Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an economic development system, which enables individuals within a community to efficiently identify and express their interests in one or more economic propositions. The economic development system comprises an application which allows users to uniquely interface with the one or more economic propositions. Users of the economic development system are able to efficiently identify and express support or disapprove for one or more economic propositions. A plurality of engagement mechanisms is provided by the economic development system to assist users in democratizing their interests. The economic development system also allows for crowdfunding of economic propositions and further provides valuable statistical data which can be utilized by developers, business owners, and local municipalities to implement one or more economic propositions.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a new action request is received by the data manager from any of the plurality of users and stored in the data store. The data manager provides multiple actions requests to at least some of the plurality of users and, thereafter, receives responses from responsive users. The data manager then stores the responses (optionally, with a time stamp) in the data store in a manner such that the responses are associated with corresponding ones of the responsive users. In response to receiving a request for information regarding the responses, the data manager can generate the requested information, which may comprise aggregated or individual data, and provide such information to a requesting user. The request for information may include geographic boundaries to be used in providing the requested information. In a preferred embodiment, the geographic boundaries may correspond to one or more electoral districts.

Abstract: An identity of a user on a first computing node of a plurality of nodes within a computing environment is authenticated. A first authentication score for the user is calculated at the first computing node using at least one machine learning model. The first authentication score characterize interactions of the user with the first computing node. Subsequent to such authentication, traversal of the user from the first computing node to other computing nodes among the plurality of computing nodes are monitored. An authentication score characterizing interactions of the user with the corresponding computing node are calculated at each of the nodes using respective machine learning models executing on such nodes The respective machine learning models use, as an attribute, an authentication score calculated at a previously traversed computing node. Thereafter, an action is initiated at one of the computing nodes based on the calculated authentication scores.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for automatically displaying an advertisement or promotional material to a user of an automated teller machine or point of purchase terminal. The method includes accessing debit data and credit bureau data for the applicant, accessing account information for the applicant, generating a score for the applicant based on the data and the account information and determining what advertisements or promotional offers to display on the ATM or POP terminal. The apparatus is a system, including both hardware and software components for effecting the method.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a computer-implemented method for a digital broadcast system is described. The method involves an operation of receiving an electronic questionnaire that includes a plurality of questions registered to avoid duplication of any one of the plurality of questions. The electronic questionnaire, when processed by a receiver of the digital broadcast system, generates for display a plurality of questions. The receiver acquires answers to the electronic questionnaire, where the answers are used in adjusting content subsequently downloaded to the receiver.

Abstract: Automatic determination of caller identification information and encoding of such information in outgoing data requests, such a API calls to a call management component, are disclosed herein. The caller identification information may be determined by analyzing information associated with a call target to determine if the target has a custom outbound telephone number assigned, was contacted through a specific campaign, has local geographic data, is being called from a specific entity, or is being made from a call originator with a specific outbound number set. The system may execute machine learning on previous calling data in order to update caller identification selection models used for other outgoing calls.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for automatic TV ON/OFF detection. An example method includes detecting a power state of an information presentation device. The method includes comparing, using a processor, a measurement indicative of an amount of power drawn by the information presentation device to a first threshold. The method also includes comparing the measurement to a second threshold. The method also includes storing an indication that the information presentation device is in an indeterminate state if the measurement is greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold.

Abstract: An approach is provided for enabling advertisers to correlate a communication session with an amount of consumption of the advertisement by a viewer. A correlation platform tracks an amount of consumption of an advertisement presented via a set-top box associated with a user. The amount of consumption of the advertisement is then correlated to a communication session initiated by the user in response to the presentation of the advertisement.

Abstract: A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to implement an opinion search engine. The instructions to implement an opinion search engine cause the computer to collect opinion data about one or more objects from the Internet, extract metadata about the opinion data from the opinion data, remove duplicate metadata from the metadata to generate a resulting metadata, categorize the resulting metadata for similar objects according to one or more taxonomies from one or more websites on the Internet and rank the similar objects based on the categorized metadata.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to automatic prediction of an anticipated audience response for scripting. A sub-document unit can be received, where the sub-document unit can be part of a script. The sub-document unit, for example, can be a sentence, a paragraph, a scene, or substantially any other portion of the script. Content of the sub-document unit and a context of the sub-document unit can be analyzed to extract features of the sub-document unit. A predictive model can be employed to predict an anticipated audience response to the sub-document unit based upon the features of the sub-document unit. Moreover, the anticipated audience response to the sub-document unit predicted by the predictive model can be output.

Abstract: A method of conducting a real time auction comprises the steps of: Broadcasting from a production studio at least high definition images of material of each lot being auctioned to at least a plurality of digital theater environments via satellite; Providing multiple auction bidders at each digital theater environment; Providing each auction bidder with individually assigned audience response system input devices; and Receiving bid information at the production studio from selected auction bidders for each lot being auctioned over a bid receiving network via the individual audience response system input devices.

Abstract: The invention is an SMS distribution method for inquiries, invitations and proposals in which inquiries are sent to mobile telephone numbers included in a distribution list and their replies are collected as text messages via the SMS service (7) provided by the telecommunications network by means of a software program (1) installed on a server (2). The problem in distributing inquiries with existing SMS services has been the limited possibility of replying to the sending telecommunications operator and separating replies to several inquiries from one another. In the method embodied by this invention, universally reachable mobile network numbers (11) are used as reply addresses for the inquiries, invitations and proposals, and replies are separated from one another by means of reply addresses consisting of public mobile communication network numbers and SMS service numbers and automatically generated reply symbols.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to supervise a network, in which a first device supervises a network node element, and a second device partially supervises the network node element.

Abstract: Whilst partaking in a traditional electronic questionnaire survey, responses given by any one respondent are almost always influenced by that person's emotional state due to the survey format. This emotional content skews the results thus obtained making them inaccurate, so that statistical methods become necessary to interpret the results. Such a statistical analyses requires not only a minimum sample size but also to be interpreted, which can also lead to false, non repeatable results. However, by structuring the system and method of the electronic questionnaire survey in accordance with a strict set of guidelines, it is possible to measure a respondent's views on any subject matter both emotionally and rationally, together with the respondent's level of conviction. By comparing the emotional responses with the rational responses, a truly quantifiable and repeatable measure of respondent satisfaction towards the subject matter can be achieved, which also allows benchmarking as an added benefit.

Abstract: A Complex Adaptive Phase Discriminator (PD), as presented in some concepts of the present disclosure, is an adaptive filter that accurately estimates the instantaneous frequency of a dynamic complex signal. The PD can demonstrate accurate instantaneous frequency estimation and rapid convergence in dynamic complex signal environments, even when the frequency of its input may change rapidly. A direct PD architecture can estimate the instantaneous frequency of a complex primary signal, iteratively adapting a phase of a complex exponential by minimizing the mean squared error of a complex error signal. Instantaneous frequency can be directly estimated from the phase of the complex exponential. In contrast, an indirect PD architecture can estimate the instantaneous frequency of a complex primary signal, iteratively adapting a complex coefficient by minimizing the mean squared error of a complex error signal. Instantaneous frequency can be indirectly estimated by extracting the phase of the complex coefficient.

Abstract: A questionnaire network in which a mobile device is used by user to create questionnaires and send it to other recipients. The questionnaire is created by user of mobile device using audio inputs for a questionnaire preamble and question preambles. A server in the network incorporates other generic portions of the questionnaire. Thus, a user can make adhoc questionnaires, send them to recipients and receive the results.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes receiving an electronic voting request from an originating mobile device at a recipient mobile device. Each mobile device is associated with a member of a voting group. The electronic voting request includes a voting ballot and instructions, that when executed by a processor, perform operations including generating a vote based on information in the voting ballot and transmitting the voting request to at least a portion of other members of the voting group that have not received the voting request. The operations also include receiving votes from the portion of the other members to which the voting request was transmitted and transmitting a tally of the received votes to the originating mobile device.

Abstract: The invention is an SMS distribution method for inquiries, invitations and proposals in which inquiries are sent to mobile telephone numbers included in a distribution list and their replies are collected as text messages via the SMS service (7) provided by the telecommunications network by means of a software program (1) installed on a server (2). The problem in distributing inquiries with existing SMS services has been the limited possibility of replying to the sending telecommunications operator and separating replies to several inquiries from one another. In the method embodied by this invention, universally reachable mobile network numbers (11) are used as reply addresses for the inquiries, invitations and proposals, and replies are separated from one another by means of reply addresses consisting of public mobile communication network numbers and SMS service numbers and automatically generated reply symbols.

Abstract: A management device for automatically provisioning a Broadband Remote Access Server (BRAS) for use in connecting Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) to an Internet Protocol (IP) network via a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexor (DSLAM) and the BRAS, the management device comprising: a first interface for receiving from time to time data readings from the DSLAM indicative of the current or recent line rate of the DSL; a processor unit for calculating from the received data readings a consistent rate indicative of a consistent line rate of the DSL based on a plurality of data readings for the DSL from the DSLAM; and a second interface for transmitting provisioning messages to the BRAS for provisioning the BRAS to restrict data flowing to the DSL to a maximum rate selected by the management device in accordance with the calculated consistent rate.

Abstract: A poll definition comprising a plurality of poll questions and a phone list comprising a plurality of phone list entries is received over the network from a user. Each phone list entry comprises a phone number for one of a first plurality of poll targets. A first poll run is conducted as a dial-out poll run using the poll definition and the phone list, such that a first set of answers to the plurality of poll questions is received from at least some of the first plurality of poll targets. A second poll run is conducted as a call-in poll run, using the poll definition, such that a second set of answers to the plurality of poll questions is received from a second plurality of poll targets. A third poll run is conducted as a web survey, using the poll definition, such that a third set of answers to the plurality of poll questions is received from a third plurality of poll targets.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polling method in a radio digital communication system making it possible to shorten time required for polling without causing increase in an error rate and to efficiently manage and administrate communications. In a digital radio communication system for collecting information from a plurality of terminal stations by polling, a polling response signal to be transmitted from each terminal station to a base station has a frame format constructed of a one-frame in which a cyclic bit pattern is placed at a leading end of the frame format.

Abstract: One-to-many comparisons of callers' words and/or voice prints with known words and/or voice prints to identify any substantial matches between them. When a customer communicates with a particular entity, such as a customer service center, the system makes a recording of the real-time call including both the customer's and agent's voices. The system segments the recording to extract different words, such as words of anger. The system may also segment at least a portion of the customer's voice to create a tone profile, and it formats the segmented words and tone profiles for network transmission to a server. The server compares the customer's words and/or tone profiles with multiple known words and/or tone profiles stored on a database to determine any substantial matches. The identification of any matches may be used for a variety of purposes, such as providing representative feedback or customer follow-up.

Abstract: A method, system, and article of manufacture that improves the chance of getting an answer to a broadcast chat by sending the messages in subscribers in periodically delayed groups. If a group of subscribers does not produce enough suitable answers, the present invention will then rebroadcast the inquiry to another group of subscribers. This process will continue until enough suitable answers are received.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a presence management system comprises a server unit and a plurality of terminal devices. The server unit controls a plurality of presentities and a plurality of watchers. The terminal devices may be set to any of the presentities and the watchers for other terminal devices. The server unit includes a database, a reading module and a notification processing module. The database stores a relationship table in which parameters showing relationships to each watcher for each presentity in a table form. The reading module reads each of the parameters of the watchers for presentities of their change sources from the database when changes in presence of the presentities working under the server unit. The notification processing module notifies the presences of the presentities to each watcher for the presentities of the change sources at timing in accordance with the read parameters.

Abstract: An advertising-effectiveness determination method includes receiving a call made based on identification information provided to an information-providing medium in association with advertisement information. The call is connected to a call receiver indicated by the identification information. Input information input into a calling equipment of the call receiver and sent from the calling equipment is received. An effectiveness of the advertisement information is determined based on the received input information.

Abstract: A system for presenting keywords obtained from users in a review process. The keywords are displayed along with a use value that reflects the number of times users have voted or selected the keyword as being relevant or effective in a review of a product. The keywords can be used to assist consumers in deciding whether to purchase a product or a service, in determining a brand's reputation, or for other purposes. Keywords can be ranked according to usage criteria such as the frequency of use of the keyword in reviews, the reputation of a user/reviewer who created or used the keyword, etc. Rankings can be dynamically updated when keyword usage changes. Such as when a keyword declines in popularity, when words change in meaning or become obsolete or irrelevant with respect to their original intent, etc. Keywords can be used as filters for product searches.

Abstract: A telephone network voting system is configured to process a large number of calls. The system receives telephone ballots cast by voters by dialing an 8YY telephone number. The telephone ballots are received by network edge switch (NES) from a local exchange carrier (LEC), and sequentially received calls are routed to a repeating sequence of segmentation databases (SDs). The SDs are configured for routing calls in a sequentially received series of 8YY calls to a repeating sequence of said NCPs. Switches are mapped to NCPs to minimize congestion on A and AA links. Call announcements are stored in disk cache.

Abstract: A method, system, and article of manufacture that improves the chance of getting an answer to a broadcast chat by sending the messages in subscribers in periodically delayed groups. If a group of subscribers does not produce enough suitable answers, the present invention will then rebroadcast the inquiry to another group of subscribers. This process will continue until enough suitable answers are received.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a telecommunication system, including in particular a mobile radio network (PLMN), to provide a service and to obtain information.

Abstract: The invention relates to making a questionnaire-based survey in a cellular radio system including a central device and a number of independent terminal devices, where between the terminal devices and the central device, data transmission connections can be made. In the method, the central device receives an inquiry message and/or an inquiry table from the terminal device of the researcher, said message defining the survey group that the inquiry message relates to. The central device investigates which predetermined terminal device group and/or inquiry table stored in the central device the received inquiry message relates to, and transmits a notice of the received inquiry message, or at least part of the received inquiry message, and/or a questionnaire to those terminal devices that belong in the terminal device group that the received inquiry message relates to.

Abstract: A system and method for performing independent third party verification utilizes an automated system for posing questions to a customer and for recording and analyzing the customer's responses to those questions. The system could include a voice synthesizer or an audio player for posing oral questions to a customer. The system could also include voice recognition capabilities to analyze a customer's oral responses to questions. The system could also be provided with the capability to analyze a series of customer responses and to create an automated score to confirm or deny the verification process. The system could further include a live operator interface to allow a live operator to quickly review only the customer's responses to a series of verification questions. The live operator's analysis of the customer responses could be compared to the automated analysis as a further check on the verification process.

Abstract: The aim of this invention is to increase the efficiency, precision and rapidity of a sample survey so that it becomes an accessible instrument and easy to use by a large number of institutions. Furthermore, the sample survey method must guarantee a random choice of individuals to be polled according to predefined criteria always maintaining said individuals' anonymity.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for expeditious handling of emergency message frames (e.g., 911 voice-over-Internet-Protocol [VoIP] frames, etc.) sent by a station in a wireless local-area network are disclosed. The illustrative embodiment increases the probability with which an emergency message frame is accorded the highest quality-of-service by establishing polling schedules that preferentially accommodate stations that transmit emergency message frames.

Abstract: A method for coordinating a generally publicly broadcast contest show with automatically dialed marketing telephone calls by which the recipients are first interrogated about their willingness to participate in the contest, and if so, they each disclose for a common data base various identifying aspects of their person. The identifying information is thereafter scanned for potential contest participant selection and once the selection is made a random number generator is used to select from these ranks the actual participants in the contest. During both the contest and in the course of collecting the particulars the keys on a telephone are used to effect interactive exchanges. In addition a voice print may be taken for positive identification. The stored particulars may also be accessed for creating marketing lists.

Abstract: A system and method for performing independent third party verification utilizes an automated system for posing questions to a customer and for recording and analyzing the customer's responses to those questions. The system could include a voice synthesizer or an audio player for posing oral questions to a customer. The system could also include voice recognition capabilities to analyze a customer's oral responses to questions. The system could also be provided with the capability to analyze a series of customer responses and to create an automated score to confirm or deny the verification process. The system could further include a live operator interface to allow a live operator to quickly review only the customer's responses to a series of verification questions. The live operator's analysis of the customer responses could be compared to the automated analysis as a further check on the verification process.

Abstract: A telecommunications network system and method enabling feedback and rating data corresponding to products, services, or product or service providers to be shared among users in real-time. Feedback and rating data can be entered into a database using a telecommunications device, such as a wireless telephone, a wireless hand-held data entry/storage device, PC, and the like. The user entering the data can also input community information relative to his or her community attributes and/or affiliations and the user's physical location is also entered via a user location device and system, such as GPS or a terrestrial system such as AOA, TOA, or the like. The data is stored and processed in accordance with the community and location data and is available in real-time to other users requesting the feedback/rating information. The users requesting the data can enter specific community data requirements so that the data is organized to best fit their own community attributes or affiliations.

Abstract: In an audio-digital telephone interface system, selective operation prompts a caller with oral instructions to provide: digital control signals, digital data signals (numeric) or audio signals. Inbound and outbound operations are involved and inbound callers are qualified as by automatic number identification (ANI) signals and consumable key operation. A data cell is loaded in accordance with an operating program and the resulting data packet is flagged depending on the presence of audio signals. Data packets are returned to storage, as for subsequent addressing to call up, as to process or cue a caller. The illustrative format receives and organizes order data for goods or services or to isolate a subset or a sub-subset of callers.

Abstract: Monitoring apparatus and methods for monitoring the reaction of people to a performance use two or more monitoring devices of different types. Output signals from the monitoring devices are combined to produce at least one crowd reaction signal indicative of the reaction of those people to the performance. Particularly appropriate types of monitoring device are described, as is automatic performance generating apparatus, such an automatic DJ, adapted to use crowd reaction signals to modify performances.

Abstract: In an audio-digital telephone interface system, selective operation prompts a caller with oral instructions to provide: digital control signals, digital data signals (numeric) or audio signals. Inbound and outbound operations are involved and inbound callers are qualified as by automatic number identification (ANI) signals and consumable key operation. A data cell is loaded in accordance with an operating program and the resulting data packet is flagged depending on the presence of audio signals. Data packets are returned to storage, as for subsequent addressing to call up, as to process or cue a caller. The illustrative format receives and organizes order data for goods or services or to isolate a subset or a sub-subset of callers.

Abstract: A system D interfaces with a multiplicity of individual terminals T1-Tn of a telephone network facility C, at the terminals callers are prompted by voice-generated instructions to provide digital data that is identified for positive association with a caller and is stored for processing. The caller's identification data is confirmed using various techniques and callers may be ranked and accounted for on the basis of entitlement, sequence or demographics. Callers are assigned random designations that are stored along with statistical and identification data. A break-off control circuit may terminate the computer interface aborting to a terminal for direct communication with an operator. Real-time operation processing is an alternative to stored data. The accumulation of stored data (statistical, calling order sequence, etc.) is variously processed and correlated as with developed or established data to isolate a select group or subset of callers who can be readily identified and reliably confirmed.

Abstract: A system D interfaces with a multiplicity of individual terminals T1-Tn of a telephone network facility C, at the terminals callers are prompted by voice-generated instructions to provide digital data that is identified for positive association with a caller and is stored for processing. The caller's identification data is confirmed using various techniques and callers may be ranked and accounted for on the basis of entitlement, sequence or demographics. Callers are assigned random designations that are stored along with statistical and identification data. A break-off control circuit may terminate the computer interface aborting to a terminal for direct communication with an operator. Real-time operation processing is an alternative to stored data. The accumulation of stored data (statistical, calling order sequence, etc.) is variously processed and correlated as with developed or established data to isolate a select group or subset of callers who can be readily identified and reliably confirmed.

Abstract: A rate adaptive polling method sensitive to network congestion is used to monitor network resources. Initially, a baseline rate constraint is set based on desirable engineering factors. Unacknowledged polls are retransmitted with timeouts, successively increasing by a factor of 2. During each polling round, the rate is adapted in accordance with congestion feedback and changes in node status such as recently activated or deactivated nodes. Congestion feedback is estimated from a congestion metric computed as the average delay of all active nodes. Depending on the value of the congestion metric corresponding to polling round Rj, the minimum rate of polling for round Rj+1 is adapted accordingly.

Abstract: The invention is an SMS distribution method for inquiries, invitations and proposals in which inquiries are sent to mobile telephone numbers included in a distribution list and their replies are collected as text messages via the SMS service (7) provided by the telecommunications network by means of a software program (1) installed on a server (2). The problem in distributing inquiries with existing SMS services has been the limited possibility of replying to the sending telecommunications operator and separating replies to several inquiries from one another. In the method embodied by this invention, universally reachable mobile network numbers (11) are used as reply addresses for the inquiries, invitations and proposals, and replies are separated from one another by means of reply addresses consisting of public mobile communication network numbers and SMS service numbers and automatically generated reply symbols.