Patents Examined by Brett Feeney
  • Patent number: 8799046
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for assigning prioritized jobs at multiple locations to workers with the objective of maximizing the number of higher priority jobs assigned, with secondary objectives of minimizing worker travel time between locations and of balancing workload across workers. In doing so, the system, method and computer program product consider job data including job location, skills required, time required and additional job constraints, as well as resource data including worker location, worker skills, worker time constraints and additional worker constraints. The system, method and computer program product also consider travel time between various pairs of job locations and worker locations in order to optimize work assignments while minimizing travel time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Rina R. Schneur, Roger Lee Tobin, Raghavendran Sivaraman
  • Patent number: 8788306
    Abstract: A method for updating a forecast model is disclosed. The forecast model includes parameters that receives collected data representing historical dependent and causal data. The collected data are in different units of measure from one another. Based on the collected data, the forecast model is applied to determine a total error value from a calculation performed on the parameters in the forecast model. To update the forecast model, additional parameters are added, existing parameters are modified, or parameters are removed from the forecast model to determine a modified total error value. The modified total error value is then compared to the original total error value. The parameters are also converted to normalized values to be in a common unit of measure to facilitate the application of the forecast model to determine a total error value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip D. Delurgio, James Drew, Lisa Laane
  • Patent number: 8788313
    Abstract: A system to manage a workflow includes a workflow model having a version, the version being executable by an execution engine as a specific workflow instance. The system includes a workflow data monitor to receive and associate audit information with an object processed by an execution engine in terms of the specific instance of the workflow model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventor: Andreas Schaad
  • Patent number: 8775232
    Abstract: A transformation engine for transforming a legacy IT infrastructure into an on-demand IT infrastructure in a financial services enterprise, the transformation engine comprising: a determiner component for determining a current status of the legacy IT infrastructure; a comparator component for comparing the determined current status to an idealised set of outcome parameters to determine a set of deviation parameters; and the determiner component determining at least one control point within the set of deviation parameters which require enterprise wide governance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark K. Chetwood, Martyn J. Dawkes, Christopher J. Holloway, Michael O. Onoufriou, Rashik Parmar
  • Patent number: 8775234
    Abstract: A sales force automation method (30), comprises providing instructions which operatively direct a computer system (100) to employ one or more predetermined input-parameters (60), wherein each input-parameter is applicable to one or more clients. Sets of input-values are operatively sorted to the input-parameters for a corresponding, individual client, and the input-values that pertain to a selected client-set (62) are operatively gathered. The computer system sorts the input-values from the client-set according to sales-parameters (64) that pertain to the selected client-set. The sorted input-values are compiled and analyzed to generate an actual sales-performance-value (84) for each sales-parameter. Upon a comparison between the sales-performance-value for a sales-parameter and a corresponding parameter-target-value or target-range, the computer system can determine an appropriate sales performance-rating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ziti Technologies Limited Liability Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Jackness, Douglas Kendall Sutton
  • Patent number: 8775328
    Abstract: A method and system an online neighborhood social network designed to create private websites to facilitate communication among neighbors and build stronger neighborhoods. The private websites are embodied in a website having a domain name of nextdoor.com. In one embodiment, a method verifies that a user lives at a residence associated with a residential address claimed by the user of an online neighborhood social network. The method restricts access to a particular neighborhood to the user and to neighboring users living within the neighborhood boundary of the residence. A social network page of the user is created once verified and access privileges are determined. A message is distributed to neighboring users that are verified to live within a neighborhood boundary of the residence. The method may designate the user as a lead user with an additional privilege based on a participation level of the user in the online community.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventor: Raj Abhyanker
  • Patent number: 8775229
    Abstract: Automated methods for correcting the remaining portion of a project schedule in order to reflect actual performance to date are provided. For some embodiments, the remaining schedule is corrected by applying factors that are extrapolated from the actual completion times of project milestones in comparison to the scheduled times for the same milestones. This approach results in a project schedule that is more accurate, and thus enables improved management of the project.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Danskin
  • Patent number: 8756092
    Abstract: A computerized system and related methods of identifying an optimum set of product configurations from a plurality of possible product configurations, wherein each product configuration has a plurality of features and each feature has a plurality of options, includes the steps of representing each of the possible product configurations as an ordered set or array of at least n-dimensions, each dimension of the array representing a predetermined one of the features, identifying a subset of valid product configurations, identifying which valid configurations are captured by other configurations through upgrades, conversions, or acceptance of different options, defining and solving an optimization model to identify the optimum set of valid product configurations based on a desired objective, such as to maximize profit, minimize cost, or maximizing coverage of customer demand, and then presenting the optimum set of valid product configurations that satisfy the desired objective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Emcien, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy E. Marsten
  • Patent number: 8738410
    Abstract: Methods and systems for interfacing computer modeled design and manufacture data from an Manufacturing Process Planning (MPP) system to a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and allowing, via an integration server interface, electronic work instructions of the MPP system to be revised promptly and efficiently in mid-production manufacturing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Cogswell, Ross J. Cardilino
  • Patent number: 8738412
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the matching of resources to work entries. In particular, the present invention allows work items to be assigned to a particular resource based on the characteristics of the work item and on the qualifications and preferences of the resource. Furthermore, the present invention does not rely on queues, thereby allowing characteristics of a work item other than or in addition to the amount of time that a work item has been waiting for service to be considered in assigning the work item to a resource. The types of work items that may be validly assigned to a resource, or the preference rules used to select a valid work item for handling by a resource, may be altered by altering the validation rules and preference rules associated with the resource and/or work item. Accordingly, the rules for allocating work may be adjusted easily and quickly, including at run-time, and may represent any attribute desired for use in allocating work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Flockhart, Larry John Roybal, Robert C. Steiner
  • Patent number: 8738545
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system of map based neighborhood search and community contribution are disclosed. In one embodiment, a neighborhood communication system is described. This embodiment includes a privacy server to apply an address verification algorithm associated with each user of the online community to verify that each user lives at a residence associated with a claimable residential address of an online community formed through a social community module of the privacy server using a processor and a memory. The privacy server automatically determines a set of access privileges in the online community associated with each user of the online community by constraining access in the online community based on a neighborhood boundary determined using an algorithm of the privacy server. The privacy server may constrain the particular user to communicate through the online community only with a set of neighbors having verified addresses using the privacy server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Raj Abhyanker
  • Patent number: 8738416
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a difference calculation module, an addition module, and an output module. The difference calculation module calculates a difference between a first information amount that is generated between a first person in charge and a second person in charge when a business that constitutes a business process is finished and a second information amount that is estimated to be generated between the first person in charge and the second person in charge when the business that constitutes the business process is finished. The addition module adds the differences calculated by the difference calculation module in a combination of the first person in the business process and the second person in the business process or in other business process related to the business process. The output module outputs the sum of the differences calculated by the addition module as risks of the business processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Ueno, Manabu Ueda, Yuhei Shimada
  • Patent number: 8725556
    Abstract: A healthcare wage index reporting method and system providing questions and tasks to collect information for filling out a wage index and occupational mix report; receiving responses; processing the responses to complete the report; checking the responses to detect errors; generating error notices; tracking progress; and generating a completed report for submission. Electronic data files, including PUFs, can be imported to complete the report, or to pre-populate responses, and the system can generate notifications of differences between the report and the imported file. A dashboard can display progress, and current results. The system can save supporting documents, and supply templates for supporting information. The system can generate prompts based on responses, and determine future questions based on past responses. The system can generate various user-requested reports and can include bulletin board functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Crowe Horwath LLP
    Inventors: Mark A. Strawmyer, Andrew Jay Sutton
  • Patent number: 8701987
    Abstract: A transaction product includes a paddle, a string, a ball, and an account identifier. The paddle defines an enlarged portion and an elongated handle extending from the enlarged portion. The paddle is formed as a single piece of material. The string defines a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end of the string is coupled to the paddle. The ball is coupled to the second end of the string and is configured to bounce on the paddle. The account identifier is statically connected to the paddle and links the paddle to at least one of an account and a record and is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Albers, Robert Jerome Weaver, Melissa M. Andrykowski, Marta Harding, Jessica D. Albrecht, Timothy P. Clegg, Primoz Samardzija
  • Patent number: 8688501
    Abstract: A method and system for quantifying risk by composing a heterogeneous risk model are provided. The method comprises providing risk input data associated with one or more risk nodes to a processor, running one or more risk models to output individual risk quantifications for each risk node, and aggregating the individual risk quantifications into a single output. The system comprises a processor operable to provide risk input data associated with one or more risk nodes to a processor, run one or more risk models to output individual risk quantifications for each risk node and aggregate the individual risk quantifications into a single output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Chidanand V. Apte, Eric W. Cope, Lea A. Deleris, Shubir Kapoor, Kevin P. McAuliffe, Bonnie K. Ray
  • Patent number: 8660884
    Abstract: Market demand is estimated for a firm under crisis, beginning with an operational demand forecast of a firm as input, correcting that forecast to account for the impact of a pandemic or other extraordinary market-disrupting circumstance, and providing a corrected operational demand forecast as output. The correction to account for the impact of an extraordinary market-disrupting circumstance is based on an estimated economic impact of the disruption and an estimated reduction of the firm's sales force attributable to the disruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ching-Hua Chen-Ritzo, Pawan Raghunath Chowdhary, Thomas Robert Ervolina, Dharmashankar Subramanian
  • Patent number: 8655710
    Abstract: The present invention provides a public sector technology expenditure benefits realization framework that offers an unparalleled approach for addressing the very specific needs of public sector organizations combining the development of the business case with technology implementation program and integrating a sustainable long-term benefits realizations program. Specifically, in one embodiment, the methodology of the present invention integrates three steps: (1) the visioning phase for creating the vision for the planned benefits; (2) the integration phase comprising the integrating the planned benefits from the technology expenditure; and (3) the realization phase during which the public entity incorporates a sustainable benefits realization and monitoring program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Accenture Global Services GmbH
    Inventor: Peter H. Clarkson
  • Patent number: 8655749
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for distributing stock in a distribution network. The distribution network may include a source location and a plurality of target locations. In the disclosed systems and methods, the stock requirements of the target locations may be categorized into a plurality of requirement types, wherein each requirement type reflects a category of stock requirements for one of the target locations. In addition, the plurality of requirement types may be prioritized by order of importance and/or the plurality of target locations may be prioritized for each requirement type based on at least one sequence rule. Based on the prioritized requirement types and/or prioritized sequence of the target locations, the stock may be distributed to the plurality of target locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventors: Michael Schweitzer, Edward W. Huber, Marlon S. McDonald, Michael J. Monson, Larry M. Newbanks, Gregory A. McCoy, Guenther J. Baermann, Eric P. Eich, Hans Schmitz, Brian R. Taylor, Michael J. Czach, Ryan G. Matthews
  • Patent number: 8650059
    Abstract: An approach is provided for utilizing role-based presentation interfaces. A role of a user among a plurality of roles is determined. The user is among a plurality of users that are grouped based on the roles. A presentation interface is populated with sales related information based on the determined role.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Sumit Singh, Javier Martinez, Sridhar Musunuru, Williams Rajkumar, Pritam Bedse, Mukaram Aziz
  • Patent number: 8639551
    Abstract: A method and system of workforce related resource planning is disclosed. The method includes receiving workforce related resource data wherein the workforce related resource data includes demand data and supply data, disaggregating the demand data and the supply data and creating a probability distribution of a workforce gap between the demand data and supply data to quantify risk associated with workforce related resource planning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Qi Feng, Cipriano Santos, Dirk Beyer