Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a method, system, computer program product, or a combination of the foregoing for creating a knowledge management system with an incident communication interface for production support incidents that is standardized and centralized across the channels and sub-channels in an organization. The incident communication interface system is used to track, identify, and resolve the incidents that occur throughout the organization. The incident communication interface allows business associates to initiate an incident ticket associated with an incident. The incident communication interface also communicates information related to an incident to business associates. The incident communication interface provides the business associates knowledge management system access. The incident communication interface receives user input including details related to resolving the incident and the incident details are stored in the incident report database.

Abstract: A method, operable on a processing device, for assessment of skills of a user may include receiving, by the processing device, an error message reporting an error associated with the user. The method may also include determining, by the processing device, a categorization of the error. Determining the categorization of the error may include assigning one of a plurality of predetermined skill ratings to the user. Each predetermined skill rating may be associated with a predefined condition. The method may additionally include generating, by the processing device, a report for assessment of the skills of the user. The report may include an identification of the user, the error, identification of a system if a system associated error, identification of a product if a product associated error, the categorization of the error and the predetermined skill rating assigned to the user.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle may include sensing a position of each of a plurality of stars relative to the vehicle. The method may also include determining an attitude of the vehicle using the sensed positions of the plurality of stars, and the attitude may be determined either with or without using information from a gyro or sensor for measuring angular velocity. The method may additionally include implementing a set of strategies to optimize determination of the attitude of the vehicle when using only the sensed positions of the plurality of stars, without information from the sensor for measuring angular velocity. The method may further include controlling the vehicle based on the determined attitude of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and a system for performing an automated teller machine (ATM) transaction using a queue are disclosed. A user may first initiate an ATM transaction from a networked device to create a pending ATM transaction. The pending ATM transaction is then stored into a queue until it is accessed by the ATM. When a user is ready to complete the pending ATM transaction, the pending ATM transaction is retrieved from the queue and is completed by, for example, the ATM.

Abstract: System and method for operational risk assessment and control. The present invention, in disclosed, example embodiments provides systems and methods to facilitate risk assessment, prioritization, mitigation and control activities. Various modules work together to accomplish risk assessment, prioritization, mitigation and stability tracking. The modules can be implemented by a computer system or systems, software and networks, or by other means, such as paper-based means. In some embodiments, operational risk management and control begins with an assessment for one or more functions of the organization involved. This assessment includes identifying failure modes, causes and effects, which are permuted to define risk items. A risk prioritization report is produced which prioritizes the risk items based at least in part on the ratings associated with the causes and effects, and a mitigation plan can be put in place.

Abstract: A change risk assessment system is disclosed. A question-and-answer approach is used to generate a risk assessment that can be broken down by various business categories. Scoring in example embodiments generates a risk level for each identified that takes into account high severity and low detectability characteristics of specific risks associated with a change or new project. The highest average risk priority number (RPN) from any category can be used to facilitate cross-project comparison of risk and reward balance. A risk level can be calculated for both an inherent risk, and a residual risk. The residual risk is calculated taking a mitigation plan into account. A color indication can be displayed for each identified risk, where the color indication is indicative of the risk level. The scoring for an identified risk can also be made to programmatically prompt escalation of the identified issue.

Abstract: A compact ultrasound needle guidance system and method of use is described. The needle guidance system has components to adjustably target a needle's destination in the plane of a two-dimensional ultrasound image before insertion of a needle into a patient. Needle movement is tracked using a position detector that provides a visual display of the needle path on the ultrasonic image.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems, methods, and computer program products for an online safety deposit box inventory management system. A customer may securely log into the customer's bank accounts and add or delete safety deposit boxes to a list of safety deposit boxes that the customer owns. The customer may select a box to view and add or delete items that the customer has in the selected box. The customer may also edit the description, type, date, etc. of items that the customer already has listed in the box. In keeping a list of the items that the customer has in each safety deposit box the customer may keep an up-to-date record of the contents of each box for the customer's estate in case the customer passes away or simply in order to have a back up copy in case something happens to a paper copy.

Abstract: Visual cues for identifying financial accounts. A distinctive visual cue, such as a specific color, is applied to an account from among a plurality of accounts, such as associated joint and individual checking accounts. The designation can be applied to statements, and optionally also checks, check/ATM cards, and other materials can be identified at a glance. Additionally confidential flag can be applied to an account as part of the designation, to provide extra notice to both personnel and various systems that an individual account is confidential within the associated accounts. A system for assigning distinctive visual cues to accounts can include a customer or account information database for storing plurality of possible distinctive visual cues, and one or more fulfillment subsystems for providing bank statements, checks, deposit slips, check cards, and the like.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate apparatuses and methods that allow a financial institution to monitor, group, and store customer transaction data and determine market information therefrom according to recurrence patterns. For example, in one embodiment a financial institution uses a computerized apparatus to monitor recurrences in financial transactions across a plurality of financial accounts maintained by the financial institution for a plurality of different customers, where the computerized apparatus is configured to automatically track recurrences in transaction data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for providing a comprehensive coordinated electronic document functionality by storing and providing access to at least one non-personalized electronic document and at least one personalized document, enabling at least one action with regard to the non-personalized document and the personalized document, and creating a record of the at least one action taken. The invention can be implemented via a stand-alone computing system or such a system interconnected with other platforms or data stores by a network, such as a corporate intranet, a local area network, or the internet.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a window covering comprises a lateral support surface and a saw for cutting the window covering positioned at an end of the lateral support surface. An engagement member locates the center of the window covering that is retractably mounted on the lateral support surface. A clamp assembly comprises a clamping jaw that is movable to a first position where the clamping jaw presses the window covering against the lateral support surface. The clamp assembly is movable relative to the first saw and the second saw. A controller for moves the clamp assembly to automatically position a first end of the window covering relative to the first saw and a second end of the window covering relative to the second saw. Methods of cutting a window covering are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods, systems and computer program products for a control transparency framework which is, in one embodiment, a transparent (i.e. easy to understand) and actionable risk/reward approach for organizational processes, controls, training and development. The control transparency framework method includes identifying threats to an organization, developing a risk score for each of the threats to develop a threat portfolio, developing a maturity portfolio, developing a control portfolio, determining a gap portfolio, and developing a control transparency portfolio to close gaps. A gap exists between a target state maturity level of each identified threat and a current maturity level of each control assigned to handle each identified threat, such that the gap occurs if the target state maturity level is at a level that is lower than the control maturity level.

Abstract: Bank float is assigned using a dual source bank float system by first determining which of a plurality of checks will be processed via a paper route and which will be processed via an image route. For the checks that will be processed via the paper route, a set of rules will be determined. For the checks that will be processed via the image route, a different set of rules will be determined. A bank float is applied to the paper checks using the paper set of rules and bank float is assigned to the image checks using the image set of rules.

Abstract: Time implementation feature for video games. The time feature employs a synchronic construct of time for use in a computer software program, including a video game. The synchronic construct of time comprises assigning to each action in the game a specific number of synchronic timekeeping units. The number of synchronic timekeeping units assigned to an action may approximate how long the action might take in real time and/or may be used to weight the importance of the action. The invention can be implemented via a stand-alone computing system or such a system interconnected with other platforms or data stores by a network, such as a corporate intranet, a local area network, or the Internet.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for managing item sequence numbers in an item processing system. The invention provides for overrun prevention and management of item sequence numbers, which form a part of an image key. In example embodiments, a buffer is provided to determine how close a current item sequence number (ISN) is permitted to be to an overrun value. When the current ISN reaches the buffer value, new entries of documents are prevented or at least restricted from being processed. In some embodiments, a “force mode” is provided in which a sorter can be made to start a new entry even if the buffer value has been exceeded. In such an embodiment, the system can be set up so that a hard stop is enforced when the ISN is within a certain range of the overrun value.

Abstract: A method for data-driven anomaly detection may include monitoring a plurality of parameters associated with a plurality of subsystems of a system. The method may also include collecting data corresponding to each of the plurality of parameters from the plurality of subsystems and generating monitoring quantities based on the data. The method may also include determining if any quantities in the monitoring quantities exceed a predetermined limit. A contribution plot may be generated corresponding to each of the parameters in response to any of the quantities exceeding the predetermined limit. The method may further include determining which parameter is likely to cause an effect based on the contribution plot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method for quality control of surface coated objects used independently or in conjunction with product authentication; methods for assuring proper product handling; methods for assuring that product contents' match product's label, comprising the use of microparticulate taggants having different detectable physical properties, wherein each combination of properties is used as an encoding bit to create codes.

Abstract: A system and methods for handling financial document returns and processing exceptions are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention provide a returns and exceptions platform to image-enable check returns and exceptions within a financial institution. This capability can be in part enabled by a system that provides both for decisioning based on images, and dispatching or exporting images and data in a plurality of formats from the system into which they are first loaded, so that paper items need not be referenced again. The plurality of formats for export can include X9.37i files, external and internal cash letters, and image replacement documents. The image-based processes of the invention can be implemented by a plurality of application servers and a plurality of database servers interconnected by a network.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the separation of solids from a semi-solid viscous mass, the method comprising treating a solids-containing semi-solid viscous mass in an apparatus comprising a separating member incorporating a substantially flat solid surface and a supporting member, wherein the separating member is adapted to selectively impart directional momentum to the solids, thereby facilitating separation of the solids from the semi-solid viscous mass. Preferably the separating member comprises a substantially flat solid surface adapted for vibrational motion, the vibrational motion causing the solids material to be displaced from the remainder of the semi-solid viscous mass.