Patents Examined by Matthew L. Brooks
  • Patent number: 8874451
    Abstract: A system and method for linking data objects and physical objects of various kinds to an identified user is described. The system provides to the identified user information relating to the delivery status of mail pieces directed to or sent by the user, and the user then tracks and traces the mail pieces. The system further provides to the identified user information relating to continued sessions through which the user provides to a postal service system information relating to mailing labels and postage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Escher Group, Ltd.
    Inventors: Joshua R. Smith, Paul Michael Yarin, Michael J. Murphy, Andrew V. Sutherland, II, Eric Metois
  • Patent number: 8725521
    Abstract: A system and method for generating an information technology solution. A system for generating a runtime model is provided, comprising: a system for selecting a business pattern; a system for providing a management integration table, wherein the management integration table includes a plurality of cells, each representing at least one management application pattern; and a system for generating a runtime model from the selected business pattern and management integration table, wherein the generating system supplements the business pattern with additive patterns, bridge patterns, and management application patterns in order to generate the runtime model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: James J. Whitmore
  • Patent number: 8682684
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products are provided for monitoring compliance in reporting unclaimed property. The method is capable of identifying both potential non-reporters and potential under-reporters. In this regard, potential under-reporters may be identified as a result of a multilevel review that may take into account the recent reporting history, both in terms of frequency and the type and quantity of unclaimed property that has been reported. The potential non-reporters and potential under-reporters may then be further evaluated, such as by means of an audit or other follow up procedure, to insure compliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox State & Local Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Nancy A. Froude, Stephen J. Galvin, Jeremy D. Katz, Lynden D. Lyman, Kenneth J. Weeks, David P. Whiteside, Vincent P. O'Rorke
  • Patent number: 8660852
    Abstract: The method and system claimed recognizes phrases or segments within an electronic document, where the phrase or segment acts to trigger a function call to a sever component that connects to a CRM system or a CRM database and retrieves relevant information relating to and based on the recognized phrase. Further, the relevant information is formatted and displayed based on the content of the information retrieved and the context and content of the identified phrase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Veronica Y. Law
  • Patent number: 8612244
    Abstract: Various aspects of one or more methods, apparatuses and data processor program products capable of enabling management of data associated with an athleticism development program are disclosed herein. These various aspects include maintaining a database including subscriber performance data for a plurality of athleticism development program subscribers and facilitating preparation of a subscriber performance report for a specified one of the plurality of athleticism development program subscribers. The subscriber performance data is capable of enabling an attained standardized athleticism level to be determined for each one of the athleticism development program subscribers. The implementation of standardized athleticism levels is advantageous as it supports a measurable plan of progress for motivating a subscriber and trainer to meet their individual and mutual goals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Fleming, Thomas D. Mixon
  • Patent number: 8595021
    Abstract: Methods for using a liner in a waste sorting and disposal system are provided. The liner includes an internal space and an opening that provides access to that internal space. In some embodiments, the liner may also include a machine-readable identification key that is configured to identify a type of waste that the liner may receive. In some embodiments, the machine-readable key is optical, color-coded, alphanumeric or graphical. The liner can include one or more closure members to allow a user to securely seal the liner when it is removed from the container. In some embodiments, the liner can include a flange, lip, hook or other protrusion to secure its position relative to a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Mallett, Randall C. Danta, James R. Benson, Alan D. Corey, Alan A. Davidner, Peter Regla, Alec Huang
  • Patent number: 8533001
    Abstract: A system and method of calculating athlete performance, may include receiving information relating to at least one date of performance of physical activity and generating a proposed training schedule, including one or more training sessions, corresponding to the at least one date of performance of physical activity. Further, the system and method may include receiving information relating to records of the athlete's prior performances, and determining a performance model including predicted athlete performance based on the calculated training schedule and the prior performances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: PhysFarm Training Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Philip Skiba
  • Patent number: 8527284
    Abstract: A system and method for linking data objects and physical objects of various kinds to an identified user is described. The system provides to the identified user information relating to the delivery status of mail pieces directed to or sent by the user, and the user then tracks and traces the mail pieces. The system further provides to the identified user information relating to continued sessions through which the user provides to a postal service system information relating to mailing labels and postage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Escher Group Limited
    Inventors: Joshua R. Smith, Paul Michael Yarin, Michael J. Murphy, Andrew V. Sutherland, Eric Metois
  • Patent number: 8521547
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method, and program product for tracking mechanic certification information. In one instance, information related to the certification of the mechanic is received and compared with stored authorized mechanic certification information. If a match is found, indicia indicating that the mechanic is an authorized mechanic is stored with the type of service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Boss, Peter G. Finn, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Brian M. O'Connell, James W. Seaman, Keith R. Walker
  • Patent number: 7996235
    Abstract: A method for acquiring marketing information from a marketing call center. The method involves a setting of a marketing information trigger based on a pre-determined event corresponding to at least one of a vehicle and an in-vehicle telematics unit, and an initiation of a call to the marketing call center to acquire the marketing information in response to an occurrence of the pre-determined event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: General Motors LLC
    Inventors: Fahd Z. Laghrari, Anthony J. Sumcad
  • Patent number: 7983924
    Abstract: Apparatus (method implemented with a machine, the machine, and the method for making the machine, and products produced thereby). The computer system can, for example, be structured (e.g., including programmed) to carry a method including: controlling, with at least one application computer program, a server system to create, and to maintain, multiple sites on a wide area network, each said site providing electronic greeting cards, each said site corresponding to an independent party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Edward K. Garrison
  • Patent number: 7975299
    Abstract: An identity monitoring system notifies legal guardians of potentially fraudulent activity associated with their children's identities. The monitoring system may determine if credit files for respective enrolled minors exist and monitor any credit files of the enrolled minors, such as via periodic requests for credit data and comparison of certain returned credit data, in order to determine if potentially fraudulent activity associated with the minor has occurred. The monitoring system provides periodic notifications, such as via email and/or Internet-accessible user interfaces, regarding potentially fraudulent use of their children's identities. In one embodiment, the monitoring system also provides legal guardians with useful information and resources for how they can further protect the identity of their children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: ConsumerInfo.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Balducci, Arlene E. Miranda, Michael Burger, Nelson Yu
  • Patent number: 7890338
    Abstract: An improved method is provided for managing a whitelist. Upon receipt of an electronic message from an approved sender, the message is reviewed for references to other potential sender that may be added to the whitelist. For example, the potential sender may be copied on the electronic message. Based on this reference, the potential sender is deemed trustworthy and placed on the recipient's whitelist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Theodore C. Loder, Marshall Van Alstyne, Richard L. Wash
  • Patent number: 7877265
    Abstract: A system and method for automated customer feedback allows for automatically collecting and analyzing customer feedback data regarding customer satisfaction and customer task completion with respect to self-service applications and live agents. When contacting a customer service center, customers provide one or more customer tasks. The customers are routed within the customer service center based on the customer task and/or one or more customer characteristics. While interacting with the customer service center, the customers are automatically asked one or more specific survey questions relating to the customers' interaction with the customer service center and the customers' satisfaction levels. The customers provide one or more survey responses to the survey questions. The survey responses are recorded and analyzed in order to modify and update the customer service center and the survey questions in order to increase customer satisfaction and increase customer task completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Theodore B. Pasquale, Robert R. Bushey, Benjamin A. Knott
  • Patent number: 7742999
    Abstract: Various disclosed help center features provide help to a user without a staffed help center, provide help to a user before the user recognizes the need, or create targeted commerce opportunities for a provider of goods or services. One help center feature provides a user with help that is specifically related to a component in the user's computer system and that is supplied to the help center feature by the component manufacturer. Another help center feature detects a condition that degrades performance, and hence user satisfaction, and alerts the user. Another help center feature detects an attempt by a computer system to inform the user of degraded performance and offers the user a solution. Another help center feature provides a user with a commerce opportunity specifically related to a component in the user's computer system and/or to the user's geographic location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: AOL Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Moran, Gail Haddock, Greg Weston Smith, Todd Brannam
  • Patent number: 7711653
    Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable medium for facilitating customer service feedback utilizing embedded feedback links are provided. A consumer generates an inquiry to a service provider. The service provider generates a responsive communication that includes at least one feedback link embedded within the response communication. The consumer can manipulate the feedback link to instantiate a variety of actions, including the escalation of the consumer inquiry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Martha L. Denham, Kimberly A. Rachmeler, Jeffrey P. Bezos
  • Patent number: 7689435
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for managing composite business processes that include multiple trading mechanisms, such as requests for quotes (RFQs), auctions and contracts, or repeat passes through a single trading mechanism. The independence of the individual business processes that manage each trading mechanism is maintained, while each individual business process can be connected to other business processes to form a composite business process. Each individual business process that may be followed by another business process to form a composite process must have at least one state labeled as a conversion state with a conversion transition to another business process. A conversion transition spans the gap between an end state of one business process and the start state of another subsequent business process. When a conversion state is entered by an object, a determination is made as to whether the object is being managed by a composite flow, and if so, what business process to use next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mitchell Adam Cohen, Titania Mary Gupta, Laurent David Hasson, John Scott Houston, Jianren Li, Rakesh Mohan, Jakka Sairamesh, Josef Schiefer, Revathi Subramanian
  • Patent number: 7668724
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for processing traffic tickets is provided. In one embodiment, a department of motor vehicle (DMV) server receives, from a portable law enforcement data processing system via a network, citation data and stores the citation data. The DMV server then determines and notifies a court of jurisdiction of the citation data and receives, via the network, instructions from a client representing an accused about how the accused would like to proceed with the case. Based on the instructions received on behalf of the client, the DMV server modifies the citation data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rabindranath Dutta, Kumar Ravi, Eduardo N. Spring
  • Patent number: 7664656
    Abstract: Methods for using a liner in a waste sorting and disposal system are provided. The liner includes an internal space and an opening that provides access to that internal space. In some embodiments, the liner may also include a machine-readable identification key that is configured to identify a type of waste that the liner may receive. In some embodiments, the machine-readable key is optical, color-coded, alphanumeric or graphical. The liner can include one or more closure members to allow a user to securely seal the liner when it is removed from the container. In some embodiments, the liner can include a flange, lip, hook or other protrusion to secure its position relative to a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventors: Scott R. Mallett, Randall C. Danta, James R. Benson, Alan D. Corey, Alan A. Davidner, Peter Regla, Alec Huang
  • Patent number: 7660724
    Abstract: A liner for use in a waste sorting and disposal system is configured for placement in a container is provided. The liner includes an internal space and an opening that provides access to that internal space. In some embodiments, the liner may also include a machine-readable identification key that is configured to identify a type of waste that the liner may receive. In some embodiments, the machine-readable key is optical, color-coded, alphanumeric or graphical. The liner can include one or more closure members to allow a user to securely seal the liner when it is removed from the container. In some embodiments, the liner can include a flange, lip, hook or other protrusion to secure its position relative to a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Vesta Medical, LLC
    Inventors: Scott R. Mallett, Randall C. Danta, James R. Benson, Alan D. Corey, Alan A. Davidner, Peter Regla, Alec Huang