable or chargeable account comprises debiting an amount of funds from the actually fundable or chargeable account corresponding to a fictitious postage amount debited from the fictitiously fundable or chargeable account. 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising funding the fictitiously fundable or chargeable account with an amount of fictitious money and replenishing the fictitiously fundable or chargeable account when the amount of fictitious money is equal to or less than zero. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the scanned tracking indicium comprises a location of an induction point and a location of a delivery point. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tracking indicium includes a tracking barcode, or a postage value indicium, or both. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tracking indicium includes a one-dimensional barcode, or a two-dimensional barcode, or both. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mailing label is a reply mailing label. 9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a postage value indicium scanned from the mailing label on the mail piece when the mail piece is inducted in the mail stream or during transit of the mail piece in the mail stream. 10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising computing an amount of funds to be deducted from the actually fundable or chargeable account using the received scanned postage value indicium. 11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a weight information of the mail piece at induction of the mail piece in the mail stream or during transit of the mail piece in the mail stream. 12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising computing an amount of funds to be deducted from the actually fundable or chargeable account using the weight information of the mail piece. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein charging or deducting funds from the actually fundable or chargeable account comprises charging or deducting funds when the mail piece is at a delivery point in the mail stream. 14. A method of processing a mailing label having a tracking code through a postal service that requires an account that can be charged for generating the mailing label, comprising:
receiving a client mailer identification number from a postal service; charging or deducting a fictitiously fundable or chargeable account to enable generation of a mailing label for a mail piece, wherein the mailing label includes a tracking code associated with the fictitiously fundable or chargeable account, the tracking code including the client mailer identification number; and receiving a file containing the tracking code scanned from the mailing label on the mail piece when the mail piece is inducted in the mail stream or during transit of the mail piece in the mail stream. 15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising transmitting to the postal service a file containing tracking codes of a plurality of mailing labels issued during a selected time period, the mailer identification number being the header of the file. 16. The method according to claim 15, receiving a file from the postal service containing a tracking code scanned from a mailing label in the plurality of mailing labels when a mail piece on which the mailing label is applied is inducted in the mail stream, the tracking code including the mailer identification number. 17. A system of processing a mailing label through a postal service that requires an account that can be charged for generating the mailing label, comprising:
a memory configured to store a fictitiously fundable or chargeable account, the fictitiously fundable account being useable to generate a mailing label for a mail piece, wherein the mailing label includes an tracking indicium associated with the fictitiously fundable or chargeable account; and a processor configured to: (i) receive the tracking indicium scanned from the mailing label on the mail piece when the mail piece is inducted in the mail stream or during transit of the mail piece in the mail stream; and (ii) generate an output to charge or deduct funds from an actually fundable or chargeable account based upon the received scanned tracking indicium. 18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to create a transaction indicium for the charging or deducting funds and to associate the transaction indicium with the actually fundable or chargeable account of the user. 19. The system according to claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to debit an amount of funds from the actually fundable or chargeable account corresponding to a fictitious postage amount debited from the fictitiously fundable or chargeable account of the user. 20. The system according to claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to receive an input to fund the fictitiously fundable or chargeable account with an amount of fictitious money. 21. The system according to claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to receive an input to replenish the fictitiously fundable or chargeable account when the amount of fictitious money is equal to or less than zero. 22. The system according to claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to identify a location of an induction point and a location of a delivery point from the scanned tracking indicium. 23. The system according to claim 17, wherein the tracking indicium includes a tracking barcode, or a postage value indicium, or both. 24. The system according to claim 17, wherein the tracking indicium includes a one-dimensional barcode, or a two-dimensional barcode, or both. 25. The system according to claim 17, wherein the mailing label is a reply mailing label. 26. The system according to claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to receive a weight information of the mail piece at induction of the mail piece in the mail stream, or during transit of the mail piece in the mail stream. 27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the processor is further configured to compute an amount of funds to be deducted from the customer's actually fundable or chargeable account using the weight information of the mail piece. 28. The system according to claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to receive a postage value indicium scanned from the mailing label on the mailing piece at induction of the mail piece in the mail stream, or during transit of the mail piece in the mail stream. 29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the processor is further configured to compute an amount of funds to be deducted from the customer's actually fundable or chargeable account using the received scanned postage value indicium. 30. The system according to claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to charge or deduct funds when the mail piece is at a delivery point in the mail stream. 31. The system according to claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to receive a mailer identification number from a postal service; and to receive a file associated with the mailer identification number, the file containing a tracking indicium including the mail identification number. | A system and method of processing a mailing label through a postal service that requires an account that can be charged for generating the mailing label are described. The method includes charging or deducting a fictitiously fundable or chargeable account to enable generation of a mailing label for a mail piece. The mailing label includes a tracking indicium associated with the fictitiously fundable or chargeable account. The method further includes receiving the tracking indicium scanned from the mailing label on the mail piece when the mail piece is inducted in the mail stream or during transit of the mail piece in the mail stream, and charging or deducting funds from an actually fundable or chargeable account based upon the received scanned tracking indicium.1. A method of processing a mailing label through a postal service that requires an account that can be charged for generating the mailing label, comprising:
charging or deducting a fictitiously fundable or chargeable account to enable generation of a mailing label for a mail piece, wherein the mailing label includes a tracking indicium associated with the fictitiously fundable or chargeable account; receiving the tracking indicium scanned from the mailing label on the mail piece when the mail piece is inducted in the mail stream or during transit of the mail piece in the mail stream; charging or deducting funds from an actually fundable or chargeable account based upon the received scanned tracking indicium. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein charging or deducting funds from the actually fundable account includes creating a transaction indicium for the charging or deducting funds and associating the transaction indicium with the actually fundable or chargeable account. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein deducting funds from the actually fundable or chargeable account comprises debiting an amount of funds from the actually fundable or chargeable account corresponding to a fictitious postage amount debited from the fictitiously fundable or chargeable account. 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising funding the fictitiously fundable or chargeable account with an amount of fictitious money and replenishing the fictitiously fundable or chargeable account when the amount of fictitious money is equal to or less than zero. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the scanned tracking indicium comprises a location of an induction point and a location of a delivery point. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tracking indicium includes a tracking barcode, or a postage value indicium, or both. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the tracking indicium includes a one-dimensional barcode, or a two-dimensional barcode, or both. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mailing label is a reply mailing label. 9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a postage value indicium scanned from the mailing label on the mail piece when the mail piece is inducted in the mail stream or during transit of the mail piece in the mail stream. 10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising computing an amount of funds to be deducted from the actually fundable or chargeable account using the received scanned postage value indicium. 11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a weight information of the mail piece at induction of the mail piece in the mail stream or during transit of the mail piece in the mail stream. 12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising computing an amount of funds to be deducted from the actually fundable or chargeable account using the weight information of the mail piece. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein charging or deducting funds from the actually fundable or chargeable account comprises charging or deducting funds when the mail piece is at a delivery point in the mail stream. 14. A method of processing a mailing label having a tracking code through a postal service that requires an account that can be charged for generating the mailing label, comprising:
receiving a client mailer identification number from a postal service; charging or deducting a fictitiously fundable or chargeable account to enable generation of a mailing label for a mail piece, wherein the mailing label includes a tracking code associated with the fictitiously fundable or chargeable account, the tracking code including the client mailer identification number; and receiving a file containing the tracking code scanned from the mailing label on the mail piece when the mail piece is inducted in the mail stream or during transit of the mail piece in the mail stream. 15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising transmitting to the postal service a file containing tracking codes of a plurality of mailing labels issued during a selected time period, the mailer identification number being the header of the file. 16. The method according to claim 15, receiving a file from the postal service containing a tracking code scanned from a mailing label in the plurality of mailing labels when a mail piece on which the mailing label is applied is inducted in the mail stream, the tracking code including the mailer identification number. 17. A system of processing a mailing label through a postal service that requires an account that can be charged for generating the mailing label, comprising:
a memory configured to store a fictitiously fundable or chargeable account, the fictitiously fundable account being useable to generate a mailing label for a mail piece, wherein the mailing label includes an tracking indicium associated with the fictitiously fundable or chargeable account; and a processor configured to: (i) receive the tracking indicium scanned from the mailing label on the mail piece when the mail piece is inducted in the mail stream or during transit of the mail piece in the mail stream; and (ii) generate an output to charge or deduct funds from an actually fundable or chargeable account based upon the received scanned tracking indicium. 18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to create a transaction indicium for the charging or deducting funds and to associate the transaction indicium with the actually fundable or chargeable account of the user. 19. The system according to claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to debit an amount of funds from the actually fundable or chargeable account corresponding to a fictitious postage amount debited from the fictitiously fundable or chargeable account of the user. 20. The system according to claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to receive an input to fund the fictitiously fundable or chargeable account with an amount of fictitious money. 21. The system according to claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to receive an input to replenish the fictitiously fundable or chargeable account when the amount of fictitious money is equal to or less than zero. 22. The system according to claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to identify a location of an induction point and a location of a delivery point from the scanned tracking indicium. 23. The system according to claim 17, wherein the tracking indicium includes a tracking barcode, or a postage value indicium, or both. 24. The system according to claim 17, wherein the tracking indicium includes a one-dimensional barcode, or a two-dimensional barcode, or both. 25. The system according to claim 17, wherein the mailing label is a reply mailing label. 26. The system according to claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to receive a weight information of the mail piece at induction of the mail piece in the mail stream, or during transit of the mail piece in the mail stream. 27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the processor is further configured to compute an amount of funds to be deducted from the customer's actually fundable or chargeable account using the weight information of the mail piece. 28. The system according to claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to receive a postage value indicium scanned from the mailing label on the mailing piece at induction of the mail piece in the mail stream, or during transit of the mail piece in the mail stream. 29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the processor is further configured to compute an amount of funds to be deducted from the customer's actually fundable or chargeable account using the received scanned postage value indicium. 30. The system according to claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to charge or deduct funds when the mail piece is at a delivery point in the mail stream. 31. The system according to claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to receive a mailer identification number from a postal service; and to receive a file associated with the mailer identification number, the file containing a tracking indicium including the mail identification number. | 3,600 |
13,263 | 13,263 | 15,359,880 | 3,622 | In some aspects, methods for measuring a level of usage of one or more replaceable consumable components within a material processing system can include detecting a type of consumable component in use within a processing device of the material processing system; determining, using a computing system, if the type of consumable component in use is a specific type of consumable component; and determining, using the computing system, a usage ratio of the specific type of consumable component used relative to other types of consumable components used within the processing device during a cumulative time period of use of the material processing system. | 1. A method for communicating data about a consumable component installed in a processing head of a material processing system, the method comprising:
installing the consumable component in the processing head, the consumable component having an RFID device, the RFID device being configured to store data about the consumable component, the material processing system being one of a plasma cutting system, a waterjet cutting system, or a laser cutting system; reading the stored data about the consumable component from the RFID device by a reading device in the processing head during material processing by the processing head; and transmitting, by the material processing system, the stored data about the consumable component installed in the processing head to an internet-based cloud-computing network. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing head comprises a plasma torch, a waterjet cutting head or a laser processing head. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the data about the consumable component comprises at least one of a duration the material processing system was operated, an identification of the consumable component, a number of starts performed by the consumable component, or an hours of operation of the consumable component. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning the RFID device in the processing head upon installation of the consumable component in the processing head. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein material processing by the processing head comprises generating a cutting beam by the processing head for cutting a workpiece. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the stored data about the consumable component comprises transmitting, by a communication module disposed in a power supply of the material processing system, the stored data about the consumable component to the internet-based cloud-computing network. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising analyzing usage information about the consumable component using the internet-based cloud-computing network. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising accessing the internet-based cloud-computing network to receive the stored data about the consumable component. 9. A method for analyzing data about a consumable component of a material processing system, the method comprising:
installing the consumable component inside of a processing head of the material processing system; generating, by the processing head, a cutting beam during a cutting process by the processing head; reading, by a reading device, cutting data of the consumable component from an RFID tag disposed in the processing head; communicating, by the material processing system, the cutting data for the consumable component over a network to an internet-based cloud-computing system; and analyzing the cutting data using the internet-based cloud-computing system to determine at least one of usage history of the consumable component or an identifier of the consumable component. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the reading device and the RFID tag are disposed in the processing head. 11. The method of claim 9, further comprising reading, by the reading device, the cutting data for the consumable component from the RFID tag during the cutting process. 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising communicating the cutting data to the internet-based, cloud-computing system during the cutting process. 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the processing head comprises a plasma torch, a waterjet cutting head or a laser processing head. 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the cutting data for the consumable component comprises at least one of a duration the material processing system was operated, an identification of the consumable component, a number of starts performed by the consumable component, or an hours of operation of the consumable component. 15. The method of claim 9, wherein communicating the cutting data for the consumable component to the internet-based cloud-computing system comprises communicating, by a communication module disposed in a power supply of the material processing system, the cutting data to the internet-based cloud-computing system. 16. The method of claim 9, further comprising accessing the internet-based cloud-computing system to receive at least one of the usage history of the consumable component or the identifier of the consumable component. | In some aspects, methods for measuring a level of usage of one or more replaceable consumable components within a material processing system can include detecting a type of consumable component in use within a processing device of the material processing system; determining, using a computing system, if the type of consumable component in use is a specific type of consumable component; and determining, using the computing system, a usage ratio of the specific type of consumable component used relative to other types of consumable components used within the processing device during a cumulative time period of use of the material processing system.1. A method for communicating data about a consumable component installed in a processing head of a material processing system, the method comprising:
installing the consumable component in the processing head, the consumable component having an RFID device, the RFID device being configured to store data about the consumable component, the material processing system being one of a plasma cutting system, a waterjet cutting system, or a laser cutting system; reading the stored data about the consumable component from the RFID device by a reading device in the processing head during material processing by the processing head; and transmitting, by the material processing system, the stored data about the consumable component installed in the processing head to an internet-based cloud-computing network. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the processing head comprises a plasma torch, a waterjet cutting head or a laser processing head. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the data about the consumable component comprises at least one of a duration the material processing system was operated, an identification of the consumable component, a number of starts performed by the consumable component, or an hours of operation of the consumable component. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning the RFID device in the processing head upon installation of the consumable component in the processing head. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein material processing by the processing head comprises generating a cutting beam by the processing head for cutting a workpiece. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the stored data about the consumable component comprises transmitting, by a communication module disposed in a power supply of the material processing system, the stored data about the consumable component to the internet-based cloud-computing network. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising analyzing usage information about the consumable component using the internet-based cloud-computing network. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising accessing the internet-based cloud-computing network to receive the stored data about the consumable component. 9. A method for analyzing data about a consumable component of a material processing system, the method comprising:
installing the consumable component inside of a processing head of the material processing system; generating, by the processing head, a cutting beam during a cutting process by the processing head; reading, by a reading device, cutting data of the consumable component from an RFID tag disposed in the processing head; communicating, by the material processing system, the cutting data for the consumable component over a network to an internet-based cloud-computing system; and analyzing the cutting data using the internet-based cloud-computing system to determine at least one of usage history of the consumable component or an identifier of the consumable component. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the reading device and the RFID tag are disposed in the processing head. 11. The method of claim 9, further comprising reading, by the reading device, the cutting data for the consumable component from the RFID tag during the cutting process. 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising communicating the cutting data to the internet-based, cloud-computing system during the cutting process. 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the processing head comprises a plasma torch, a waterjet cutting head or a laser processing head. 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the cutting data for the consumable component comprises at least one of a duration the material processing system was operated, an identification of the consumable component, a number of starts performed by the consumable component, or an hours of operation of the consumable component. 15. The method of claim 9, wherein communicating the cutting data for the consumable component to the internet-based cloud-computing system comprises communicating, by a communication module disposed in a power supply of the material processing system, the cutting data to the internet-based cloud-computing system. 16. The method of claim 9, further comprising accessing the internet-based cloud-computing system to receive at least one of the usage history of the consumable component or the identifier of the consumable component. | 3,600 |
13,264 | 13,264 | 14,336,434 | 3,619 | Gene expression analysis is generally performed on heterogeneous tissue samples consisting of multiple cell types. Current methods developed to separate heterogeneous gene expression rely on prior knowledge of the cell-type composition and/or signatures—these are not available in most public datasets. We present a novel method to identify the cell-type composition, signatures and proportions per sample without need for a priori information. The method was successfully tested on controlled and semi-controlled datasets and performed as accurately as current methods that do require additional information. As such, this method enables the analysis of cell-type specific gene expression using existing large pools of publically available microarray datasets. | 1. A method of identifying cell-type, signatures and proportions in a heterogeneous tissue sample that includes multiple cell types, comprising the steps of:
providing purified reference signatures for each of the cell types suspected to exist in the sample; obtaining an initial estimate of expression profiles for each cell-type; estimating the true number of cell types using the symmetric Kullback-Leibler divergence (SKLD) between each of the estimated cell-type profiles and the initial cell-type reference signatures, where the closest estimated profiles are then chosen as the final cell-type specific separated signatures; and computing the cell-type proportions per sample, using the method of non-negative least squares (NNLS). 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the initial estimate of expression profiles is obtained using non-negative matrix factorization. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to providing purified reference signatures, the step of estimating of the numbers and identities of the cell types in the tissue sample. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the purified reference signatures are collected from a public database for those cell types suspected to exist in the tissue sample. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the public database is the Gene Expression Omnibus. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps are repeated with random initializations, and the results are pooled. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein input reference signatures are grouped into one or more classes of cell type. 8. A method of identifying components in a mixture from gene expression microarrays, their signatures and proportions in a heterogeneous sample that includes multiple cell types in a tissue, multiple tissues in a mixture of tissues and more, comprising the steps of:
providing purified reference signatures for each of the cell types suspected to exist in the sample; obtaining an initial estimate of expression profiles for each cell-type by using non-negative matrix factorization; estimating the true number of cell types by measuring the distance between each of the estimated cell-type profiles and the initial input cell-type reference signatures, where the closest estimated profiles are then chosen as the final cell-types; computing the cell-type proportions per sample, using the method of non-negative least squares (NNLS); repeating the preceding steps at least once and averaging the results obtained thereby. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the initial estimate is obtained by using non-negative matrix factorization. 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising, prior to providing purified reference signatures, the step of estimating of the numbers and identities of the cell types in the tissue sample. | Gene expression analysis is generally performed on heterogeneous tissue samples consisting of multiple cell types. Current methods developed to separate heterogeneous gene expression rely on prior knowledge of the cell-type composition and/or signatures—these are not available in most public datasets. We present a novel method to identify the cell-type composition, signatures and proportions per sample without need for a priori information. The method was successfully tested on controlled and semi-controlled datasets and performed as accurately as current methods that do require additional information. As such, this method enables the analysis of cell-type specific gene expression using existing large pools of publically available microarray datasets.1. A method of identifying cell-type, signatures and proportions in a heterogeneous tissue sample that includes multiple cell types, comprising the steps of:
providing purified reference signatures for each of the cell types suspected to exist in the sample; obtaining an initial estimate of expression profiles for each cell-type; estimating the true number of cell types using the symmetric Kullback-Leibler divergence (SKLD) between each of the estimated cell-type profiles and the initial cell-type reference signatures, where the closest estimated profiles are then chosen as the final cell-type specific separated signatures; and computing the cell-type proportions per sample, using the method of non-negative least squares (NNLS). 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the initial estimate of expression profiles is obtained using non-negative matrix factorization. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to providing purified reference signatures, the step of estimating of the numbers and identities of the cell types in the tissue sample. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the purified reference signatures are collected from a public database for those cell types suspected to exist in the tissue sample. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the public database is the Gene Expression Omnibus. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps are repeated with random initializations, and the results are pooled. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein input reference signatures are grouped into one or more classes of cell type. 8. A method of identifying components in a mixture from gene expression microarrays, their signatures and proportions in a heterogeneous sample that includes multiple cell types in a tissue, multiple tissues in a mixture of tissues and more, comprising the steps of:
providing purified reference signatures for each of the cell types suspected to exist in the sample; obtaining an initial estimate of expression profiles for each cell-type by using non-negative matrix factorization; estimating the true number of cell types by measuring the distance between each of the estimated cell-type profiles and the initial input cell-type reference signatures, where the closest estimated profiles are then chosen as the final cell-types; computing the cell-type proportions per sample, using the method of non-negative least squares (NNLS); repeating the preceding steps at least once and averaging the results obtained thereby. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the initial estimate is obtained by using non-negative matrix factorization. 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising, prior to providing purified reference signatures, the step of estimating of the numbers and identities of the cell types in the tissue sample. | 3,600 |
13,265 | 13,265 | 14,322,024 | 3,685 | There is provided a system and method for gated unlock codes for videogame features and content. By maintaining a redemption database where master unlock codes are used to provide access to specific subsets of feature unlock codes, unique exclusive content may be provided for different retailers. In this manner, a universal game media containing all possible additional content may be utilized for retail distribution, reducing publishing costs while still providing customized versions for retailers with desirable exclusive content. By restricting each gaming device or user account to a single group or hierarchy of master unlock codes, the use o f ancillary unlock codes with videogames purchased from different retailers may be discouraged, thereby preserving user incentives to purchase primary and secondary items with feature unlock codes at a single retailer. | 1-20. (canceled) 21. A gaming device comprising:
a memory configured to store a program code; a processor configured to:
execute the program code from the memory to provide an interactive videogame on a display;
display a first query on the display requesting one of a plurality of master unlock codes associated with the interactive videogame, wherein each of the plurality of master unlock codes corresponds to a specific retailer of a plurality of retailers each assigned a unique master unlock code from the plurality of master unlock codes;
receive a first master unlock code of the plurality of master unlock codes in response to the first query;
verify the first master unlock code;
provide access to a list of a plurality of features corresponding to the specific retailer in response to verifying the first master unlock code, wherein each of the plurality of features having a corresponding feature unlock code of a plurality of feature unlock codes;
receive a request for a first feature of the plurality of features corresponding to the specific retailer;
display a second query on the display requesting the feature unlock code of the plurality of feature unlock codes corresponding to the first feature;
receive the feature unlock code in response to the second query;
verify the feature unlock code; and
grant access to the first feature in response to verifying the feature unlock code. 22. The gaming device of claim 21, wherein he first master unlock code is provided with a purchase from a first retailer of a game media containing the program code. 23. The gaming device of claim 22, wherein the first feature unlock code is provided with a purchase from the first retailer of a secondary item. 24. The gaming device of claim 22, wherein the first feature unlock code is provided with a purchase from a second retailer of a secondary item. 25. The gaming device of claim 24, wherein the secondary item is one of Blu-ray or DVD discs, movie tickets and game accessories. 26. The gaming device of claim 21, wherein the plurality of master unlock codes are each associated with mutually exclusive feature unlock codes. 27. The gaming device of claim 21, wherein the processor is configured to verify the first master unlock code by accessing a database over a network. 28. A method for use by a gaming device having a processor and a memory configured to store program code, the method comprising:
executing, using the processor, the program code from the memory to provide an interactive videogame on a display; displaying, using the processor, a first query on the display requesting one of a plurality of master unlock codes associated with the interactive videogame, wherein each of the plurality of master unlock codes corresponds to a specific retailer of a plurality of retailers each assigned a unique master unlock code from the plurality of master unlock codes; receiving, using the processor, a first master unlock code of the plurality of master unlock codes in response to the first query; verifying, using the processor, the first master unlock code; providing, using the processor, access to a list of a plurality of features corresponding to the specific retailer in response to verifying the first master unlock code, wherein each of the plurality of features having a corresponding feature unlock code of a plurality of feature unlock codes; receiving, using the processor, a request for a first feature of the plurality of features corresponding to the specific retailer; displaying, using the processor, a second query on the display requesting the feature unlock code of the plurality of feature unlock codes corresponding to the first feature; receiving, using the processor, the feature unlock code in response to the second query; verifying, using the processor, the feature unlock code; and granting, using the processor, access to the first feature in response to verifying the feature unlock code. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the first master unlock code is provided with a purchase from a first retailer of a game media containing the program code. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the first feature unlock code is provided with a purchase from the first retailer of a secondary item. 31. The method of claim 29, wherein the first feature unlock code is provided with a purchase from a second retailer of a secondary item. 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the secondary item is one of Blu-ray or DVD discs, movie tickets and game accessories. 33. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of master unlock codes are each associated with mutually exclusive feature unlock codes. 34. The method of claim 28, wherein the verifying of the first master unlock code includes accessing a database over a network. | There is provided a system and method for gated unlock codes for videogame features and content. By maintaining a redemption database where master unlock codes are used to provide access to specific subsets of feature unlock codes, unique exclusive content may be provided for different retailers. In this manner, a universal game media containing all possible additional content may be utilized for retail distribution, reducing publishing costs while still providing customized versions for retailers with desirable exclusive content. By restricting each gaming device or user account to a single group or hierarchy of master unlock codes, the use o f ancillary unlock codes with videogames purchased from different retailers may be discouraged, thereby preserving user incentives to purchase primary and secondary items with feature unlock codes at a single retailer.1-20. (canceled) 21. A gaming device comprising:
a memory configured to store a program code; a processor configured to:
execute the program code from the memory to provide an interactive videogame on a display;
display a first query on the display requesting one of a plurality of master unlock codes associated with the interactive videogame, wherein each of the plurality of master unlock codes corresponds to a specific retailer of a plurality of retailers each assigned a unique master unlock code from the plurality of master unlock codes;
receive a first master unlock code of the plurality of master unlock codes in response to the first query;
verify the first master unlock code;
provide access to a list of a plurality of features corresponding to the specific retailer in response to verifying the first master unlock code, wherein each of the plurality of features having a corresponding feature unlock code of a plurality of feature unlock codes;
receive a request for a first feature of the plurality of features corresponding to the specific retailer;
display a second query on the display requesting the feature unlock code of the plurality of feature unlock codes corresponding to the first feature;
receive the feature unlock code in response to the second query;
verify the feature unlock code; and
grant access to the first feature in response to verifying the feature unlock code. 22. The gaming device of claim 21, wherein he first master unlock code is provided with a purchase from a first retailer of a game media containing the program code. 23. The gaming device of claim 22, wherein the first feature unlock code is provided with a purchase from the first retailer of a secondary item. 24. The gaming device of claim 22, wherein the first feature unlock code is provided with a purchase from a second retailer of a secondary item. 25. The gaming device of claim 24, wherein the secondary item is one of Blu-ray or DVD discs, movie tickets and game accessories. 26. The gaming device of claim 21, wherein the plurality of master unlock codes are each associated with mutually exclusive feature unlock codes. 27. The gaming device of claim 21, wherein the processor is configured to verify the first master unlock code by accessing a database over a network. 28. A method for use by a gaming device having a processor and a memory configured to store program code, the method comprising:
executing, using the processor, the program code from the memory to provide an interactive videogame on a display; displaying, using the processor, a first query on the display requesting one of a plurality of master unlock codes associated with the interactive videogame, wherein each of the plurality of master unlock codes corresponds to a specific retailer of a plurality of retailers each assigned a unique master unlock code from the plurality of master unlock codes; receiving, using the processor, a first master unlock code of the plurality of master unlock codes in response to the first query; verifying, using the processor, the first master unlock code; providing, using the processor, access to a list of a plurality of features corresponding to the specific retailer in response to verifying the first master unlock code, wherein each of the plurality of features having a corresponding feature unlock code of a plurality of feature unlock codes; receiving, using the processor, a request for a first feature of the plurality of features corresponding to the specific retailer; displaying, using the processor, a second query on the display requesting the feature unlock code of the plurality of feature unlock codes corresponding to the first feature; receiving, using the processor, the feature unlock code in response to the second query; verifying, using the processor, the feature unlock code; and granting, using the processor, access to the first feature in response to verifying the feature unlock code. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the first master unlock code is provided with a purchase from a first retailer of a game media containing the program code. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the first feature unlock code is provided with a purchase from the first retailer of a secondary item. 31. The method of claim 29, wherein the first feature unlock code is provided with a purchase from a second retailer of a secondary item. 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the secondary item is one of Blu-ray or DVD discs, movie tickets and game accessories. 33. The method of claim 28, wherein the plurality of master unlock codes are each associated with mutually exclusive feature unlock codes. 34. The method of claim 28, wherein the verifying of the first master unlock code includes accessing a database over a network. | 3,600 |
13,266 | 13,266 | 13,415,140 | 3,628 | A system for calculating amounts of car hire owed. | 1. A method for automatically applying a plurality of reclaims to an ongoing movement cycle of a unit of railroad transport equipment, said method comprising:
(a) a computing device receiving numerical codes each respectively associated with said ongoing movement cycle and representing statistical information about said ongoing movement cycle; (b) said computing device receiving said plurality of reclaims for which said ongoing movement cycle is potentially eligible, each said reclaim having at least one associated parameter; (c) said computing device selectively applying a first reclaim from said plurality of reclaims to said ongoing movement cycle based on a comparison of said numerical codes associated with said ongoing movement cycle to said at least one associated parameter of said first reclaim; and. (d) said computing device using the applied said first reclaim to automatically select a second reclaim, from among a subset of reclaims mutually exclusive to each other and within said plurality of reclaims, to also apply to said movement cycle, where said movement cycle is eligible for each reclaim in said subset, individually, wherein reclaims in said subset are mutually exclusive to each other when selection of any one reclaim in said subset precludes selection of all others in said subset. 2. The method of claim 1 where said numerical codes are received from Telerail Automated Information Networks. 3. The method of claim 1 where said at least one reclaim is of a type selected from a rate reclaim, a fixed time reclaim, and an up-to reclaim. 4. The method of claim 3 including the steps of:
(a) receiving numerical codes each respectively associated with one of at least two ongoing movement cycles;
(b) receiving at least one potential reclaim for each of said at least two ongoing movement cycles;
(c) said computing device selectively applying a rate reclaim to at least one of said at least two ongoing movement cycles; and
(d) said computing device selectively applying an up-to reclaim to a computer-selected at least one ongoing movement cycle based upon said applied rate reclaim. 5. The method of claim 3 including the steps of:
(a) receiving numerical codes each respectively associated with one of at least two ongoing movement cycles;
(b) receiving at least one potential reclaim for each of said at least two ongoing movement cycles;
(c) said computing device selectively applying a fixed time reclaim to at least one of said at least two ongoing movement cycles; and
(d) said computing device selectively applying an up-to reclaim to a computer-selected at least one ongoing movement cycle based upon said applied fixed time reclaim. 6. The method of claim 1 where there are more than two reclaims in said subset of mutually exclusive reclaims. 7. A method for automatically applying at least one reclaim to selected one or more movement cycles, each associated with a unit of railroad transport equipment, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) applying a computer-selected first reclaim to a movement cycle of a piece of railroad transport equipment from among a set of potentially-selectable reclaims; and (b) said computing device using the selection of said first reclaim to select a second reclaim from within said set of potentially-selectable reclaims, where selection of said second reclaim depends on which reclaim was selected as said first reclaim. 8. A method for automatically applying at least one reclaim to a movement cycle of a unit of railroad transport equipment, said method comprising:
(a) receiving numerical codes each respectively associated with said movement cycle and representing statistical information about said movement cycle; (b) receiving at least one reclaim for which said movement cycle is potentially eligible, said reclaim having at least one associated parameter; (c) comparing, with a computing device, each said parameter to said numerical codes; (d) said computing device selectively applying said at least one reclaim to said movement cycle based on a comparison of said numerical codes associated with said movement cycle to said at least one associated parameter; and (e) said computing device automatically deactivating a previously-applied said at least one reclaim for which said movement cycle is eligible. 9. The method of claim 8 where said numerical codes are received from Telerail Automated Information Networks. 10. The method of claim 8 where said at least one reclaim is of a type selected from a rate reclaim, a fixed time reclaim, and an up-to reclaim. 11. The method of claim 10, including receiving a plurality of reclaims for which said movement cycle is potentially eligible, where said computing device selectively applies more than one said reclaim to said movement cycle. 12. The method of claim 8 including the steps of:
(a) receiving numerical codes each respectively associated with one of at least two movement cycles;
(b) receiving at least one potential reclaim for each of said at least two movement cycles;
(c) said computing device selectively applying a rate reclaim to at least one of said at least two movement cycles; and
(d) said computing device selectively applying an up-to reclaim to a computer-selected at least one movement cycle based upon said applied rate reclaim. 13. The method of claim 8 including the steps of:
(a) receiving numerical codes each respectively associated with one of at least two movement cycles;
(b) receiving at least one potential reclaim for each of said at least two movement cycles;
(c) said computing device selectively applying a fixed time reclaim to at least one of said at least two movement cycles; and
(d) said computing device selectively applying an up-to reclaim to a computer-selected at least one movement cycle based upon said applied fixed time reclaim. | A system for calculating amounts of car hire owed.1. A method for automatically applying a plurality of reclaims to an ongoing movement cycle of a unit of railroad transport equipment, said method comprising:
(a) a computing device receiving numerical codes each respectively associated with said ongoing movement cycle and representing statistical information about said ongoing movement cycle; (b) said computing device receiving said plurality of reclaims for which said ongoing movement cycle is potentially eligible, each said reclaim having at least one associated parameter; (c) said computing device selectively applying a first reclaim from said plurality of reclaims to said ongoing movement cycle based on a comparison of said numerical codes associated with said ongoing movement cycle to said at least one associated parameter of said first reclaim; and. (d) said computing device using the applied said first reclaim to automatically select a second reclaim, from among a subset of reclaims mutually exclusive to each other and within said plurality of reclaims, to also apply to said movement cycle, where said movement cycle is eligible for each reclaim in said subset, individually, wherein reclaims in said subset are mutually exclusive to each other when selection of any one reclaim in said subset precludes selection of all others in said subset. 2. The method of claim 1 where said numerical codes are received from Telerail Automated Information Networks. 3. The method of claim 1 where said at least one reclaim is of a type selected from a rate reclaim, a fixed time reclaim, and an up-to reclaim. 4. The method of claim 3 including the steps of:
(a) receiving numerical codes each respectively associated with one of at least two ongoing movement cycles;
(b) receiving at least one potential reclaim for each of said at least two ongoing movement cycles;
(c) said computing device selectively applying a rate reclaim to at least one of said at least two ongoing movement cycles; and
(d) said computing device selectively applying an up-to reclaim to a computer-selected at least one ongoing movement cycle based upon said applied rate reclaim. 5. The method of claim 3 including the steps of:
(a) receiving numerical codes each respectively associated with one of at least two ongoing movement cycles;
(b) receiving at least one potential reclaim for each of said at least two ongoing movement cycles;
(c) said computing device selectively applying a fixed time reclaim to at least one of said at least two ongoing movement cycles; and
(d) said computing device selectively applying an up-to reclaim to a computer-selected at least one ongoing movement cycle based upon said applied fixed time reclaim. 6. The method of claim 1 where there are more than two reclaims in said subset of mutually exclusive reclaims. 7. A method for automatically applying at least one reclaim to selected one or more movement cycles, each associated with a unit of railroad transport equipment, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) applying a computer-selected first reclaim to a movement cycle of a piece of railroad transport equipment from among a set of potentially-selectable reclaims; and (b) said computing device using the selection of said first reclaim to select a second reclaim from within said set of potentially-selectable reclaims, where selection of said second reclaim depends on which reclaim was selected as said first reclaim. 8. A method for automatically applying at least one reclaim to a movement cycle of a unit of railroad transport equipment, said method comprising:
(a) receiving numerical codes each respectively associated with said movement cycle and representing statistical information about said movement cycle; (b) receiving at least one reclaim for which said movement cycle is potentially eligible, said reclaim having at least one associated parameter; (c) comparing, with a computing device, each said parameter to said numerical codes; (d) said computing device selectively applying said at least one reclaim to said movement cycle based on a comparison of said numerical codes associated with said movement cycle to said at least one associated parameter; and (e) said computing device automatically deactivating a previously-applied said at least one reclaim for which said movement cycle is eligible. 9. The method of claim 8 where said numerical codes are received from Telerail Automated Information Networks. 10. The method of claim 8 where said at least one reclaim is of a type selected from a rate reclaim, a fixed time reclaim, and an up-to reclaim. 11. The method of claim 10, including receiving a plurality of reclaims for which said movement cycle is potentially eligible, where said computing device selectively applies more than one said reclaim to said movement cycle. 12. The method of claim 8 including the steps of:
(a) receiving numerical codes each respectively associated with one of at least two movement cycles;
(b) receiving at least one potential reclaim for each of said at least two movement cycles;
(c) said computing device selectively applying a rate reclaim to at least one of said at least two movement cycles; and
(d) said computing device selectively applying an up-to reclaim to a computer-selected at least one movement cycle based upon said applied rate reclaim. 13. The method of claim 8 including the steps of:
(a) receiving numerical codes each respectively associated with one of at least two movement cycles;
(b) receiving at least one potential reclaim for each of said at least two movement cycles;
(c) said computing device selectively applying a fixed time reclaim to at least one of said at least two movement cycles; and
(d) said computing device selectively applying an up-to reclaim to a computer-selected at least one movement cycle based upon said applied fixed time reclaim. | 3,600 |
13,267 | 13,267 | 12,314,150 | 3,629 | Certain exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for fraud reduction and/or product recovery. For example, in certain exemplary embodiments, a database includes a plurality of product entries, with each product entry having at least a status field associated therewith. A first interface to the database is configured to enable a first authorized user to add product entries and/or change the status identifiers of the product entries. A second interface to the database is configured to enable a second authorized user to input information regarding a product to be checked against the database to determine whether it was legitimately acquired. Product checking programmed logic circuitry is configured to determine whether the product to be checked was legitimately acquired. The second interface is further configured to provide an indication to the second authorized user whether the product was legitimately acquired. | 1. A fraud reduction and product recovery system, comprising:
a database including a plurality of product entries, each product entry having at least a status field associated therewith; a first interface to the database configured to enable a first authorized user to add product entries and/or change the status identifiers of the product entries; a second interface to the database configured to enable a second authorized user to input information regarding a product to be checked against the database to determine whether it was legitimately acquired; and product checking programmed logic circuitry configured to determine whether the product to be checked was legitimately acquired, wherein the second interface is further configured to provide an indication to the second authorized user whether the product was legitimately acquired. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein each said status identifier indicates at least whether the associated product has been lost or stolen. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first authorized user is a manufacturer, retailer, or customer. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second authorized user is a person charged with law enforcement or a retail asset protection investigator. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the second authorized user is an auction house employee or a pawnshop employee. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first interface is accessible the first authorized user at a location remote from the database. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first interface is accessible by the first authorized user at a point-of-sale or via a home computer. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein each said product entry further includes first sale date, anticipated first sale location, and actual first sale location fields associated therewith. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the checking programmed logic circuitry is further configured to indicate whether the product to be checked was legitimately acquired by determining whether the first sale date field is prior to a date of an attempted purchase. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the checking programmed logic circuitry is further configured to indicate whether the product to be checked was legitimately acquired by comparing the actual first sale location field to the anticipated first sale location field. 11. The system of claim 1, further comprising notifying programmed logic circuitry configured to notify law enforcement personnel when the checking programmed logic circuitry indicates that the product to be checked was not, or may not have been, legitimately acquired. 12. The system of claim 1, wherein each said product entry further includes an owner contact field that includes contact information for an owner of the product. 13. The system of claim 12, further comprising notifying programmed logic circuitry configured to contact the owner of the product to be checked when the checking programmed logic circuitry indicates that the product to be checked was not, or may not have been, legitimately acquired. 14. In a fraud reduction and product recovery system, a method comprising:
maintaining a database including a plurality of product entries, each product entry having at least a status field associated therewith; providing a first interface to the database configured to enable a first authorized user to add product entries and/or change the status identifiers of the product entries; providing a second interface to the database configured to enable a second authorized user to input information regarding a product to be checked against the database to determine whether it was legitimately acquired; and determining whether the product to be checked was legitimately acquired, wherein the second interface is further configured to provide an indication to the second authorized user whether the product was legitimately acquired. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein each said status identifier indicates at least whether the associated product has been lost or stolen. 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining whether the product to be checked was legitimately acquired by comparing a first sale date field associated with the product to be checked with a date of an attempted purchase. 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining whether the product to be checked was legitimately acquired by comparing an actual first sale location field associated with the product to be checked to an anticipated first sale location field of the product to be checked. 18. The method of claim 14, further comprising notifying law enforcement personnel when the product to be checked was not, or may not have been, legitimately acquired. 19. The method of claim 14, further comprising notifying a true owner of the product to be checked when the checking programmed logic circuitry indicates that the product to be checked was not, or may not have been, legitimately acquired. 20. A computer-readable storage medium tangibly storing instructions for causing a computer to implement a fraud reduction and product recovery method, the method comprising:
maintaining a database including a plurality of product entries, each product entry having at least a status field associated therewith; providing a first interface to the database configured to enable a first authorized user to add product entries and/or change the status identifiers of the product entries; providing a second interface to the database configured to enable a second authorized user to input information regarding a product to be checked against the database to determine whether it was legitimately acquired; and determining whether the product to be checked was legitimately acquired, wherein the second interface is further configured to provide an indication to the second authorized user whether the product was legitimately acquired. | Certain exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for fraud reduction and/or product recovery. For example, in certain exemplary embodiments, a database includes a plurality of product entries, with each product entry having at least a status field associated therewith. A first interface to the database is configured to enable a first authorized user to add product entries and/or change the status identifiers of the product entries. A second interface to the database is configured to enable a second authorized user to input information regarding a product to be checked against the database to determine whether it was legitimately acquired. Product checking programmed logic circuitry is configured to determine whether the product to be checked was legitimately acquired. The second interface is further configured to provide an indication to the second authorized user whether the product was legitimately acquired.1. A fraud reduction and product recovery system, comprising:
a database including a plurality of product entries, each product entry having at least a status field associated therewith; a first interface to the database configured to enable a first authorized user to add product entries and/or change the status identifiers of the product entries; a second interface to the database configured to enable a second authorized user to input information regarding a product to be checked against the database to determine whether it was legitimately acquired; and product checking programmed logic circuitry configured to determine whether the product to be checked was legitimately acquired, wherein the second interface is further configured to provide an indication to the second authorized user whether the product was legitimately acquired. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein each said status identifier indicates at least whether the associated product has been lost or stolen. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first authorized user is a manufacturer, retailer, or customer. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second authorized user is a person charged with law enforcement or a retail asset protection investigator. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the second authorized user is an auction house employee or a pawnshop employee. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first interface is accessible the first authorized user at a location remote from the database. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first interface is accessible by the first authorized user at a point-of-sale or via a home computer. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein each said product entry further includes first sale date, anticipated first sale location, and actual first sale location fields associated therewith. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the checking programmed logic circuitry is further configured to indicate whether the product to be checked was legitimately acquired by determining whether the first sale date field is prior to a date of an attempted purchase. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the checking programmed logic circuitry is further configured to indicate whether the product to be checked was legitimately acquired by comparing the actual first sale location field to the anticipated first sale location field. 11. The system of claim 1, further comprising notifying programmed logic circuitry configured to notify law enforcement personnel when the checking programmed logic circuitry indicates that the product to be checked was not, or may not have been, legitimately acquired. 12. The system of claim 1, wherein each said product entry further includes an owner contact field that includes contact information for an owner of the product. 13. The system of claim 12, further comprising notifying programmed logic circuitry configured to contact the owner of the product to be checked when the checking programmed logic circuitry indicates that the product to be checked was not, or may not have been, legitimately acquired. 14. In a fraud reduction and product recovery system, a method comprising:
maintaining a database including a plurality of product entries, each product entry having at least a status field associated therewith; providing a first interface to the database configured to enable a first authorized user to add product entries and/or change the status identifiers of the product entries; providing a second interface to the database configured to enable a second authorized user to input information regarding a product to be checked against the database to determine whether it was legitimately acquired; and determining whether the product to be checked was legitimately acquired, wherein the second interface is further configured to provide an indication to the second authorized user whether the product was legitimately acquired. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein each said status identifier indicates at least whether the associated product has been lost or stolen. 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining whether the product to be checked was legitimately acquired by comparing a first sale date field associated with the product to be checked with a date of an attempted purchase. 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining whether the product to be checked was legitimately acquired by comparing an actual first sale location field associated with the product to be checked to an anticipated first sale location field of the product to be checked. 18. The method of claim 14, further comprising notifying law enforcement personnel when the product to be checked was not, or may not have been, legitimately acquired. 19. The method of claim 14, further comprising notifying a true owner of the product to be checked when the checking programmed logic circuitry indicates that the product to be checked was not, or may not have been, legitimately acquired. 20. A computer-readable storage medium tangibly storing instructions for causing a computer to implement a fraud reduction and product recovery method, the method comprising:
maintaining a database including a plurality of product entries, each product entry having at least a status field associated therewith; providing a first interface to the database configured to enable a first authorized user to add product entries and/or change the status identifiers of the product entries; providing a second interface to the database configured to enable a second authorized user to input information regarding a product to be checked against the database to determine whether it was legitimately acquired; and determining whether the product to be checked was legitimately acquired, wherein the second interface is further configured to provide an indication to the second authorized user whether the product was legitimately acquired. | 3,600 |
13,268 | 13,268 | 14,799,082 | 3,689 | A complex asset analysis operation, comprising: receiving data from a plurality of crowd sourced complex assets; aggregating the data received from the plurality of crowd sourced complex assets; and, performing a complex asset analysis operation based upon the data received from the plurality of crowd sourced devices, the complex asset analysis operation providing an information brokerage function for a community of complex assets by managing shared information from the plurality of crowd sourced complex assets. | 1-6. (canceled) 7. A system comprising:
a processor; a data bus coupled to the processor; and a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium embodying computer program code, the non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium being coupled to the data bus, the computer program code interacting with a plurality of computer operations and comprising instructions executable by the processor and configured for:
receiving data from a plurality of crowd sourced complex assets;
aggregating the data received from the plurality of crowd sourced complex assets; and,
performing a complex asset analysis operation based upon the data received from the plurality of crowd sourced devices, the complex asset analysis operation providing an information brokerage function for a community of complex assets by managing shared information from the plurality of crowd sourced complex assets. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein:
the complex asset analysis operation organizes data for each of the plurality of complex assets based upon asset make, model and year of manufacture; each of the plurality of complex assets provides configuration information, the configuration information comprising at least one of as built configuration information, as maintained configuration information and as monitored configuration information. 9. The system of claim 7, wherein:
each of the plurality of complex assets register respective complex asset data and subscribe for content notifications based on a type and configuration of the complex asset. 10. The system of claim 7, wherein:
the complex asset analysis operation groups together concepts with an associated snap shot of asset performance parameters, the concepts comprising at least one of symptom, probable cause, recommended action, and cost estimate of repair. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein:
the complex asset analysis operation generates notifications for some of the plurality of complex assets based upon others of the plurality of complex assets, the some of the plurality of complex assets having at least one of the asset performance parameters in common with the others of the plurality of complex assets. 12. The system of claim 7, where the instructions executable by the processor are further configured for:
the complex asset analysis operation describes and encodes symptoms entered by a user and validates whether the symptoms are new or already exist in a knowledge base for the complex asset where the knowledge base rules validated by certain complex assets and rules shared by other complex assets. 13. A computer-readable storage medium embodying computer program code, the computer program code comprising computer executable instructions configured for:
receiving data from a plurality of crowd sourced complex assets; aggregating the data received from the plurality of crowd sourced complex assets; and, performing a complex asset analysis operation based upon the data received from the plurality of crowd sourced devices, the complex asset analysis operation providing an information brokerage function for a community of complex assets by managing shared information from the plurality of crowd sourced complex assets. 14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein:
the complex asset analysis operation organizes data for each of the plurality of complex assets based upon asset make, model and year of manufacture; each of the plurality of complex assets provides configuration information, the configuration information comprising at least one of as built configuration information, as maintained configuration information and as monitored configuration information. 15. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein:
the complex asset analysis operation groups together concepts with an associated snap shot of asset performance parameters, the concepts comprising at least one of symptom, probable cause, recommended action, and cost estimate of repair. 16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein:
the mapping of the data received from the plurality of crowd sourced complex assets includes binding the data to a venue. 17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein:
the complex asset analysis operation generates notifications for some of the plurality of complex assets based upon others of the plurality of complex assets, the some of the plurality of complex assets having at least one of the asset performance parameters in common with the others of the plurality of complex assets. 18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, where the computer executable instructions are further configured for:
the complex asset analysis operation describes and encodes symptoms entered by a user and validates whether the symptoms are new or already exist in a knowledge base for the complex asset where the knowledge base rules validated by certain complex assets and rules shared by other complex assets. | A complex asset analysis operation, comprising: receiving data from a plurality of crowd sourced complex assets; aggregating the data received from the plurality of crowd sourced complex assets; and, performing a complex asset analysis operation based upon the data received from the plurality of crowd sourced devices, the complex asset analysis operation providing an information brokerage function for a community of complex assets by managing shared information from the plurality of crowd sourced complex assets.1-6. (canceled) 7. A system comprising:
a processor; a data bus coupled to the processor; and a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium embodying computer program code, the non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium being coupled to the data bus, the computer program code interacting with a plurality of computer operations and comprising instructions executable by the processor and configured for:
receiving data from a plurality of crowd sourced complex assets;
aggregating the data received from the plurality of crowd sourced complex assets; and,
performing a complex asset analysis operation based upon the data received from the plurality of crowd sourced devices, the complex asset analysis operation providing an information brokerage function for a community of complex assets by managing shared information from the plurality of crowd sourced complex assets. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein:
the complex asset analysis operation organizes data for each of the plurality of complex assets based upon asset make, model and year of manufacture; each of the plurality of complex assets provides configuration information, the configuration information comprising at least one of as built configuration information, as maintained configuration information and as monitored configuration information. 9. The system of claim 7, wherein:
each of the plurality of complex assets register respective complex asset data and subscribe for content notifications based on a type and configuration of the complex asset. 10. The system of claim 7, wherein:
the complex asset analysis operation groups together concepts with an associated snap shot of asset performance parameters, the concepts comprising at least one of symptom, probable cause, recommended action, and cost estimate of repair. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein:
the complex asset analysis operation generates notifications for some of the plurality of complex assets based upon others of the plurality of complex assets, the some of the plurality of complex assets having at least one of the asset performance parameters in common with the others of the plurality of complex assets. 12. The system of claim 7, where the instructions executable by the processor are further configured for:
the complex asset analysis operation describes and encodes symptoms entered by a user and validates whether the symptoms are new or already exist in a knowledge base for the complex asset where the knowledge base rules validated by certain complex assets and rules shared by other complex assets. 13. A computer-readable storage medium embodying computer program code, the computer program code comprising computer executable instructions configured for:
receiving data from a plurality of crowd sourced complex assets; aggregating the data received from the plurality of crowd sourced complex assets; and, performing a complex asset analysis operation based upon the data received from the plurality of crowd sourced devices, the complex asset analysis operation providing an information brokerage function for a community of complex assets by managing shared information from the plurality of crowd sourced complex assets. 14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein:
the complex asset analysis operation organizes data for each of the plurality of complex assets based upon asset make, model and year of manufacture; each of the plurality of complex assets provides configuration information, the configuration information comprising at least one of as built configuration information, as maintained configuration information and as monitored configuration information. 15. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein:
the complex asset analysis operation groups together concepts with an associated snap shot of asset performance parameters, the concepts comprising at least one of symptom, probable cause, recommended action, and cost estimate of repair. 16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein:
the mapping of the data received from the plurality of crowd sourced complex assets includes binding the data to a venue. 17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein:
the complex asset analysis operation generates notifications for some of the plurality of complex assets based upon others of the plurality of complex assets, the some of the plurality of complex assets having at least one of the asset performance parameters in common with the others of the plurality of complex assets. 18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, where the computer executable instructions are further configured for:
the complex asset analysis operation describes and encodes symptoms entered by a user and validates whether the symptoms are new or already exist in a knowledge base for the complex asset where the knowledge base rules validated by certain complex assets and rules shared by other complex assets. | 3,600 |
13,269 | 13,269 | 14,528,592 | 3,692 | A system for making funds available for gaming which includes a terminal which is configured to read customer information from a card. The terminal includes an input/output unit configured to allow the customer to select a quasi-cash transaction and to generate an order authorizing the quasi-cash transaction. The system also includes a station which is configured to retrieve the order and information verifying the identity of the customer and, when the identity of the customer is verified, is configured to, at the customer's option (1) obtain an electronic endorsement from the customer and place the electronic endorsement in an electronic image or (2) print out a hard copy of a check for endorsement by the customer. | 1. A method for making funds available for gaming, the method comprising:
reading customer information of a customer from a card at a terminal; allowing the customer to select a quasi-cash transaction at the terminal and generating an order authorizing the quasi-cash transaction when the customer selects the quasi-cash transaction; retrieving the order and information for verifying an identity of the customer at a station; receiving an electronic signature from the customer at the station; placing the electronic signature on an image that includes a bank account number, a transit routing number and a place to specify who the quasi-cash transaction is being paid to. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the station includes a display that receives the electronic signature. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the display displays the image. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the image further includes an amount of the quasi-cash transaction and a name of the customer. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the image further includes a name and location of a place where the quasi-cash transaction occurs. 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the image further includes a type of identification used for verifying the identity of the customer at the station. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
displaying an option to the customer on a display included at the station that allows the customer to select, at the customer's option, after the identity of the customer is verified, (1) an electronic endorsement from the customer and placement of the electronic endorsement in an electronic image or (2) cancelling of the quasi-cash transaction, wherein the display includes a customer input device and the customer input device asks the customer to select (1) or (2) and receives the customer's selection of (1) or (2) as input. 8. A system for making funds available for gaming, the system comprising:
a terminal which is configured to read customer information from a card, the terminal including an interface unit configured to allow a customer to select a quasi-cash transaction and to generate an order authorizing the quasi-cash transaction; a station which is configured to retrieve the order and information for verifying an identity of the customer; and a display included at the station, the display including a customer input device that is configured to receive an electronic signature from the customer, wherein the display is configured to display an image that includes a bank account number, a transit routing number and a place to specify who the quasi-cash transaction is being paid to. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the image further includes an amount of the quasi-cash transaction and a name of the customer. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the image further includes a name and location of a place where the quasi-cash transaction occurs. 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the image further includes a type of identification that is used at the station to retrieve the information for verifying the identity of the customer. 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the display is configured to ask the customer to choose at the customer's option, after the identity of the customer is verified, to (1) obtain an electronic endorsement from the customer and place the electronic endorsement in an electronic image or (2) cancel the quasi-cash transaction, and that is configured to receive the customer's choice of (1) or (2) as input. 13. A method for making funds available for gaming, the method comprising:
reading customer information of a customer from a card at a terminal; allowing the customer to select a quasi-cash transaction at the terminal and generating an order authorizing the quasi-cash transaction when the customer selects the quasi-cash transaction; retrieving the order and information for verifying an identity of the customer at a station; and displaying an option to the customer on a display included at the station that allows the customer to select, at the customer's option, (1) an electronic endorsement from the customer and placement of the electronic endorsement in an electronic image or (2) a printout of a hard copy of a check for endorsement by the customer, wherein the display includes a customer input device and the customer input device asks the customer to select (1) or (2) and receives the customer's selection of (1) or (2) as input. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the display displays a bank account number, a transit routing number and a place to specify who the quasi-cash transaction is being paid to. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the display further displays an amount of the quasi-cash transaction and a name of the customer. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the display further displays a name and location of a place where the quasi-cash transaction occurs. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the display further displays a type of identification used for verifying the identity of the customer at the station. 18. A system for making funds available for gaming, the system comprising:
a terminal which is configured to read customer information from a card, the terminal including an interface unit configured to allow a customer to select a quasi-cash transaction and to generate an order authorizing the quasi-cash transaction; a station which is configured to retrieve the order and information for verifying an identity of the customer; and a display included at the station, the display including a customer input device that is configured to ask the customer to choose, at the customer's option, to (1) obtain an electronic endorsement from the customer and place the electronic endorsement in an electronic image or (2) print out a hard copy of a check for endorsement by the customer, and that is configured to receive the customer's choice of (1) or (2) as input. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the display is configured to display an image that includes a bank account number, a transit routing number and a place to specify who the quasi-cash transaction is being paid to. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the image further includes an amount of the quasi-cash transaction and a name of the customer. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the image further includes a name and location of a place where the quasi-cash transaction occurs. 22. The system of claim 20, wherein the image further includes a type of identification that is used at the station to retrieve the information for verifying the identity of the customer. 23. The method of claim 1, wherein the station and the terminal are in different areas. 24. The system of claim 8, wherein the station and the terminal are in different areas. 25. The method of claim 13, wherein the terminal and the station are in different areas. 26. The system of claim 18, wherein the terminal and the station are in different areas. 27. A method for making funds available for gaming, the method comprising:
reading customer information of a customer from a card at a terminal; allowing the customer to select a quasi-cash transaction at the terminal and generating an order authorizing the quasi-cash transaction when the customer selects the quasi-cash transaction; retrieving the order and information for verifying an identity of the customer at a station; receiving an electronic signature from the customer at the station; placing the electronic signature on an image that includes a type of identification used for verifying the identity of the customer at the station and includes an indication of a quasi-cash transaction. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the station and the terminal are in different areas. 29. A system for making funds available for gaming, the system comprising:
a terminal which is configured to read customer information from a card, the terminal including an interface unit configured to allow a customer to select a quasi-cash transaction and to generate an order authorizing the quasi-cash transaction; a station which is configured to retrieve the order and information for verifying an identity of the customer; and a display included at the station, the display including a customer input device that is configured to receive an electronic signature from the customer, wherein the display is configured to display an image that includes a type of identification that is used at the station to retrieve the information for verifying the identity of the customer and includes an indication of a quasi-cash transaction. 30. The system of claim 29, wherein the station and the terminal are in different areas. | A system for making funds available for gaming which includes a terminal which is configured to read customer information from a card. The terminal includes an input/output unit configured to allow the customer to select a quasi-cash transaction and to generate an order authorizing the quasi-cash transaction. The system also includes a station which is configured to retrieve the order and information verifying the identity of the customer and, when the identity of the customer is verified, is configured to, at the customer's option (1) obtain an electronic endorsement from the customer and place the electronic endorsement in an electronic image or (2) print out a hard copy of a check for endorsement by the customer.1. A method for making funds available for gaming, the method comprising:
reading customer information of a customer from a card at a terminal; allowing the customer to select a quasi-cash transaction at the terminal and generating an order authorizing the quasi-cash transaction when the customer selects the quasi-cash transaction; retrieving the order and information for verifying an identity of the customer at a station; receiving an electronic signature from the customer at the station; placing the electronic signature on an image that includes a bank account number, a transit routing number and a place to specify who the quasi-cash transaction is being paid to. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the station includes a display that receives the electronic signature. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the display displays the image. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the image further includes an amount of the quasi-cash transaction and a name of the customer. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the image further includes a name and location of a place where the quasi-cash transaction occurs. 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the image further includes a type of identification used for verifying the identity of the customer at the station. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
displaying an option to the customer on a display included at the station that allows the customer to select, at the customer's option, after the identity of the customer is verified, (1) an electronic endorsement from the customer and placement of the electronic endorsement in an electronic image or (2) cancelling of the quasi-cash transaction, wherein the display includes a customer input device and the customer input device asks the customer to select (1) or (2) and receives the customer's selection of (1) or (2) as input. 8. A system for making funds available for gaming, the system comprising:
a terminal which is configured to read customer information from a card, the terminal including an interface unit configured to allow a customer to select a quasi-cash transaction and to generate an order authorizing the quasi-cash transaction; a station which is configured to retrieve the order and information for verifying an identity of the customer; and a display included at the station, the display including a customer input device that is configured to receive an electronic signature from the customer, wherein the display is configured to display an image that includes a bank account number, a transit routing number and a place to specify who the quasi-cash transaction is being paid to. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the image further includes an amount of the quasi-cash transaction and a name of the customer. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the image further includes a name and location of a place where the quasi-cash transaction occurs. 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the image further includes a type of identification that is used at the station to retrieve the information for verifying the identity of the customer. 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the display is configured to ask the customer to choose at the customer's option, after the identity of the customer is verified, to (1) obtain an electronic endorsement from the customer and place the electronic endorsement in an electronic image or (2) cancel the quasi-cash transaction, and that is configured to receive the customer's choice of (1) or (2) as input. 13. A method for making funds available for gaming, the method comprising:
reading customer information of a customer from a card at a terminal; allowing the customer to select a quasi-cash transaction at the terminal and generating an order authorizing the quasi-cash transaction when the customer selects the quasi-cash transaction; retrieving the order and information for verifying an identity of the customer at a station; and displaying an option to the customer on a display included at the station that allows the customer to select, at the customer's option, (1) an electronic endorsement from the customer and placement of the electronic endorsement in an electronic image or (2) a printout of a hard copy of a check for endorsement by the customer, wherein the display includes a customer input device and the customer input device asks the customer to select (1) or (2) and receives the customer's selection of (1) or (2) as input. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the display displays a bank account number, a transit routing number and a place to specify who the quasi-cash transaction is being paid to. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the display further displays an amount of the quasi-cash transaction and a name of the customer. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the display further displays a name and location of a place where the quasi-cash transaction occurs. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the display further displays a type of identification used for verifying the identity of the customer at the station. 18. A system for making funds available for gaming, the system comprising:
a terminal which is configured to read customer information from a card, the terminal including an interface unit configured to allow a customer to select a quasi-cash transaction and to generate an order authorizing the quasi-cash transaction; a station which is configured to retrieve the order and information for verifying an identity of the customer; and a display included at the station, the display including a customer input device that is configured to ask the customer to choose, at the customer's option, to (1) obtain an electronic endorsement from the customer and place the electronic endorsement in an electronic image or (2) print out a hard copy of a check for endorsement by the customer, and that is configured to receive the customer's choice of (1) or (2) as input. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the display is configured to display an image that includes a bank account number, a transit routing number and a place to specify who the quasi-cash transaction is being paid to. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the image further includes an amount of the quasi-cash transaction and a name of the customer. 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the image further includes a name and location of a place where the quasi-cash transaction occurs. 22. The system of claim 20, wherein the image further includes a type of identification that is used at the station to retrieve the information for verifying the identity of the customer. 23. The method of claim 1, wherein the station and the terminal are in different areas. 24. The system of claim 8, wherein the station and the terminal are in different areas. 25. The method of claim 13, wherein the terminal and the station are in different areas. 26. The system of claim 18, wherein the terminal and the station are in different areas. 27. A method for making funds available for gaming, the method comprising:
reading customer information of a customer from a card at a terminal; allowing the customer to select a quasi-cash transaction at the terminal and generating an order authorizing the quasi-cash transaction when the customer selects the quasi-cash transaction; retrieving the order and information for verifying an identity of the customer at a station; receiving an electronic signature from the customer at the station; placing the electronic signature on an image that includes a type of identification used for verifying the identity of the customer at the station and includes an indication of a quasi-cash transaction. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the station and the terminal are in different areas. 29. A system for making funds available for gaming, the system comprising:
a terminal which is configured to read customer information from a card, the terminal including an interface unit configured to allow a customer to select a quasi-cash transaction and to generate an order authorizing the quasi-cash transaction; a station which is configured to retrieve the order and information for verifying an identity of the customer; and a display included at the station, the display including a customer input device that is configured to receive an electronic signature from the customer, wherein the display is configured to display an image that includes a type of identification that is used at the station to retrieve the information for verifying the identity of the customer and includes an indication of a quasi-cash transaction. 30. The system of claim 29, wherein the station and the terminal are in different areas. | 3,600 |
13,270 | 13,270 | 13,616,342 | 3,686 | Laboratory testing plays a significant and growing role in the delivery of medical services. Fresh analysis of past test results has led to discovery of previously unknown correlations between statistical properties of analyte values and parameters such as age, sex, and region. Observed values in patient populations have also newly been discovered to show both secular and regular periodic variations over time. Embodiments of the invention may use information about these correlations to improve delivery of medical care. | 1. A computer system for calculating a reference range, the computer system comprising:
one or more processors; and one or more computer-readable storage media encoded with instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the computer system at least to
correlate with at least one time-periodic function a plurality of results of the medical test performed at a plurality of times upon a plurality of members of a population; and
calculate a reference range based at least on the time-periodic function. 2. A computer system for providing a medical test result, the computer system comprising:
one or more processors; one or more hardware interfaces; one or more databases; and one or more computer-readable storage media encoded with instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the computer system at least to
receive through at least one of the hardware interfaces a medical test result that comprises a value for an analyte;
retrieve from at least one of the databases a reference range for the analyte, the reference range being based at least on a time-periodic function; and
transmitting through at least one of the hardware interfaces a report that comprises the medical test result and the reference range. 3. A computer system for calculating a real age for a patient, the computer system comprising:
one or more processors; one or more hardware interfaces; one or more databases; and one or more computer-readable storage media encoded with instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the computer system at least to
receive through an interface coupled to at least one of the processors a plurality of values, each respective value representing a result of a test within at least one longitudinal series of tests on the patient over a period of time;
correlate one or more of the longitudinal series of results with one or more respective time-periodic functions, stored in the database, that are known to correlate with results of the medical test in a population in a way that depends on the ages of members of the population;
calculate a real age of the patient based at least on the degree to which one or more of the longitudinal series of results was correlated with one or more of the time-periodic functions; and
provide output through at least one of the interfaces indicating the calculated real age of the patient. 4. A computer system for calculating a dose of a drug, the computer system comprising:
one or more processors; one or more hardware interfaces; one or more databases; and one or more computer-readable storage media encoded with instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the computer system at least to
receive through at one or more interfaces coupled to at least one of the processors a result of a laboratory test and a time at which the test was performed;
select a reference range for the laboratory test, the reference range having been calculated based on a time periodic function and the selection being based on the time at which the test was performed;
compare the result with the reference range; and
calculate the dose of the drug based on the comparison between the result and the reference range. 5. A computer system for providing prescription drug benefits, the computer system comprising:
one or more processors; one or more databases; and one or more computer-readable storage media encoded with instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the computer system at least to
retrieve from at least one of the databases a reference range for the analyte, the reference range being based at least on a time-periodic function;
identify a drug that may be prescribed for a patient in response to an detected abnormal value for the analyte in the patient; and
based on the calculated reference range, calculate a prescription drug benefit that is to be provided for a patient who is prescribed the drug. 6. A computer system for providing medical testing services, the computer system comprising:
one or more processors; one or more hardware interfaces; one or more databases; and one or more computer-readable storage media encoded with instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the computer system at least to
receive through at least one of the interfaces a requisition for a test that is to be performed at least two times on a patient, the test comprising obtaining a value for an analyte;
retrieve from at least one of the databases a reference range for the analyte, the reference range being based at least on a time-periodic function;
identify respective occasions for performing the test on the patient based on the reference range, such that the time-periodicity of the function indicates that the tests on the patient may be expected to yield substantially different values. | Laboratory testing plays a significant and growing role in the delivery of medical services. Fresh analysis of past test results has led to discovery of previously unknown correlations between statistical properties of analyte values and parameters such as age, sex, and region. Observed values in patient populations have also newly been discovered to show both secular and regular periodic variations over time. Embodiments of the invention may use information about these correlations to improve delivery of medical care.1. A computer system for calculating a reference range, the computer system comprising:
one or more processors; and one or more computer-readable storage media encoded with instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the computer system at least to
correlate with at least one time-periodic function a plurality of results of the medical test performed at a plurality of times upon a plurality of members of a population; and
calculate a reference range based at least on the time-periodic function. 2. A computer system for providing a medical test result, the computer system comprising:
one or more processors; one or more hardware interfaces; one or more databases; and one or more computer-readable storage media encoded with instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the computer system at least to
receive through at least one of the hardware interfaces a medical test result that comprises a value for an analyte;
retrieve from at least one of the databases a reference range for the analyte, the reference range being based at least on a time-periodic function; and
transmitting through at least one of the hardware interfaces a report that comprises the medical test result and the reference range. 3. A computer system for calculating a real age for a patient, the computer system comprising:
one or more processors; one or more hardware interfaces; one or more databases; and one or more computer-readable storage media encoded with instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the computer system at least to
receive through an interface coupled to at least one of the processors a plurality of values, each respective value representing a result of a test within at least one longitudinal series of tests on the patient over a period of time;
correlate one or more of the longitudinal series of results with one or more respective time-periodic functions, stored in the database, that are known to correlate with results of the medical test in a population in a way that depends on the ages of members of the population;
calculate a real age of the patient based at least on the degree to which one or more of the longitudinal series of results was correlated with one or more of the time-periodic functions; and
provide output through at least one of the interfaces indicating the calculated real age of the patient. 4. A computer system for calculating a dose of a drug, the computer system comprising:
one or more processors; one or more hardware interfaces; one or more databases; and one or more computer-readable storage media encoded with instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the computer system at least to
receive through at one or more interfaces coupled to at least one of the processors a result of a laboratory test and a time at which the test was performed;
select a reference range for the laboratory test, the reference range having been calculated based on a time periodic function and the selection being based on the time at which the test was performed;
compare the result with the reference range; and
calculate the dose of the drug based on the comparison between the result and the reference range. 5. A computer system for providing prescription drug benefits, the computer system comprising:
one or more processors; one or more databases; and one or more computer-readable storage media encoded with instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the computer system at least to
retrieve from at least one of the databases a reference range for the analyte, the reference range being based at least on a time-periodic function;
identify a drug that may be prescribed for a patient in response to an detected abnormal value for the analyte in the patient; and
based on the calculated reference range, calculate a prescription drug benefit that is to be provided for a patient who is prescribed the drug. 6. A computer system for providing medical testing services, the computer system comprising:
one or more processors; one or more hardware interfaces; one or more databases; and one or more computer-readable storage media encoded with instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the computer system at least to
receive through at least one of the interfaces a requisition for a test that is to be performed at least two times on a patient, the test comprising obtaining a value for an analyte;
retrieve from at least one of the databases a reference range for the analyte, the reference range being based at least on a time-periodic function;
identify respective occasions for performing the test on the patient based on the reference range, such that the time-periodicity of the function indicates that the tests on the patient may be expected to yield substantially different values. | 3,600 |
13,271 | 13,271 | 12,012,280 | 3,621 | A process of selecting personalized non-competitive electronic advertising from a plurality of competitive and non-competitive advertisements for electronic display including the steps of generating a selection model, generating a user model, selecting personalized non-competitive electronic advertising from the plurality of advertisements using the selection model and user model to identify relevant advertisements and using a rule set for identifying non-competitive advertisements and providing in an electronic format identified relevant and non-competitive advertisements. An arrangement for the same includes memory for storing a selection model and a user and a controller that selects personalized non-competitive electronic advertising from the plurality of advertisements using the selection model and user model to identify relevant advertisements and using a rule set for identifying non-competitive advertisements. The process and arrangement provide the advertisements in an electronic format affiliated with an originating retailer, where such originating retailer is not among the one or more retailers. | 1. A process of selecting personalized non-competitive electronic advertising from a plurality of competitive and non-competitive advertisements for electronic display comprising the steps of:
generating a selection model, wherein the selection model includes a plurality of data sets identifying similar and popular products and a rule set for identifying non-competitive advertisements; generating a user model including user specific identification data and user specific activity data; selecting personalized non-competitive electronic advertising from the plurality of advertisements using the selection model and user model to identify relevant advertisements and using the rule set for identifying non-competitive advertisements; and providing in an electronic format one or more identified relevant and non-competitive advertisements relating to products offered by one or more retailers, wherein the provided electronic format is affiliated with an originating retailer, where such originating retailer is not among the one or more retailers. 2. The process of claim 1 wherein providing in an electronic format includes providing on a website. 3. The process of claim 1 wherein providing in an electronic format includes providing via electronic mail. 4. The process of claim 1 wherein providing in an electronic format includes providing to a portable electronic device. 5. The process of claim 1 wherein providing in an electronic format includes providing in an application. 6. The process of claim 1 wherein generating a selection model may be based, at least in part, on product data and transactional data. 7. The process of claim 1 wherein generating a selection model may be based, at least in part, on a feedback model relying on retailers bidding for placement. 8. The process of claim 1 wherein user specific activity data is user behavior for a specific user and includes data regarding purchases, product views, searches and user lists. 9. The process of claim 1 wherein relevant advertisements are identified by a weighted scoring system identifying correlations between user behavior data as provided by the user models. 10. The process of claim 1 wherein the step of selecting non-competitive personalized electronic advertising occurs in real time. 11. An for arrangement selecting personalized non-competitive electronic advertising from a plurality of competitive and non-competitive advertisements for electronic display comprising:
memory for storing at least one selection model including a plurality of data sets identifying similar and popular products and a rule set for identifying non-competitive advertisements and at least one user model including user specific identification data and user specific activity data; and a controller that selects personalized non-competitive electronic advertising from the plurality of advertisements using the selection model and user model to identify relevant advertisements and using the rule set for identifying non-competitive advertisements and provides, in an electronic format, one or more identified relevant and non-competitive advertisements relating to products offered by one or more retailers, wherein the provided electronic format is affiliated with an originating retailer, where such originating retailer is not among the one or more retailers. 12. The arrangement of claim 11 wherein the selection model may be based, at least in part, on product data and transactional data. 13. The arrangement of claim 11 wherein the selection model may be based, at least in part, on a feedback model relying on retailers bidding for placement. 14. The arrangement of claim 11 wherein user specific activity data is user behavior for a specific user and includes data regarding purchases, product views, searches and user lists 15. The arrangement of claim 11 wherein relevant advertisements are identified by a weighted scoring system identifying correlations between user behavior data as provided by the user models. 16. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for selecting personalized non-competitive electronic advertising from a plurality of competitive and non-competitive advertisements for electronic display, the computer-executable instructions causing the arrangement to perform the steps of:
generating a selection model, wherein the selection model includes a plurality of data sets identifying similar and popular products and a rule set for identifying non-competitive advertisements; generating a user model including user specific identification data and user specific activity data; selecting personalized non-competitive electronic advertising from the plurality of advertisements using the selection model and user model to identify relevant advertisements and using the rule set for identifying non-competitive advertisements; and providing in an electronic format one or more identified relevant and non-competitive advertisements relating to products offered by one or more retailers, wherein the provided electronic format is affiliated with an originating retailer, where such originating retailer is not among the one or more retailers. 17. The computer readable medium of claim 16 wherein providing in an electronic format includes providing on a website. 18. The computer readable medium of claim 16 wherein generating a selection model may be based, at least in part, on product data and transactional data. 19. The computer readable medium of claim 16 wherein user specific activity data is user behavior for a specific user and includes data regarding purchases, product views, searches and user lists. 20. The computer readable medium of claim 16 wherein the step of selecting non-competitive personalized electronic advertising occurs in real time. | A process of selecting personalized non-competitive electronic advertising from a plurality of competitive and non-competitive advertisements for electronic display including the steps of generating a selection model, generating a user model, selecting personalized non-competitive electronic advertising from the plurality of advertisements using the selection model and user model to identify relevant advertisements and using a rule set for identifying non-competitive advertisements and providing in an electronic format identified relevant and non-competitive advertisements. An arrangement for the same includes memory for storing a selection model and a user and a controller that selects personalized non-competitive electronic advertising from the plurality of advertisements using the selection model and user model to identify relevant advertisements and using a rule set for identifying non-competitive advertisements. The process and arrangement provide the advertisements in an electronic format affiliated with an originating retailer, where such originating retailer is not among the one or more retailers.1. A process of selecting personalized non-competitive electronic advertising from a plurality of competitive and non-competitive advertisements for electronic display comprising the steps of:
generating a selection model, wherein the selection model includes a plurality of data sets identifying similar and popular products and a rule set for identifying non-competitive advertisements; generating a user model including user specific identification data and user specific activity data; selecting personalized non-competitive electronic advertising from the plurality of advertisements using the selection model and user model to identify relevant advertisements and using the rule set for identifying non-competitive advertisements; and providing in an electronic format one or more identified relevant and non-competitive advertisements relating to products offered by one or more retailers, wherein the provided electronic format is affiliated with an originating retailer, where such originating retailer is not among the one or more retailers. 2. The process of claim 1 wherein providing in an electronic format includes providing on a website. 3. The process of claim 1 wherein providing in an electronic format includes providing via electronic mail. 4. The process of claim 1 wherein providing in an electronic format includes providing to a portable electronic device. 5. The process of claim 1 wherein providing in an electronic format includes providing in an application. 6. The process of claim 1 wherein generating a selection model may be based, at least in part, on product data and transactional data. 7. The process of claim 1 wherein generating a selection model may be based, at least in part, on a feedback model relying on retailers bidding for placement. 8. The process of claim 1 wherein user specific activity data is user behavior for a specific user and includes data regarding purchases, product views, searches and user lists. 9. The process of claim 1 wherein relevant advertisements are identified by a weighted scoring system identifying correlations between user behavior data as provided by the user models. 10. The process of claim 1 wherein the step of selecting non-competitive personalized electronic advertising occurs in real time. 11. An for arrangement selecting personalized non-competitive electronic advertising from a plurality of competitive and non-competitive advertisements for electronic display comprising:
memory for storing at least one selection model including a plurality of data sets identifying similar and popular products and a rule set for identifying non-competitive advertisements and at least one user model including user specific identification data and user specific activity data; and a controller that selects personalized non-competitive electronic advertising from the plurality of advertisements using the selection model and user model to identify relevant advertisements and using the rule set for identifying non-competitive advertisements and provides, in an electronic format, one or more identified relevant and non-competitive advertisements relating to products offered by one or more retailers, wherein the provided electronic format is affiliated with an originating retailer, where such originating retailer is not among the one or more retailers. 12. The arrangement of claim 11 wherein the selection model may be based, at least in part, on product data and transactional data. 13. The arrangement of claim 11 wherein the selection model may be based, at least in part, on a feedback model relying on retailers bidding for placement. 14. The arrangement of claim 11 wherein user specific activity data is user behavior for a specific user and includes data regarding purchases, product views, searches and user lists 15. The arrangement of claim 11 wherein relevant advertisements are identified by a weighted scoring system identifying correlations between user behavior data as provided by the user models. 16. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for selecting personalized non-competitive electronic advertising from a plurality of competitive and non-competitive advertisements for electronic display, the computer-executable instructions causing the arrangement to perform the steps of:
generating a selection model, wherein the selection model includes a plurality of data sets identifying similar and popular products and a rule set for identifying non-competitive advertisements; generating a user model including user specific identification data and user specific activity data; selecting personalized non-competitive electronic advertising from the plurality of advertisements using the selection model and user model to identify relevant advertisements and using the rule set for identifying non-competitive advertisements; and providing in an electronic format one or more identified relevant and non-competitive advertisements relating to products offered by one or more retailers, wherein the provided electronic format is affiliated with an originating retailer, where such originating retailer is not among the one or more retailers. 17. The computer readable medium of claim 16 wherein providing in an electronic format includes providing on a website. 18. The computer readable medium of claim 16 wherein generating a selection model may be based, at least in part, on product data and transactional data. 19. The computer readable medium of claim 16 wherein user specific activity data is user behavior for a specific user and includes data regarding purchases, product views, searches and user lists. 20. The computer readable medium of claim 16 wherein the step of selecting non-competitive personalized electronic advertising occurs in real time. | 3,600 |
13,272 | 13,272 | 14,369,293 | 3,662 | A method for monitoring an energy reserve for a safety device for a vehicle includes the task of evaluating a change of a voltage present in the energy reserve between a starting value suitable for operating the safety device and a test voltage value suitable for operating the safety device to monitor the energy reserve. | 1-11. (canceled) 12. A method for monitoring an energy reserve for a safety device for a vehicle, the method comprising:
evaluating a change in voltage of a voltage present in the energy reserve between a starting value suitable for operating the safety device and a test voltage value suitable for operating the safety device, in order to monitor the energy reserve. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the evaluating is carried out repeatedly several times during a driving cycle of the vehicle. 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
changing the voltage present in the energy reserve between the starting value and the test voltage value to induce the change in voltage. 15. The method of claim 12, wherein during the changing, the voltage present in the energy reserve is varied between the test voltage value and the starting value. 16. The method of claim 12, wherein during the evaluating, it is evaluated whether the voltage present in the energy reserve, as a result of the change in voltage, reaches the test voltage value within a predetermined period of time. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the voltage present in the energy reserve is changed to the starting value as soon as the voltage present in the energy reserve, as a result of the change in voltage, reaches the test voltage value within a predetermined period of time. 18. The method of claim 12, wherein during the evaluating, a period of time of the change in voltage between the starting value and the test voltage value is evaluated. 19. The method of claim 12, wherein the starting value is smaller than the test voltage value. 20. A device for monitoring an energy reserve for a safety device for a vehicle, comprising:
an evaluating arrangement to evaluate a change in voltage of a voltage present in the energy reserve between a starting value suitable for operating the safety device and a test voltage value suitable for operating the safety device, in order to monitor the energy reserve. 21. A safety device for a vehicle, comprising:
a safety device; an energy reserve for the safety device; and a monitoring device for monitoring the energy reserve, wherein the monitoring device includes an evaluating arrangement to evaluate a change in voltage of a voltage present in the energy reserve between a starting value suitable for operating the safety device and a test voltage value suitable for operating the safety device, in order to monitor the energy reserve. 22. A computer readable medium having a computer program, which is executable by a processor, comprising:
a program code arrangement having program code for monitoring an energy reserve for a safety device for a vehicle, by performing the following:
evaluating a change in voltage of a voltage present in the energy reserve between a starting value suitable for operating the safety device and a test voltage value suitable for operating the safety device, in order to monitor the energy reserve. | A method for monitoring an energy reserve for a safety device for a vehicle includes the task of evaluating a change of a voltage present in the energy reserve between a starting value suitable for operating the safety device and a test voltage value suitable for operating the safety device to monitor the energy reserve.1-11. (canceled) 12. A method for monitoring an energy reserve for a safety device for a vehicle, the method comprising:
evaluating a change in voltage of a voltage present in the energy reserve between a starting value suitable for operating the safety device and a test voltage value suitable for operating the safety device, in order to monitor the energy reserve. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the evaluating is carried out repeatedly several times during a driving cycle of the vehicle. 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
changing the voltage present in the energy reserve between the starting value and the test voltage value to induce the change in voltage. 15. The method of claim 12, wherein during the changing, the voltage present in the energy reserve is varied between the test voltage value and the starting value. 16. The method of claim 12, wherein during the evaluating, it is evaluated whether the voltage present in the energy reserve, as a result of the change in voltage, reaches the test voltage value within a predetermined period of time. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the voltage present in the energy reserve is changed to the starting value as soon as the voltage present in the energy reserve, as a result of the change in voltage, reaches the test voltage value within a predetermined period of time. 18. The method of claim 12, wherein during the evaluating, a period of time of the change in voltage between the starting value and the test voltage value is evaluated. 19. The method of claim 12, wherein the starting value is smaller than the test voltage value. 20. A device for monitoring an energy reserve for a safety device for a vehicle, comprising:
an evaluating arrangement to evaluate a change in voltage of a voltage present in the energy reserve between a starting value suitable for operating the safety device and a test voltage value suitable for operating the safety device, in order to monitor the energy reserve. 21. A safety device for a vehicle, comprising:
a safety device; an energy reserve for the safety device; and a monitoring device for monitoring the energy reserve, wherein the monitoring device includes an evaluating arrangement to evaluate a change in voltage of a voltage present in the energy reserve between a starting value suitable for operating the safety device and a test voltage value suitable for operating the safety device, in order to monitor the energy reserve. 22. A computer readable medium having a computer program, which is executable by a processor, comprising:
a program code arrangement having program code for monitoring an energy reserve for a safety device for a vehicle, by performing the following:
evaluating a change in voltage of a voltage present in the energy reserve between a starting value suitable for operating the safety device and a test voltage value suitable for operating the safety device, in order to monitor the energy reserve. | 3,600 |
13,273 | 13,273 | 12,873,699 | 3,626 | Automated web-based systems and methods for matching healthcare professionals with healthcare organizations on a temporary basis are disclosed. The systems and methods of the present invention utilize a secure online portal to facilitate communication between healthcare organizations and locum tenens recruitment agencies. The present invention automates and manages all aspects of the connecting of healthcare organizations and vendors for the purpose of matching and placing of temporary medical professionals with healthcare organizations. | 1. A method for matching a healthcare professional with a healthcare organization on a temporary basis, said method comprising:
providing a secure web-based system for healthcare organizations and vendors for the purpose of matching a healthcare professional with a healthcare organization on a temporary basis; providing independent access to the secure web-based system via individual user names and passwords for (i) one or more healthcare facility administrators, (ii) one or more vendors, and (iii) one or more support personnel; providing a first set of website selection options for the one or more healthcare facility administrators; and providing a second set of website selection options for the one or more vendors; wherein utilization of website selection options within the first and second sets of website selection options by the one or more healthcare facility administrators and the one or more vendors results in an accepted match between (1) a specific healthcare provider and (2) a specific facility of a healthcare organization for a temporary assignment performed by the specific healthcare provider at the specific facility. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein utilization of website selection options within the first and second sets of website selection options by the one or more healthcare facility administrators and the one or more vendors results in formation of a contractual agreement between (1) a specific vendor and (2) the specific facility for the temporary assignment to be performed by the specific healthcare provider at the specific facility. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of website selection options for the one or more healthcare facility administrators comprise a website selection option for accessing the secure web-based system by inputting an administrator user name and password specific to a given healthcare facility administrator; a website selection option for creating a new assignment for a temporary healthcare provider service at a specific facility; a website selection option for awarding the new assignment for the temporary healthcare provider service to a winning vendor; a website selection option for inputting assignment details for the new assignment so as to be viewable by one or more potential vendors for the new assignment; a website selection option for saving the new assignment; a website selection option for submitting the new assignment to one or more select vendors from a list of possible vendors; a website selection option for reviewing bids from one or more vendors by clicking on an individual bid number assigned to each bid; a website selection option for reviewing details of a potential healthcare provider; a website selection option for accepting or rejecting a given bid by clicking on a given bid number; a website selection option for inputting the administrator user name and password of the given healthcare facility administrator into designated fields associated with a winning bid number; a website selection option for creation of an electronic confirmation agreement which is made a part of and is governed by terms of a master agreement between the vendor and the healthcare organization; a website selection option for providing notice of acceptance of a winning bid to the winning vendor; and a website selection option for providing notice of a declined bid to a losing vendor. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first set of website selection options for the one or more healthcare facility administrators further comprises a website selection option for managing a transition of an awarded assignment to an active assignment; a website selection option for viewing a master agreement and any addendums for the winning vendor; a website selection option for determining and identifying documents that are required for the new assignment; a website selection option for entering a “Pending” screen from an “Assignments” screen; a website selection option for clicking on the specific healthcare provider's name to review the specific healthcare provider's provided documents; a website selection option for clicking on a given assignment number and viewing documents specific to the new assignment that have been uploaded by the winning vendor; a website selection option for contacting the winning vendor if any documents are missing; a website selection option for clicking on an assignment number assigned to the new assignment so as to view documents uploaded by the vendor; a website selection option for uploading any missing documents for the new assignment; and a website selection option for clicking on a “Move to Active” link and pressing “OK” when all documentation is verified as being complete and the specific healthcare provider is ready to begin work on the new assignment. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first set of website selection options for the one or more healthcare facility administrators further comprises a website selection option for managing details of one or more active assignments; a website selection option for extending an assignment end date; a website selection option for editing original bid details to indicate an extension of an end date of the assignment associated with the original bid; a website selection option for executing a confirmation agreement for the extension; a website selection option for moving an assignment from an active status to a completed status when the assignment is completed; a website selection option for managing details of a past assignment; a website selection option for providing feedback to the winning vendor and the specific healthcare provider regarding performance of the new assignment; a website selection option for saving any feedback; a website selection option for editing the feedback for a period of time; and a website selection option for viewing feedback provided by the winning vendor. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second set of website selection options for the one or more vendors comprise a website selection option for accessing the secure web-based system by inputting a vendor user name and password specific to a given vendor; a website selection option for reviewing one or more assignments; reviewing uploaded documents or messages provided by one or more hospital administrators; adding a new provider for consideration for a given assignment; inputting provider details; uploading a provider's curriculum vitae (CV), references and any other documentation for the provider; and in response to receiving a request to bid on one or more assignments from a hospital administrator, submitting a bid for the one or more assignments. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the second set of website selection options further comprises a website selection option for reviewing one or more declined bids; a website selection option for determining why a given bid was declined; a website selection option for submitting a revised bid in response to receiving a declined bid; a website selection option for reviewing one or more awarded assignments selected by the hospital administrator due to one or more winning bids; a website selection option for signing a confirmation agreement for each awarded assignment; a website selection option for viewing a master agreement and any addendums; a website selection option for determining which documents the winning vendor is required to provide for the awarded assignment; a website selection option for reviewing documents uploaded for a given provider; a website selection option for uploading documents, as needed, for a given provider; a website selection option for reviewing assignments that the hospital administrator has determined to be complete and ready to start; a website selection option for reviewing a new assignment in response to receiving notification that the hospital administrator wishes to extend an end date of given active assignment; and if accepting the extension, a website selection option for completing a new assignment and executing a confirmation agreement for the extension. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second set of website selection options further comprises a website selection option for reviewing past assignments that the hospital administrator has determined to be completed; a website selection option for leaving feedback for the hospital administrator; a website selection option for editing any vendor provided feedback for a period of time; and a website selection option for viewing feedback provided by the hospital administrator for a given completed assignment. 9. A computing system containing at least one application module usable on the computing system, wherein the at least one application module comprises application code loaded thereon for performing the method of claim 1. 10. A computing system comprising at least one device operatively adapted to access the secure web-based system and utilize the method of claim 1 so as to facilitate reaching the accepted match between (1) the specific healthcare provider and (2) the specific facility of the healthcare organization for the temporary assignment performed by the specific healthcare provider at the specific facility. 11. A method for matching a healthcare professional with a healthcare organization on a temporary basis, said method comprising:
creating an assignment for temporary healthcare provider services using a secure web-based system; submitting the assignment along with a request to bid on the assignment to one or more potential bidders via the secure web-based system; in response to receiving one or more bids from the one or more potential bidders for the assignment via the secure web-based system, accepting a bid for the assignment via the secure web-based system, wherein said accepting step creates an electronic confirmation agreement that is made a part of and governed under terms of a master agreement between the healthcare organization and a winning bidder; and providing notification of acceptance to the winning bidder for an accepted bid via the secure web-based system. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said method further comprises one or more steps selected from:
accessing a web-based program for matching a healthcare professional with a healthcare organization on a temporary basis by using a user name and password; providing assignment details that may be viewable by one or more potential bidders for the assignment; reviewing bids from one or more bidders including bid details, wherein the bid details comprise bid rates; reviewing details of a potential healthcare provider reference in a bid, wherein the details of the potential healthcare provider comprise one or more of: a curriculum vitae of the provider, references, copies of certifications and licenses, a national provider identifier (NPI) number of the provider, and employment eligibility verification documents; and providing notice of a declined bid to a bidder. 13. The invention of claim 12, wherein said method further comprises one or more steps selected from:
managing a transition of an awarded assignment to an active assignment; managing details of an active assignment while the assignment has an active status; and managing the aspects of a past or completed assignment. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein said method further comprises:
in response to receiving a request to bid on one or more assignments from a hospital administrator, submitting a bid for the one or more assignments; in response to receiving notification of acceptance of the bid, electronically signing a confirmation agreement for the assignment via the secure web-based system. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the master agreement comprises a single contract used by all hospital administrators and vendors, the single contract being pre-approved by all hospital administrators and vendors prior to creation of a new assignment and comprises one of more features selected from: the single contract covers all healthcare specialties; the single contract covers all facilities within a given healthcare organization (HCO) that use the secure web-based system; the single contract covers all the HCO's preferred vendors; the single contract automatically renews each year; the single contract comprises no rate sheets; the single contract requires vendors to carry professional liability insurance policies meeting certain quality standards; the single contract provides a cancellation period; the single contract provides a procuring cause period for candidate presentations; the single contract requires each vendor to provide documentation for each provider, wherein the documentation comprises one or more of: a provider's CV, references, copies of certifications and licenses, a provider's national provider identifier (NPI) or AANA number, employment eligibility verification documents, or any combination thereof; the single contract allows assignments and bids to take place through the LocumsMart portal; the single contract enables confirmation agreements to be signed and stored electronically; and the single contract allows for predetermined permanent placement fees. 16. A computing system containing at least one application module usable on the computing system, wherein the at least one application module comprises application code loaded thereon for performing the method of claim 15. 17. A computing system comprising at least one device operatively adapted to access the secure web-based system and utilize the method of claim 11 so as to facilitate reaching an accepted match between (1) a specific healthcare provider and (2) a specific facility of the healthcare organization for the temporary assignment performed by the specific healthcare provider at the specific facility. 18. A method for connecting vendors and healthcare organizations for the purpose of matching a healthcare professional with a healthcare organization on a temporary basis, said method comprising:
in response to receiving a request to bid on an assignment for temporary healthcare provider services from a hospital administrator via a secure web-based system, submitting a bid for the assignment via the secure web-based system; and in response to receiving notification of acceptance of the bid from the hospital administrator, electronically signing a confirmation agreement for the assignment via the secure web-based system. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the electronic confirmation agreement forms part of and is governed under terms of a master agreement between a healthcare organization and a winning bidder, the master agreement comprising a single contract used by all hospital administrators and vendors, the single contract being pre-approved by all hospital administrators and vendors prior to creation of a new assignment and comprises one of more features selected from: the single contract covers all healthcare specialties; the single contract covers all facilities within a given healthcare organization (HCO) that use the secure web-based system; the single contract covers all the HCO's preferred vendors; the single contract automatically renews each year; the single contract comprises no rate sheets; the single contract requires vendors to carry professional liability insurance policies meeting certain quality standards; the single contract provides a cancellation period; the single contract provides a procuring cause period for candidate presentations; the single contract requires each vendor to provide documentation for each provider, wherein the documentation comprises one or more of: a provider's CV, references, copies of certifications and licenses, a provider's national provider identifier (NPI) or AANA number, employment eligibility verification documents, or any combination thereof; the single contract allows assignments and bids to take place through the LocumsMart portal; the single contract enables confirmation agreements to be signed and stored electronically; and the single contract allows for predetermined permanent placement fees. 20. A computing system containing at least one application module usable on the computing system, wherein the at least one application module comprises application code loaded thereon for performing the method of claim 18. | Automated web-based systems and methods for matching healthcare professionals with healthcare organizations on a temporary basis are disclosed. The systems and methods of the present invention utilize a secure online portal to facilitate communication between healthcare organizations and locum tenens recruitment agencies. The present invention automates and manages all aspects of the connecting of healthcare organizations and vendors for the purpose of matching and placing of temporary medical professionals with healthcare organizations.1. A method for matching a healthcare professional with a healthcare organization on a temporary basis, said method comprising:
providing a secure web-based system for healthcare organizations and vendors for the purpose of matching a healthcare professional with a healthcare organization on a temporary basis; providing independent access to the secure web-based system via individual user names and passwords for (i) one or more healthcare facility administrators, (ii) one or more vendors, and (iii) one or more support personnel; providing a first set of website selection options for the one or more healthcare facility administrators; and providing a second set of website selection options for the one or more vendors; wherein utilization of website selection options within the first and second sets of website selection options by the one or more healthcare facility administrators and the one or more vendors results in an accepted match between (1) a specific healthcare provider and (2) a specific facility of a healthcare organization for a temporary assignment performed by the specific healthcare provider at the specific facility. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein utilization of website selection options within the first and second sets of website selection options by the one or more healthcare facility administrators and the one or more vendors results in formation of a contractual agreement between (1) a specific vendor and (2) the specific facility for the temporary assignment to be performed by the specific healthcare provider at the specific facility. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of website selection options for the one or more healthcare facility administrators comprise a website selection option for accessing the secure web-based system by inputting an administrator user name and password specific to a given healthcare facility administrator; a website selection option for creating a new assignment for a temporary healthcare provider service at a specific facility; a website selection option for awarding the new assignment for the temporary healthcare provider service to a winning vendor; a website selection option for inputting assignment details for the new assignment so as to be viewable by one or more potential vendors for the new assignment; a website selection option for saving the new assignment; a website selection option for submitting the new assignment to one or more select vendors from a list of possible vendors; a website selection option for reviewing bids from one or more vendors by clicking on an individual bid number assigned to each bid; a website selection option for reviewing details of a potential healthcare provider; a website selection option for accepting or rejecting a given bid by clicking on a given bid number; a website selection option for inputting the administrator user name and password of the given healthcare facility administrator into designated fields associated with a winning bid number; a website selection option for creation of an electronic confirmation agreement which is made a part of and is governed by terms of a master agreement between the vendor and the healthcare organization; a website selection option for providing notice of acceptance of a winning bid to the winning vendor; and a website selection option for providing notice of a declined bid to a losing vendor. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first set of website selection options for the one or more healthcare facility administrators further comprises a website selection option for managing a transition of an awarded assignment to an active assignment; a website selection option for viewing a master agreement and any addendums for the winning vendor; a website selection option for determining and identifying documents that are required for the new assignment; a website selection option for entering a “Pending” screen from an “Assignments” screen; a website selection option for clicking on the specific healthcare provider's name to review the specific healthcare provider's provided documents; a website selection option for clicking on a given assignment number and viewing documents specific to the new assignment that have been uploaded by the winning vendor; a website selection option for contacting the winning vendor if any documents are missing; a website selection option for clicking on an assignment number assigned to the new assignment so as to view documents uploaded by the vendor; a website selection option for uploading any missing documents for the new assignment; and a website selection option for clicking on a “Move to Active” link and pressing “OK” when all documentation is verified as being complete and the specific healthcare provider is ready to begin work on the new assignment. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first set of website selection options for the one or more healthcare facility administrators further comprises a website selection option for managing details of one or more active assignments; a website selection option for extending an assignment end date; a website selection option for editing original bid details to indicate an extension of an end date of the assignment associated with the original bid; a website selection option for executing a confirmation agreement for the extension; a website selection option for moving an assignment from an active status to a completed status when the assignment is completed; a website selection option for managing details of a past assignment; a website selection option for providing feedback to the winning vendor and the specific healthcare provider regarding performance of the new assignment; a website selection option for saving any feedback; a website selection option for editing the feedback for a period of time; and a website selection option for viewing feedback provided by the winning vendor. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second set of website selection options for the one or more vendors comprise a website selection option for accessing the secure web-based system by inputting a vendor user name and password specific to a given vendor; a website selection option for reviewing one or more assignments; reviewing uploaded documents or messages provided by one or more hospital administrators; adding a new provider for consideration for a given assignment; inputting provider details; uploading a provider's curriculum vitae (CV), references and any other documentation for the provider; and in response to receiving a request to bid on one or more assignments from a hospital administrator, submitting a bid for the one or more assignments. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the second set of website selection options further comprises a website selection option for reviewing one or more declined bids; a website selection option for determining why a given bid was declined; a website selection option for submitting a revised bid in response to receiving a declined bid; a website selection option for reviewing one or more awarded assignments selected by the hospital administrator due to one or more winning bids; a website selection option for signing a confirmation agreement for each awarded assignment; a website selection option for viewing a master agreement and any addendums; a website selection option for determining which documents the winning vendor is required to provide for the awarded assignment; a website selection option for reviewing documents uploaded for a given provider; a website selection option for uploading documents, as needed, for a given provider; a website selection option for reviewing assignments that the hospital administrator has determined to be complete and ready to start; a website selection option for reviewing a new assignment in response to receiving notification that the hospital administrator wishes to extend an end date of given active assignment; and if accepting the extension, a website selection option for completing a new assignment and executing a confirmation agreement for the extension. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second set of website selection options further comprises a website selection option for reviewing past assignments that the hospital administrator has determined to be completed; a website selection option for leaving feedback for the hospital administrator; a website selection option for editing any vendor provided feedback for a period of time; and a website selection option for viewing feedback provided by the hospital administrator for a given completed assignment. 9. A computing system containing at least one application module usable on the computing system, wherein the at least one application module comprises application code loaded thereon for performing the method of claim 1. 10. A computing system comprising at least one device operatively adapted to access the secure web-based system and utilize the method of claim 1 so as to facilitate reaching the accepted match between (1) the specific healthcare provider and (2) the specific facility of the healthcare organization for the temporary assignment performed by the specific healthcare provider at the specific facility. 11. A method for matching a healthcare professional with a healthcare organization on a temporary basis, said method comprising:
creating an assignment for temporary healthcare provider services using a secure web-based system; submitting the assignment along with a request to bid on the assignment to one or more potential bidders via the secure web-based system; in response to receiving one or more bids from the one or more potential bidders for the assignment via the secure web-based system, accepting a bid for the assignment via the secure web-based system, wherein said accepting step creates an electronic confirmation agreement that is made a part of and governed under terms of a master agreement between the healthcare organization and a winning bidder; and providing notification of acceptance to the winning bidder for an accepted bid via the secure web-based system. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said method further comprises one or more steps selected from:
accessing a web-based program for matching a healthcare professional with a healthcare organization on a temporary basis by using a user name and password; providing assignment details that may be viewable by one or more potential bidders for the assignment; reviewing bids from one or more bidders including bid details, wherein the bid details comprise bid rates; reviewing details of a potential healthcare provider reference in a bid, wherein the details of the potential healthcare provider comprise one or more of: a curriculum vitae of the provider, references, copies of certifications and licenses, a national provider identifier (NPI) number of the provider, and employment eligibility verification documents; and providing notice of a declined bid to a bidder. 13. The invention of claim 12, wherein said method further comprises one or more steps selected from:
managing a transition of an awarded assignment to an active assignment; managing details of an active assignment while the assignment has an active status; and managing the aspects of a past or completed assignment. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein said method further comprises:
in response to receiving a request to bid on one or more assignments from a hospital administrator, submitting a bid for the one or more assignments; in response to receiving notification of acceptance of the bid, electronically signing a confirmation agreement for the assignment via the secure web-based system. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the master agreement comprises a single contract used by all hospital administrators and vendors, the single contract being pre-approved by all hospital administrators and vendors prior to creation of a new assignment and comprises one of more features selected from: the single contract covers all healthcare specialties; the single contract covers all facilities within a given healthcare organization (HCO) that use the secure web-based system; the single contract covers all the HCO's preferred vendors; the single contract automatically renews each year; the single contract comprises no rate sheets; the single contract requires vendors to carry professional liability insurance policies meeting certain quality standards; the single contract provides a cancellation period; the single contract provides a procuring cause period for candidate presentations; the single contract requires each vendor to provide documentation for each provider, wherein the documentation comprises one or more of: a provider's CV, references, copies of certifications and licenses, a provider's national provider identifier (NPI) or AANA number, employment eligibility verification documents, or any combination thereof; the single contract allows assignments and bids to take place through the LocumsMart portal; the single contract enables confirmation agreements to be signed and stored electronically; and the single contract allows for predetermined permanent placement fees. 16. A computing system containing at least one application module usable on the computing system, wherein the at least one application module comprises application code loaded thereon for performing the method of claim 15. 17. A computing system comprising at least one device operatively adapted to access the secure web-based system and utilize the method of claim 11 so as to facilitate reaching an accepted match between (1) a specific healthcare provider and (2) a specific facility of the healthcare organization for the temporary assignment performed by the specific healthcare provider at the specific facility. 18. A method for connecting vendors and healthcare organizations for the purpose of matching a healthcare professional with a healthcare organization on a temporary basis, said method comprising:
in response to receiving a request to bid on an assignment for temporary healthcare provider services from a hospital administrator via a secure web-based system, submitting a bid for the assignment via the secure web-based system; and in response to receiving notification of acceptance of the bid from the hospital administrator, electronically signing a confirmation agreement for the assignment via the secure web-based system. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the electronic confirmation agreement forms part of and is governed under terms of a master agreement between a healthcare organization and a winning bidder, the master agreement comprising a single contract used by all hospital administrators and vendors, the single contract being pre-approved by all hospital administrators and vendors prior to creation of a new assignment and comprises one of more features selected from: the single contract covers all healthcare specialties; the single contract covers all facilities within a given healthcare organization (HCO) that use the secure web-based system; the single contract covers all the HCO's preferred vendors; the single contract automatically renews each year; the single contract comprises no rate sheets; the single contract requires vendors to carry professional liability insurance policies meeting certain quality standards; the single contract provides a cancellation period; the single contract provides a procuring cause period for candidate presentations; the single contract requires each vendor to provide documentation for each provider, wherein the documentation comprises one or more of: a provider's CV, references, copies of certifications and licenses, a provider's national provider identifier (NPI) or AANA number, employment eligibility verification documents, or any combination thereof; the single contract allows assignments and bids to take place through the LocumsMart portal; the single contract enables confirmation agreements to be signed and stored electronically; and the single contract allows for predetermined permanent placement fees. 20. A computing system containing at least one application module usable on the computing system, wherein the at least one application module comprises application code loaded thereon for performing the method of claim 18. | 3,600 |
13,274 | 13,274 | 14,620,703 | 3,642 | An aircraft includes an accessory member that constitutes an engine accessory, the accessory member being arranged between an aircraft engine pylon and an engine, in an attached state to an attachment base member that is at least one of the pylon and the engine. The accessory member includes: a surrounding portion that surrounds at least an end portion of a tubular body connected to the accessory member; and a projecting portion that projects from the end portion of the tubular body. The entire accessory member including the surrounding portion and the projecting portion is divided so as to be separable to a left side and a right side of the pylon, and the accessory member is attachable to and detachable from the attachment base member by accessing an outer periphery of the tubular body from the left side and the right side of the pylon without removing another member. | 1. An aircraft comprising
an accessory member that constitutes an engine accessory, the accessory member being arranged between a pylon that is used for supporting an engine on an airframe and the engine, in an attached state to an attachment base member that is at least one of the pylon and the engine, wherein the accessory member includes a surrounding portion that surrounds at least an end portion of a tubular body connected to the accessory member, and a projecting portion that projects from the end portion of the tubular body, the entire accessory member including the surrounding portion and the projecting portion is divided so as to be separable to a left side and a right side of the pylon, and the accessory member is attachable to and detachable from the attachment base member by accessing an outer periphery of the tubular body from the left side and the right side of the pylon without removing another member. 2. The aircraft according to claim 1,
wherein at least one portion of the tubular body is formed in a bellows shape. 3. The aircraft according to claim 1,
wherein the engine is a turbofan engine including an engine body and a fan, the engine accessory is a heat exchanger that is arranged between the pylon and the engine body and uses air flowing out of the fan as a heat source, and at least the end portion of the tubular body constituting the heat exchanger is surrounded by the surrounding portion. 4. The aircraft according to claim 2,
wherein the engine is a turbofan engine including an engine body and a fan, the engine accessory is a heat exchanger that is arranged between the pylon and the engine body and uses air flowing out of the fan as a heat source, and at least the end portion of the tubular body constituting the heat exchanger is surrounded by the surrounding portion. 5. The aircraft according to claim 3,
wherein a first heat exchanger as the heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger that uses the air as a heat source are longitudinally arranged between the pylon and the engine body, and the end portion of the tubular body constituting the first heat exchanger or the second heat exchanger is surrounded by the surrounding portion on at least one of a front side and a rear side of the pylon. 6. The aircraft according to claim 3,
wherein the end portion of the tubular body facing the fan is surrounded by the surrounding portion. 7. The aircraft according to claim 5,
wherein the end portion of the tubular body facing the fan is surrounded by the surrounding portion. 8. The aircraft according to claim 1,
wherein the engine accessory is a heat exchanger that is arranged between the pylon and the engine body, and the tubular body is an intake duct of the heat exchanger. 9. The aircraft according to claim 8,
wherein the heat exchanger is an engine oil cooler. 10. The aircraft according to claim 8,
wherein the heat exchanger is suspended from the pylon. 11. The aircraft according to claim 8,
wherein the intake duct is connected to an intake port frame as the accessory member. 12. The aircraft according to claim 1,
wherein the attachment base member is the engine. 13. The aircraft according to claim 8,
wherein the attachment base member is the engine. 14. An engine pylon of an aircraft that is used for supporting a turbofan engine including an engine body and a fan on an airframe of the aircraft,
wherein the pylon supports two heat exchangers that are longitudinally arranged between the pylon and the engine body and use air flowing out of the fan as a heat source, the accessory member of the aircraft according to claim 1 is attached to the pylon, the heat exchanger arranged on a front side out of the two heat exchangers has the tubular body facing the fan, and at least a front end of the tubular body is surrounded by the surrounding portion. 15. A method for mounting an engine to an airframe of an aircraft by using the accessory member of the aircraft according to claim 1, the method comprising the steps of:
mounting the engine to the pylon with the accessory member previously removed from the attachment base member; and surrounding the outer periphery of at least the end portion of the tubular body by the accessory member from the left side and the right side of the pylon and attaching the accessory member to the attachment base member after completing the mounting of the engine. 16. A method for manufacturing an aircraft through the respective steps in the method according to claim 15. | An aircraft includes an accessory member that constitutes an engine accessory, the accessory member being arranged between an aircraft engine pylon and an engine, in an attached state to an attachment base member that is at least one of the pylon and the engine. The accessory member includes: a surrounding portion that surrounds at least an end portion of a tubular body connected to the accessory member; and a projecting portion that projects from the end portion of the tubular body. The entire accessory member including the surrounding portion and the projecting portion is divided so as to be separable to a left side and a right side of the pylon, and the accessory member is attachable to and detachable from the attachment base member by accessing an outer periphery of the tubular body from the left side and the right side of the pylon without removing another member.1. An aircraft comprising
an accessory member that constitutes an engine accessory, the accessory member being arranged between a pylon that is used for supporting an engine on an airframe and the engine, in an attached state to an attachment base member that is at least one of the pylon and the engine, wherein the accessory member includes a surrounding portion that surrounds at least an end portion of a tubular body connected to the accessory member, and a projecting portion that projects from the end portion of the tubular body, the entire accessory member including the surrounding portion and the projecting portion is divided so as to be separable to a left side and a right side of the pylon, and the accessory member is attachable to and detachable from the attachment base member by accessing an outer periphery of the tubular body from the left side and the right side of the pylon without removing another member. 2. The aircraft according to claim 1,
wherein at least one portion of the tubular body is formed in a bellows shape. 3. The aircraft according to claim 1,
wherein the engine is a turbofan engine including an engine body and a fan, the engine accessory is a heat exchanger that is arranged between the pylon and the engine body and uses air flowing out of the fan as a heat source, and at least the end portion of the tubular body constituting the heat exchanger is surrounded by the surrounding portion. 4. The aircraft according to claim 2,
wherein the engine is a turbofan engine including an engine body and a fan, the engine accessory is a heat exchanger that is arranged between the pylon and the engine body and uses air flowing out of the fan as a heat source, and at least the end portion of the tubular body constituting the heat exchanger is surrounded by the surrounding portion. 5. The aircraft according to claim 3,
wherein a first heat exchanger as the heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger that uses the air as a heat source are longitudinally arranged between the pylon and the engine body, and the end portion of the tubular body constituting the first heat exchanger or the second heat exchanger is surrounded by the surrounding portion on at least one of a front side and a rear side of the pylon. 6. The aircraft according to claim 3,
wherein the end portion of the tubular body facing the fan is surrounded by the surrounding portion. 7. The aircraft according to claim 5,
wherein the end portion of the tubular body facing the fan is surrounded by the surrounding portion. 8. The aircraft according to claim 1,
wherein the engine accessory is a heat exchanger that is arranged between the pylon and the engine body, and the tubular body is an intake duct of the heat exchanger. 9. The aircraft according to claim 8,
wherein the heat exchanger is an engine oil cooler. 10. The aircraft according to claim 8,
wherein the heat exchanger is suspended from the pylon. 11. The aircraft according to claim 8,
wherein the intake duct is connected to an intake port frame as the accessory member. 12. The aircraft according to claim 1,
wherein the attachment base member is the engine. 13. The aircraft according to claim 8,
wherein the attachment base member is the engine. 14. An engine pylon of an aircraft that is used for supporting a turbofan engine including an engine body and a fan on an airframe of the aircraft,
wherein the pylon supports two heat exchangers that are longitudinally arranged between the pylon and the engine body and use air flowing out of the fan as a heat source, the accessory member of the aircraft according to claim 1 is attached to the pylon, the heat exchanger arranged on a front side out of the two heat exchangers has the tubular body facing the fan, and at least a front end of the tubular body is surrounded by the surrounding portion. 15. A method for mounting an engine to an airframe of an aircraft by using the accessory member of the aircraft according to claim 1, the method comprising the steps of:
mounting the engine to the pylon with the accessory member previously removed from the attachment base member; and surrounding the outer periphery of at least the end portion of the tubular body by the accessory member from the left side and the right side of the pylon and attaching the accessory member to the attachment base member after completing the mounting of the engine. 16. A method for manufacturing an aircraft through the respective steps in the method according to claim 15. | 3,600 |
13,275 | 13,275 | 14,698,772 | 3,629 | A method of generating ranking scores for a combination of a network update and a group of highlight data items associated with the network update is disclosed. Highlight data items generated by one or more first-pass-ranking modules of a gems service are received. The highlight data items are organized into groups. A ranking score for each group is determined. The groups are associated with network updates corresponding to a member of a social networking system. Ranking scores for the network updates are modified based on the association of the groups with the network updates and the ranking score for each group. The groups of highlight data items and the modified ranking scores for the network updates are communicated for use by a client in ranking a combined presentation of the network updates with the groups of highlight data items associated with the network updates. | 1. A method comprising:
receiving highlight data items generated by one or more first-pass-ranking modules of a gems service; organizing the highlight data items into groups; determining a ranking score for each group; associating the groups with network updates corresponding to a member of a social networking system; modifying ranking scores for the network updates based on the association of the groups with the network updates and the ranking score for each group; and communicating the groups of highlight data items and the modified ranking scores for the network updates for use by a client in ranking a combined presentation of the network updates with the groups of highlight data items associated with the network updates. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the organizing of the highlight data items into groups is based on at least one of an actor, verb, and subject derived from each of the highlight data items. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the associating of the groups with the network updates is based on at least one of an actor, verb, and subject derived from each of the network updates. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the ranking scores of the network updates are based on an affinity score between the member and a combination of the actors and subjects derived from each of the network updates. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising weighting the ranking score for each group based on a use case for which the ranking scores for the network updates are being generated. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the highlight data items includes contextual data that the member can incorporate into an action performed in response to the corresponding network update. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the contextual data includes information pertaining to a commonality between the member and a subject of the network update. 8. A system comprising:
one or more modules implemented by one or more processors, the one or more modules configured to, at least: receive highlight data items generated by one or more first-pass-ranking modules of a gems service; organize the highlight data items into groups; determine a ranking score for each group; associate the groups with network updates corresponding to a member of a social networking system; and modify ranking scores for the network updates based on the association of the groups with the network updates and the ranking score for each group. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the organizing of the highlight data items into groups is based on at least one of an actor, verb, and subject derived from each of the highlight data items. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the associating of the groups with the network updates is based on at least one of an actor, verb, and subject derived from each of the network updates. 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the ranking scores of the network updates are based on an affinity score between the member and a combination of the actors and subjects derived from each of the network updates. 12. The system of claim 8, the one or more modules further configured to weight the ranking score for each group based on a use case for which the ranking scores for the network updates are being generated. 13. The system of claim 8, wherein each of the highlight data items includes contextual data that the member can incorporate into an action performed in response to the corresponding network update. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the contextual data includes information pertaining to a commonality between the member and a subject of the network update. 15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions thereon, which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations, the operations comprising:
receiving highlight data items generated by one or more first-pass-ranking modules of a gems service; organizing the highlight data items into groups; determining a ranking score for each group; associating the groups with network updates corresponding to a member of a social networking system; and modifying ranking scores for the network updates based on the association of the groups with the network updates and the ranking score for each group. 16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the organizing of the highlight data items into groups is based on at least one of an actor, verb, and subject derived from each of the highlight data items. 17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the associating of the groups with the network updates is based on at least one of an actor, verb, and subject derived from each of the network updates. 18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the ranking scores of the network updates are based on an affinity score between the member and a combination of the actors and subjects derived from each of the network updates. 19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, further comprising weighting the ranking score for each group based on a use case for which the ranking scores for the network updates are being generated. 20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein each of the highlight data items includes contextual data that the member can incorporate into an action performed in response to the corresponding network update. | A method of generating ranking scores for a combination of a network update and a group of highlight data items associated with the network update is disclosed. Highlight data items generated by one or more first-pass-ranking modules of a gems service are received. The highlight data items are organized into groups. A ranking score for each group is determined. The groups are associated with network updates corresponding to a member of a social networking system. Ranking scores for the network updates are modified based on the association of the groups with the network updates and the ranking score for each group. The groups of highlight data items and the modified ranking scores for the network updates are communicated for use by a client in ranking a combined presentation of the network updates with the groups of highlight data items associated with the network updates.1. A method comprising:
receiving highlight data items generated by one or more first-pass-ranking modules of a gems service; organizing the highlight data items into groups; determining a ranking score for each group; associating the groups with network updates corresponding to a member of a social networking system; modifying ranking scores for the network updates based on the association of the groups with the network updates and the ranking score for each group; and communicating the groups of highlight data items and the modified ranking scores for the network updates for use by a client in ranking a combined presentation of the network updates with the groups of highlight data items associated with the network updates. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the organizing of the highlight data items into groups is based on at least one of an actor, verb, and subject derived from each of the highlight data items. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the associating of the groups with the network updates is based on at least one of an actor, verb, and subject derived from each of the network updates. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the ranking scores of the network updates are based on an affinity score between the member and a combination of the actors and subjects derived from each of the network updates. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising weighting the ranking score for each group based on a use case for which the ranking scores for the network updates are being generated. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the highlight data items includes contextual data that the member can incorporate into an action performed in response to the corresponding network update. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the contextual data includes information pertaining to a commonality between the member and a subject of the network update. 8. A system comprising:
one or more modules implemented by one or more processors, the one or more modules configured to, at least: receive highlight data items generated by one or more first-pass-ranking modules of a gems service; organize the highlight data items into groups; determine a ranking score for each group; associate the groups with network updates corresponding to a member of a social networking system; and modify ranking scores for the network updates based on the association of the groups with the network updates and the ranking score for each group. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the organizing of the highlight data items into groups is based on at least one of an actor, verb, and subject derived from each of the highlight data items. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the associating of the groups with the network updates is based on at least one of an actor, verb, and subject derived from each of the network updates. 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the ranking scores of the network updates are based on an affinity score between the member and a combination of the actors and subjects derived from each of the network updates. 12. The system of claim 8, the one or more modules further configured to weight the ranking score for each group based on a use case for which the ranking scores for the network updates are being generated. 13. The system of claim 8, wherein each of the highlight data items includes contextual data that the member can incorporate into an action performed in response to the corresponding network update. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the contextual data includes information pertaining to a commonality between the member and a subject of the network update. 15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions thereon, which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations, the operations comprising:
receiving highlight data items generated by one or more first-pass-ranking modules of a gems service; organizing the highlight data items into groups; determining a ranking score for each group; associating the groups with network updates corresponding to a member of a social networking system; and modifying ranking scores for the network updates based on the association of the groups with the network updates and the ranking score for each group. 16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the organizing of the highlight data items into groups is based on at least one of an actor, verb, and subject derived from each of the highlight data items. 17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the associating of the groups with the network updates is based on at least one of an actor, verb, and subject derived from each of the network updates. 18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the ranking scores of the network updates are based on an affinity score between the member and a combination of the actors and subjects derived from each of the network updates. 19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, further comprising weighting the ranking score for each group based on a use case for which the ranking scores for the network updates are being generated. 20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein each of the highlight data items includes contextual data that the member can incorporate into an action performed in response to the corresponding network update. | 3,600 |
13,276 | 13,276 | 12,124,144 | 3,694 | Systems and methods are described for providing fraud deterrents, detection and prevention during e-commerce, e-transactions, digital rights management and access control. Fraud deterrent levels may be automatically selected by a requesting transaction approval entity server (and can be related to level of risk, or security, related to fraud) or may be selected by a consumer. These deterrent levels can determine the manner in which the transaction occurs as well as the types of information that must be provided and validated for successful approval of the transaction. The client can associate their credit card with a specific device, an e-identity, such as an instant messaging identity, and the e-identity is contacted as a part of finalizing a payment transaction so that a client response of ‘approve’ or ‘reject’ can be obtained. The anti-fraud technology also provides for management and storage of historical transaction information. Entity-to-client communication occurs according to merchant permission parameters which are defined by the client and which enable messages sent by the entity to be automatically allowed, rejected, and managed in other ways as well. | 1. A system configured for conducting art e-commerce authorization processes during an e-commerce transactions comprising:
A e-identity-card linkage database for storing and retrieving a link between an e-identity and at least one credit card; A server configured for obtaining an authorization request from an e-commerce entity, said request including at least a credit card number submitted to the entity, the server further configured to: retrieve an e-identity which is associated with the credit card number using a e-identity-card linkage database; determine if the e-identity has a status which is at least one of ‘available’ and ‘unavailable, and perform at least one of: an e-identity unavailable operation if the e-identity status is unavailable; and, an e-identity available operation if the e-identity status is available. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the e-identity available operation includes the following:
sending an authorization request to the e-identity so that it is presented to the client; obtaining any client input response that is provided; and, providing an authorization signal to the e-commerce entity which indicates either to approve or reject the transaction. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the e-commerce entity can be any of the following entities:
a merchant's eCommerce platform conducting sales of goods with end consumers; a credit card issuing bank receiving payment authorization request from an a merchant acquiring bank on behalf of an online seller/merchant; a payment service provider which is at least one of PayPal or Googlecheckout where users already have established accounts with pre registered credit cards; and, a credit card association network including at least one of Visa, Mastercard, AmericanExpress, and Discover which receives payment authorization requests from a card issuing bank. 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the e-identity available operation includes the following;
sending an authorization request to the e-identity; providing an authorization signal to the e-commerce entity which reflects the response to the authorization request that was sent to the e-identity, the authorization signal including at least one of approval of the transaction or rejection of the transaction. 5. The system claim 3 wherein the authorization signal is obtained without the client participation and by using a digital module that identifies a client registered computer. 6. The system claim 3 wherein the authorization signal is obtained without the client participation and by using a software module that identifies a client registered computer. 7. The system claim 3 wherein the authorization signal is obtained without the client participation and by using an identification method that identifies a client registered computer. 8. The system claim 3 wherein the authorization signal is obtained with the client participation and by using a digital module that identifies a client registered computer. 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the e-identity unavailable operation includes sending presenting the client with a web-page configured to allow the client to provide logon and password information to thereby activate the client e-identity associated with the web-page. 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the status of the e-identity is obtained by establishing the status of a presence of an e-identity is set to allow communication between the e-identity and the server. 11. The system of claim 1 wherein the authorization request also comprises additional information about the amount being charged, and the server is also configured to perform eFFT anti-fraud measures that are selected based upon the value of the transaction. 12. The system of claim 11 wherein the anti-fraud measures include at least one of; requiring a client to provide a password; requiring the client be using a particular computer; requiring the client to be using an eFFT program having a particular identification number; requiring the client to have logged onto an e-identity within a specified recent interval. 13. The system of claim 1 wherein the e-identity comprises an eFFT software module which resides on the client's computer. 14. The system of claim 13 wherein the eFFT software module is configured to receive transaction information data from an entity. 15. The system of claim 13 wherein the eFFT software module is configured to receive transaction information from an entity and to provide this information to the server. whereby a match or mismatch is provided with information transmitted to the server by the entity, and wherein a match provides automatic authentication of the client. 16. The system of claim. 10 wherein the eFFT software module transaction information comprises reflecting a current browser session log information and whereby the eFFT server is configured to analyze the information to verify that the client has performed transactions with a merchant site within a specified recent time interval and whereby a transaction can be automatically approved. 17. The method of claim 13 wherein the transaction is at least on of declined and rejected if the browser session log information provided by the eFFT software module does not include a client presence on the merchant site within a specified time interval that is indicated in the authorization request. 18. A system for conducting authorization processes during e-commerce transactions comprising:
A client-card linkage database for storing and retrieving a link between a client and at least one credit card: An online-identity-client linkage database for storing and retrieving a link between an online identity and a client; A server configured for obtaining an authorization request from an e-commerce entity, said request including at least a credit card number submitted to the entity, the server further configured to: Derive the client that is associated with an online-identity; Determine if the client is authorized to use the credit card number using the client-card linkage database; Provide an approval authorization signal to the e-commerce entity if the client is authorized to use the credit card number; and Provide a rejection authorization signal to the e-commerce entity if the client is authorized to use the credit card number. 19. The system of claim 18 wherein the online-identity is dynamically assigned to the client by an internet service provider which the client uses to connect to the internet. 20. The system of claim 18 wherein the online-identity is dynamically assigned to the client by an internet service provider which the client uses to connect to the internet and includes an active transaction or session identification number. 21. A digital shopping cart system for conducting authorization processes during e-commerce transactions including a server configured with;
a transaction module configured to obtain information about the current transaction requested by a client including product and billing information; and, an authorization module configured to automatically identify whether the client is using a particular Internet service provider to gain access to the internet, and to determine if said service provider is a participant in an authorization service, and a client interaction module for proposing to the client an option of using the internet service provider to provide authorization if the service provider is a participant. | Systems and methods are described for providing fraud deterrents, detection and prevention during e-commerce, e-transactions, digital rights management and access control. Fraud deterrent levels may be automatically selected by a requesting transaction approval entity server (and can be related to level of risk, or security, related to fraud) or may be selected by a consumer. These deterrent levels can determine the manner in which the transaction occurs as well as the types of information that must be provided and validated for successful approval of the transaction. The client can associate their credit card with a specific device, an e-identity, such as an instant messaging identity, and the e-identity is contacted as a part of finalizing a payment transaction so that a client response of ‘approve’ or ‘reject’ can be obtained. The anti-fraud technology also provides for management and storage of historical transaction information. Entity-to-client communication occurs according to merchant permission parameters which are defined by the client and which enable messages sent by the entity to be automatically allowed, rejected, and managed in other ways as well.1. A system configured for conducting art e-commerce authorization processes during an e-commerce transactions comprising:
A e-identity-card linkage database for storing and retrieving a link between an e-identity and at least one credit card; A server configured for obtaining an authorization request from an e-commerce entity, said request including at least a credit card number submitted to the entity, the server further configured to: retrieve an e-identity which is associated with the credit card number using a e-identity-card linkage database; determine if the e-identity has a status which is at least one of ‘available’ and ‘unavailable, and perform at least one of: an e-identity unavailable operation if the e-identity status is unavailable; and, an e-identity available operation if the e-identity status is available. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the e-identity available operation includes the following:
sending an authorization request to the e-identity so that it is presented to the client; obtaining any client input response that is provided; and, providing an authorization signal to the e-commerce entity which indicates either to approve or reject the transaction. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the e-commerce entity can be any of the following entities:
a merchant's eCommerce platform conducting sales of goods with end consumers; a credit card issuing bank receiving payment authorization request from an a merchant acquiring bank on behalf of an online seller/merchant; a payment service provider which is at least one of PayPal or Googlecheckout where users already have established accounts with pre registered credit cards; and, a credit card association network including at least one of Visa, Mastercard, AmericanExpress, and Discover which receives payment authorization requests from a card issuing bank. 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the e-identity available operation includes the following;
sending an authorization request to the e-identity; providing an authorization signal to the e-commerce entity which reflects the response to the authorization request that was sent to the e-identity, the authorization signal including at least one of approval of the transaction or rejection of the transaction. 5. The system claim 3 wherein the authorization signal is obtained without the client participation and by using a digital module that identifies a client registered computer. 6. The system claim 3 wherein the authorization signal is obtained without the client participation and by using a software module that identifies a client registered computer. 7. The system claim 3 wherein the authorization signal is obtained without the client participation and by using an identification method that identifies a client registered computer. 8. The system claim 3 wherein the authorization signal is obtained with the client participation and by using a digital module that identifies a client registered computer. 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the e-identity unavailable operation includes sending presenting the client with a web-page configured to allow the client to provide logon and password information to thereby activate the client e-identity associated with the web-page. 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the status of the e-identity is obtained by establishing the status of a presence of an e-identity is set to allow communication between the e-identity and the server. 11. The system of claim 1 wherein the authorization request also comprises additional information about the amount being charged, and the server is also configured to perform eFFT anti-fraud measures that are selected based upon the value of the transaction. 12. The system of claim 11 wherein the anti-fraud measures include at least one of; requiring a client to provide a password; requiring the client be using a particular computer; requiring the client to be using an eFFT program having a particular identification number; requiring the client to have logged onto an e-identity within a specified recent interval. 13. The system of claim 1 wherein the e-identity comprises an eFFT software module which resides on the client's computer. 14. The system of claim 13 wherein the eFFT software module is configured to receive transaction information data from an entity. 15. The system of claim 13 wherein the eFFT software module is configured to receive transaction information from an entity and to provide this information to the server. whereby a match or mismatch is provided with information transmitted to the server by the entity, and wherein a match provides automatic authentication of the client. 16. The system of claim. 10 wherein the eFFT software module transaction information comprises reflecting a current browser session log information and whereby the eFFT server is configured to analyze the information to verify that the client has performed transactions with a merchant site within a specified recent time interval and whereby a transaction can be automatically approved. 17. The method of claim 13 wherein the transaction is at least on of declined and rejected if the browser session log information provided by the eFFT software module does not include a client presence on the merchant site within a specified time interval that is indicated in the authorization request. 18. A system for conducting authorization processes during e-commerce transactions comprising:
A client-card linkage database for storing and retrieving a link between a client and at least one credit card: An online-identity-client linkage database for storing and retrieving a link between an online identity and a client; A server configured for obtaining an authorization request from an e-commerce entity, said request including at least a credit card number submitted to the entity, the server further configured to: Derive the client that is associated with an online-identity; Determine if the client is authorized to use the credit card number using the client-card linkage database; Provide an approval authorization signal to the e-commerce entity if the client is authorized to use the credit card number; and Provide a rejection authorization signal to the e-commerce entity if the client is authorized to use the credit card number. 19. The system of claim 18 wherein the online-identity is dynamically assigned to the client by an internet service provider which the client uses to connect to the internet. 20. The system of claim 18 wherein the online-identity is dynamically assigned to the client by an internet service provider which the client uses to connect to the internet and includes an active transaction or session identification number. 21. A digital shopping cart system for conducting authorization processes during e-commerce transactions including a server configured with;
a transaction module configured to obtain information about the current transaction requested by a client including product and billing information; and, an authorization module configured to automatically identify whether the client is using a particular Internet service provider to gain access to the internet, and to determine if said service provider is a participant in an authorization service, and a client interaction module for proposing to the client an option of using the internet service provider to provide authorization if the service provider is a participant. | 3,600 |
13,277 | 13,277 | 14,290,134 | 3,682 | The DYNAMIC CHECKOUT BUTTON APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“DCB”) transforms product page checkout request input and user identification input via DCB components such as offer/discount determination component and checkout button embedding component, into dynamic checkout button outputs. | 1. A dynamic checkout button processor-implemented method, comprising:
receiving, using one or more data processors, a product page checkout request; querying, using the one or more data processors, for a user merchant loyalty level associated with a merchant and a user; determining, using the one or more data processors, a product discount value based on the user merchant loyalty level, and generating, using the one or more data processors, a product discount value message to be embedded into a wallet associated checkout button. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the product page checkout request results from a World Wide Web browsing of product listings of one or more merchants. 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining type of user is a new user and generating the product discount value message that is targeted towards new customers. 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining type of user is an existing and active user and generating the product discount value message that is targeted towards existing and active users. 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining type of user is an existing and active user and generating the product discount value message that is targeted towards existing and active users. 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining type of user is an existing but dormant user and generating the product discount value message that is targeted towards existing but dormant users. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the product discount value message to be embedded into the wallet associated checkout button includes a discount or offer and includes a timer showing how much time is left for the discount or offer to be active. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the product discount value message to be embedded into the wallet associated checkout button changes as the time counts down as to how much time is left for the discount or offer to be active. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the product discount value message changes the discount or offer based upon how much time is left for the discount or offer to be active. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the product discount value message to be embedded into the wallet associated checkout button includes a discount or offer. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the discount or offer is customizable and user specific. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the discount or offer is customizable and user specific based upon access to a user's wallet account. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the user's wallet account stores the user's profile information, payment methods information, and shipping address. 14. The method of claim 1 further comprising: performing analytics on a merchant's site or across the web and displaying results of the analytics to the user as at least part of the product discount value message which is embedded into the wallet associated checkout button. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the analytics includes determining a historical lowest price of the product associated with the merchant's site. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein an offer or discount is embedded into a link position in the checkout button for display on a user's device. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the wallet associated checkout button occupies an area within a user display. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the embedded into the wallet associated checkout button includes the generated product discount value message being displayed within the area occupied by the wallet associated checkout button 19. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more servers contain the one or more data processors; wherein the product page checkout request and the product discount value message are transmitted over one or more communications networks. 20. The method of claim 1, wherein the product discount value message to be embedded into the wallet associated checkout button is to be displayed on a user's wireless mobile communications device. 21. A processor-readable tangible medium storing processor-issuable dynamic checkout button instructions to:
receive a product page checkout request; query for a user merchant loyalty level associated with a merchant and a user; determine a product discount value based on the user merchant loyalty level; and generate a product discount value message to be embedded into a wallet associated checkout button. 22. A dynamic checkout button apparatus, comprising:
a processor; and a memory disposed in communication with the processor and storing processor-issuable instructions to: receive a product page checkout request; query for a user merchant loyalty level associated with a merchant and a user; determine a product discount value based on the user merchant loyalty level; and generate a product discount value message to be embedded into a wallet associated checkout button. | The DYNAMIC CHECKOUT BUTTON APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“DCB”) transforms product page checkout request input and user identification input via DCB components such as offer/discount determination component and checkout button embedding component, into dynamic checkout button outputs.1. A dynamic checkout button processor-implemented method, comprising:
receiving, using one or more data processors, a product page checkout request; querying, using the one or more data processors, for a user merchant loyalty level associated with a merchant and a user; determining, using the one or more data processors, a product discount value based on the user merchant loyalty level, and generating, using the one or more data processors, a product discount value message to be embedded into a wallet associated checkout button. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the product page checkout request results from a World Wide Web browsing of product listings of one or more merchants. 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining type of user is a new user and generating the product discount value message that is targeted towards new customers. 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining type of user is an existing and active user and generating the product discount value message that is targeted towards existing and active users. 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining type of user is an existing and active user and generating the product discount value message that is targeted towards existing and active users. 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining type of user is an existing but dormant user and generating the product discount value message that is targeted towards existing but dormant users. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the product discount value message to be embedded into the wallet associated checkout button includes a discount or offer and includes a timer showing how much time is left for the discount or offer to be active. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the product discount value message to be embedded into the wallet associated checkout button changes as the time counts down as to how much time is left for the discount or offer to be active. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the product discount value message changes the discount or offer based upon how much time is left for the discount or offer to be active. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the product discount value message to be embedded into the wallet associated checkout button includes a discount or offer. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the discount or offer is customizable and user specific. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the discount or offer is customizable and user specific based upon access to a user's wallet account. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the user's wallet account stores the user's profile information, payment methods information, and shipping address. 14. The method of claim 1 further comprising: performing analytics on a merchant's site or across the web and displaying results of the analytics to the user as at least part of the product discount value message which is embedded into the wallet associated checkout button. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the analytics includes determining a historical lowest price of the product associated with the merchant's site. 16. The method of claim 1, wherein an offer or discount is embedded into a link position in the checkout button for display on a user's device. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the wallet associated checkout button occupies an area within a user display. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the embedded into the wallet associated checkout button includes the generated product discount value message being displayed within the area occupied by the wallet associated checkout button 19. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more servers contain the one or more data processors; wherein the product page checkout request and the product discount value message are transmitted over one or more communications networks. 20. The method of claim 1, wherein the product discount value message to be embedded into the wallet associated checkout button is to be displayed on a user's wireless mobile communications device. 21. A processor-readable tangible medium storing processor-issuable dynamic checkout button instructions to:
receive a product page checkout request; query for a user merchant loyalty level associated with a merchant and a user; determine a product discount value based on the user merchant loyalty level; and generate a product discount value message to be embedded into a wallet associated checkout button. 22. A dynamic checkout button apparatus, comprising:
a processor; and a memory disposed in communication with the processor and storing processor-issuable instructions to: receive a product page checkout request; query for a user merchant loyalty level associated with a merchant and a user; determine a product discount value based on the user merchant loyalty level; and generate a product discount value message to be embedded into a wallet associated checkout button. | 3,600 |
13,278 | 13,278 | 14,637,426 | 3,687 | The present disclosure describes methods and systems that allocate costs of deploying and operating a virtual network to tenants that use the virtual network. In one implementation, costs are allocated to tenant virtual machines (“VMs”) by determining a network bandwidth of a virtual network, determining a common cost of operating the virtual network, determining a service capacity for each network service provided by the virtual network, and determining a service cost for each network service. A portion of the common cost is allocated to each VM based on the proportion of network bandwidth used by each VM, and a portion of the service cost is allocated to each VM based on the proportion of the service capacity used by each VM. | 1. A method that allocates virtual network costs to data center tenants, the method comprising:
determining a virtual network cost of a virtual network; determining a capacity of the virtual network; and allocating a portion of the virtual network cost based on a measured usage of the virtual network by a data center tenant's network client devices and the capacity of the virtual network. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the virtual network cost includes:
determining a common cost of the virtual network; and
determining a service cost of one or more network services that is provided by the virtual network. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein determining the capacity of the virtual network further comprises:
determining a network bandwidth of the virtual network; and
determining a service capacity for each of the one or more network services. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein allocating the portion of the cost to the network client device further comprises:
allocating a first portion of the common cost to the network client device based on a proportion of network bandwidth used by the network client device; and
allocating a second portion of cost of one or more network services to the network client device based on a percentage of the service capacity used by the network client device. 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
determining an unallocated cost of the virtual network. 6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:
determining a ratio of the unallocated cost to a corresponding total cost;
increasing resources allocated to the virtual network when the ratio exceeds a maximum threshold; and
decreasing the resources allocated to the virtual network when the ratio is less than a minimum threshold. 7. The method of claim 3 wherein determining the network bandwidth of the virtual network is accomplished by:
determining the bandwidth of each network segment of the virtual network; and
selecting a maximum bandwidth from the determined bandwidths. 8. The method of claim 7 wherein each network segment is isolated by an OSI level-3 router. 9. The method of claim 2 wherein the one or more network services includes at least one of:
a DHCP service,
a firewall service,
a load balancing service,
a NAT service, and
a VPN service. 10. The method of claim 2 wherein determining the common cost further comprises:
determining a first cost of level-2 switching services; and
determining a second cost of level-3 routing services. 11. A computer-readable medium encoded with machine-readable instructions that implement a method carried out by one or more processors of a computer system to perform the operations of:
determining a virtual network cost of a virtual network; determining a capacity of the virtual network; and allocating a portion of the virtual network cost based on a measured usage of the virtual network by a data center tenant's network client device and the capacity of the virtual network. 12. The physical computer-readable media of claim 11 wherein determining the virtual network cost includes:
determining a common cost of the virtual network; and
determining a service cost of one or more network services that is provided by the virtual network. 13. The physical computer-readable media of claim 12 wherein determining the capacity of the virtual network further comprises:
determining a network bandwidth of the virtual network; and
determining a service capacity for each of the one or more network services. 14. The physical computer-readable media of claim 13 wherein allocating the portion of the cost to the network client device further comprises:
allocating a first portion of the common cost to the network client device based on a proportion of network bandwidth used by the network client device; and
allocating a second portion of the cost of one or more network services to the network client device based on a percentage of the service capacity used by the network client device. 15. The physical computer-readable media of claim 11 further comprises:
determining an unallocated cost that is of the virtual network. 16. The physical computer-readable media of claim 15 further comprises:
determining a ratio of the unallocated cost to a corresponding total cost;
increasing resources allocated to the virtual network when the ratio exceeds a maximum threshold; and
decreasing the resources allocated to the virtual network when the ratio is less than a minimum threshold. 17. The physical computer-readable media of claim 13 wherein determining the network bandwidth of the virtual network further comprises:
determining the bandwidth of each network segment of the virtual network; and
selecting a maximum bandwidth from the determined bandwidths. 18. The physical computer-readable media of claim 17 wherein each network segment is isolated by an OSI level-3 router. 19. The physical computer-readable media of claim 12 wherein the one or more network services includes at least one of:
a DHCP service,
a firewall service,
a load balancing service,
a NAT service, and
a VPN service. 20. The physical computer-readable media of claim 12 wherein determining the common cost further comprises:
determining a first cost of level-2 switching services; and
determining a second cost of level-3 routing services. 21. A system for adjusting a hard threshold comprising:
one or more processors; one or more data-storage devices; and a routine stored in the data-storage devices and executed using the one or more processors, the routine:
determining a virtual network cost of a virtual network;
determining a capacity of the virtual network; and
allocating a portion of the virtual network cost based on a measured usage of the virtual network by a data center tenant's network client device and the capacity of the virtual network. 22. The system of claim 21 wherein determining the virtual network cost includes:
determining a common cost of the virtual network; and
determining a service cost of one or more network services that is provided by the virtual network. 23. The system of claim 22 wherein determining the capacity of the virtual network further comprises:
determining a network bandwidth of the virtual network; and
determining a service capacity for each of the one or more network services. 24. The system of claim 23 wherein allocating the portion of the cost to the network client device further comprises:
allocating a first portion of the common cost to the network client device based on a proportion of network bandwidth used by the network client device; and
allocating a second portion of cost of one or more network services to the network client device based on a percentage of the service capacity used by the network client device. 25. The system of claim 21 further comprising:
determining an unallocated cost of the virtual network. 26. The system of claim 25 further comprising:
determining a ratio of the unallocated cost to a corresponding total cost;
increasing resources allocated to the virtual network when the ratio exceeds a maximum threshold; and
decreasing the resources allocated to the virtual network when the ratio is less than a minimum threshold. 27. The system of claim 23 wherein determining the network bandwidth of the virtual network is accomplished by:
determining the bandwidth of each network segment of the virtual network; and
selecting a maximum bandwidth from the determined bandwidths. 28. The method of claim 27 wherein each network segment is isolated by an OSI level-3 router. 29. The system of claim 22 wherein the one or more network services includes at least one of:
a DHCP service,
a firewall service,
a load balancing service,
a NAT service, and
a VPN service. 30. The system of claim 22 wherein determining the common cost further comprises:
determining a first cost of level-2 switching services; and
determining a second cost of level-3 routing services. | The present disclosure describes methods and systems that allocate costs of deploying and operating a virtual network to tenants that use the virtual network. In one implementation, costs are allocated to tenant virtual machines (“VMs”) by determining a network bandwidth of a virtual network, determining a common cost of operating the virtual network, determining a service capacity for each network service provided by the virtual network, and determining a service cost for each network service. A portion of the common cost is allocated to each VM based on the proportion of network bandwidth used by each VM, and a portion of the service cost is allocated to each VM based on the proportion of the service capacity used by each VM.1. A method that allocates virtual network costs to data center tenants, the method comprising:
determining a virtual network cost of a virtual network; determining a capacity of the virtual network; and allocating a portion of the virtual network cost based on a measured usage of the virtual network by a data center tenant's network client devices and the capacity of the virtual network. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the virtual network cost includes:
determining a common cost of the virtual network; and
determining a service cost of one or more network services that is provided by the virtual network. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein determining the capacity of the virtual network further comprises:
determining a network bandwidth of the virtual network; and
determining a service capacity for each of the one or more network services. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein allocating the portion of the cost to the network client device further comprises:
allocating a first portion of the common cost to the network client device based on a proportion of network bandwidth used by the network client device; and
allocating a second portion of cost of one or more network services to the network client device based on a percentage of the service capacity used by the network client device. 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
determining an unallocated cost of the virtual network. 6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:
determining a ratio of the unallocated cost to a corresponding total cost;
increasing resources allocated to the virtual network when the ratio exceeds a maximum threshold; and
decreasing the resources allocated to the virtual network when the ratio is less than a minimum threshold. 7. The method of claim 3 wherein determining the network bandwidth of the virtual network is accomplished by:
determining the bandwidth of each network segment of the virtual network; and
selecting a maximum bandwidth from the determined bandwidths. 8. The method of claim 7 wherein each network segment is isolated by an OSI level-3 router. 9. The method of claim 2 wherein the one or more network services includes at least one of:
a DHCP service,
a firewall service,
a load balancing service,
a NAT service, and
a VPN service. 10. The method of claim 2 wherein determining the common cost further comprises:
determining a first cost of level-2 switching services; and
determining a second cost of level-3 routing services. 11. A computer-readable medium encoded with machine-readable instructions that implement a method carried out by one or more processors of a computer system to perform the operations of:
determining a virtual network cost of a virtual network; determining a capacity of the virtual network; and allocating a portion of the virtual network cost based on a measured usage of the virtual network by a data center tenant's network client device and the capacity of the virtual network. 12. The physical computer-readable media of claim 11 wherein determining the virtual network cost includes:
determining a common cost of the virtual network; and
determining a service cost of one or more network services that is provided by the virtual network. 13. The physical computer-readable media of claim 12 wherein determining the capacity of the virtual network further comprises:
determining a network bandwidth of the virtual network; and
determining a service capacity for each of the one or more network services. 14. The physical computer-readable media of claim 13 wherein allocating the portion of the cost to the network client device further comprises:
allocating a first portion of the common cost to the network client device based on a proportion of network bandwidth used by the network client device; and
allocating a second portion of the cost of one or more network services to the network client device based on a percentage of the service capacity used by the network client device. 15. The physical computer-readable media of claim 11 further comprises:
determining an unallocated cost that is of the virtual network. 16. The physical computer-readable media of claim 15 further comprises:
determining a ratio of the unallocated cost to a corresponding total cost;
increasing resources allocated to the virtual network when the ratio exceeds a maximum threshold; and
decreasing the resources allocated to the virtual network when the ratio is less than a minimum threshold. 17. The physical computer-readable media of claim 13 wherein determining the network bandwidth of the virtual network further comprises:
determining the bandwidth of each network segment of the virtual network; and
selecting a maximum bandwidth from the determined bandwidths. 18. The physical computer-readable media of claim 17 wherein each network segment is isolated by an OSI level-3 router. 19. The physical computer-readable media of claim 12 wherein the one or more network services includes at least one of:
a DHCP service,
a firewall service,
a load balancing service,
a NAT service, and
a VPN service. 20. The physical computer-readable media of claim 12 wherein determining the common cost further comprises:
determining a first cost of level-2 switching services; and
determining a second cost of level-3 routing services. 21. A system for adjusting a hard threshold comprising:
one or more processors; one or more data-storage devices; and a routine stored in the data-storage devices and executed using the one or more processors, the routine:
determining a virtual network cost of a virtual network;
determining a capacity of the virtual network; and
allocating a portion of the virtual network cost based on a measured usage of the virtual network by a data center tenant's network client device and the capacity of the virtual network. 22. The system of claim 21 wherein determining the virtual network cost includes:
determining a common cost of the virtual network; and
determining a service cost of one or more network services that is provided by the virtual network. 23. The system of claim 22 wherein determining the capacity of the virtual network further comprises:
determining a network bandwidth of the virtual network; and
determining a service capacity for each of the one or more network services. 24. The system of claim 23 wherein allocating the portion of the cost to the network client device further comprises:
allocating a first portion of the common cost to the network client device based on a proportion of network bandwidth used by the network client device; and
allocating a second portion of cost of one or more network services to the network client device based on a percentage of the service capacity used by the network client device. 25. The system of claim 21 further comprising:
determining an unallocated cost of the virtual network. 26. The system of claim 25 further comprising:
determining a ratio of the unallocated cost to a corresponding total cost;
increasing resources allocated to the virtual network when the ratio exceeds a maximum threshold; and
decreasing the resources allocated to the virtual network when the ratio is less than a minimum threshold. 27. The system of claim 23 wherein determining the network bandwidth of the virtual network is accomplished by:
determining the bandwidth of each network segment of the virtual network; and
selecting a maximum bandwidth from the determined bandwidths. 28. The method of claim 27 wherein each network segment is isolated by an OSI level-3 router. 29. The system of claim 22 wherein the one or more network services includes at least one of:
a DHCP service,
a firewall service,
a load balancing service,
a NAT service, and
a VPN service. 30. The system of claim 22 wherein determining the common cost further comprises:
determining a first cost of level-2 switching services; and
determining a second cost of level-3 routing services. | 3,600 |
13,279 | 13,279 | 13,807,814 | 3,637 | A security element for a security paper, value document or the like, having a carrier which has a motif region that includes a visually perceptible motif with a first and a second motif part, wherein the motif region includes a first micro-optic representation arrangement which presents at least two different images in viewing angle-dependent fashion as a first motif part, and a second micro-optic representation arrangement which presents a reflective surface as a second motif part, which surface appears bulged relative to the actual macroscopic spatial form of the second micro-optic representation arrangement. | 1.-18. (canceled) 19. A security element for a security paper or value document comprising:
a carrier comprising a motif region which provides a visually perceptible motif having a first and a second motif part, wherein the motif region comprises a first micro-optic representation arrangement which presents at least two different images in viewing angle-dependent fashion as a first motif part, and a second micro-optic representation arrangement which presents a reflective surface as the second motif part, said reflective surface appearing bulged relative to the actual macroscopic spatial form of the second micro-optic representation arrangement. 20. The security element according to claim 19, wherein the two motif parts are arranged to be contiguous. 21. The security element according to claim 19, wherein one of the two motif parts at least partly surrounds the other of the two motif parts. 22. The security element according to claim 19, wherein the two motif parts either or both at least partly overlap and are at least in certain regions nest into each other. 23. The security element according to claim 19, wherein the first micro-optic representation arrangement presents the at least two different images such that the images at least in certain regions either or both overlap and are nest into each other. 24. The security element according to claim 19, wherein the first micro-optic representation arrangement presents different views of the same object as the at least two different images. 25. The security element according to claim 19, wherein the first micro-optic representation arrangement presents the at least two different images such that for a viewer there results a stereographic representation of an object with absolute depth information. 26. The security element according to claim 19, wherein the first micro-optic representation arrangement is configured as a hologram. 27. The security element according to claim 19, wherein the first micro-optic representation arrangement comprises microstructures as well as micro-imaging elements in order to image the microstructures in magnified form. 28. The security element according to claim 19, wherein the first micro-optic representation arrangement produces an orthoparallactic representation. 29. The security element according to claim 19, wherein the second micro-optic representation arrangement presents the reflective surface in a reliefed impression. 30. The security element according to claim 19, wherein the second micro-optic representation arrangement has embossed microscopic structures which are furnished with a reflection-enhancing coating. 31. The security element according to claim 30, wherein the second micro-optic representation arrangement has a multiplicity of reflective facets that have different orientations with respect to each other. 32. The security element according to claim 30, wherein the second micro-optic representation arrangement has a reflective Fresnel structure with varying grating period. 33. The security element according to claim 30, wherein the second micro-optic representation arrangement has asymmetric diffraction structures or matt-structure grating images. 34. The security element according to claim 30, wherein the micro-imaging elements of the first micro-optic representation arrangement and the microscopic structures of the second micro-optic representation arrangement are embossed in a same embossing lacquer layer. 35. The security element according to claim 19, wherein the security element is configured as a multilayer layered composite. 36. A value document comprising the security element as recited in claim 19. | A security element for a security paper, value document or the like, having a carrier which has a motif region that includes a visually perceptible motif with a first and a second motif part, wherein the motif region includes a first micro-optic representation arrangement which presents at least two different images in viewing angle-dependent fashion as a first motif part, and a second micro-optic representation arrangement which presents a reflective surface as a second motif part, which surface appears bulged relative to the actual macroscopic spatial form of the second micro-optic representation arrangement.1.-18. (canceled) 19. A security element for a security paper or value document comprising:
a carrier comprising a motif region which provides a visually perceptible motif having a first and a second motif part, wherein the motif region comprises a first micro-optic representation arrangement which presents at least two different images in viewing angle-dependent fashion as a first motif part, and a second micro-optic representation arrangement which presents a reflective surface as the second motif part, said reflective surface appearing bulged relative to the actual macroscopic spatial form of the second micro-optic representation arrangement. 20. The security element according to claim 19, wherein the two motif parts are arranged to be contiguous. 21. The security element according to claim 19, wherein one of the two motif parts at least partly surrounds the other of the two motif parts. 22. The security element according to claim 19, wherein the two motif parts either or both at least partly overlap and are at least in certain regions nest into each other. 23. The security element according to claim 19, wherein the first micro-optic representation arrangement presents the at least two different images such that the images at least in certain regions either or both overlap and are nest into each other. 24. The security element according to claim 19, wherein the first micro-optic representation arrangement presents different views of the same object as the at least two different images. 25. The security element according to claim 19, wherein the first micro-optic representation arrangement presents the at least two different images such that for a viewer there results a stereographic representation of an object with absolute depth information. 26. The security element according to claim 19, wherein the first micro-optic representation arrangement is configured as a hologram. 27. The security element according to claim 19, wherein the first micro-optic representation arrangement comprises microstructures as well as micro-imaging elements in order to image the microstructures in magnified form. 28. The security element according to claim 19, wherein the first micro-optic representation arrangement produces an orthoparallactic representation. 29. The security element according to claim 19, wherein the second micro-optic representation arrangement presents the reflective surface in a reliefed impression. 30. The security element according to claim 19, wherein the second micro-optic representation arrangement has embossed microscopic structures which are furnished with a reflection-enhancing coating. 31. The security element according to claim 30, wherein the second micro-optic representation arrangement has a multiplicity of reflective facets that have different orientations with respect to each other. 32. The security element according to claim 30, wherein the second micro-optic representation arrangement has a reflective Fresnel structure with varying grating period. 33. The security element according to claim 30, wherein the second micro-optic representation arrangement has asymmetric diffraction structures or matt-structure grating images. 34. The security element according to claim 30, wherein the micro-imaging elements of the first micro-optic representation arrangement and the microscopic structures of the second micro-optic representation arrangement are embossed in a same embossing lacquer layer. 35. The security element according to claim 19, wherein the security element is configured as a multilayer layered composite. 36. A value document comprising the security element as recited in claim 19. | 3,600 |
13,280 | 13,280 | 14,529,961 | 3,671 | An improved crushing tool for the processing of aggregates, and a heat treatment method for metals used in the fabrication of such tools, is provided. The crushing tool may comprise an attachment portion having a relatively low material hardness and a crushing portion having, in comparison to the attachment portion, a relatively high material hardness. For example, the hardness of the attachment portion may be in the range of 20-35 HRC, and that of the crushing portion may be in the range of 50-60 HRC. Use of tool-grade steel, such as AISI S7 steel, may thereby result in a tool offering a compromise between the hardness (wear-resistance) of the crushing portion and the toughness of the attachment portion. A heat treatment process for the tool-grade steel may involve distinct heating, quenching, and tempering cycles in order to achievable desirable material properties. | 1. A method of heat treating a material, comprising:
heating the material to a first temperature within the range of 1650° F. to 1850° F. and holding the material at the first temperature for a first period of time within the range of 1.5 to 3 hours; quenching in a cooling environmental until the material reaches a second temperature within the range of 125° F. to 240° F.; and tempering the material at least once at a third temperature within the range of 325° F. to 450° F. for a second period of time within the range of 1.5 to 3 hours. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising preheating the material to an initial temperature within the range of 1200° F. to 1300° F. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising cooling the material and tempering again at the third temperature for the second period of time. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first temperature is within the range 1700° F. to 1775° F. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first temperature is approximately 1725° F. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second temperature is approximately 150° F. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the third temperature is within the range 400° F. to 450° F. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the third temperature is approximately 425° F. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first period of time is approximately 2 hours. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the second period of time is approximately 2 hours. 11. A hardened, wear-resistant metal prepared from a precursor metal by a process comprising:
heating a precursor metal to a first temperature within the range of 1650° F. to 1850° F. and holding the precursor metal at the first temperature for a first period of time within the range of 1.5 to 3 hours; quenching in a cooling environmental until the precursor metal reaches a second temperature within the range of 125° F. to 240° F.; and tempering the precursor metal at least once at a third temperature within the range of 325° F. to 450° F. for a second period of time within the range of 1.5 to 3 hours. 12. The metal of claim 11, wherein the precursor metal comprises AISI S7 steel. 13. An aggregate crushing tool comprising:
an attachment portion for mounting the tool on a chassis, the attachment portion formed of a material defined by a first hardness; and a crushing portion supported on the attachment portion and formed of a material defined by a second hardness that is greater than the first hardness. 14. The tool of claim 13, wherein the attachment portion and the crushing portion are integrally formed, and the hardness of the crushing portion is graduated inwardly from a surface of the crushing portion toward the attachment portion. 15. The tool of claim 13, wherein the first hardness is within the range 20-35 HRC. 16. The tool of claim 15, wherein the first hardness is within the range 25-30 HRC. 17. The tool of claim 13, wherein the second hardness is within the range 50-60 HRC. 18. The tool of claim 17, wherein the second hardness is within the range 57-60 HRC. 19. The tool of claim 13, wherein the material comprises AISI S7 steel. 20. The tool of claim 13, wherein the crushing portion has a generally conical or frustoconical shape. | An improved crushing tool for the processing of aggregates, and a heat treatment method for metals used in the fabrication of such tools, is provided. The crushing tool may comprise an attachment portion having a relatively low material hardness and a crushing portion having, in comparison to the attachment portion, a relatively high material hardness. For example, the hardness of the attachment portion may be in the range of 20-35 HRC, and that of the crushing portion may be in the range of 50-60 HRC. Use of tool-grade steel, such as AISI S7 steel, may thereby result in a tool offering a compromise between the hardness (wear-resistance) of the crushing portion and the toughness of the attachment portion. A heat treatment process for the tool-grade steel may involve distinct heating, quenching, and tempering cycles in order to achievable desirable material properties.1. A method of heat treating a material, comprising:
heating the material to a first temperature within the range of 1650° F. to 1850° F. and holding the material at the first temperature for a first period of time within the range of 1.5 to 3 hours; quenching in a cooling environmental until the material reaches a second temperature within the range of 125° F. to 240° F.; and tempering the material at least once at a third temperature within the range of 325° F. to 450° F. for a second period of time within the range of 1.5 to 3 hours. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising preheating the material to an initial temperature within the range of 1200° F. to 1300° F. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising cooling the material and tempering again at the third temperature for the second period of time. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first temperature is within the range 1700° F. to 1775° F. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first temperature is approximately 1725° F. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second temperature is approximately 150° F. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the third temperature is within the range 400° F. to 450° F. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the third temperature is approximately 425° F. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first period of time is approximately 2 hours. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the second period of time is approximately 2 hours. 11. A hardened, wear-resistant metal prepared from a precursor metal by a process comprising:
heating a precursor metal to a first temperature within the range of 1650° F. to 1850° F. and holding the precursor metal at the first temperature for a first period of time within the range of 1.5 to 3 hours; quenching in a cooling environmental until the precursor metal reaches a second temperature within the range of 125° F. to 240° F.; and tempering the precursor metal at least once at a third temperature within the range of 325° F. to 450° F. for a second period of time within the range of 1.5 to 3 hours. 12. The metal of claim 11, wherein the precursor metal comprises AISI S7 steel. 13. An aggregate crushing tool comprising:
an attachment portion for mounting the tool on a chassis, the attachment portion formed of a material defined by a first hardness; and a crushing portion supported on the attachment portion and formed of a material defined by a second hardness that is greater than the first hardness. 14. The tool of claim 13, wherein the attachment portion and the crushing portion are integrally formed, and the hardness of the crushing portion is graduated inwardly from a surface of the crushing portion toward the attachment portion. 15. The tool of claim 13, wherein the first hardness is within the range 20-35 HRC. 16. The tool of claim 15, wherein the first hardness is within the range 25-30 HRC. 17. The tool of claim 13, wherein the second hardness is within the range 50-60 HRC. 18. The tool of claim 17, wherein the second hardness is within the range 57-60 HRC. 19. The tool of claim 13, wherein the material comprises AISI S7 steel. 20. The tool of claim 13, wherein the crushing portion has a generally conical or frustoconical shape. | 3,600 |
13,281 | 13,281 | 14,729,121 | 3,648 | A system includes a processor configured to receive a vehicle event and determine a wireless device present connection state relative to a vehicle infotainment system. The processor is further configured to communicate with a remote server through a vehicle modem, including transmission of the wireless device present connection state, based on the occurrence of the vehicle event. The processor may also be configured to request that the remote server instruct a wireless device to pair with a vehicle infotainment system if the wireless device present connection state indicates the wireless device is not presently paired. | 1. A system comprising:
a processor configured to: receive a vehicle event; based on occurrence of the vehicle event, communicate with a remote server through a vehicle modem, including transmission of a wireless device present connection state; and request that the remote server instruct a wireless device to pair with a vehicle infotainment system if the wireless device present connection state indicates the wireless device is not presently paired. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to establish communication with the wireless device through the remote server if the wireless device present connection state indicates the wireless device is not presently connected to the vehicle infotainment system. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine if the wireless device is wirelessly connected. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine if the wireless device is connected in a wired manner. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to communicate an occupant identity with the remote server. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to communicate vehicle GPS coordinates with the remote server. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to communicate a preferred device identity with the remote server. 8. A computer-implemented method comprising:
determining a wireless device present connection state relative to a vehicle infotainment system based on receipt of a vehicle event; communicating with a remote server through a vehicle modem, including sending the wireless device present connection state; and requesting that a pairing instruction to pair with a vehicle computer be sent to a wireless device through the remote server. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising determining if the wireless device is wirelessly connected. 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising determining if the wireless device is connected in a wired manner. 11. The method of claim 8, further comprising establishing communication with the wireless device through the remote server. 12. The method of claim 8, further comprising including an occupant identity as part of communication with the remote server. 13. The method of claim 8, further comprising including vehicle GPS coordinates as part of communication with the remote server. 14. The method of claim 8, further comprising including a preferred device identity as part of communication with the remote server. 15. A system comprising:
a processor configured to: receive indicia from a vehicle onboard modem that a wireless device is not presently connected to a vehicle infotainment system; select a wireless device for cloud-assisted communication with the vehicle infotainment system; establish communication with the wireless device; and relay communication between the wireless device and the vehicle infotainment system. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to receive a vehicle occupant identity and select the wireless device based on a correlation between the wireless device and an occupant corresponding to the occupant identity. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to receive a preferred-device identity and select the wireless device based on the preferred-device identity. 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to confirm a location of the wireless device as corresponding to a vehicle location, prior to communication relay. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the processor is configured to confirm the location based on vehicle GPS coordinates and wireless device GPS coordinates. 20. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to select the wireless device from a list of previously paired wireless devices. | A system includes a processor configured to receive a vehicle event and determine a wireless device present connection state relative to a vehicle infotainment system. The processor is further configured to communicate with a remote server through a vehicle modem, including transmission of the wireless device present connection state, based on the occurrence of the vehicle event. The processor may also be configured to request that the remote server instruct a wireless device to pair with a vehicle infotainment system if the wireless device present connection state indicates the wireless device is not presently paired.1. A system comprising:
a processor configured to: receive a vehicle event; based on occurrence of the vehicle event, communicate with a remote server through a vehicle modem, including transmission of a wireless device present connection state; and request that the remote server instruct a wireless device to pair with a vehicle infotainment system if the wireless device present connection state indicates the wireless device is not presently paired. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to establish communication with the wireless device through the remote server if the wireless device present connection state indicates the wireless device is not presently connected to the vehicle infotainment system. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine if the wireless device is wirelessly connected. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine if the wireless device is connected in a wired manner. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to communicate an occupant identity with the remote server. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to communicate vehicle GPS coordinates with the remote server. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to communicate a preferred device identity with the remote server. 8. A computer-implemented method comprising:
determining a wireless device present connection state relative to a vehicle infotainment system based on receipt of a vehicle event; communicating with a remote server through a vehicle modem, including sending the wireless device present connection state; and requesting that a pairing instruction to pair with a vehicle computer be sent to a wireless device through the remote server. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising determining if the wireless device is wirelessly connected. 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising determining if the wireless device is connected in a wired manner. 11. The method of claim 8, further comprising establishing communication with the wireless device through the remote server. 12. The method of claim 8, further comprising including an occupant identity as part of communication with the remote server. 13. The method of claim 8, further comprising including vehicle GPS coordinates as part of communication with the remote server. 14. The method of claim 8, further comprising including a preferred device identity as part of communication with the remote server. 15. A system comprising:
a processor configured to: receive indicia from a vehicle onboard modem that a wireless device is not presently connected to a vehicle infotainment system; select a wireless device for cloud-assisted communication with the vehicle infotainment system; establish communication with the wireless device; and relay communication between the wireless device and the vehicle infotainment system. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to receive a vehicle occupant identity and select the wireless device based on a correlation between the wireless device and an occupant corresponding to the occupant identity. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to receive a preferred-device identity and select the wireless device based on the preferred-device identity. 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to confirm a location of the wireless device as corresponding to a vehicle location, prior to communication relay. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the processor is configured to confirm the location based on vehicle GPS coordinates and wireless device GPS coordinates. 20. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to select the wireless device from a list of previously paired wireless devices. | 3,600 |
13,282 | 13,282 | 15,138,918 | 3,688 | A method for relaying advertising content may include intercepting, at a network providing communication between an end user device and one or more servers capable of responding to requests from the end user device, a request from the end user device and transmitted via the network, determining whether a response to the request will include advertizing content based on a destination of the request, intercepting the response based on the determination, modifying the response to modify source indicia of the advertizing content in a modified response, and enabling the modified response to be provided to the end user device to effectively relay the advertizing content from a different source. | 1. An apparatus provided at a network providing communication between an end user device and one or more servers capable of responding to requests from the end user device, the apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured to, when executed:
intercept a request from the end user device and transmitted via the network; determine whether a response to the request will include advertizing content based on a destination of the request; intercept the response based on the determination; modify the response to modify source indicia of the advertizing content in a modified response; and enable the modified response to be provided to the end user device to effectively relay the advertizing content from a different source. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein modifying the response is performed responsive to a determination that an original source of the advertizing content is a blacklisted source. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the different source is not blacklisted. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to modify technical properties of the advertizing content in the modified response. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein modifying the technical properties comprises modifying properties corresponding to size and shape of the advertizing content. 6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein modifying properties corresponding to size and shape of the advertizing content comprises employing a random modification to the size and shape of the advertizing content. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to modify elements of the advertizing content to include at least some replaced content in the modified response. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the different source is a candidate stored in a repository associated with a proxy server at an edge of the network. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to modify elements of the advertizing content to personalize the advertizing content in the modified response. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to apply virus scanning to the modified response prior to provision of the modified response to the end user. 11. A method executable via operation of configured processing circuitry, the method comprising:
intercepting, at a network providing communication between an end user device and one or more servers capable of responding to requests from the end user device, a request from the end user device and transmitted via the network; determining whether a response to the request will include advertizing content based on a destination of the request; intercepting the response based on the determination; modifying the response to modify source indicia of the advertizing content in a modified response; and enabling the modified response to be provided to the end user device to effectively relay the advertizing content from a different source. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein modifying the response is performed responsive to a determination that an original source of the advertizing content is a blacklisted source. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the different source is not blacklisted. 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising modifying technical properties of the advertizing content in the modified response. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein modifying the technical properties comprises modifying properties corresponding to size and shape of the advertizing content. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein modifying properties corresponding to size and shape of the advertizing content comprises employing a random modification to the size and shape of the advertizing content. 17. The method of claim 1, further comprising modifying elements of the advertizing content to include at least some replaced content in the modified response. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the different source is a candidate stored in a repository associated with a proxy server at an edge of the network. 19. The method of claim 1, further comprising modifying elements of the advertizing content to personalize the advertizing content in the modified response. 20. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying virus scanning to the modified response prior to provision of the modified response to the end user. | A method for relaying advertising content may include intercepting, at a network providing communication between an end user device and one or more servers capable of responding to requests from the end user device, a request from the end user device and transmitted via the network, determining whether a response to the request will include advertizing content based on a destination of the request, intercepting the response based on the determination, modifying the response to modify source indicia of the advertizing content in a modified response, and enabling the modified response to be provided to the end user device to effectively relay the advertizing content from a different source.1. An apparatus provided at a network providing communication between an end user device and one or more servers capable of responding to requests from the end user device, the apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured to, when executed:
intercept a request from the end user device and transmitted via the network; determine whether a response to the request will include advertizing content based on a destination of the request; intercept the response based on the determination; modify the response to modify source indicia of the advertizing content in a modified response; and enable the modified response to be provided to the end user device to effectively relay the advertizing content from a different source. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein modifying the response is performed responsive to a determination that an original source of the advertizing content is a blacklisted source. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the different source is not blacklisted. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to modify technical properties of the advertizing content in the modified response. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein modifying the technical properties comprises modifying properties corresponding to size and shape of the advertizing content. 6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein modifying properties corresponding to size and shape of the advertizing content comprises employing a random modification to the size and shape of the advertizing content. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to modify elements of the advertizing content to include at least some replaced content in the modified response. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the different source is a candidate stored in a repository associated with a proxy server at an edge of the network. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to modify elements of the advertizing content to personalize the advertizing content in the modified response. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to apply virus scanning to the modified response prior to provision of the modified response to the end user. 11. A method executable via operation of configured processing circuitry, the method comprising:
intercepting, at a network providing communication between an end user device and one or more servers capable of responding to requests from the end user device, a request from the end user device and transmitted via the network; determining whether a response to the request will include advertizing content based on a destination of the request; intercepting the response based on the determination; modifying the response to modify source indicia of the advertizing content in a modified response; and enabling the modified response to be provided to the end user device to effectively relay the advertizing content from a different source. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein modifying the response is performed responsive to a determination that an original source of the advertizing content is a blacklisted source. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the different source is not blacklisted. 14. The method of claim 11, further comprising modifying technical properties of the advertizing content in the modified response. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein modifying the technical properties comprises modifying properties corresponding to size and shape of the advertizing content. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein modifying properties corresponding to size and shape of the advertizing content comprises employing a random modification to the size and shape of the advertizing content. 17. The method of claim 1, further comprising modifying elements of the advertizing content to include at least some replaced content in the modified response. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the different source is a candidate stored in a repository associated with a proxy server at an edge of the network. 19. The method of claim 1, further comprising modifying elements of the advertizing content to personalize the advertizing content in the modified response. 20. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying virus scanning to the modified response prior to provision of the modified response to the end user. | 3,600 |
13,283 | 13,283 | 15,067,336 | 3,688 | A method for replacing advertising content may include intercepting, at an edge of a network providing communication between an end user device and one or more servers capable of responding to requests from the end user device, a request from the end user device and transmitted via the network, determining whether a response to the request will include advertizing content based on a destination of the request, intercepting the response based on the determination, modifying the response to extract the advertizing content to replace the advertizing content with replacement content in a modified response, and enabling the modified response to be provided to the end user device. The replacement content may be selected based on a comparison of technical properties of the advertizing content with technical properties of the replacement content, and a correlation of affinity criteria associated with the replacement content to a user associated with the end user device. | 1. An apparatus provided at an edge of a network providing communication between an end user device and one or more servers capable of responding to requests from the end user device, the apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured to, when executed:
intercept a request from the end user device and transmitted via the network; determine whether a response to the request will include advertizing content based on a destination of the request; intercept the response based on the determination; modify the response to extract the advertizing content to replace the advertizing content with replacement content in a modified response; and enable the modified response to be provided to the end user device, wherein the replacement content is selected based on:
a comparison of technical properties of the advertizing content with technical properties of the replacement content, and
a correlation of affinity criteria associated with the replacement content to a user associated with the end user device. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the comparison of the technical properties of the advertizing content with the technical properties of the replacement content comprises determining a match between the technical properties of the advertizing content with the technical properties of the replacement content. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the technical properties of the advertizing content comprise properties indicative of size and shape of the advertizing content. 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the technical properties of the advertizing content comprise properties indicative of a format and type of the advertizing content. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the affinity criteria comprises a classification of the replacement content by type, genre or price. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the correlation of the affinity criteria to the user comprises selecting the replacement content based on comparing the type, genre or price of potential replacement content to profile information associated with the user. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the replacement content is stored in a repository associated with a proxy server at the edge of the network. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the replacement content is auctioned content stored in a repository associated with a proxy server at the edge of the network. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein determining whether the response to the request will include advertizing content comprises determining whether the destination of the request is an advertizing content server. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein intercepting the request is performed in response to a prior election of the user to enable content replacement at the end user device. 11. A method executable via operation of configured processing circuitry, the method comprising:
intercepting, at an edge of a network providing communication between an end user device and one or more servers capable of responding to requests from the end user device, a request from the end user device and transmitted via the network; determining whether a response to the request will include advertizing content based on a destination of the request; intercepting the response based on the determination; modifying the response to extract the advertizing content to replace the advertizing content with replacement content in a modified response; and enabling the modified response to be provided to the end user device, wherein the replacement content is selected based on:
a comparison of technical properties of the advertizing content with technical properties of the replacement content, and
a correlation of affinity criteria associated with the replacement content to a user associated with the end user device. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the comparison of the technical properties of the advertizing content with the technical properties of the replacement content comprises determining a match between the technical properties of the advertizing content with the technical properties of the replacement content. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the technical properties of the advertizing content comprise properties indicative of size and shape of the advertizing content. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the technical properties of the advertizing content comprise properties indicative of a format and type of the advertizing content. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the affinity criteria comprises a classification of the replacement content by type, genre or price. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the correlation of the affinity criteria to the user comprises selecting the replacement content based on comparing the type, genre or price of potential replacement content to profile information associated with the user. 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the replacement content is stored in a repository associated with a proxy server at the edge of the network. 18. The method of claim 11, wherein the replacement content is auctioned content stored in a repository associated with a proxy server at the edge of the network. 19. The method of claim 11, wherein determining whether the response to the request will include advertizing content comprises determining whether the destination of the request is an advertizing content server. 20. The method of claim 11, wherein intercepting the request is performed in response to a prior election of the user to enable content replacement at the end user device. | A method for replacing advertising content may include intercepting, at an edge of a network providing communication between an end user device and one or more servers capable of responding to requests from the end user device, a request from the end user device and transmitted via the network, determining whether a response to the request will include advertizing content based on a destination of the request, intercepting the response based on the determination, modifying the response to extract the advertizing content to replace the advertizing content with replacement content in a modified response, and enabling the modified response to be provided to the end user device. The replacement content may be selected based on a comparison of technical properties of the advertizing content with technical properties of the replacement content, and a correlation of affinity criteria associated with the replacement content to a user associated with the end user device.1. An apparatus provided at an edge of a network providing communication between an end user device and one or more servers capable of responding to requests from the end user device, the apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured to, when executed:
intercept a request from the end user device and transmitted via the network; determine whether a response to the request will include advertizing content based on a destination of the request; intercept the response based on the determination; modify the response to extract the advertizing content to replace the advertizing content with replacement content in a modified response; and enable the modified response to be provided to the end user device, wherein the replacement content is selected based on:
a comparison of technical properties of the advertizing content with technical properties of the replacement content, and
a correlation of affinity criteria associated with the replacement content to a user associated with the end user device. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the comparison of the technical properties of the advertizing content with the technical properties of the replacement content comprises determining a match between the technical properties of the advertizing content with the technical properties of the replacement content. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the technical properties of the advertizing content comprise properties indicative of size and shape of the advertizing content. 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the technical properties of the advertizing content comprise properties indicative of a format and type of the advertizing content. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the affinity criteria comprises a classification of the replacement content by type, genre or price. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the correlation of the affinity criteria to the user comprises selecting the replacement content based on comparing the type, genre or price of potential replacement content to profile information associated with the user. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the replacement content is stored in a repository associated with a proxy server at the edge of the network. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the replacement content is auctioned content stored in a repository associated with a proxy server at the edge of the network. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein determining whether the response to the request will include advertizing content comprises determining whether the destination of the request is an advertizing content server. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein intercepting the request is performed in response to a prior election of the user to enable content replacement at the end user device. 11. A method executable via operation of configured processing circuitry, the method comprising:
intercepting, at an edge of a network providing communication between an end user device and one or more servers capable of responding to requests from the end user device, a request from the end user device and transmitted via the network; determining whether a response to the request will include advertizing content based on a destination of the request; intercepting the response based on the determination; modifying the response to extract the advertizing content to replace the advertizing content with replacement content in a modified response; and enabling the modified response to be provided to the end user device, wherein the replacement content is selected based on:
a comparison of technical properties of the advertizing content with technical properties of the replacement content, and
a correlation of affinity criteria associated with the replacement content to a user associated with the end user device. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the comparison of the technical properties of the advertizing content with the technical properties of the replacement content comprises determining a match between the technical properties of the advertizing content with the technical properties of the replacement content. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the technical properties of the advertizing content comprise properties indicative of size and shape of the advertizing content. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the technical properties of the advertizing content comprise properties indicative of a format and type of the advertizing content. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the affinity criteria comprises a classification of the replacement content by type, genre or price. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the correlation of the affinity criteria to the user comprises selecting the replacement content based on comparing the type, genre or price of potential replacement content to profile information associated with the user. 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the replacement content is stored in a repository associated with a proxy server at the edge of the network. 18. The method of claim 11, wherein the replacement content is auctioned content stored in a repository associated with a proxy server at the edge of the network. 19. The method of claim 11, wherein determining whether the response to the request will include advertizing content comprises determining whether the destination of the request is an advertizing content server. 20. The method of claim 11, wherein intercepting the request is performed in response to a prior election of the user to enable content replacement at the end user device. | 3,600 |
13,284 | 13,284 | 14,706,844 | 3,643 | Equine boots with integrated, impact protection are disclosed. In one embodiment an equine leg boot includes a fabric body with an outer surface and an inner surface, the fabric body being configured to wrap around the lower leg of a horse. An impact-resistant protective member is disposed within the fabric body. A suspensory support strap is also provided, at least a portion of which is integral with the fabric body. | 1. An equine leg boot comprising:
a fabric body configured to wrap around the lower leg of a horse, an impact-resistant protective member disposed within the fabric body, the protective member comprising a semi-rigid thermoplastic material that is pre-formed to have a molded shape that conforms to the back of the lower leg of the horse and thereby wraps around the posterior aspect of the lower leg and provides impact protection to the flexor tendons of the horse, and a suspensory support strap, at least a portion of which is integral with the fabric body. 2. (canceled) 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the fabric body defines a pocket and the protective member is disposed within the pocket. 4. The device of claim 1 wherein an outer surface of the fabric body is formed of a hook-engageable material. 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the support strap is configured to provide support to the fetlock joint/suspensory ligament and surrounding tissues. 6. The device of claim 1 wherein the protective member has a wall thickness of from about 0.05 to 0.1 inch. 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the protective member is shaped to provide a space between the protective member and a surface of a posterior aspect of the horse's leg. 8. The device of claim 1 wherein the fabric body is a neoprene fabric laminate. 9. The device of claim 1 wherein the protective member includes a bulbous portion shaped to conform to a fetlock joint of the lower leg. 10. The device of claim 1 wherein the attachment straps include hook fasteners. 11. The device of claim 1 wherein the suspensory support strap has a portion with hook fasteners. | Equine boots with integrated, impact protection are disclosed. In one embodiment an equine leg boot includes a fabric body with an outer surface and an inner surface, the fabric body being configured to wrap around the lower leg of a horse. An impact-resistant protective member is disposed within the fabric body. A suspensory support strap is also provided, at least a portion of which is integral with the fabric body.1. An equine leg boot comprising:
a fabric body configured to wrap around the lower leg of a horse, an impact-resistant protective member disposed within the fabric body, the protective member comprising a semi-rigid thermoplastic material that is pre-formed to have a molded shape that conforms to the back of the lower leg of the horse and thereby wraps around the posterior aspect of the lower leg and provides impact protection to the flexor tendons of the horse, and a suspensory support strap, at least a portion of which is integral with the fabric body. 2. (canceled) 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the fabric body defines a pocket and the protective member is disposed within the pocket. 4. The device of claim 1 wherein an outer surface of the fabric body is formed of a hook-engageable material. 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the support strap is configured to provide support to the fetlock joint/suspensory ligament and surrounding tissues. 6. The device of claim 1 wherein the protective member has a wall thickness of from about 0.05 to 0.1 inch. 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the protective member is shaped to provide a space between the protective member and a surface of a posterior aspect of the horse's leg. 8. The device of claim 1 wherein the fabric body is a neoprene fabric laminate. 9. The device of claim 1 wherein the protective member includes a bulbous portion shaped to conform to a fetlock joint of the lower leg. 10. The device of claim 1 wherein the attachment straps include hook fasteners. 11. The device of claim 1 wherein the suspensory support strap has a portion with hook fasteners. | 3,600 |
13,285 | 13,285 | 12,926,896 | 3,689 | Modeling and mapping appropriate comparable properties comprises accessing property data corresponding to a geographical area, and then weighting comparable properties based upon the appropriateness of each of the plurality of comparable properties as comparables for a subject property. For example, the weighting may be based upon economic distance from the subject property, geographic distance from the subject property, and age of transaction. Using this information, a map image of the geographical area is displayed, with indicators on the map image indicative of the subject property and at least one of the comparable properties. | 1. A method for modeling appropriate comparable properties, the method comprising:
accessing property data corresponding to a geographical area; performing a regression based upon the property data, the regression modeling the relationship between price and explanatory variables; identifying a subject property and a plurality of comparable properties; determining a set of value adjustments for each of the plurality of comparable properties based upon differences in the explanatory variables between the subject property and each of the plurality of comparable properties; and determining an economic distance between the subject property and each of the plurality of comparable properties, the economic distance constituted as a quantified value determined from the set of value adjustments for each respective comparable property. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
weighting the plurality of comparable properties based upon the appropriateness of each of the plurality of comparable properties as comparables for the subject property, the weighting being based upon one or more of the economic distance from the subject property, geographic distance from the subject property, and age of transaction. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
displaying a map image corresponding to the geographical area; and displaying indicators on the map image indicative of the subject property and at least one of the plurality of comparable properties. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:
ranking the plurality of comparable properties based upon the weighting; and displaying a text listing of the plurality of comparable properties according to the ranking. 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
receiving input indicating a selection of one of the plurality of comparable properties in the text listing; and updating the indicator for the selected comparable property on the map image to highlight the location of the selected comparable property. 6. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
displaying a map image corresponding to the geographical area; and ranking the plurality of comparable properties based upon the weighting of the plurality of comparable properties; and displaying indicators on the map image indicative of the subject property and a subset of the plurality of comparable properties, the subset being determined according to the ranking. 7. A method for modeling appropriate comparable properties, the method comprising:
accessing property data corresponding to a geographical area; weighting a plurality of comparable properties based upon the appropriateness of each of the plurality of comparable properties as comparables for a subject property, the weighting being based upon one or more of the economic distance from the subject property, geographic distance from the subject property, and age of transaction; displaying a map image corresponding to the geographical area; and displaying indicators on the map image indicative of the subject property and at least one of the plurality of comparable properties. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
ranking the plurality of comparable properties based upon the weighting; and displaying a text listing of the plurality of comparable properties according to the ranking. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
receiving input indicating a selection of one of the plurality of comparable properties in the text listing; and updating the indicator for the selected comparable property on the map image to highlight the location of the selected comparable property. 10. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
ranking the plurality of comparable properties based upon the weighting of the plurality of comparable properties; and displaying indicators on the map image indicative of the subject property and a subset of the plurality of comparable properties, the subset being determined according to the ranking. 11. An apparatus for modeling appropriate comparable properties, the apparatus comprising:
means for accessing property data corresponding to a geographical area; means for performing a regression based upon the property data, the regression modeling the relationship between price and explanatory variables; means for identifying a subject property and a plurality of comparable properties; means for determining a set of value adjustments for each of the plurality of comparable properties based upon differences in the explanatory variables between the subject property and each of the plurality of comparable properties; and means for determining an economic distance between the subject property and each of the plurality of comparable properties, the economic distance constituted as a quantified value determined from the set of value adjustments for each respective comparable property. 12. An apparatus for modeling appropriate comparable properties, the method comprising:
means for accessing property data corresponding to a geographical area; means for weighting a plurality of comparable properties based upon the appropriateness of each of the plurality of comparable properties as comparables for a subject property, the weighting being based upon one or more of the economic distance from the subject property, geographic distance from the subject property, and age of transaction; means for displaying a map image corresponding to the geographical area; and means for displaying indicators on the map image indicative of the subject property and at least one of the plurality of comparable properties. 13. A computer program product for modeling appropriate comparable properties, comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium storing program code, the program code being executable to perform operations comprising:
accessing property data corresponding to a geographical area; performing a regression based upon the property data, the regression modeling the relationship between price and explanatory variables; identifying a subject property and a plurality of comparable properties; determining a set of value adjustments for each of the plurality of comparable properties based upon differences in the explanatory variables between the subject property and each of the plurality of comparable properties; and determining an economic distance between the subject property and each of the plurality of comparable properties, the economic distance constituted as a quantified value determined from the set of value adjustments for each respective comparable property. 14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the operations further comprise:
weighting the plurality of comparable properties based upon the appropriateness of each of the plurality of comparable properties as comparables for the subject property, the weighting being based upon one or more of the economic distance from the subject property, geographic distance from the subject property, and age of transaction. 15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the operations further comprise:
displaying a map image corresponding to the geographical area; and displaying indicators on the map image indicative of the subject property and at least one of the plurality of comparable properties. 16. The computer program produce of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise:
ranking the plurality of comparable properties based upon the weighting; and displaying a text listing of the plurality of comparable properties according to the ranking. 17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise:
receiving input indicating a selection of one of the plurality of comparable properties in the text listing; and updating the indicator for the selected comparable property on the map image to highlight the location of the selected comparable property. 18. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the operations further comprise:
displaying a map image corresponding to the geographical area; and ranking the plurality of comparable properties based upon the weighting of the plurality of comparable properties; and displaying indicators on the map image indicative of the subject property and a subset of the plurality of comparable properties, the subset being determined according to the ranking. 19. A computer program product for modeling appropriate comparable properties, comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium storing program code, the program code being executable to perform operations comprising:
accessing property data corresponding to a geographical area; weighting a plurality of comparable properties based upon the appropriateness of each of the plurality of comparable properties as comparables for a subject property, the weighting being based upon one or more of the economic distance from the subject property, geographic distance from the subject property, and age of transaction; displaying a map image corresponding to the geographical area; and displaying indicators on the map image indicative of the subject property and at least one of the plurality of comparable properties. | Modeling and mapping appropriate comparable properties comprises accessing property data corresponding to a geographical area, and then weighting comparable properties based upon the appropriateness of each of the plurality of comparable properties as comparables for a subject property. For example, the weighting may be based upon economic distance from the subject property, geographic distance from the subject property, and age of transaction. Using this information, a map image of the geographical area is displayed, with indicators on the map image indicative of the subject property and at least one of the comparable properties.1. A method for modeling appropriate comparable properties, the method comprising:
accessing property data corresponding to a geographical area; performing a regression based upon the property data, the regression modeling the relationship between price and explanatory variables; identifying a subject property and a plurality of comparable properties; determining a set of value adjustments for each of the plurality of comparable properties based upon differences in the explanatory variables between the subject property and each of the plurality of comparable properties; and determining an economic distance between the subject property and each of the plurality of comparable properties, the economic distance constituted as a quantified value determined from the set of value adjustments for each respective comparable property. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
weighting the plurality of comparable properties based upon the appropriateness of each of the plurality of comparable properties as comparables for the subject property, the weighting being based upon one or more of the economic distance from the subject property, geographic distance from the subject property, and age of transaction. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
displaying a map image corresponding to the geographical area; and displaying indicators on the map image indicative of the subject property and at least one of the plurality of comparable properties. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:
ranking the plurality of comparable properties based upon the weighting; and displaying a text listing of the plurality of comparable properties according to the ranking. 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:
receiving input indicating a selection of one of the plurality of comparable properties in the text listing; and updating the indicator for the selected comparable property on the map image to highlight the location of the selected comparable property. 6. The method of claim 2, further comprising:
displaying a map image corresponding to the geographical area; and ranking the plurality of comparable properties based upon the weighting of the plurality of comparable properties; and displaying indicators on the map image indicative of the subject property and a subset of the plurality of comparable properties, the subset being determined according to the ranking. 7. A method for modeling appropriate comparable properties, the method comprising:
accessing property data corresponding to a geographical area; weighting a plurality of comparable properties based upon the appropriateness of each of the plurality of comparable properties as comparables for a subject property, the weighting being based upon one or more of the economic distance from the subject property, geographic distance from the subject property, and age of transaction; displaying a map image corresponding to the geographical area; and displaying indicators on the map image indicative of the subject property and at least one of the plurality of comparable properties. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
ranking the plurality of comparable properties based upon the weighting; and displaying a text listing of the plurality of comparable properties according to the ranking. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
receiving input indicating a selection of one of the plurality of comparable properties in the text listing; and updating the indicator for the selected comparable property on the map image to highlight the location of the selected comparable property. 10. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
ranking the plurality of comparable properties based upon the weighting of the plurality of comparable properties; and displaying indicators on the map image indicative of the subject property and a subset of the plurality of comparable properties, the subset being determined according to the ranking. 11. An apparatus for modeling appropriate comparable properties, the apparatus comprising:
means for accessing property data corresponding to a geographical area; means for performing a regression based upon the property data, the regression modeling the relationship between price and explanatory variables; means for identifying a subject property and a plurality of comparable properties; means for determining a set of value adjustments for each of the plurality of comparable properties based upon differences in the explanatory variables between the subject property and each of the plurality of comparable properties; and means for determining an economic distance between the subject property and each of the plurality of comparable properties, the economic distance constituted as a quantified value determined from the set of value adjustments for each respective comparable property. 12. An apparatus for modeling appropriate comparable properties, the method comprising:
means for accessing property data corresponding to a geographical area; means for weighting a plurality of comparable properties based upon the appropriateness of each of the plurality of comparable properties as comparables for a subject property, the weighting being based upon one or more of the economic distance from the subject property, geographic distance from the subject property, and age of transaction; means for displaying a map image corresponding to the geographical area; and means for displaying indicators on the map image indicative of the subject property and at least one of the plurality of comparable properties. 13. A computer program product for modeling appropriate comparable properties, comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium storing program code, the program code being executable to perform operations comprising:
accessing property data corresponding to a geographical area; performing a regression based upon the property data, the regression modeling the relationship between price and explanatory variables; identifying a subject property and a plurality of comparable properties; determining a set of value adjustments for each of the plurality of comparable properties based upon differences in the explanatory variables between the subject property and each of the plurality of comparable properties; and determining an economic distance between the subject property and each of the plurality of comparable properties, the economic distance constituted as a quantified value determined from the set of value adjustments for each respective comparable property. 14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the operations further comprise:
weighting the plurality of comparable properties based upon the appropriateness of each of the plurality of comparable properties as comparables for the subject property, the weighting being based upon one or more of the economic distance from the subject property, geographic distance from the subject property, and age of transaction. 15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the operations further comprise:
displaying a map image corresponding to the geographical area; and displaying indicators on the map image indicative of the subject property and at least one of the plurality of comparable properties. 16. The computer program produce of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise:
ranking the plurality of comparable properties based upon the weighting; and displaying a text listing of the plurality of comparable properties according to the ranking. 17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise:
receiving input indicating a selection of one of the plurality of comparable properties in the text listing; and updating the indicator for the selected comparable property on the map image to highlight the location of the selected comparable property. 18. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the operations further comprise:
displaying a map image corresponding to the geographical area; and ranking the plurality of comparable properties based upon the weighting of the plurality of comparable properties; and displaying indicators on the map image indicative of the subject property and a subset of the plurality of comparable properties, the subset being determined according to the ranking. 19. A computer program product for modeling appropriate comparable properties, comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium storing program code, the program code being executable to perform operations comprising:
accessing property data corresponding to a geographical area; weighting a plurality of comparable properties based upon the appropriateness of each of the plurality of comparable properties as comparables for a subject property, the weighting being based upon one or more of the economic distance from the subject property, geographic distance from the subject property, and age of transaction; displaying a map image corresponding to the geographical area; and displaying indicators on the map image indicative of the subject property and at least one of the plurality of comparable properties. | 3,600 |
13,286 | 13,286 | 15,485,867 | 3,671 | A vehicle arresting device for rapidly disabling a moving vehicle includes a plurality of first wires and a plurality of second wires. Each second wire is coupled to each first wire. The first wires and the second wires are gridded and define a plurality of intersections. Each of a plurality of spikes, which is barbed, is coupled to and extends from a respective intersection. The spikes are configured to penetrate and couple to one or more tires of a vehicle passing over the spikes. The first wires and the second wires are rotationally compelled to entangle rotational components of the vehicle to arrest the vehicle. | 1. A vehicle arresting device comprising:
a plurality of first wires, said first wires comprising braided steel; a plurality of second wires, said second wired comprising braided steel, each said second wire being coupled to each said first wire such that said first wires and said second wires define a grid having plurality of intersections; a plurality of spikes, said spikes being barbed, each said spike being coupled to and extending from a respective said intersection, each of said spikes extending perpendicularly from a face of said grid in a first direction; a plurality of connectors, each said connector being coupled to a respective said first wire and a respective said second wire at a respective said intersection to couple said respective said second wire to said respective said first wire, each said connector comprising a bottom tube coupled to a top tube such that said top tube and said bottom tube are perpendicularly positioned; and wherein said spikes are positioned on said intersections such that said spikes are configured for penetrating and coupling to one or more tires of a vehicle passing over said spikes, such that said first wires and said second wires are rotationally compelled to entangle rotational components of the vehicle for arresting the vehicle. 2. (canceled) 3. (canceled) 4. The device of claim 1, further including said plurality of first wires comprising one first wire, said first wire being loopedly positioned such that said first wire comprises a plurality of parallel sections, each said second wired being coupled to each said parallel section. 5. The device of claim 4, further including said plurality of parallel sections comprising twelve said parallel sections. 6. The device of claim 4, further including said second wire being loopedly positioned such that said second wire comprises a pair of parallel segments, each said parallel segment being coupled to each said parallel section. 7. (canceled) 8. (canceled) 9. The device of claim 1, further including said plurality of connectors comprising connectors positioned singly at each said intersection. 10. The device of claim 1, further including each said spike being coupled to and extending from a respective said top tube. 11. The device of claim 1, further including each said spike comprising a rod and a spur, said rod being coupled at a first end to said connector, said spur being coupled to said rod proximate to a second end of said rod. 12. The device of claim 10, further including said connectors and said spikes comprising metal. 13. The device of claim 12, further including said connectors and said spikes comprising steel. 14. A vehicle arresting device comprising:
a plurality of first wires, said first wires comprising braided steel, said plurality of first wires comprising one first wire, said first wire being loopedly positioned such that said first wire comprises a plurality of parallel sections, said plurality of parallel sections comprising twelve said parallel sections; a plurality of second wires, each said second wire being coupled to each said first wire such that said first wires and said second wires are gridded define a grid having a plurality of intersections, said second wires comprising braided steel, each said second wire being loopedly positioned such that said second wire comprises a pair of parallel segments, each said parallel segment being coupled to each said parallel section; a plurality of connectors, each said connector being coupled to a respective said first wire and a respective said second wire at a respective said intersection to couple said respective said second wire to said respective said first wire, each said connector comprising a bottom tube coupled to a top tube such that said top tube and said bottom tube are perpendicularly positioned, said plurality of connectors comprising connectors positioned singly at each said intersection, said connectors comprising metal, said connectors comprising steel; a plurality of spikes, said spikes being barbed, each said spike being coupled to and extending from a respective said intersection, each of said spikes extending perpendicularly from a face of said grid in a first direction, wherein said spikes are positioned on said intersections such that said spikes are configured for penetrating and coupling to one or more tires of a vehicle passing over said spikes, such that said first wires and said second wires are rotationally compelled to entangle rotational components of the vehicle for arresting the vehicle, said spikes comprising metal, said spikes comprising steel, each said spike being coupled to and extending from a respective said top tube, each said spike comprising a rod and a spur, said rod being coupled at a first end to said connector, said spur being coupled to said rod proximate to a second end of said rod; and wherein said spikes are positioned on said top tubes such that said spikes are configured for penetrating and coupling to the one or more tires of the vehicle passing over said spikes, such that said first wires and said second wires are rotationally compelled to entangle the rotational components of the vehicle for arresting the vehicle. | A vehicle arresting device for rapidly disabling a moving vehicle includes a plurality of first wires and a plurality of second wires. Each second wire is coupled to each first wire. The first wires and the second wires are gridded and define a plurality of intersections. Each of a plurality of spikes, which is barbed, is coupled to and extends from a respective intersection. The spikes are configured to penetrate and couple to one or more tires of a vehicle passing over the spikes. The first wires and the second wires are rotationally compelled to entangle rotational components of the vehicle to arrest the vehicle.1. A vehicle arresting device comprising:
a plurality of first wires, said first wires comprising braided steel; a plurality of second wires, said second wired comprising braided steel, each said second wire being coupled to each said first wire such that said first wires and said second wires define a grid having plurality of intersections; a plurality of spikes, said spikes being barbed, each said spike being coupled to and extending from a respective said intersection, each of said spikes extending perpendicularly from a face of said grid in a first direction; a plurality of connectors, each said connector being coupled to a respective said first wire and a respective said second wire at a respective said intersection to couple said respective said second wire to said respective said first wire, each said connector comprising a bottom tube coupled to a top tube such that said top tube and said bottom tube are perpendicularly positioned; and wherein said spikes are positioned on said intersections such that said spikes are configured for penetrating and coupling to one or more tires of a vehicle passing over said spikes, such that said first wires and said second wires are rotationally compelled to entangle rotational components of the vehicle for arresting the vehicle. 2. (canceled) 3. (canceled) 4. The device of claim 1, further including said plurality of first wires comprising one first wire, said first wire being loopedly positioned such that said first wire comprises a plurality of parallel sections, each said second wired being coupled to each said parallel section. 5. The device of claim 4, further including said plurality of parallel sections comprising twelve said parallel sections. 6. The device of claim 4, further including said second wire being loopedly positioned such that said second wire comprises a pair of parallel segments, each said parallel segment being coupled to each said parallel section. 7. (canceled) 8. (canceled) 9. The device of claim 1, further including said plurality of connectors comprising connectors positioned singly at each said intersection. 10. The device of claim 1, further including each said spike being coupled to and extending from a respective said top tube. 11. The device of claim 1, further including each said spike comprising a rod and a spur, said rod being coupled at a first end to said connector, said spur being coupled to said rod proximate to a second end of said rod. 12. The device of claim 10, further including said connectors and said spikes comprising metal. 13. The device of claim 12, further including said connectors and said spikes comprising steel. 14. A vehicle arresting device comprising:
a plurality of first wires, said first wires comprising braided steel, said plurality of first wires comprising one first wire, said first wire being loopedly positioned such that said first wire comprises a plurality of parallel sections, said plurality of parallel sections comprising twelve said parallel sections; a plurality of second wires, each said second wire being coupled to each said first wire such that said first wires and said second wires are gridded define a grid having a plurality of intersections, said second wires comprising braided steel, each said second wire being loopedly positioned such that said second wire comprises a pair of parallel segments, each said parallel segment being coupled to each said parallel section; a plurality of connectors, each said connector being coupled to a respective said first wire and a respective said second wire at a respective said intersection to couple said respective said second wire to said respective said first wire, each said connector comprising a bottom tube coupled to a top tube such that said top tube and said bottom tube are perpendicularly positioned, said plurality of connectors comprising connectors positioned singly at each said intersection, said connectors comprising metal, said connectors comprising steel; a plurality of spikes, said spikes being barbed, each said spike being coupled to and extending from a respective said intersection, each of said spikes extending perpendicularly from a face of said grid in a first direction, wherein said spikes are positioned on said intersections such that said spikes are configured for penetrating and coupling to one or more tires of a vehicle passing over said spikes, such that said first wires and said second wires are rotationally compelled to entangle rotational components of the vehicle for arresting the vehicle, said spikes comprising metal, said spikes comprising steel, each said spike being coupled to and extending from a respective said top tube, each said spike comprising a rod and a spur, said rod being coupled at a first end to said connector, said spur being coupled to said rod proximate to a second end of said rod; and wherein said spikes are positioned on said top tubes such that said spikes are configured for penetrating and coupling to the one or more tires of the vehicle passing over said spikes, such that said first wires and said second wires are rotationally compelled to entangle the rotational components of the vehicle for arresting the vehicle. | 3,600 |
13,287 | 13,287 | 12,827,309 | 3,624 | A method and computer program product for creating and managing location based meetings is described. A method may comprise creating a local meeting entry, the local meeting entry referencing a global meeting entry in a different location. The method may further comprise propagating a schedule change in the global meeting entry to the local meeting entry. The method may also comprise rescheduling a resource reserved for the local meeting entry based upon, at least in part, the schedule change in the global meeting entry. | 1. A method comprising:
creating, via at least one of a client electronic device and a server computer, a local meeting entry, the local meeting entry referencing a global meeting entry in a different location; propagating, via at least one of the client electronic device and the server computer, a schedule change in the global meeting entry to the local meeting entry; and rescheduling, via at least one of the client electronic device and the server computer, a resource reserved for the local meeting entry based upon, at least in part, the schedule change in the global meeting entry. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
inheriting meeting information from the global meeting entry to the local meeting entry. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
displaying the global meeting entry and the local meeting entry, wherein the local meeting entry includes a local meeting entry identifier. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:
accepting the global meeting entry automatically, based upon, at least in part, acceptance of the local meeting entry. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein a global meeting entry creator and a local meeting entry creator both receive the acceptance of the local meeting entry. 6. The method of claim 4, further comprising;
removing the global meeting entry from display upon acceptance of the local meeting entry. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising;
restricting access to global meeting entries and local meeting entries, wherein restricting access includes allowing only invitees of the global meeting entry to be invited to the local meeting entry. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the resource reserved for the global meeting entry is required for the local meeting entry. 9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
selecting an alternative resource if the original resource reserved is no longer available for a new meeting time based upon, at least in part, the schedule change. 10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
restricting alternative resources available to be selected if the original resource is no longer available for the new meeting time. 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
dynamically updating the local meeting entry based upon, at least in part, a location of the local meeting entry. 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
notifying a global meeting entry creator if at least one of:
a local meeting entry creator declines the local meeting entry;
the local meeting entry creator delegates the local meeting entry; and
the local meeting entry is not scheduled. 13. A computer program product residing on a computer readable storage medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
creating the local meeting entry referencing a global meeting entry in a different location; propagating a schedule change in the global meeting entry to the local meeting entry; and rescheduling a resource reserved for the local meeting entry based upon, at least in part, the schedule change in the global meeting entry. 14. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising instructions for:
inheriting meeting information from the global meeting entry to the local meeting entry. 15. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising instructions for:
displaying the global meeting entry and the local meeting entry, wherein the local meeting entry includes a local meeting entry identifier. 16. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising instructions for:
accepting the global meeting entry automatically, based upon, at least in part, acceptance of the local meeting entry. 17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein a global meeting entry creator and a local meeting entry creator both receive the acceptance of the local meeting entry. 18. The computer program product of claim 16, further comprising instructions for:
removing the global meeting entry from display upon acceptance of the local meeting entry. 19. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising instructions for:
restricting access to global meeting entries and local meeting entries, wherein restricting access includes allowing only invitees of the global meeting entry to be invited to the local meeting entry. 20. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the resource reserved for the global meeting entry is required for the local meeting entry. 21. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising instructions for:
selecting an alternative resource if the original resource reserved is no longer available for a new meeting time based upon, at least in part, the schedule change. 22. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising instructions for:
restricting alternative resources available to be selected if the original resource is no longer available for the new meeting time. 23. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising instructions for:
dynamically updating the local meeting entry based upon, at least in part, a location of the local meeting entry. 24. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising instructions for:
notifying a global meeting entry creator if at least one of:
a local meeting entry creator declines the local meeting entry;
the local meeting entry creator delegates the local meeting entry; and
the local meeting entry is not scheduled. | A method and computer program product for creating and managing location based meetings is described. A method may comprise creating a local meeting entry, the local meeting entry referencing a global meeting entry in a different location. The method may further comprise propagating a schedule change in the global meeting entry to the local meeting entry. The method may also comprise rescheduling a resource reserved for the local meeting entry based upon, at least in part, the schedule change in the global meeting entry.1. A method comprising:
creating, via at least one of a client electronic device and a server computer, a local meeting entry, the local meeting entry referencing a global meeting entry in a different location; propagating, via at least one of the client electronic device and the server computer, a schedule change in the global meeting entry to the local meeting entry; and rescheduling, via at least one of the client electronic device and the server computer, a resource reserved for the local meeting entry based upon, at least in part, the schedule change in the global meeting entry. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
inheriting meeting information from the global meeting entry to the local meeting entry. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
displaying the global meeting entry and the local meeting entry, wherein the local meeting entry includes a local meeting entry identifier. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:
accepting the global meeting entry automatically, based upon, at least in part, acceptance of the local meeting entry. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein a global meeting entry creator and a local meeting entry creator both receive the acceptance of the local meeting entry. 6. The method of claim 4, further comprising;
removing the global meeting entry from display upon acceptance of the local meeting entry. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising;
restricting access to global meeting entries and local meeting entries, wherein restricting access includes allowing only invitees of the global meeting entry to be invited to the local meeting entry. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the resource reserved for the global meeting entry is required for the local meeting entry. 9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
selecting an alternative resource if the original resource reserved is no longer available for a new meeting time based upon, at least in part, the schedule change. 10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
restricting alternative resources available to be selected if the original resource is no longer available for the new meeting time. 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
dynamically updating the local meeting entry based upon, at least in part, a location of the local meeting entry. 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
notifying a global meeting entry creator if at least one of:
a local meeting entry creator declines the local meeting entry;
the local meeting entry creator delegates the local meeting entry; and
the local meeting entry is not scheduled. 13. A computer program product residing on a computer readable storage medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
creating the local meeting entry referencing a global meeting entry in a different location; propagating a schedule change in the global meeting entry to the local meeting entry; and rescheduling a resource reserved for the local meeting entry based upon, at least in part, the schedule change in the global meeting entry. 14. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising instructions for:
inheriting meeting information from the global meeting entry to the local meeting entry. 15. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising instructions for:
displaying the global meeting entry and the local meeting entry, wherein the local meeting entry includes a local meeting entry identifier. 16. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising instructions for:
accepting the global meeting entry automatically, based upon, at least in part, acceptance of the local meeting entry. 17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein a global meeting entry creator and a local meeting entry creator both receive the acceptance of the local meeting entry. 18. The computer program product of claim 16, further comprising instructions for:
removing the global meeting entry from display upon acceptance of the local meeting entry. 19. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising instructions for:
restricting access to global meeting entries and local meeting entries, wherein restricting access includes allowing only invitees of the global meeting entry to be invited to the local meeting entry. 20. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the resource reserved for the global meeting entry is required for the local meeting entry. 21. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising instructions for:
selecting an alternative resource if the original resource reserved is no longer available for a new meeting time based upon, at least in part, the schedule change. 22. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising instructions for:
restricting alternative resources available to be selected if the original resource is no longer available for the new meeting time. 23. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising instructions for:
dynamically updating the local meeting entry based upon, at least in part, a location of the local meeting entry. 24. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising instructions for:
notifying a global meeting entry creator if at least one of:
a local meeting entry creator declines the local meeting entry;
the local meeting entry creator delegates the local meeting entry; and
the local meeting entry is not scheduled. | 3,600 |
13,288 | 13,288 | 13,185,975 | 3,681 | A computer-implemented method includes receiving a request for media playback sent from a vehicle computing system (VCS) and aggregating a plurality of user, environmental and vehicle data elements for at least one known consumer in a vehicle to receive media. The embodiment also includes requesting media plans from a plurality of media provision sources, the plan based at least in part on the aggregated user, environmental and vehicle data elements. The method further includes reviewing the media plans to select a plan received responsive to the request that best corresponds to the user, environmental and vehicle data elements. Also, the method includes sending the selected plan to the VCS for playback. | 1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
receiving a request for media playback sent from a vehicle computing system (VCS); aggregating a plurality of user, environmental or vehicle data elements for at least one consumer in a vehicle to receive media; requesting one or more media plans from a plurality of media provision sources, the plan based at least in part on the aggregated user, environmental or vehicle data elements; reviewing the one or more media plans to select a plan received responsive to the request that best corresponds to the user, environmental or vehicle data elements; and sending the selected plan to the VCS for playback. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the environmental elements include a geographic location. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the environmental elements include at least weather data relating to weather at the vehicle. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle data elements include at least a vehicle speed. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle data elements include at least a time of day. 6. The method of claim 1, further including:
comparing the aggregated user, environmental or vehicle data elements to historical user data having similar elements associated therewith, to determine what music was preferred when similar elements were previously present; and wherein the requesting further includes requesting that at least a portion of the media plan include music similar to music preferred when similar elements were previously present. 7. A computer-implemented method comprising:
receiving a request relating to an advertisement played in conjunction with a media stream; storing, with respect to a requesting user's profile, information relating to the media stream and advertisement; and analyzing stored information to determine future potential schema for delivery of media and advertising content. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the information relating to the media stream includes a song title. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the information relating to the media stream includes a song type. 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the information relating to the media stream includes a song artist. 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the information relating to the advertisement includes a manufacturer or service provider. 12. The method of claim 7, wherein the information relating to the advertisement includes a product category. 13. The method of claim 7, wherein the information relating to the advertisement includes a product name. 14. The method of claim 7, wherein the analyzing includes comparing information relating to the media stream to information related to previous media streams when a request was made relating to previous advertisements played in conjunction with previous media streams. 15. The method of claim 7, wherein the analyzing includes comparing information relating to the advertisements with information relating to previous advertisements for which a request was made. 16. A computer-implemented method comprising:
receiving a request for media playback sent from a vehicle computing system (VCS); aggregating a plurality of user, environmental or vehicle data elements for at least one consumer in a vehicle to receive media; requesting one or more media plans from a plurality of media provision sources, the plan based at least in part on the aggregated user, environmental or vehicle data elements; reviewing the one or more media plans to select a plan received responsive to the request that best corresponds to the user, environmental or vehicle data elements; sending the selected plan to the VCS for playback, wherein the plan includes at least one advertisement; receiving a user-input request responsive to the at least one advertisement; and processing the user request responsive to the at least one advertisement. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the processing includes emailing information to a driver email account. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the processing includes processing a purchase of a product advertised in the advertisement. 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the processing includes sending a text message including additional information to a driver's mobile device. 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the processing includes sending additional media relating to a product advertised in the advertisement for playback in the vehicle. | A computer-implemented method includes receiving a request for media playback sent from a vehicle computing system (VCS) and aggregating a plurality of user, environmental and vehicle data elements for at least one known consumer in a vehicle to receive media. The embodiment also includes requesting media plans from a plurality of media provision sources, the plan based at least in part on the aggregated user, environmental and vehicle data elements. The method further includes reviewing the media plans to select a plan received responsive to the request that best corresponds to the user, environmental and vehicle data elements. Also, the method includes sending the selected plan to the VCS for playback.1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
receiving a request for media playback sent from a vehicle computing system (VCS); aggregating a plurality of user, environmental or vehicle data elements for at least one consumer in a vehicle to receive media; requesting one or more media plans from a plurality of media provision sources, the plan based at least in part on the aggregated user, environmental or vehicle data elements; reviewing the one or more media plans to select a plan received responsive to the request that best corresponds to the user, environmental or vehicle data elements; and sending the selected plan to the VCS for playback. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the environmental elements include a geographic location. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the environmental elements include at least weather data relating to weather at the vehicle. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle data elements include at least a vehicle speed. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle data elements include at least a time of day. 6. The method of claim 1, further including:
comparing the aggregated user, environmental or vehicle data elements to historical user data having similar elements associated therewith, to determine what music was preferred when similar elements were previously present; and wherein the requesting further includes requesting that at least a portion of the media plan include music similar to music preferred when similar elements were previously present. 7. A computer-implemented method comprising:
receiving a request relating to an advertisement played in conjunction with a media stream; storing, with respect to a requesting user's profile, information relating to the media stream and advertisement; and analyzing stored information to determine future potential schema for delivery of media and advertising content. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the information relating to the media stream includes a song title. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the information relating to the media stream includes a song type. 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the information relating to the media stream includes a song artist. 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the information relating to the advertisement includes a manufacturer or service provider. 12. The method of claim 7, wherein the information relating to the advertisement includes a product category. 13. The method of claim 7, wherein the information relating to the advertisement includes a product name. 14. The method of claim 7, wherein the analyzing includes comparing information relating to the media stream to information related to previous media streams when a request was made relating to previous advertisements played in conjunction with previous media streams. 15. The method of claim 7, wherein the analyzing includes comparing information relating to the advertisements with information relating to previous advertisements for which a request was made. 16. A computer-implemented method comprising:
receiving a request for media playback sent from a vehicle computing system (VCS); aggregating a plurality of user, environmental or vehicle data elements for at least one consumer in a vehicle to receive media; requesting one or more media plans from a plurality of media provision sources, the plan based at least in part on the aggregated user, environmental or vehicle data elements; reviewing the one or more media plans to select a plan received responsive to the request that best corresponds to the user, environmental or vehicle data elements; sending the selected plan to the VCS for playback, wherein the plan includes at least one advertisement; receiving a user-input request responsive to the at least one advertisement; and processing the user request responsive to the at least one advertisement. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the processing includes emailing information to a driver email account. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the processing includes processing a purchase of a product advertised in the advertisement. 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the processing includes sending a text message including additional information to a driver's mobile device. 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the processing includes sending additional media relating to a product advertised in the advertisement for playback in the vehicle. | 3,600 |
13,289 | 13,289 | 14,335,888 | 3,685 | Provided are techniques for receiving, from a client at a server, a request to access a software package for a specified duration of time, wherein the software package requires a license key; requesting the license key from a key server; transmitting a base virtual machine in conjunction with the software package and the license key to the client; hooting the base virtual machine on the client; and utilizing an encrypted disk containing the software package on the booted base virtual machine at the client for the duration of time. | 1. A method, comprising:
receiving, from a diem at a server, a request to access a software package for a specified duration of time; generating a custom virtual machine (CV M) corresponding to the software package; encrypting the CVM with a license key; transmitting the CVM to the client; transmitting the license key to the client; decrypting, by the client, the CVM with the license key hooting the CVM on the client; and utilizing the software package on the hooted and decrypted custom virtual machine at the client for the duration of time. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the CVM is only decrypted during the duration of time. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising mounting the CVM on the client. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the license key to a key server, wherein the key server transmits the license key to the client. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving a timeout interrupt corresponding to the specified duration of time and the CVM; and stopping the CVM in response to the timeout interrupt. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:
re-requesting the license key a the key server; providing access to the CVM, using the re-requested license key, in response to the re-requesting. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising verifying that the client is authorized to receive the CVM. | Provided are techniques for receiving, from a client at a server, a request to access a software package for a specified duration of time, wherein the software package requires a license key; requesting the license key from a key server; transmitting a base virtual machine in conjunction with the software package and the license key to the client; hooting the base virtual machine on the client; and utilizing an encrypted disk containing the software package on the booted base virtual machine at the client for the duration of time.1. A method, comprising:
receiving, from a diem at a server, a request to access a software package for a specified duration of time; generating a custom virtual machine (CV M) corresponding to the software package; encrypting the CVM with a license key; transmitting the CVM to the client; transmitting the license key to the client; decrypting, by the client, the CVM with the license key hooting the CVM on the client; and utilizing the software package on the hooted and decrypted custom virtual machine at the client for the duration of time. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the CVM is only decrypted during the duration of time. 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising mounting the CVM on the client. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the license key to a key server, wherein the key server transmits the license key to the client. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving a timeout interrupt corresponding to the specified duration of time and the CVM; and stopping the CVM in response to the timeout interrupt. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:
re-requesting the license key a the key server; providing access to the CVM, using the re-requested license key, in response to the re-requesting. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising verifying that the client is authorized to receive the CVM. | 3,600 |
13,290 | 13,290 | 14,105,727 | 3,685 | Provided are techniques for receiving, from a client at a server, a request to access a software package for a specified duration of time, wherein the software package requires a license key; requesting the license key from a key server; transmitting a base virtual machine in conjunction with the software package and the license key to the client; booting the base virtual machine on the client; and utilizing an encrypted disk containing the software package on the booted base virtual machine at the client for the duration of time. | 1-7. (canceled) 8. An apparatus, comprising:
a plurality of processors; a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium coupled to the plurality of processors; and logic, stored on the computer-readable storage medium and executed on the plurality of processors, for:
receiving, from a client, a request to access a software package for a specified duration of time;
generating a custom virtual machine (CVM) corresponding to the software package;
encrypting the CVM with a license key;
transmitting the CVM to the client;
transmitting the license key to the client, such that the client decrypts, the GYM with the license key, boots the GYM and utilizes the software package on the hooted and decrypted custom virtual machine for the duration of time. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the CVM is only decrypted during the duration of time. 10. The apparatus of claim 8, the transmitting the license key further comprising such that the client mounts the CVM on the client. 11. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising transmitting the license key to a key server, wherein the key server transmits the license key to the client. 12. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:
receiving, at the client, a timeout interrupt corresponding to the specified duration of time and the CVM; and stopping the CVM in response to the timeout interrupt. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:
re-requesting, by the client, the license key from the key server; providing access to the CVM on the client, using the re-requested license key, in response to the re-requesting. 14. The apparatus of claim 1, the logic further comprising logic for verifying that the client is authorized to receive the CVM. 15. A computer programming product, comprising:
a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium; and logic, stored on the computer-readable storage medium for execution on the plurality of processors, for:
receiving, from a client, a request to access a software package for a specified duration of time;
generating a custom virtual machine (CVM) corresponding to the software package;
encrypting the CVM with a license key;
transmitting the CVM to the client;
transmitting the license key to the client, such that the client decrypts, the CVM with the license key, boots the CVM and utilizes the software package on the booted and decrypted custom virtual machine for the duration of time. 16. The computer programming product of claim 15, wherein the CVM is only decrypted during the duration of time. 17. The computer programming product of claim 15, the logic for transmitting the license key further comprising logic such that the client mounts the CVM on the client. 18. The computer programming product of claim 15, the logic further comprising logic for transmitting the license key to a key server, wherein the key server transmits the license key to the client. 19. The computer programming product of claim 15, the logic further comprising logic for:
receiving, at the client, a timeout interrupt corresponding to the specified duration of time and the CVM; and stopping the CVM in response to the timeout interrupt. 20. The computer programming product of claim 15, the logic further comprising logic for verifying that the client is authorized to receive the CVM. | Provided are techniques for receiving, from a client at a server, a request to access a software package for a specified duration of time, wherein the software package requires a license key; requesting the license key from a key server; transmitting a base virtual machine in conjunction with the software package and the license key to the client; booting the base virtual machine on the client; and utilizing an encrypted disk containing the software package on the booted base virtual machine at the client for the duration of time.1-7. (canceled) 8. An apparatus, comprising:
a plurality of processors; a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium coupled to the plurality of processors; and logic, stored on the computer-readable storage medium and executed on the plurality of processors, for:
receiving, from a client, a request to access a software package for a specified duration of time;
generating a custom virtual machine (CVM) corresponding to the software package;
encrypting the CVM with a license key;
transmitting the CVM to the client;
transmitting the license key to the client, such that the client decrypts, the GYM with the license key, boots the GYM and utilizes the software package on the hooted and decrypted custom virtual machine for the duration of time. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the CVM is only decrypted during the duration of time. 10. The apparatus of claim 8, the transmitting the license key further comprising such that the client mounts the CVM on the client. 11. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising transmitting the license key to a key server, wherein the key server transmits the license key to the client. 12. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:
receiving, at the client, a timeout interrupt corresponding to the specified duration of time and the CVM; and stopping the CVM in response to the timeout interrupt. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:
re-requesting, by the client, the license key from the key server; providing access to the CVM on the client, using the re-requested license key, in response to the re-requesting. 14. The apparatus of claim 1, the logic further comprising logic for verifying that the client is authorized to receive the CVM. 15. A computer programming product, comprising:
a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium; and logic, stored on the computer-readable storage medium for execution on the plurality of processors, for:
receiving, from a client, a request to access a software package for a specified duration of time;
generating a custom virtual machine (CVM) corresponding to the software package;
encrypting the CVM with a license key;
transmitting the CVM to the client;
transmitting the license key to the client, such that the client decrypts, the CVM with the license key, boots the CVM and utilizes the software package on the booted and decrypted custom virtual machine for the duration of time. 16. The computer programming product of claim 15, wherein the CVM is only decrypted during the duration of time. 17. The computer programming product of claim 15, the logic for transmitting the license key further comprising logic such that the client mounts the CVM on the client. 18. The computer programming product of claim 15, the logic further comprising logic for transmitting the license key to a key server, wherein the key server transmits the license key to the client. 19. The computer programming product of claim 15, the logic further comprising logic for:
receiving, at the client, a timeout interrupt corresponding to the specified duration of time and the CVM; and stopping the CVM in response to the timeout interrupt. 20. The computer programming product of claim 15, the logic further comprising logic for verifying that the client is authorized to receive the CVM. | 3,600 |
13,291 | 13,291 | 11,865,466 | 3,681 | The subject personalized consumer advertising/ad placement system provides the ability for advertisers, ad agencies, and any other applicable organization to determine and electronically present their “ideal” consumer profile and have their advertisement/promotion placed in front of all consumers who match the profile based on the anonymous mining of the consumers actual spending across a broad base of spending categories. | 1. A method for selectively delivering advertising to a set of consumers associated with a financial institution wherein the financial institution has records of financial expenditure activity of the consumers, including:
warehousing the financial records from the financial institution with an advertising delivery provider; generating a market segment of consumers to receive a targeted advertising; querying the warehoused financial records to identify consumers matching the market segment; identifying a consumer who has logged on to a web site; matching the consumer to the market segment; and delivering the targeted advertising to the consumer for display on the web site. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the warehousing includes identifying the consumers with the financial records and with an anonymous coding wherein the advertising delivery provider lacks any identifying information of the consumers except for an identity of the financial institution and the anonymous coding. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the advertising delivery provider further cross-references the financial institution identity and anonymous coding to a cookie that is stored on a computer of the consumer. 4. The method of claim 2 further including recording a click on the delivered advertising by the consumer. 5. The method of claim 1 further including generating a campaign comprising the advertising wherein the campaign includes a desired number of consumers matching the market segment and delivering an ad to the consumers within a selected time period. 6. The method of claim 5 further including generating a campaign report indicating a number of consumers viewing the advertising within the time period, and communicating the campaign report to an advertiser who has defined the market segment. 7. The method of claim 1 including charging an advertiser who generated the advertising based on the delivering of the advertising to the consumer. 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the charging is further based on a number of consumers receiving the advertising. 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the charging is further based on a number of consumers who click-through on the delivered advertising. 10. The method of claim 7 wherein the generating a market segment comprises defining target consumers having a selected set of consumer characteristics reorganizable within the warehoused records. 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the charging comprises determining a pricing for the advertising as a function of a number of criteria chosen to define the market segment. 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the warehousing includes associating an anonymous coding of the advertising delivery provider with the individual records of each consumer respectively. 13. An internet advertising delivery system comprising:
a first interface configured to receive input used to define a market segment; a database storing anonymous consumer identifications associated with financial information received from financial institutions, each anonymous consumer identification being associated with a respective consumer of at least one of the financial institutions, each anonymous consumer identification also being associated with the financial information of the consumer; a processor including software configured to receive the input used to define the market segment and to query the database with the input to return anonymous consumer identifications matching the defined market segment based on the financial information of the consumers stored in the database; and a second interface configured to receive and to display advertisements directed to consumers that are within the market segment. 14. The system of claim 13 wherein at least one of the first interface and the second interface is a web page. 15. The system of claim 13 wherein the anonymous consumer identification includes a first code that is assigned by at least one of the financial institutions and a second code that is not assigned by the financial institutions. 16. The system of claim 13 wherein the financial information stored in the database does not include the name of the consumer, address or the social security number of the consumer or the credit card number of the consumer. 17. The system of claim 13 wherein the software is configured to deliver a cookie through the second interface onto a computer operated by the consumers when the consumer logs onto a secure web site operated by the financial institutions. 18. The system of claim 13 wherein the software is configured to determine an amount of money to be charged per advertisement based on criteria chosen to define the market segment. 19. The system of claim 13 wherein the software is configured to determine whether the advertisements will reach a predetermined threshold of displays. 20. An internet communication system comprising:
a first interface configured to receive input defining a market segment; a database storing anonymous customer identifications associated with financial information received from financial institutions, each anonymous customer identification being associated with a respective customer of at least one of the financial institutions, each anonymous customer identification also being associated with the financial information of the customer; a processor including software configured to receive the input used to define the market segment and to query the database with the input for finding anonymous customer identifications matching the defined market segment based on the financial information of the customers stored in the database; an internet communicator for sending the communication to the customers matching the defined market segment; and a second interface configured to receive and to display the communication. 21. The system of claim 20 wherein at least one of the first interface and the second interface is a web page. 22. The system of claim 20 wherein the anonymous customer identification includes a first code that is assigned by at least one of the financial institutions and a second code assigned by a communication delivery provider, wherein the communication delivery provider maintains the database. 23. The system of claim 20 wherein the financial information stored in the database does not include the name of the customer, address or the social security number of the consumer or the credit card number of the customer. 24. The system of claim 20 wherein the software is configured to deliver a cookie through the second interface onto a computer operated by the customers when the customer logs onto a secure web site operated by the financial institutions and is further configured to determine whether the communication will reach a predetermined threshold of second interface displays. 25. The system of claim 20 wherein the software is configured to determine an amount of money to be charged per communication based on criteria chosen to define the market segment. | The subject personalized consumer advertising/ad placement system provides the ability for advertisers, ad agencies, and any other applicable organization to determine and electronically present their “ideal” consumer profile and have their advertisement/promotion placed in front of all consumers who match the profile based on the anonymous mining of the consumers actual spending across a broad base of spending categories.1. A method for selectively delivering advertising to a set of consumers associated with a financial institution wherein the financial institution has records of financial expenditure activity of the consumers, including:
warehousing the financial records from the financial institution with an advertising delivery provider; generating a market segment of consumers to receive a targeted advertising; querying the warehoused financial records to identify consumers matching the market segment; identifying a consumer who has logged on to a web site; matching the consumer to the market segment; and delivering the targeted advertising to the consumer for display on the web site. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the warehousing includes identifying the consumers with the financial records and with an anonymous coding wherein the advertising delivery provider lacks any identifying information of the consumers except for an identity of the financial institution and the anonymous coding. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the advertising delivery provider further cross-references the financial institution identity and anonymous coding to a cookie that is stored on a computer of the consumer. 4. The method of claim 2 further including recording a click on the delivered advertising by the consumer. 5. The method of claim 1 further including generating a campaign comprising the advertising wherein the campaign includes a desired number of consumers matching the market segment and delivering an ad to the consumers within a selected time period. 6. The method of claim 5 further including generating a campaign report indicating a number of consumers viewing the advertising within the time period, and communicating the campaign report to an advertiser who has defined the market segment. 7. The method of claim 1 including charging an advertiser who generated the advertising based on the delivering of the advertising to the consumer. 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the charging is further based on a number of consumers receiving the advertising. 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the charging is further based on a number of consumers who click-through on the delivered advertising. 10. The method of claim 7 wherein the generating a market segment comprises defining target consumers having a selected set of consumer characteristics reorganizable within the warehoused records. 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the charging comprises determining a pricing for the advertising as a function of a number of criteria chosen to define the market segment. 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the warehousing includes associating an anonymous coding of the advertising delivery provider with the individual records of each consumer respectively. 13. An internet advertising delivery system comprising:
a first interface configured to receive input used to define a market segment; a database storing anonymous consumer identifications associated with financial information received from financial institutions, each anonymous consumer identification being associated with a respective consumer of at least one of the financial institutions, each anonymous consumer identification also being associated with the financial information of the consumer; a processor including software configured to receive the input used to define the market segment and to query the database with the input to return anonymous consumer identifications matching the defined market segment based on the financial information of the consumers stored in the database; and a second interface configured to receive and to display advertisements directed to consumers that are within the market segment. 14. The system of claim 13 wherein at least one of the first interface and the second interface is a web page. 15. The system of claim 13 wherein the anonymous consumer identification includes a first code that is assigned by at least one of the financial institutions and a second code that is not assigned by the financial institutions. 16. The system of claim 13 wherein the financial information stored in the database does not include the name of the consumer, address or the social security number of the consumer or the credit card number of the consumer. 17. The system of claim 13 wherein the software is configured to deliver a cookie through the second interface onto a computer operated by the consumers when the consumer logs onto a secure web site operated by the financial institutions. 18. The system of claim 13 wherein the software is configured to determine an amount of money to be charged per advertisement based on criteria chosen to define the market segment. 19. The system of claim 13 wherein the software is configured to determine whether the advertisements will reach a predetermined threshold of displays. 20. An internet communication system comprising:
a first interface configured to receive input defining a market segment; a database storing anonymous customer identifications associated with financial information received from financial institutions, each anonymous customer identification being associated with a respective customer of at least one of the financial institutions, each anonymous customer identification also being associated with the financial information of the customer; a processor including software configured to receive the input used to define the market segment and to query the database with the input for finding anonymous customer identifications matching the defined market segment based on the financial information of the customers stored in the database; an internet communicator for sending the communication to the customers matching the defined market segment; and a second interface configured to receive and to display the communication. 21. The system of claim 20 wherein at least one of the first interface and the second interface is a web page. 22. The system of claim 20 wherein the anonymous customer identification includes a first code that is assigned by at least one of the financial institutions and a second code assigned by a communication delivery provider, wherein the communication delivery provider maintains the database. 23. The system of claim 20 wherein the financial information stored in the database does not include the name of the customer, address or the social security number of the consumer or the credit card number of the customer. 24. The system of claim 20 wherein the software is configured to deliver a cookie through the second interface onto a computer operated by the customers when the customer logs onto a secure web site operated by the financial institutions and is further configured to determine whether the communication will reach a predetermined threshold of second interface displays. 25. The system of claim 20 wherein the software is configured to determine an amount of money to be charged per communication based on criteria chosen to define the market segment. | 3,600 |
13,292 | 13,292 | 14,027,069 | 3,692 | Improved computer-implemented techniques for providing relevant information to mobile electronic devices are disclosed. According to one aspect, usage of mobile electronic devices can be monitored and usage data can be formed. The usage data can then be used to perform an action. The action can operate to provide more relevant information, such as digital (e.g., online) information or rewards, to the user. In one embodiment, usage of mobile electronic devices can be monitored and users of such mobile electronic devices can be provided with rewards based on their usage. Another aspect pertains to monitoring locations of a mobile electronic device for a duration of time and then providing location-specific information based on the locations of the device. | 1.-15. (canceled) 16. A method for providing location-based information to an electronic device, said method comprising:
monitoring a location of a mobile device; determining location-based information that is related to the monitored location of the mobile device; and providing the location-based information to the electronic device. 17. A method as recited in claim 16, wherein said providing comprises:
receiving the location-based information at the electronic device from an information server. 18. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein the electronic device is a personal computer or is the mobile device. 19. A method as recited in claim 16, wherein said providing comprises:
receiving the location-based information at a host computer from an information server; and sending at least a portion of the location-based information from the host computer to the mobile device. 20. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein said method comprises:
storing multiple locations of the mobile device provided by said monitoring over a period of time. 21. A method for acquiring location-specific information, said method comprising:
detecting connection of a mobile device to a host computer; transferring, to the host computer, a set of locations that the mobile device has visited; sending the set of locations from the host computer to a remote information server; receiving, at the host computer, the location-specific information from the remote information server, the location-specific information being determined based at least in part on the set of locations; and sending at least a portion of the location-specific information from the host computer to the mobile device. 22. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein the portion of the location-specific information is a digital information feed that is related to one or more of the locations of the mobile device within the set of locations. 23. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein said sending of the set of locations from the host computer to the remote information server comprises:
sending a request for location-specific information from the host computer to a remote information server, the request including or associating with the set of locations. 24. A method for accessing location-based information, said method comprising:
monitoring a location of a mobile device associated with a user; storing multiple locations of the mobile device provided by said monitoring over a period of time; subsequently connecting the mobile device with a host device; transferring, following said connecting, the multiple locations from the mobile device to the host computer; determining digital information that is related to one or more of the multiple locations of the mobile device by analyzing the multiple locations of the mobile device; and facilitating access to the determined digital information. 25. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein said transferring is part of a synchronization between the mobile device and the host computer. 26. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein the digital information is a coupon of a merchant having a place of business at or proximate to one or more of the multiple locations. 27. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein the digital information comprises a recommendation that is dependent on one or more of the multiple locations. 28. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein the digital information is a digital information feed. 29. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein said facilitating comprises presenting the digital information to the user via the mobile device or the host computer. 30. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein said determining comprises analyzing the multiple locations at the host device to determine the digital information that is related to at least a plurality of the multiple locations of the mobile device. | Improved computer-implemented techniques for providing relevant information to mobile electronic devices are disclosed. According to one aspect, usage of mobile electronic devices can be monitored and usage data can be formed. The usage data can then be used to perform an action. The action can operate to provide more relevant information, such as digital (e.g., online) information or rewards, to the user. In one embodiment, usage of mobile electronic devices can be monitored and users of such mobile electronic devices can be provided with rewards based on their usage. Another aspect pertains to monitoring locations of a mobile electronic device for a duration of time and then providing location-specific information based on the locations of the device.1.-15. (canceled) 16. A method for providing location-based information to an electronic device, said method comprising:
monitoring a location of a mobile device; determining location-based information that is related to the monitored location of the mobile device; and providing the location-based information to the electronic device. 17. A method as recited in claim 16, wherein said providing comprises:
receiving the location-based information at the electronic device from an information server. 18. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein the electronic device is a personal computer or is the mobile device. 19. A method as recited in claim 16, wherein said providing comprises:
receiving the location-based information at a host computer from an information server; and sending at least a portion of the location-based information from the host computer to the mobile device. 20. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein said method comprises:
storing multiple locations of the mobile device provided by said monitoring over a period of time. 21. A method for acquiring location-specific information, said method comprising:
detecting connection of a mobile device to a host computer; transferring, to the host computer, a set of locations that the mobile device has visited; sending the set of locations from the host computer to a remote information server; receiving, at the host computer, the location-specific information from the remote information server, the location-specific information being determined based at least in part on the set of locations; and sending at least a portion of the location-specific information from the host computer to the mobile device. 22. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein the portion of the location-specific information is a digital information feed that is related to one or more of the locations of the mobile device within the set of locations. 23. A method as recited in claim 21, wherein said sending of the set of locations from the host computer to the remote information server comprises:
sending a request for location-specific information from the host computer to a remote information server, the request including or associating with the set of locations. 24. A method for accessing location-based information, said method comprising:
monitoring a location of a mobile device associated with a user; storing multiple locations of the mobile device provided by said monitoring over a period of time; subsequently connecting the mobile device with a host device; transferring, following said connecting, the multiple locations from the mobile device to the host computer; determining digital information that is related to one or more of the multiple locations of the mobile device by analyzing the multiple locations of the mobile device; and facilitating access to the determined digital information. 25. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein said transferring is part of a synchronization between the mobile device and the host computer. 26. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein the digital information is a coupon of a merchant having a place of business at or proximate to one or more of the multiple locations. 27. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein the digital information comprises a recommendation that is dependent on one or more of the multiple locations. 28. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein the digital information is a digital information feed. 29. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein said facilitating comprises presenting the digital information to the user via the mobile device or the host computer. 30. A method as recited in claim 24, wherein said determining comprises analyzing the multiple locations at the host device to determine the digital information that is related to at least a plurality of the multiple locations of the mobile device. | 3,600 |
13,293 | 13,293 | 15,499,306 | 3,662 | A system for control of a steering system of a vehicle, mechanically coupled to the wheels and including an actuator for applying a force or a torque to the steering system. A force or torque can be superimposed on a force or torque originating from the wheels. The system includes a detection unit disposed on the vehicle and configured for anticipatorily detecting at least one surface condition of a surface section located ahead of the vehicle in the direction of vehicle travel and subsequently driven on by the vehicle. The system including a data processing unit disposed on the vehicle and connected to and communicating with the detection unit. The data processing unit configured for generating control signals for controlling an actuator of the steering system based on the detected surface condition. | 1. A vehicle steering system comprising:
an actuator applying a force to the steering system; a detection unit obtaining a surface condition of a surface section located ahead of a vehicle in a direction of vehicle travel and subsequently driven on by said vehicle; and a data processing unit connected to and communicating with the detection unit, said data processing unit generating a control signal for controlling the actuator based on the detected surface condition. 2. The system of claim 1 including a human-machine interface connected to and communicating with the data processing unit, said human-machine interface adjusting a control property of the actuator. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the data processing unit is configured for controlling the actuator to damp feedback forces from a vehicle wheel acting mechanically on a steering wheel of the steering system. 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the data processing unit generates a warning signal based on the detected surface condition. 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the data processing unit determines a surface condition a lane of the surface section and sends a control signal to the actuator based on the surface condition whereby the actuator generates a steering-assist force to maintain lane control. 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the data processing unit determines a coefficient of friction of the surface section and controls the actuator based on the coefficient of friction. 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the detection unit includes at least a camera or a LiDAR system. 8. A vehicle steering system comprising:
a steering mechanism mechanically coupled to a vehicle wheel; an actuator applying a force to the steering mechanism, said force superimposed on a force originating from the wheel; a detection unit obtaining a surface condition of a surface section located ahead of a vehicle; and a data processing unit communicating with the detection unit, said data processing unit generating a control signal for controlling the force superimposed by the actuator. 9. The vehicle steering system set forth in claim 8 including said control signal controlling the actuator to damp feedback forces from the wheel acting mechanically on a steering wheel of the steering system. 10. The vehicle steering system set forth in claim 8 when the data processing unit generates a warning signal based on the detected surface condition. 11. The vehicle steering system set forth in claim 8 wherein the detection unit includes a camera or LiDar system. 12. A method for steering system control comprising:
providing an actuator for applying a force to the steering system, said force superimposed on a force originating from a vehicle wheel; and controlling said actuator based on an anticipatorily detected surface condition of a surface section located ahead of the vehicle in the direction of vehicle travel and subsequently driven on by the vehicle. 13. The method of claim 12 including a human-machine interface operative to adjust a control property the actuator. 14. The method of claim 13 wherein adjustment of the control property of the actuator generates a counteracting force by the actuator that damps feedback forces from the wheel that act mechanically on a steering wheel of the steering system. 15. The method of claim 12 including generating a warning signal based on the detected surface condition. 16. The method claim 12 including detecting the surface section of a vehicle lane for the vehicle; and
based on for the surface condition controlling the actuator such the actuator generates a steering assist force to maintain lane control. 17. The method of claim 12 including determining a local coefficient of friction of the surface section based on the detected surface condition; and
controlling the actuator such that the actuator generates a steering assist force based on the coefficient of friction. | A system for control of a steering system of a vehicle, mechanically coupled to the wheels and including an actuator for applying a force or a torque to the steering system. A force or torque can be superimposed on a force or torque originating from the wheels. The system includes a detection unit disposed on the vehicle and configured for anticipatorily detecting at least one surface condition of a surface section located ahead of the vehicle in the direction of vehicle travel and subsequently driven on by the vehicle. The system including a data processing unit disposed on the vehicle and connected to and communicating with the detection unit. The data processing unit configured for generating control signals for controlling an actuator of the steering system based on the detected surface condition.1. A vehicle steering system comprising:
an actuator applying a force to the steering system; a detection unit obtaining a surface condition of a surface section located ahead of a vehicle in a direction of vehicle travel and subsequently driven on by said vehicle; and a data processing unit connected to and communicating with the detection unit, said data processing unit generating a control signal for controlling the actuator based on the detected surface condition. 2. The system of claim 1 including a human-machine interface connected to and communicating with the data processing unit, said human-machine interface adjusting a control property of the actuator. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the data processing unit is configured for controlling the actuator to damp feedback forces from a vehicle wheel acting mechanically on a steering wheel of the steering system. 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the data processing unit generates a warning signal based on the detected surface condition. 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the data processing unit determines a surface condition a lane of the surface section and sends a control signal to the actuator based on the surface condition whereby the actuator generates a steering-assist force to maintain lane control. 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the data processing unit determines a coefficient of friction of the surface section and controls the actuator based on the coefficient of friction. 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the detection unit includes at least a camera or a LiDAR system. 8. A vehicle steering system comprising:
a steering mechanism mechanically coupled to a vehicle wheel; an actuator applying a force to the steering mechanism, said force superimposed on a force originating from the wheel; a detection unit obtaining a surface condition of a surface section located ahead of a vehicle; and a data processing unit communicating with the detection unit, said data processing unit generating a control signal for controlling the force superimposed by the actuator. 9. The vehicle steering system set forth in claim 8 including said control signal controlling the actuator to damp feedback forces from the wheel acting mechanically on a steering wheel of the steering system. 10. The vehicle steering system set forth in claim 8 when the data processing unit generates a warning signal based on the detected surface condition. 11. The vehicle steering system set forth in claim 8 wherein the detection unit includes a camera or LiDar system. 12. A method for steering system control comprising:
providing an actuator for applying a force to the steering system, said force superimposed on a force originating from a vehicle wheel; and controlling said actuator based on an anticipatorily detected surface condition of a surface section located ahead of the vehicle in the direction of vehicle travel and subsequently driven on by the vehicle. 13. The method of claim 12 including a human-machine interface operative to adjust a control property the actuator. 14. The method of claim 13 wherein adjustment of the control property of the actuator generates a counteracting force by the actuator that damps feedback forces from the wheel that act mechanically on a steering wheel of the steering system. 15. The method of claim 12 including generating a warning signal based on the detected surface condition. 16. The method claim 12 including detecting the surface section of a vehicle lane for the vehicle; and
based on for the surface condition controlling the actuator such the actuator generates a steering assist force to maintain lane control. 17. The method of claim 12 including determining a local coefficient of friction of the surface section based on the detected surface condition; and
controlling the actuator such that the actuator generates a steering assist force based on the coefficient of friction. | 3,600 |
13,294 | 13,294 | 13,212,076 | 3,622 | Unique user impressions of advertisements on a social networking system may be tracked and approximated by the social networking system. After an advertisement is delivered to a user, identifying information about the advertisement is associated with the user if the advertisement was not previously presented to the user. An impression count records the number of unique impressions of the advertisement by users of the social networking system up to a predetermined threshold. After the predetermined threshold is reached, the social networking system records a sampling of the unique impressions. Upon request for the number of unique impressions for an advertisement, the social networking system may extrapolate the recorded unique impressions based on the predetermined threshold. In one embodiment, a time degradation factor may be applied to the sampling rate so that recent impressions are sampled more than older impressions. | 1. A method comprising:
providing an advertisement to a plurality of users of a social networking system; recording a sampled count of unique user impressions of the advertisement for a subset of the plurality of users of the social networking system using a sampling rate for unique user impressions over a predetermined threshold; responsive to receiving a request for a unique impression metric for the advertisement, determining the unique impression metric for the advertisement based on the sampled count, the predetermined threshold, and information about the subset of the plurality of users; and providing the unique impression metric for the advertisement in response to the request. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein providing an advertisement to a plurality of users of a social networking system further comprises:
providing the advertisement to the plurality of users of the social networking system during an advertisement window comprising a predetermined time period associated with the advertisement. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein recording a sampled count of unique user impressions of the advertisement for a subset of the plurality of users of the social networking system using the sampling rate for unique user impressions over a predetermined threshold further comprises:
retrieving a count of unique user impressions of the advertisement provided to the subset of the plurality of users of the social networking system; responsive to the count not reaching the predetermined threshold, incrementing the count for each unique impression of the advertisement provided to a user of the subset of the plurality of users of the social networking system; responsive to the count reaching the predetermined threshold, incrementing the count according to the sampling rate associated with the advertisement for each unique impression of the advertisement provided to a user of the subset of the plurality of users of the social networking system; and storing the count as the sampled count of unique user impressions. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein a subset of the plurality of users of the social networking system comprises a random sampling of the plurality of users of the social networking system. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the unique impression metric for the advertisement based on the sampled count, the predetermined threshold, and information about the subset of the plurality of users further comprises:
responsive to the sampled count exceeding the predetermined threshold, determining an intermediary count by extrapolating a portion of the sampled count that exceeds the predetermined threshold based on the sampling rate associated with the advertisement; responsive to the sampled count not exceeding the predetermined threshold, determining the sampled count as the intermediary count; and determining the unique impression metric for the advertisement by extrapolating the intermediary count based on the information about the subset of the plurality of users. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein information about the subset of the plurality of the users includes a ratio of the subset of the plurality of users and the plurality of users. 7. The method of claim 5, wherein information about the subset of the plurality of users comprises a percentage of targeted users of the social networking system for the advertisement. 8. The method of claim 5, wherein information about the subset of the plurality of users comprises a percentage of interested users of the social networking system for the advertisement. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the sampling rate includes a time degradation factor applied to unique user impressions of the advertisement. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the unique impression metric of the advertisement in response to the request further comprises:
providing breakdowns of the unique impression metric of the advertisement, the breakdowns describing the unique user impressions of the advertisement through a plurality of communication channels. 11. A method comprising:
delivering an advertisement to a user of a set of sampled users of a social networking system; and responsive to determining that the advertisement was not previously delivered to the user,
recording identifying information about the advertisement in a user profile object associated with the user, the user profile object stored on the social networking system;
responsive to a count associated with the advertisement not reaching a predetermined threshold, incrementing the count;
responsive to the count associated with the advertisement reaching the predetermined threshold, incrementing the count according to a sampling rate associated with the advertisement; and
storing the count in association with the advertisement on the social networking system. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the set of sampled users includes influenced users that receive the advertisement as a result of another user sharing the advertisement with the influenced users. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the set of sampled users includes interested users that receive the advertisement as a result of a page on the social networking system associated with the interested users delivering the advertisement to the interested users. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the set of sampled users includes targeted users that receive the advertisement as a result of the social networking system targeting the targeted users based on profile information associated with the targeted users matching targeting criteria for the advertisement. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein determining that the advertisement was not previously delivered to the user further comprises:
retrieving a user profile object for the user; and determining that identifying information about the advertisement is not associated with the user profile object for the user. 16. The method of claim 11, wherein determining that the advertisement was not previously delivered to the user further comprises:
retrieving a user profile object for the user; and determining that identifying information about the advertisement is not associated with the user profile object for the user. 17. The method of claim 11, wherein incrementing the count according to a sampling rate associated with the advertisement further comprises:
determining a modulo operation on a user identifier associated with the user, the modulo operation based on the sampling rate associated with the advertisement; and responsive to the modulo operation on the user identifier returning a zero, incrementing the count. 18. The method of claim 11, wherein incrementing the count according to a sampling rate comprises a recurring action that increments the count according to a predetermined rate. 19. A method comprising:
receiving a request for a unique impression metric of an advertisement provided to users of a social networking system; identifying a recorded impression count associated with the advertisement for a set of sampled users of the social networking system; determining an extrapolated impression count based on the recorded impression count, a sampling rate associated with the recorded impression count, and a predetermined threshold associated with the recorded impression count; determining the unique impression metric of the advertisement based on the extrapolated impression count and information about the set of sampled users; and providing the unique impression metric of the advertisement in response to the request. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein receiving a request for a unique impression metric of an advertisement provided to users of a social networking system further comprises:
receiving the request as an application programming interface (API) call to the social networking system from an advertiser of the advertisement, wherein the request includes identifying information about the advertisement. 21. The method of claim 19, wherein receiving a request for a unique impression metric of an advertisement provided to users of a social networking system further comprises retrieving a content object associated with the advertisement based on identifying information about the advertisement included in the request and wherein the recorded impression count associated with the advertisement for a set of sampled users of the social networking system is identified in the retrieved content object associated with the advertisement. 22. The method of claim 19, wherein identifying a recorded impression count associated with the advertisement for a set of sampled users of the social networking system further comprises:
retrieving a content object associated with the advertisement based on identifying information about the advertisement included in the request; and retrieving the recorded impression count from the content object associated with the advertisement. 23. The method of claim 19, wherein determining an extrapolated impression count based on the recorded impression count, a sampling rate associated with the recorded impression count, and a predetermined threshold associated with the recorded impression count further comprises:
responsive to the recorded impression count exceeding the predetermined threshold, determining the extrapolated impression count by extrapolating a portion of the recorded impression count that exceeds the predetermined threshold, the portion extrapolated according to the sampling rate associated with the recorded impression count, the determined extrapolated impression count comprising the extrapolated portion and the predetermined threshold; and responsive to the recorded impression count not exceeding the predetermined threshold, determining the extrapolated impression count as the recorded impression count. 24. The method of claim 19, wherein determining the unique impression metric of the advertisement based on the extrapolated impression count and information about the set of sampled users further comprises:
determining the unique impression metric of the advertisement by extrapolating the extrapolated impression count based on the information about the set of sampled users, the information about the set of sampled users including statistical information about the users of the social networking system to approximate the unique impression metric. 25. The method of claim 19, wherein providing the unique impression metric of the advertisement in response to the request further comprises:
providing for display in the social networking system the unique impression metric of the advertisement to an advertiser associated with the advertisement. 26. The method of claim 19, wherein providing the unique impression metric of the advertisement in response to the request further comprises:
providing the unique impression metric of the advertisement to an advertiser associated with the advertisement in a user interface for visualizing advertising campaigns associated with the advertiser. 27. The method of claim 19, wherein the sampling rate comprises a fraction and wherein determining an extrapolated impression count based on the recorded impression count, a sampling rate associated with the recorded impression count, and a predetermined threshold associated with the recorded impression count further comprises:
responsive to the recorded impression count exceeding the predetermined threshold, determining the extrapolated impression count by extrapolating a portion of the recorded impression count that exceeds the predetermined threshold, the portion multiplied by an inverse of the sampling rate associated with the recorded impression count, the determined extrapolated impression count comprising the extrapolated portion and the predetermined threshold; and responsive to the recorded impression count not exceeding the predetermined threshold, determining the extrapolated impression count as the recorded impression count. | Unique user impressions of advertisements on a social networking system may be tracked and approximated by the social networking system. After an advertisement is delivered to a user, identifying information about the advertisement is associated with the user if the advertisement was not previously presented to the user. An impression count records the number of unique impressions of the advertisement by users of the social networking system up to a predetermined threshold. After the predetermined threshold is reached, the social networking system records a sampling of the unique impressions. Upon request for the number of unique impressions for an advertisement, the social networking system may extrapolate the recorded unique impressions based on the predetermined threshold. In one embodiment, a time degradation factor may be applied to the sampling rate so that recent impressions are sampled more than older impressions.1. A method comprising:
providing an advertisement to a plurality of users of a social networking system; recording a sampled count of unique user impressions of the advertisement for a subset of the plurality of users of the social networking system using a sampling rate for unique user impressions over a predetermined threshold; responsive to receiving a request for a unique impression metric for the advertisement, determining the unique impression metric for the advertisement based on the sampled count, the predetermined threshold, and information about the subset of the plurality of users; and providing the unique impression metric for the advertisement in response to the request. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein providing an advertisement to a plurality of users of a social networking system further comprises:
providing the advertisement to the plurality of users of the social networking system during an advertisement window comprising a predetermined time period associated with the advertisement. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein recording a sampled count of unique user impressions of the advertisement for a subset of the plurality of users of the social networking system using the sampling rate for unique user impressions over a predetermined threshold further comprises:
retrieving a count of unique user impressions of the advertisement provided to the subset of the plurality of users of the social networking system; responsive to the count not reaching the predetermined threshold, incrementing the count for each unique impression of the advertisement provided to a user of the subset of the plurality of users of the social networking system; responsive to the count reaching the predetermined threshold, incrementing the count according to the sampling rate associated with the advertisement for each unique impression of the advertisement provided to a user of the subset of the plurality of users of the social networking system; and storing the count as the sampled count of unique user impressions. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein a subset of the plurality of users of the social networking system comprises a random sampling of the plurality of users of the social networking system. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the unique impression metric for the advertisement based on the sampled count, the predetermined threshold, and information about the subset of the plurality of users further comprises:
responsive to the sampled count exceeding the predetermined threshold, determining an intermediary count by extrapolating a portion of the sampled count that exceeds the predetermined threshold based on the sampling rate associated with the advertisement; responsive to the sampled count not exceeding the predetermined threshold, determining the sampled count as the intermediary count; and determining the unique impression metric for the advertisement by extrapolating the intermediary count based on the information about the subset of the plurality of users. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein information about the subset of the plurality of the users includes a ratio of the subset of the plurality of users and the plurality of users. 7. The method of claim 5, wherein information about the subset of the plurality of users comprises a percentage of targeted users of the social networking system for the advertisement. 8. The method of claim 5, wherein information about the subset of the plurality of users comprises a percentage of interested users of the social networking system for the advertisement. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the sampling rate includes a time degradation factor applied to unique user impressions of the advertisement. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the unique impression metric of the advertisement in response to the request further comprises:
providing breakdowns of the unique impression metric of the advertisement, the breakdowns describing the unique user impressions of the advertisement through a plurality of communication channels. 11. A method comprising:
delivering an advertisement to a user of a set of sampled users of a social networking system; and responsive to determining that the advertisement was not previously delivered to the user,
recording identifying information about the advertisement in a user profile object associated with the user, the user profile object stored on the social networking system;
responsive to a count associated with the advertisement not reaching a predetermined threshold, incrementing the count;
responsive to the count associated with the advertisement reaching the predetermined threshold, incrementing the count according to a sampling rate associated with the advertisement; and
storing the count in association with the advertisement on the social networking system. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the set of sampled users includes influenced users that receive the advertisement as a result of another user sharing the advertisement with the influenced users. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the set of sampled users includes interested users that receive the advertisement as a result of a page on the social networking system associated with the interested users delivering the advertisement to the interested users. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the set of sampled users includes targeted users that receive the advertisement as a result of the social networking system targeting the targeted users based on profile information associated with the targeted users matching targeting criteria for the advertisement. 15. The method of claim 11, wherein determining that the advertisement was not previously delivered to the user further comprises:
retrieving a user profile object for the user; and determining that identifying information about the advertisement is not associated with the user profile object for the user. 16. The method of claim 11, wherein determining that the advertisement was not previously delivered to the user further comprises:
retrieving a user profile object for the user; and determining that identifying information about the advertisement is not associated with the user profile object for the user. 17. The method of claim 11, wherein incrementing the count according to a sampling rate associated with the advertisement further comprises:
determining a modulo operation on a user identifier associated with the user, the modulo operation based on the sampling rate associated with the advertisement; and responsive to the modulo operation on the user identifier returning a zero, incrementing the count. 18. The method of claim 11, wherein incrementing the count according to a sampling rate comprises a recurring action that increments the count according to a predetermined rate. 19. A method comprising:
receiving a request for a unique impression metric of an advertisement provided to users of a social networking system; identifying a recorded impression count associated with the advertisement for a set of sampled users of the social networking system; determining an extrapolated impression count based on the recorded impression count, a sampling rate associated with the recorded impression count, and a predetermined threshold associated with the recorded impression count; determining the unique impression metric of the advertisement based on the extrapolated impression count and information about the set of sampled users; and providing the unique impression metric of the advertisement in response to the request. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein receiving a request for a unique impression metric of an advertisement provided to users of a social networking system further comprises:
receiving the request as an application programming interface (API) call to the social networking system from an advertiser of the advertisement, wherein the request includes identifying information about the advertisement. 21. The method of claim 19, wherein receiving a request for a unique impression metric of an advertisement provided to users of a social networking system further comprises retrieving a content object associated with the advertisement based on identifying information about the advertisement included in the request and wherein the recorded impression count associated with the advertisement for a set of sampled users of the social networking system is identified in the retrieved content object associated with the advertisement. 22. The method of claim 19, wherein identifying a recorded impression count associated with the advertisement for a set of sampled users of the social networking system further comprises:
retrieving a content object associated with the advertisement based on identifying information about the advertisement included in the request; and retrieving the recorded impression count from the content object associated with the advertisement. 23. The method of claim 19, wherein determining an extrapolated impression count based on the recorded impression count, a sampling rate associated with the recorded impression count, and a predetermined threshold associated with the recorded impression count further comprises:
responsive to the recorded impression count exceeding the predetermined threshold, determining the extrapolated impression count by extrapolating a portion of the recorded impression count that exceeds the predetermined threshold, the portion extrapolated according to the sampling rate associated with the recorded impression count, the determined extrapolated impression count comprising the extrapolated portion and the predetermined threshold; and responsive to the recorded impression count not exceeding the predetermined threshold, determining the extrapolated impression count as the recorded impression count. 24. The method of claim 19, wherein determining the unique impression metric of the advertisement based on the extrapolated impression count and information about the set of sampled users further comprises:
determining the unique impression metric of the advertisement by extrapolating the extrapolated impression count based on the information about the set of sampled users, the information about the set of sampled users including statistical information about the users of the social networking system to approximate the unique impression metric. 25. The method of claim 19, wherein providing the unique impression metric of the advertisement in response to the request further comprises:
providing for display in the social networking system the unique impression metric of the advertisement to an advertiser associated with the advertisement. 26. The method of claim 19, wherein providing the unique impression metric of the advertisement in response to the request further comprises:
providing the unique impression metric of the advertisement to an advertiser associated with the advertisement in a user interface for visualizing advertising campaigns associated with the advertiser. 27. The method of claim 19, wherein the sampling rate comprises a fraction and wherein determining an extrapolated impression count based on the recorded impression count, a sampling rate associated with the recorded impression count, and a predetermined threshold associated with the recorded impression count further comprises:
responsive to the recorded impression count exceeding the predetermined threshold, determining the extrapolated impression count by extrapolating a portion of the recorded impression count that exceeds the predetermined threshold, the portion multiplied by an inverse of the sampling rate associated with the recorded impression count, the determined extrapolated impression count comprising the extrapolated portion and the predetermined threshold; and responsive to the recorded impression count not exceeding the predetermined threshold, determining the extrapolated impression count as the recorded impression count. | 3,600 |
13,295 | 13,295 | 11,686,647 | 3,691 | A system for error detection in a trading network comprises a memory operable to store a plurality of trader profiles, wherein a particular trader profile is associated with a particular trader. The particular trader profile comprises first contact data associated with a first client device and second contact data associated with a second client device. The memory is further operable to store at least one trading order associated with the particular trader. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to detect an alert associated with the first client device. In conjunction with detecting the alert, the processor is operable to determine a current status of the at least one trading order and to generate a status message regarding the determined status. The processor is further operable to transmit the status message to the second client device, wherein the transmission is based at least in part on the second contact data. | 1. A system for error detection in a trading network, comprising:
a memory operable to:
store a plurality of trader profiles, wherein a particular trader profile is associated with a particular trader and comprises:
first contact data associated with a first client device; and
second contact data associated with a second client device; and
store at least one trading order associated with the particular trader;
a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to:
detect an alert associated with the first client device; and
in conjunction with detecting the alert:
determine a current status of the at least one trading order;
generate a status message regarding the determined status; and
transmit the status message to the second client device, wherein
the transmission is based at least in part on the second contact data. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein:
the processor is further operable to periodically transmit one or more test signals to the first device; and the detection of the alert is based at least in part on a failure of the first client device to respond to at least one of the one or more test signals. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein detecting an alert associated with the first client device comprises detecting that a network connection between the first client device and the processor has been terminated. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein:
the memory is further operable to store status data associated with a plurality of trading orders; the processor is operable to update the status data based at least in part on execution of one or more of the plurality of trading orders; and the current status of the at least one trading order is determined based at least in part on the updated status data stored in the memory. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein updating the status data in the memory comprises:
if a position of the at least one trading order in an order stack changes, updating the status data to indicate the new position of the trading order in the order stack. 6. The system of claim 4, wherein updating the status data in the memory comprises:
if a portion of the at least one trading order is filled, updating the status data to indicate the filled portion of the at least one trading order; and if the at least one trading order is canceled, updating the status data to indicate the cancellation of the at least one trading order. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein determining a current status of the at least one trading order comprises determining whether the at least one trading order has been executed or cancelled. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein:
the processor is further operable to determine a change in market position of the particular trader since detection of the alert; and the status message indicates the determined change in market position. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein:
the alert is detected at a first time; and the at least one trading order is pending execution at the first time. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the second contact data comprises at least one of the following:
an IP address; a phone number; a port identifier; and an email address. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein:
the first client device is operable to initiate one or more trades; and the second client device is operable to receive one or more status messages. 12. A method, comprising:
storing a plurality of trader profiles, wherein a particular trader profile:
is associated with a particular trader;
comprises first contact data associated with a first client device; and
comprises second contact data associated with a second client device;
storing at least one trading order associated with the particular trader; detecting an alert associated with the first client device; and in conjunction with detecting the alert:
determining a current status of the at least one trading order;
generating a status message regarding the determined status; and
transmitting the status message to the second client device, wherein the transmission is based at least in part on the second contact data. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
periodically transmitting one or more test signals to the first client device; and wherein:
detecting an alert comprises detecting a failure of the first device to respond to at least one of the one or more test signals. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein detecting an alert associated with the first client device comprises detecting that a network connection between the first client device and the trading platform has been terminated. 15. The method of claim 12, wherein:
the particular trader profile comprises status data associated with a plurality of trading orders; the status data is updated based at least in part on execution of one or more of the plurality of trading orders; and the current status of the at least one trading order is determined based at least in part on the status data in the particular trader profile. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein updating the status data comprises:
if a position of the at least one trading order in an order stack changes, updating the status data to indicate the new position of the trading order in the order stack. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein updating the status data comprises:
if a portion of the at least one trading order is filled, updating the status data to indicate the filled portion of the at least one trading order; and if the at least one trading order is canceled, updating the status data to indicate the cancellation of the at least one trading order. 18. The method of claim 12, wherein determining a current status of the at least one trading order comprises determining whether the at least one trading order has been executed or cancelled. 19. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
determining a change in market position of the particular trader since detection of the alert; and wherein:
the status message indicates the determined change in market position. 20. The method of claim 12, wherein:
the alert is detected at a first time; and the at least one trading order is pending execution at the first time. 21. The method of claim 12, wherein the second contact data comprises at least one of the following:
an IP address; a phone number; a port identifier; and an email address. 22. The method of claim 12, wherein:
the first client device is operable to initiate one or more trades; and the second client device is operable to receive one or more status messages. 23. Logic encoded in computer-readable media and operable when executed by a processor to:
store a plurality of trader profiles, wherein a particular trader profile is associated with a particular trader and comprises:
first contact data associated with a first client device; and
second contact data associated with a second client device;
store at least one trading order associated with the particular trader; detect an alert associated with the first client device; and in conjunction with detecting the alert:
determine a current status of the at least one trading order;
generate a status message regarding the determined status; and
transmit the status message to the second client device, wherein the transmission is based at least in part on the second contact data. 24. The logic of claim 23, wherein:
the logic is further operable when executed to periodically transmit one or more test signals to the first device; and the detection of the alert is based at least in part on a failure of the first client device to respond to at least one of the one or more test signals. 25. The logic of claim 23, wherein detecting an alert associated with the first client device comprises detecting that a network connection between the first client device and the processor has been terminated. 26. The logic of claim 23, wherein:
the logic is further operable when executed to:
store in a memory status data associated with a plurality of trading orders; and
update the status data in the memory based at least in part on execution of one or more of the plurality of trading orders; and
the current status of the at least one trading order is determined based at least in part on the updated status data stored in the memory. 27. The logic of claim 26, wherein updating the status data in the memory comprises:
if a position of the at least one trading order in an order stack changes, updating the status data to indicate the new position of the trading order in the order stack. 28. The logic of claim 26, wherein updating the status data in the memory comprises:
if a portion of the at least one trading order is filled, updating the status data to indicate the filled portion of the at least one trading order; and if the at least one trading order is canceled, updating the status data to indicate the cancellation of the at least one trading order. 29. The logic of claim 23, wherein determining a current status of the at least one trading order comprises determining whether the at least one trading order has been executed or cancelled. 30. The logic of claim 23, wherein:
the logic is further operable when executed to determine a change in market position of the particular trader since detection of the alert; and the status message indicates the determined change in market position. 31. The logic of claim 23, wherein:
the alert is detected at a first time; and the at least one trading order is pending execution at the first time. 32. The logic of claim 23, wherein the second contact data comprises at least one of the following:
an IP address; a phone number; a port identifier; and an email address. 33. The logic of claim 23, wherein:
the first client device is operable to initiate one or more trades; and the second client device is operable to receive one or more status messages. | A system for error detection in a trading network comprises a memory operable to store a plurality of trader profiles, wherein a particular trader profile is associated with a particular trader. The particular trader profile comprises first contact data associated with a first client device and second contact data associated with a second client device. The memory is further operable to store at least one trading order associated with the particular trader. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to detect an alert associated with the first client device. In conjunction with detecting the alert, the processor is operable to determine a current status of the at least one trading order and to generate a status message regarding the determined status. The processor is further operable to transmit the status message to the second client device, wherein the transmission is based at least in part on the second contact data.1. A system for error detection in a trading network, comprising:
a memory operable to:
store a plurality of trader profiles, wherein a particular trader profile is associated with a particular trader and comprises:
first contact data associated with a first client device; and
second contact data associated with a second client device; and
store at least one trading order associated with the particular trader;
a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to:
detect an alert associated with the first client device; and
in conjunction with detecting the alert:
determine a current status of the at least one trading order;
generate a status message regarding the determined status; and
transmit the status message to the second client device, wherein
the transmission is based at least in part on the second contact data. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein:
the processor is further operable to periodically transmit one or more test signals to the first device; and the detection of the alert is based at least in part on a failure of the first client device to respond to at least one of the one or more test signals. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein detecting an alert associated with the first client device comprises detecting that a network connection between the first client device and the processor has been terminated. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein:
the memory is further operable to store status data associated with a plurality of trading orders; the processor is operable to update the status data based at least in part on execution of one or more of the plurality of trading orders; and the current status of the at least one trading order is determined based at least in part on the updated status data stored in the memory. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein updating the status data in the memory comprises:
if a position of the at least one trading order in an order stack changes, updating the status data to indicate the new position of the trading order in the order stack. 6. The system of claim 4, wherein updating the status data in the memory comprises:
if a portion of the at least one trading order is filled, updating the status data to indicate the filled portion of the at least one trading order; and if the at least one trading order is canceled, updating the status data to indicate the cancellation of the at least one trading order. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein determining a current status of the at least one trading order comprises determining whether the at least one trading order has been executed or cancelled. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein:
the processor is further operable to determine a change in market position of the particular trader since detection of the alert; and the status message indicates the determined change in market position. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein:
the alert is detected at a first time; and the at least one trading order is pending execution at the first time. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the second contact data comprises at least one of the following:
an IP address; a phone number; a port identifier; and an email address. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein:
the first client device is operable to initiate one or more trades; and the second client device is operable to receive one or more status messages. 12. A method, comprising:
storing a plurality of trader profiles, wherein a particular trader profile:
is associated with a particular trader;
comprises first contact data associated with a first client device; and
comprises second contact data associated with a second client device;
storing at least one trading order associated with the particular trader; detecting an alert associated with the first client device; and in conjunction with detecting the alert:
determining a current status of the at least one trading order;
generating a status message regarding the determined status; and
transmitting the status message to the second client device, wherein the transmission is based at least in part on the second contact data. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
periodically transmitting one or more test signals to the first client device; and wherein:
detecting an alert comprises detecting a failure of the first device to respond to at least one of the one or more test signals. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein detecting an alert associated with the first client device comprises detecting that a network connection between the first client device and the trading platform has been terminated. 15. The method of claim 12, wherein:
the particular trader profile comprises status data associated with a plurality of trading orders; the status data is updated based at least in part on execution of one or more of the plurality of trading orders; and the current status of the at least one trading order is determined based at least in part on the status data in the particular trader profile. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein updating the status data comprises:
if a position of the at least one trading order in an order stack changes, updating the status data to indicate the new position of the trading order in the order stack. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein updating the status data comprises:
if a portion of the at least one trading order is filled, updating the status data to indicate the filled portion of the at least one trading order; and if the at least one trading order is canceled, updating the status data to indicate the cancellation of the at least one trading order. 18. The method of claim 12, wherein determining a current status of the at least one trading order comprises determining whether the at least one trading order has been executed or cancelled. 19. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
determining a change in market position of the particular trader since detection of the alert; and wherein:
the status message indicates the determined change in market position. 20. The method of claim 12, wherein:
the alert is detected at a first time; and the at least one trading order is pending execution at the first time. 21. The method of claim 12, wherein the second contact data comprises at least one of the following:
an IP address; a phone number; a port identifier; and an email address. 22. The method of claim 12, wherein:
the first client device is operable to initiate one or more trades; and the second client device is operable to receive one or more status messages. 23. Logic encoded in computer-readable media and operable when executed by a processor to:
store a plurality of trader profiles, wherein a particular trader profile is associated with a particular trader and comprises:
first contact data associated with a first client device; and
second contact data associated with a second client device;
store at least one trading order associated with the particular trader; detect an alert associated with the first client device; and in conjunction with detecting the alert:
determine a current status of the at least one trading order;
generate a status message regarding the determined status; and
transmit the status message to the second client device, wherein the transmission is based at least in part on the second contact data. 24. The logic of claim 23, wherein:
the logic is further operable when executed to periodically transmit one or more test signals to the first device; and the detection of the alert is based at least in part on a failure of the first client device to respond to at least one of the one or more test signals. 25. The logic of claim 23, wherein detecting an alert associated with the first client device comprises detecting that a network connection between the first client device and the processor has been terminated. 26. The logic of claim 23, wherein:
the logic is further operable when executed to:
store in a memory status data associated with a plurality of trading orders; and
update the status data in the memory based at least in part on execution of one or more of the plurality of trading orders; and
the current status of the at least one trading order is determined based at least in part on the updated status data stored in the memory. 27. The logic of claim 26, wherein updating the status data in the memory comprises:
if a position of the at least one trading order in an order stack changes, updating the status data to indicate the new position of the trading order in the order stack. 28. The logic of claim 26, wherein updating the status data in the memory comprises:
if a portion of the at least one trading order is filled, updating the status data to indicate the filled portion of the at least one trading order; and if the at least one trading order is canceled, updating the status data to indicate the cancellation of the at least one trading order. 29. The logic of claim 23, wherein determining a current status of the at least one trading order comprises determining whether the at least one trading order has been executed or cancelled. 30. The logic of claim 23, wherein:
the logic is further operable when executed to determine a change in market position of the particular trader since detection of the alert; and the status message indicates the determined change in market position. 31. The logic of claim 23, wherein:
the alert is detected at a first time; and the at least one trading order is pending execution at the first time. 32. The logic of claim 23, wherein the second contact data comprises at least one of the following:
an IP address; a phone number; a port identifier; and an email address. 33. The logic of claim 23, wherein:
the first client device is operable to initiate one or more trades; and the second client device is operable to receive one or more status messages. | 3,600 |
13,296 | 13,296 | 14,249,160 | 3,681 | A system for obtaining metrics for online advertising uses multiple sources of user data, including panel data, social networking system data, and user data from other online service providers. An advertising impression system notifies each data source when an advertising impression occurs for an advertising campaign. The user data sources identify users corresponding to the impression by referencing a look-up table that matches a user ID at the advertising impression system with the user ID of users at the user data source. Each user data source generates a demographics report based on the user data known to that user data source. The user data sources transmit the demographics reports to a data aggregator, which determines estimated viewing statistics based on the various user data sources without revealing personally identifiable information from the user data sources. | 1. A method comprising:
receiving a user identifier associated with an advertising impression of an advertising campaign; generating obscured user data associated with the received user identifier; sending the obscured user data and an identifier of the advertising campaign to a plurality of user data sources; receiving, from each of the plurality of user data sources, a demographic report, wherein the demographics report:
describes user demographics of advertising impressions associated with the advertising campaign, and
includes demographic information stored at the user data source that relates to the obscured user identifier sent to the user data source; and
based at least in part on the received demographics report, updating one or more estimated viewing statistics for the advertising campaign, the estimated viewing statistics associated with viewership and demographics of one or more users who have viewed the advertising campaign. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the obscured user information sent to the plurality of data sources comprises hashed user information associated with the user identifier. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier of the advertising campaign sent to the plurality of user data sources comprises a hashed campaign ID. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the user identifier and the identifier of the advertising campaign comprises providing a redirection to a client associated with the advertising impression, the redirection directing the client to contact at least one of the plurality of user data sources. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
hashing an item of user information to determine a hashed user identifier; and sending the hashed user identifier to at least one user data source of the user data sources, wherein the at least one data source is configured to determine a match between the obscured user data and a user identifier stored at the user data source. 6. A method comprising:
receiving, obscured user data associated with an advertising impression of an advertising campaign; identifying a matching user from a plurality of users in a user database, the matching user being associated with data source user information corresponding to the received obscured user data; adding the advertising impression and an identifier of the matching user to a log of advertising impressions associated with the advertising campaign; generating, by the user data source, a demographics report for the advertising campaign based on the log of advertising impressions, the demographics report including demographic information corresponding to the users listed in the log of advertising impressions and the received obscured user data; sending, by the user data source, the demographics report to a data aggregator configured to receive a plurality of demographics reports from a plurality of user data sources and generate estimated viewing statistics for the advertising campaign using the plurality of demographics reports. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the received obscured user data is an identifier of a user at an ad impression system, the method further comprising:
maintaining a table that identifies a relationship between user identifiers at the ad impression system and users of the user data source; and wherein identifying the matching user in the user database comprises a look-up in the table using the received user identifier. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the table identifying the relationship between user identifiers comprises obscured user information. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein maintaining the table comprises receiving a redirected browser from a client associated with a user, the redirected browser providing an indication of the user identifier of the user at the ad impression system. 10. The method of claim 6, wherein the generated demographics report includes a log indicating demographics of each advertising impression of the log of advertising impressions. 11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to perform steps comprising:
receiving a user identifier associated with an advertising impression of an advertising campaign; generating obscured user data associated with the received user identifier; sending the obscured user data and an identifier of the advertising campaign to a plurality of user data sources, each user data source maintaining a different set of user data; receiving, from each of the plurality of user data sources, a demographic report, wherein the demographics report:
describes user demographics of advertising impressions associated with the advertising campaign, and
includes demographic information stored at the user data source that relates to the obscured user identifier sent to the user data source; and
based at least in part on the received demographics report, updating one or more estimated viewing statistics for the advertising campaign, the estimated viewing statistics associated with viewership and demographics of one or more users who have viewed the advertising campaign. 12. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the obscured user information sent to the plurality of data sources comprises hashed user information associated with the user identifier. 13. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the identifier of the advertising campaign sent to the plurality of user data sources comprises a hashed campaign ID. 14. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein sending the user identifier and the identifier of the advertising campaign comprises providing a redirection to a client associated with the advertising impression, the redirection directing the client to contact at least one of the plurality of user data sources. 15. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
hashing an item of user information to determine a hashed user identifier; and sending the hashed user identifier to at least one user data source of the user data sources, wherein the at least one data source is configured to determine a match between the obscured user data and a user identifier stored at the user data source. 16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to perform steps comprising:
receiving obscured user data associated with an advertising impression of an advertising campaign; identifying a matching user from a plurality of users in a user database, the matching user being associated with data source user information corresponding to the received obscured user data; adding the advertising impression and an identifier of the matching user to a log of advertising impressions associated with the advertising campaign; generating a demographics report for the advertising campaign based on the log of advertising impressions, the demographics report including demographic information corresponding to the users listed in the log of advertising impressions and the received obscured user data; sending the demographics report to a data aggregator configured to receive a plurality of demographics reports from a plurality of user data sources and generate estimated viewing statistics for the advertising campaign using the plurality of demographics reports. 17. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the received obscured user data is an identifier of a user at an ad impression system, and the instructions further cause the processor to perform steps of:
maintaining a table that identifies a relationship between user identifiers at the ad impression system and users of the user data source; and wherein identifying the matching user in the user database comprises a look-up in the table using the received user identifier. 18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the table identifying the relationship between user identifiers comprises obscured user information. 19. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein maintaining the table comprises receiving a redirected browser from a client associated with a user, the redirected browser providing an indication of the user identifier of the user at the ad impression system. 20. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the generated demographics report includes a log indicating demographics of each advertising impression of the log of advertising impressions. | A system for obtaining metrics for online advertising uses multiple sources of user data, including panel data, social networking system data, and user data from other online service providers. An advertising impression system notifies each data source when an advertising impression occurs for an advertising campaign. The user data sources identify users corresponding to the impression by referencing a look-up table that matches a user ID at the advertising impression system with the user ID of users at the user data source. Each user data source generates a demographics report based on the user data known to that user data source. The user data sources transmit the demographics reports to a data aggregator, which determines estimated viewing statistics based on the various user data sources without revealing personally identifiable information from the user data sources.1. A method comprising:
receiving a user identifier associated with an advertising impression of an advertising campaign; generating obscured user data associated with the received user identifier; sending the obscured user data and an identifier of the advertising campaign to a plurality of user data sources; receiving, from each of the plurality of user data sources, a demographic report, wherein the demographics report:
describes user demographics of advertising impressions associated with the advertising campaign, and
includes demographic information stored at the user data source that relates to the obscured user identifier sent to the user data source; and
based at least in part on the received demographics report, updating one or more estimated viewing statistics for the advertising campaign, the estimated viewing statistics associated with viewership and demographics of one or more users who have viewed the advertising campaign. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the obscured user information sent to the plurality of data sources comprises hashed user information associated with the user identifier. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier of the advertising campaign sent to the plurality of user data sources comprises a hashed campaign ID. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the user identifier and the identifier of the advertising campaign comprises providing a redirection to a client associated with the advertising impression, the redirection directing the client to contact at least one of the plurality of user data sources. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
hashing an item of user information to determine a hashed user identifier; and sending the hashed user identifier to at least one user data source of the user data sources, wherein the at least one data source is configured to determine a match between the obscured user data and a user identifier stored at the user data source. 6. A method comprising:
receiving, obscured user data associated with an advertising impression of an advertising campaign; identifying a matching user from a plurality of users in a user database, the matching user being associated with data source user information corresponding to the received obscured user data; adding the advertising impression and an identifier of the matching user to a log of advertising impressions associated with the advertising campaign; generating, by the user data source, a demographics report for the advertising campaign based on the log of advertising impressions, the demographics report including demographic information corresponding to the users listed in the log of advertising impressions and the received obscured user data; sending, by the user data source, the demographics report to a data aggregator configured to receive a plurality of demographics reports from a plurality of user data sources and generate estimated viewing statistics for the advertising campaign using the plurality of demographics reports. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the received obscured user data is an identifier of a user at an ad impression system, the method further comprising:
maintaining a table that identifies a relationship between user identifiers at the ad impression system and users of the user data source; and wherein identifying the matching user in the user database comprises a look-up in the table using the received user identifier. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the table identifying the relationship between user identifiers comprises obscured user information. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein maintaining the table comprises receiving a redirected browser from a client associated with a user, the redirected browser providing an indication of the user identifier of the user at the ad impression system. 10. The method of claim 6, wherein the generated demographics report includes a log indicating demographics of each advertising impression of the log of advertising impressions. 11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to perform steps comprising:
receiving a user identifier associated with an advertising impression of an advertising campaign; generating obscured user data associated with the received user identifier; sending the obscured user data and an identifier of the advertising campaign to a plurality of user data sources, each user data source maintaining a different set of user data; receiving, from each of the plurality of user data sources, a demographic report, wherein the demographics report:
describes user demographics of advertising impressions associated with the advertising campaign, and
includes demographic information stored at the user data source that relates to the obscured user identifier sent to the user data source; and
based at least in part on the received demographics report, updating one or more estimated viewing statistics for the advertising campaign, the estimated viewing statistics associated with viewership and demographics of one or more users who have viewed the advertising campaign. 12. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the obscured user information sent to the plurality of data sources comprises hashed user information associated with the user identifier. 13. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the identifier of the advertising campaign sent to the plurality of user data sources comprises a hashed campaign ID. 14. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein sending the user identifier and the identifier of the advertising campaign comprises providing a redirection to a client associated with the advertising impression, the redirection directing the client to contact at least one of the plurality of user data sources. 15. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
hashing an item of user information to determine a hashed user identifier; and sending the hashed user identifier to at least one user data source of the user data sources, wherein the at least one data source is configured to determine a match between the obscured user data and a user identifier stored at the user data source. 16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to perform steps comprising:
receiving obscured user data associated with an advertising impression of an advertising campaign; identifying a matching user from a plurality of users in a user database, the matching user being associated with data source user information corresponding to the received obscured user data; adding the advertising impression and an identifier of the matching user to a log of advertising impressions associated with the advertising campaign; generating a demographics report for the advertising campaign based on the log of advertising impressions, the demographics report including demographic information corresponding to the users listed in the log of advertising impressions and the received obscured user data; sending the demographics report to a data aggregator configured to receive a plurality of demographics reports from a plurality of user data sources and generate estimated viewing statistics for the advertising campaign using the plurality of demographics reports. 17. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the received obscured user data is an identifier of a user at an ad impression system, and the instructions further cause the processor to perform steps of:
maintaining a table that identifies a relationship between user identifiers at the ad impression system and users of the user data source; and wherein identifying the matching user in the user database comprises a look-up in the table using the received user identifier. 18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the table identifying the relationship between user identifiers comprises obscured user information. 19. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein maintaining the table comprises receiving a redirected browser from a client associated with a user, the redirected browser providing an indication of the user identifier of the user at the ad impression system. 20. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the generated demographics report includes a log indicating demographics of each advertising impression of the log of advertising impressions. | 3,600 |
13,297 | 13,297 | 13,930,466 | 3,623 | Described is a method for auction based decentralized ticket allotment. The method includes receiving a ticket indicating a system problem, generating an auction for the ticket, receiving at least one bid, based on the auction, to resolve the system problem from at least one agent, the at least one bid including one of a time to resolution, a hold and a no bid, and allotting the ticket to an agent based on the at least one bid. | 1. A method comprising:
receiving a ticket indicating a system problem; generating an auction for the ticket; receiving at least one bid, based on the auction, to resolve the system problem from at least one agent, the at least one bid including one of a time to resolution, a hold and a no bid; and allotting the ticket to an agent based on the at least one bid. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein generating an auction includes:
determining a group based on the system problem; and broadcasting the ticket to the group. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein allotting the ticket includes:
fetching the time to resolution for each of the bids; determining an auction winner based on a lowest time to resolution; allotting the ticket to the auction winner; and notifying the auction winner that the auction winner has been allotted the ticket. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
fetching the time to resolution for each of the bids; determining if the time to resolution for all of the bids is greater than a target time to resolution; and if the time to resolution for all of the bids is greater than a target time to resolution, re-running the auction. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
fetching the time to resolution for each of the bids; determining if the time to resolution for all of the bids is greater than a target time to resolution; and if the time to resolution for all of the bids is greater than a target time to resolution, notify a management entity. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining if all of the bids include a no bid; and if all of the bids include a no bid, assigning the ticket to an agent. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
fetching the time to resolution for each of the bids; determining if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other; and if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other, allot the ticket based on a historical performance of the agents with the bids within a range of each other. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
fetching the time to resolution for each of the bids; determining if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other; determining a priority coefficient based on severity and impact of tasks for each of the agents with the bids within a range of each other; and if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other, allot the ticket based on a historical performance of the agents with the bids within a range of each other, wherein the historical performance is scaled based on the priority coefficient. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
fetching the time to resolution for each of the bids; determining if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other; and if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other, allot the ticket based on a coefficient of deviation associated with the agents with the bids within a range of each other. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
fetching the time to resolution for each of the bids; determining if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other; determining a pressure factor based on completion of historical tasks under time pressure conditions for each of the agents with the bids within a range of each other; and if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other, allot the ticket based on a historical performance of the agents with the bids within a range of each other, wherein the historical performance is scaled based on the pressure factor. 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining if an incident associated with the system problem is a candidate for collaboration; and if the incident is a candidate for collaboration: generating two or more tickets for the incident based on a number of tasks associated with resolving the incident; generating an auction for each of the two or more tickets; and monitoring the results of the collaboration. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of the two or more tickets is associated with two or more tasks of the number of tasks. 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
collecting historical data associated with a completion of a ticket; storing the historical data; generating an estimated time to completion for a ticket based on the historical data; and evaluating a performance of an agent based on an actual time to completion associated with plurality of tickets completed by the agent and the estimated time to completion for the associated plurality of tickets. 14. A system including a non-transitory computer readable medium including code segments that when executed by a processor cause the processor to:
receive a ticket indicating a system problem; generate an auction for the ticket; receive at least one bid, based on the auction, to resolve the system problem from at least one agent, the at least one bid including one of a time to resolution, a hold and a no bid; and allot the ticket to an agent based on the at least one bid. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein generating an auction includes:
determine a group based on the system problem; and broadcast the ticket to the group. 16. The system of claim 14, wherein allotting the ticket includes:
fetching the time to resolution for each of the bids; determining an auction winner based on a lowest time to resolution; allotting the ticket to the auction winner; and notifying the auction winner that the auction winner has been allotted the ticket. 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the code segments further cause the processor to:
fetch the time to resolution for each of the bids; determine if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other; and if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other, allot the ticket based on a historical performance of the agents with the bids within a range of each other. 18. The system of claim 14, wherein the code segments further cause the processor to:
fetch the time to resolution for each of the bids; determine if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other; determine a priority coefficient based on severity and impact of tasks for each of the agents with the bids within a range of each other; and if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other, allot the ticket based on a historical performance of the agents with the bids within a range of each other, wherein the historical performance is scaled based on the priority coefficient. 19. The system of claim 14, wherein the code segments further cause the processor to:
fetch the time to resolution for each of the bids; determine if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other; and if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other, allot the ticket based on a coefficient of deviation associated with the agents with the bids within a range of each other. 20. The system of claim 14, wherein the code segments further cause the processor to:
determine if an incident associated with the system problem is a candidate for collaboration; and if the incident is a candidate for collaboration: generate two or more tickets for the incident based on a number of tasks associated with resolving the incident; and generate an auction for each of the two or more tickets. | Described is a method for auction based decentralized ticket allotment. The method includes receiving a ticket indicating a system problem, generating an auction for the ticket, receiving at least one bid, based on the auction, to resolve the system problem from at least one agent, the at least one bid including one of a time to resolution, a hold and a no bid, and allotting the ticket to an agent based on the at least one bid.1. A method comprising:
receiving a ticket indicating a system problem; generating an auction for the ticket; receiving at least one bid, based on the auction, to resolve the system problem from at least one agent, the at least one bid including one of a time to resolution, a hold and a no bid; and allotting the ticket to an agent based on the at least one bid. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein generating an auction includes:
determining a group based on the system problem; and broadcasting the ticket to the group. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein allotting the ticket includes:
fetching the time to resolution for each of the bids; determining an auction winner based on a lowest time to resolution; allotting the ticket to the auction winner; and notifying the auction winner that the auction winner has been allotted the ticket. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
fetching the time to resolution for each of the bids; determining if the time to resolution for all of the bids is greater than a target time to resolution; and if the time to resolution for all of the bids is greater than a target time to resolution, re-running the auction. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
fetching the time to resolution for each of the bids; determining if the time to resolution for all of the bids is greater than a target time to resolution; and if the time to resolution for all of the bids is greater than a target time to resolution, notify a management entity. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining if all of the bids include a no bid; and if all of the bids include a no bid, assigning the ticket to an agent. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
fetching the time to resolution for each of the bids; determining if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other; and if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other, allot the ticket based on a historical performance of the agents with the bids within a range of each other. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
fetching the time to resolution for each of the bids; determining if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other; determining a priority coefficient based on severity and impact of tasks for each of the agents with the bids within a range of each other; and if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other, allot the ticket based on a historical performance of the agents with the bids within a range of each other, wherein the historical performance is scaled based on the priority coefficient. 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
fetching the time to resolution for each of the bids; determining if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other; and if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other, allot the ticket based on a coefficient of deviation associated with the agents with the bids within a range of each other. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
fetching the time to resolution for each of the bids; determining if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other; determining a pressure factor based on completion of historical tasks under time pressure conditions for each of the agents with the bids within a range of each other; and if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other, allot the ticket based on a historical performance of the agents with the bids within a range of each other, wherein the historical performance is scaled based on the pressure factor. 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining if an incident associated with the system problem is a candidate for collaboration; and if the incident is a candidate for collaboration: generating two or more tickets for the incident based on a number of tasks associated with resolving the incident; generating an auction for each of the two or more tickets; and monitoring the results of the collaboration. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of the two or more tickets is associated with two or more tasks of the number of tasks. 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
collecting historical data associated with a completion of a ticket; storing the historical data; generating an estimated time to completion for a ticket based on the historical data; and evaluating a performance of an agent based on an actual time to completion associated with plurality of tickets completed by the agent and the estimated time to completion for the associated plurality of tickets. 14. A system including a non-transitory computer readable medium including code segments that when executed by a processor cause the processor to:
receive a ticket indicating a system problem; generate an auction for the ticket; receive at least one bid, based on the auction, to resolve the system problem from at least one agent, the at least one bid including one of a time to resolution, a hold and a no bid; and allot the ticket to an agent based on the at least one bid. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein generating an auction includes:
determine a group based on the system problem; and broadcast the ticket to the group. 16. The system of claim 14, wherein allotting the ticket includes:
fetching the time to resolution for each of the bids; determining an auction winner based on a lowest time to resolution; allotting the ticket to the auction winner; and notifying the auction winner that the auction winner has been allotted the ticket. 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the code segments further cause the processor to:
fetch the time to resolution for each of the bids; determine if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other; and if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other, allot the ticket based on a historical performance of the agents with the bids within a range of each other. 18. The system of claim 14, wherein the code segments further cause the processor to:
fetch the time to resolution for each of the bids; determine if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other; determine a priority coefficient based on severity and impact of tasks for each of the agents with the bids within a range of each other; and if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other, allot the ticket based on a historical performance of the agents with the bids within a range of each other, wherein the historical performance is scaled based on the priority coefficient. 19. The system of claim 14, wherein the code segments further cause the processor to:
fetch the time to resolution for each of the bids; determine if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other; and if the time to resolution for two or more of the bids are within a range of each other, allot the ticket based on a coefficient of deviation associated with the agents with the bids within a range of each other. 20. The system of claim 14, wherein the code segments further cause the processor to:
determine if an incident associated with the system problem is a candidate for collaboration; and if the incident is a candidate for collaboration: generate two or more tickets for the incident based on a number of tasks associated with resolving the incident; and generate an auction for each of the two or more tickets. | 3,600 |
13,298 | 13,298 | 14,706,176 | 3,688 | A system and method of advertising for determining a network location associated with a physical location. In one aspect, a system for performing this function is described which includes an advertiser module for accepting advertisements and a targeting criterion and computing a plurality of restricted identifiers satisfying the targeting criterion, an association module for receiving the plurality of restricted identifiers, associating the plurality of restricted identifiers with a plurality of non-restricted identifiers, and an intermediate module for associating the advertisement identifier with the plurality of non-restricted identifiers. | 1. A system for dynamically embedding a creative data file within a web page, the system comprising:
a web server configured to supply a web page, the web page including a dynamically embedded creative data file; a service provider arranged to dynamically assign IP addresses to individual subscribers; and a delivery system arranged to receive a request for a creative data file and a subscriber IP address from a web browser of an Internet subscriber, and to send a creative data file to the web browser for embedding in the web page, wherein the system is adapted to determine a network location associated with a physical location, and wherein the system further comprises: a targeting module having a first processor and a first communication interface and arranged to accept a creative identifier, the creative identifier identifying a creative data file, and a targeting criterion associated with the creative data file, wherein the targeting module is arranged to compute a plurality of physical location identifiers satisfying the targeting criterion, and to store the creative identifier, the targeting criterion and the plurality of physical location identifiers in a first computer database; an intermediate module having a second processor and a second communication interface for receiving the creative identifier and the plurality of physical location identifiers from the targeting module, wherein the intermediate module is arranged to store the creative identifier and the plurality of physical location identifiers in a second computer database, to communicate the plurality of physical location identifiers to at least one service provider, to receive an indication of a plurality of IP addresses associated with the plurality of physical location identifiers from the service provider, and to associate the creative identifier with the plurality of IP addresses; an association module operated by the at least one service provider having a third processor and a third communication interface, wherein the association module is arranged to receive the plurality of physical location identifiers, to associate the plurality of physical location identifiers with the plurality of IP addresses stored in a third computer database, and to communicate the indication of the plurality of IP addresses to the intermediate module, the association module comprising a location broker arranged to receive IP address to physical location identifier mappings from the service provider, and to transfer IP address to physical location identifier mappings into the third computer database; and the delivery system is further arranged, on receipt of the request, to send the subscriber IP address to the intermediate module, to receive a creative identifier from the intermediate module, and to send a creative data file referenced by the creative identifier to the subscriber. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the intermediate module is arranged to store the creative identifier and the plurality of physical location identifiers in the second computer database in a background operation. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the association module comprises a query answer compiler which, in a periodic background operation, translates between the first computer database and the third computer database. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the query answer compiler is arranged to iterate through the plurality of physical location identifiers, to determine, for each physical location identifier, if a corresponding record exists in the third computer database and, for each match to translate data from the first computer database to a corresponding section of the third computer database. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the intermediate module comprises a rank engine for determining a creative identifier to return to the delivery system. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the delivery system comprises a request handler, and wherein the rank engine is arranged to perform a real time process which takes data inputs from the request handler in the form of a request which comprises at least the IP address of the subscriber, queries the third computer database, and performs a real time automated selection process to determine a creative identifier to return to the delivery system. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the association module is arranged to compare data previously received from the service provider with the most recently received data, and to change an existing IP address stored in the third computer database to reflect a new IP address. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the targeting criterion comprises personally identifying information about the subscriber. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the targeting criterion comprises data that is correlatable with postal addresses. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the targeting criterion is selected from the group consisting of: names, postal addresses, postal codes, e-mail addresses, network equipment identifiers, government-issued alphanumeric identification strings, privately-issued alphanumeric identification strings, behavioural profiles, website content profiles, administrative divisions, municipal districts, school districts, electoral districts, demographic market areas, neighbourhood trading areas, geographic identifiers, and geographic area identifiers. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the geographic area identifiers comprise at least one geographic centre point, at least one inner radius defining an inner circular border and at least one outer radius defining an outer circular border of a geographical area that is between the inner circular border and the outer circular border when both the inner circular border and the outer circular border are centred on the at least one geographic centre point. 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the geographic area identifiers define polygonal vertices of a geographical area. 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of physical location identifiers comprises postal addresses. 14. A method of dynamically embedding a creative data file within a web page, the method comprising:
providing a targeting module, an intermediate module and an association module, wherein each of the modules has a communication interface; receiving a creative identifier and a targeting criterion associated with a creative data file at the targeting module, wherein the creative identifier identifies the creative data file; computing at the targeting module a plurality of physical location identifiers satisfying the targeting criterion, storing the creative identifier, the targeting criterion and the plurality of physical location identifiers in a first computer database, and communicating the creative identifier and the plurality of physical location identifiers to the intermediate module; receiving the creative identifier and the plurality of physical location identifiers at the intermediate module, storing the creative identifier and the plurality of physical location identifiers in a second computer database, and communicating the plurality of physical location identifiers to the association module; receiving at a location broker IP address to physical location identifier mappings from the service provider, and transferring IP address to physical location identifier mappings into a third computer database; associating at the association module a plurality of IP addresses, drawn from the third computer database, with the plurality of physical location identifiers; communicating an indication of the plurality of IP addresses associated with the plurality of physical location identifiers to the intermediate module; based on the indication, associating the creative identifier to the plurality of IP addresses; supplying a web page to an Internet subscriber executing a web browser, the web page including a request for an embedded creative data file, wherein an IP address of the subscriber is dynamically assigned by a service provider; receiving at a delivery system a request for a creative data file and a subscriber IP address from the subscriber; sending the subscriber IP address from the delivery system to the intermediate module; determining at the intermediate module a creative identifier to return to the delivery system; receiving a creative identifier from the intermediate module at the delivery system; and sending a creative data file associated with the creative identifier from the delivery system to the subscriber for embedding in the web page. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the receiving the creative identifier and the plurality of physical location identifiers at the intermediate module occurs in a background operation. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the determining step comprises performing a real time process which takes data inputs in the form of a request which comprises at least the IP address of the subscriber, querying the third computer database, and performing a real time automated selection process to determine a creative identifier to return to the delivery system. 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising, in a periodic background operation, translating between the first computer database and the third computer database using a query answer compiler. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the query answer compiler iterates through the plurality of physical location identifiers, to determine, for each physical location identifier, if a corresponding record exists in the third computer database and, for each match translates data from the first computer database to a corresponding section of the third computer database, 19. The method of claim 14, further comprising comparing data previously received at the location broker from the service provider with the most recently received data, and changing an existing IP address stored in the third computer database to reflect a new IP address; 20. A non-transitory computer readable medium upon which computer executable instructions are stored, the instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method of dynamically embedding a creative data file within a web page, the method comprising:
providing a targeting module, an intermediate module and an association module, wherein each of the modules has a communication interface; receiving a creative identifier and a targeting criterion associated with a creative data file at the targeting module, wherein the creative identifier identifies the creative data file; computing at the targeting module a plurality of physical location identifiers satisfying the targeting criterion, storing the creative identifier, the targeting criterion and the plurality of physical location identifiers in a first computer database, and communicating the creative identifier and the plurality of physical location identifiers to the intermediate module; receiving the creative identifier and the plurality of physical location identifiers at the intermediate module, storing the creative identifier and the plurality of physical location identifiers in a second computer database, and communicating the plurality of physical location identifiers to the association module; receiving at a location broker IP address to physical location identifier mappings from the service provider, and transferring IP address to physical location identifier mappings into a third computer database; associating at the association module a plurality of IP addresses, drawn from the third computer database, with the plurality of physical location identifiers; communicating an indication of the plurality of IP addresses associated with the plurality of physical location identifiers to the intermediate module; based on the indication, associating the creative identifier to the plurality of IP addresses; supplying a web page to an Internet subscriber executing a web browser, the web page including a request for an embedded creative data file, wherein an IP address of the subscriber is dynamically assigned by a service provider; receiving at a delivery system a request for a creative data file and a subscriber IP address from the subscriber; sending the subscriber IP address from the delivery system to the intermediate module; determining at the intermediate module a creative identifier to return to the delivery system; receiving a creative identifier from the intermediate module at the delivery system; and sending a creative data file associated with the creative identifier from the delivery system to the subscriber for embedding in the web page. | A system and method of advertising for determining a network location associated with a physical location. In one aspect, a system for performing this function is described which includes an advertiser module for accepting advertisements and a targeting criterion and computing a plurality of restricted identifiers satisfying the targeting criterion, an association module for receiving the plurality of restricted identifiers, associating the plurality of restricted identifiers with a plurality of non-restricted identifiers, and an intermediate module for associating the advertisement identifier with the plurality of non-restricted identifiers.1. A system for dynamically embedding a creative data file within a web page, the system comprising:
a web server configured to supply a web page, the web page including a dynamically embedded creative data file; a service provider arranged to dynamically assign IP addresses to individual subscribers; and a delivery system arranged to receive a request for a creative data file and a subscriber IP address from a web browser of an Internet subscriber, and to send a creative data file to the web browser for embedding in the web page, wherein the system is adapted to determine a network location associated with a physical location, and wherein the system further comprises: a targeting module having a first processor and a first communication interface and arranged to accept a creative identifier, the creative identifier identifying a creative data file, and a targeting criterion associated with the creative data file, wherein the targeting module is arranged to compute a plurality of physical location identifiers satisfying the targeting criterion, and to store the creative identifier, the targeting criterion and the plurality of physical location identifiers in a first computer database; an intermediate module having a second processor and a second communication interface for receiving the creative identifier and the plurality of physical location identifiers from the targeting module, wherein the intermediate module is arranged to store the creative identifier and the plurality of physical location identifiers in a second computer database, to communicate the plurality of physical location identifiers to at least one service provider, to receive an indication of a plurality of IP addresses associated with the plurality of physical location identifiers from the service provider, and to associate the creative identifier with the plurality of IP addresses; an association module operated by the at least one service provider having a third processor and a third communication interface, wherein the association module is arranged to receive the plurality of physical location identifiers, to associate the plurality of physical location identifiers with the plurality of IP addresses stored in a third computer database, and to communicate the indication of the plurality of IP addresses to the intermediate module, the association module comprising a location broker arranged to receive IP address to physical location identifier mappings from the service provider, and to transfer IP address to physical location identifier mappings into the third computer database; and the delivery system is further arranged, on receipt of the request, to send the subscriber IP address to the intermediate module, to receive a creative identifier from the intermediate module, and to send a creative data file referenced by the creative identifier to the subscriber. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the intermediate module is arranged to store the creative identifier and the plurality of physical location identifiers in the second computer database in a background operation. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the association module comprises a query answer compiler which, in a periodic background operation, translates between the first computer database and the third computer database. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the query answer compiler is arranged to iterate through the plurality of physical location identifiers, to determine, for each physical location identifier, if a corresponding record exists in the third computer database and, for each match to translate data from the first computer database to a corresponding section of the third computer database. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the intermediate module comprises a rank engine for determining a creative identifier to return to the delivery system. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the delivery system comprises a request handler, and wherein the rank engine is arranged to perform a real time process which takes data inputs from the request handler in the form of a request which comprises at least the IP address of the subscriber, queries the third computer database, and performs a real time automated selection process to determine a creative identifier to return to the delivery system. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the association module is arranged to compare data previously received from the service provider with the most recently received data, and to change an existing IP address stored in the third computer database to reflect a new IP address. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the targeting criterion comprises personally identifying information about the subscriber. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the targeting criterion comprises data that is correlatable with postal addresses. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the targeting criterion is selected from the group consisting of: names, postal addresses, postal codes, e-mail addresses, network equipment identifiers, government-issued alphanumeric identification strings, privately-issued alphanumeric identification strings, behavioural profiles, website content profiles, administrative divisions, municipal districts, school districts, electoral districts, demographic market areas, neighbourhood trading areas, geographic identifiers, and geographic area identifiers. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the geographic area identifiers comprise at least one geographic centre point, at least one inner radius defining an inner circular border and at least one outer radius defining an outer circular border of a geographical area that is between the inner circular border and the outer circular border when both the inner circular border and the outer circular border are centred on the at least one geographic centre point. 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the geographic area identifiers define polygonal vertices of a geographical area. 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of physical location identifiers comprises postal addresses. 14. A method of dynamically embedding a creative data file within a web page, the method comprising:
providing a targeting module, an intermediate module and an association module, wherein each of the modules has a communication interface; receiving a creative identifier and a targeting criterion associated with a creative data file at the targeting module, wherein the creative identifier identifies the creative data file; computing at the targeting module a plurality of physical location identifiers satisfying the targeting criterion, storing the creative identifier, the targeting criterion and the plurality of physical location identifiers in a first computer database, and communicating the creative identifier and the plurality of physical location identifiers to the intermediate module; receiving the creative identifier and the plurality of physical location identifiers at the intermediate module, storing the creative identifier and the plurality of physical location identifiers in a second computer database, and communicating the plurality of physical location identifiers to the association module; receiving at a location broker IP address to physical location identifier mappings from the service provider, and transferring IP address to physical location identifier mappings into a third computer database; associating at the association module a plurality of IP addresses, drawn from the third computer database, with the plurality of physical location identifiers; communicating an indication of the plurality of IP addresses associated with the plurality of physical location identifiers to the intermediate module; based on the indication, associating the creative identifier to the plurality of IP addresses; supplying a web page to an Internet subscriber executing a web browser, the web page including a request for an embedded creative data file, wherein an IP address of the subscriber is dynamically assigned by a service provider; receiving at a delivery system a request for a creative data file and a subscriber IP address from the subscriber; sending the subscriber IP address from the delivery system to the intermediate module; determining at the intermediate module a creative identifier to return to the delivery system; receiving a creative identifier from the intermediate module at the delivery system; and sending a creative data file associated with the creative identifier from the delivery system to the subscriber for embedding in the web page. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the receiving the creative identifier and the plurality of physical location identifiers at the intermediate module occurs in a background operation. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the determining step comprises performing a real time process which takes data inputs in the form of a request which comprises at least the IP address of the subscriber, querying the third computer database, and performing a real time automated selection process to determine a creative identifier to return to the delivery system. 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising, in a periodic background operation, translating between the first computer database and the third computer database using a query answer compiler. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the query answer compiler iterates through the plurality of physical location identifiers, to determine, for each physical location identifier, if a corresponding record exists in the third computer database and, for each match translates data from the first computer database to a corresponding section of the third computer database, 19. The method of claim 14, further comprising comparing data previously received at the location broker from the service provider with the most recently received data, and changing an existing IP address stored in the third computer database to reflect a new IP address; 20. A non-transitory computer readable medium upon which computer executable instructions are stored, the instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method of dynamically embedding a creative data file within a web page, the method comprising:
providing a targeting module, an intermediate module and an association module, wherein each of the modules has a communication interface; receiving a creative identifier and a targeting criterion associated with a creative data file at the targeting module, wherein the creative identifier identifies the creative data file; computing at the targeting module a plurality of physical location identifiers satisfying the targeting criterion, storing the creative identifier, the targeting criterion and the plurality of physical location identifiers in a first computer database, and communicating the creative identifier and the plurality of physical location identifiers to the intermediate module; receiving the creative identifier and the plurality of physical location identifiers at the intermediate module, storing the creative identifier and the plurality of physical location identifiers in a second computer database, and communicating the plurality of physical location identifiers to the association module; receiving at a location broker IP address to physical location identifier mappings from the service provider, and transferring IP address to physical location identifier mappings into a third computer database; associating at the association module a plurality of IP addresses, drawn from the third computer database, with the plurality of physical location identifiers; communicating an indication of the plurality of IP addresses associated with the plurality of physical location identifiers to the intermediate module; based on the indication, associating the creative identifier to the plurality of IP addresses; supplying a web page to an Internet subscriber executing a web browser, the web page including a request for an embedded creative data file, wherein an IP address of the subscriber is dynamically assigned by a service provider; receiving at a delivery system a request for a creative data file and a subscriber IP address from the subscriber; sending the subscriber IP address from the delivery system to the intermediate module; determining at the intermediate module a creative identifier to return to the delivery system; receiving a creative identifier from the intermediate module at the delivery system; and sending a creative data file associated with the creative identifier from the delivery system to the subscriber for embedding in the web page. | 3,600 |
13,299 | 13,299 | 15,090,688 | 3,662 | A system includes a processor configured to predict upcoming driver behavior based on a correlation between received context variables and previously observed driver behavior. The processor is also configured to request confirmation that predicted behavior is intended by a driver. Further, the processor is configured to change an in-vehicle display to include a control or feature relevant to the predicted behavior, upon confirmation receipt. | 1. A system comprising:
a processor configured to: predict driver behavior based on a correlation between received context variable values and previously observed driver behavior; request confirmation that predicted behavior is intended by a driver; responsive to confirmation receipt, change an in-vehicle display to include a control or feature relevant to the predicted behavior. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the previously observed driver behavior and corresponding context variables were stored with respect to a specific driver profile. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to determine a driver identity and load the specific driver profile corresponding to the identity upon vehicle startup. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the context variables include driver physiological measurements measured by one or more vehicle-connected sensors. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the context variables include driver behavior recordations made by one or more vehicle-connected sensors. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the context variables include environmental variables. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the context variables include temporal variables. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the context variables include traffic-related variables. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured automatically accept the confirmation request if a predicted likelihood associated with the upcoming driver behavior is above a predetermined threshold and automatically change the in-vehicle display. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to automatically accept the confirmation request if a predefined setting indicates that an automatic change should be made for a given upcoming driver behavior and automatically change the in-vehicle display. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to positively change a stored relationship between one or more of the received context variables and the predicted upcoming driver behavior in response to confirmation receipt. 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to negatively change a stored relationship between one or more of the received context variables and the predicted upcoming driver behavior if the driver declines to confirm that the predicted behavior is intended by the driver. 13. A computer-implemented method comprising:
receiving a plurality of context variables and corresponding variable values; predicting driver behavior based on the received context variable values compared to context variable values received and stored with respect to observed driver behavior; and automatically changing a vehicle display to display a control or feature relevant to the predicted behavior. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the automatically changing further includes automatically changing the display responsive to a likelihood of occurrence, associated with the predicted driver behavior, being above a predetermined threshold. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the automatically changing further includes automatically changing the display when a predefined driver setting indicates that automatic display change is desired for the predicted driver behavior. 16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
presenting the predicted driver behavior to a driver for confirmation; and delaying the automatic change to the vehicle display until confirmation is received. 17. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium, storing instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to execute a method comprising:
receiving a plurality of context variables; predicting driver behavior based on the received context variable values compared to context variable values received and stored with respect to observed driver behavior; and automatically changing a vehicle display to display a control or feature relevant to the predicted behavior. 18. The storage medium of claim 17, wherein the automatically changing further includes automatically changing the display when a likelihood of occurrence, associated with the predicted driver behavior, is above a predetermined threshold. 19. The storage medium of claim 17, wherein the automatically changing further includes automatically changing the display when a predefined driver setting indicates that automatic display change is desired for the predicted driver behavior. 20. The storage medium of claim 17, the method further comprising:
presenting the predicted upcoming driver behavior to a driver for confirmation; and delaying automatic change to the vehicle display until confirmation is received. | A system includes a processor configured to predict upcoming driver behavior based on a correlation between received context variables and previously observed driver behavior. The processor is also configured to request confirmation that predicted behavior is intended by a driver. Further, the processor is configured to change an in-vehicle display to include a control or feature relevant to the predicted behavior, upon confirmation receipt.1. A system comprising:
a processor configured to: predict driver behavior based on a correlation between received context variable values and previously observed driver behavior; request confirmation that predicted behavior is intended by a driver; responsive to confirmation receipt, change an in-vehicle display to include a control or feature relevant to the predicted behavior. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the previously observed driver behavior and corresponding context variables were stored with respect to a specific driver profile. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to determine a driver identity and load the specific driver profile corresponding to the identity upon vehicle startup. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the context variables include driver physiological measurements measured by one or more vehicle-connected sensors. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the context variables include driver behavior recordations made by one or more vehicle-connected sensors. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the context variables include environmental variables. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the context variables include temporal variables. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the context variables include traffic-related variables. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured automatically accept the confirmation request if a predicted likelihood associated with the upcoming driver behavior is above a predetermined threshold and automatically change the in-vehicle display. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to automatically accept the confirmation request if a predefined setting indicates that an automatic change should be made for a given upcoming driver behavior and automatically change the in-vehicle display. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to positively change a stored relationship between one or more of the received context variables and the predicted upcoming driver behavior in response to confirmation receipt. 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to negatively change a stored relationship between one or more of the received context variables and the predicted upcoming driver behavior if the driver declines to confirm that the predicted behavior is intended by the driver. 13. A computer-implemented method comprising:
receiving a plurality of context variables and corresponding variable values; predicting driver behavior based on the received context variable values compared to context variable values received and stored with respect to observed driver behavior; and automatically changing a vehicle display to display a control or feature relevant to the predicted behavior. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the automatically changing further includes automatically changing the display responsive to a likelihood of occurrence, associated with the predicted driver behavior, being above a predetermined threshold. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the automatically changing further includes automatically changing the display when a predefined driver setting indicates that automatic display change is desired for the predicted driver behavior. 16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
presenting the predicted driver behavior to a driver for confirmation; and delaying the automatic change to the vehicle display until confirmation is received. 17. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium, storing instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to execute a method comprising:
receiving a plurality of context variables; predicting driver behavior based on the received context variable values compared to context variable values received and stored with respect to observed driver behavior; and automatically changing a vehicle display to display a control or feature relevant to the predicted behavior. 18. The storage medium of claim 17, wherein the automatically changing further includes automatically changing the display when a likelihood of occurrence, associated with the predicted driver behavior, is above a predetermined threshold. 19. The storage medium of claim 17, wherein the automatically changing further includes automatically changing the display when a predefined driver setting indicates that automatic display change is desired for the predicted driver behavior. 20. The storage medium of claim 17, the method further comprising:
presenting the predicted upcoming driver behavior to a driver for confirmation; and delaying automatic change to the vehicle display until confirmation is received. | 3,600 |
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