Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for performance management. A member within an entity is selected and a performance assessment of the member is conducted. The information collected from the performance assessment is stored in a database. A self-assessment by the member is conducted and the information from the self-assessment is also stored in the database. An appraisal of the member is conducted using the data from both the performance assessment and the self-assessment and the information obtained from the appraisal is stored.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automated system configured to facilitate transfers of cash value from one or more lines of credit to one or more deposit accounts or payment systems. An automated system ensures that requested funds are available in a customer's one or more lines of credit and electronically deposits the requested funds into one or more designated deposit accounts or payment systems. An automated system provides a means for customers to manage lines of credit, setup transfer transactions, define rules governing transfers and view transactional history. The automated system, in network connection with the lending organization's backend systems, may authenticate customer identities and credit accounts as well as insure that the requested funds are available for transfer into a deposit account.

Abstract: A method of forming a dielectric film having at least Si—N, Si—C, or Si—B bonds on a semiconductor substrate by atomic layer deposition (ALD), includes: adsorbing a precursor on a surface of a substrate; supplying a reactant gas over the surface; reacting the precursor and the reactant gas on the surface; and repeating the above steps to form a dielectric film having at least Si—N, Si—C, or Si—B bonds on the substrate. The precursor has at least one Si—C or Si—N bond, at least one hydrocarbon, and at least one halogen attached to silicon in its molecule.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for handling post transactional credit disputes in real-time via a variety of transactional environments and architectures. The system includes one or more workstations linked to a communication channel and one or more servers with at least one having capability of displaying a plurality of pre-existing dispute handling forms. A party in dispute may access the forms, choose an appropriate dispute handling form, provide data in the pre-defined requested fields on the form, and transmit the form over the communication channel to a server for processing. A server accepts a User ID and password from a user, retrieves and displays a set of dispute handling forms, receives input entered on the forms, routes the forms to a second user in dispute, and makes the forms available for viewing to the second user. The program may further index the data entered on the forms using a code-based method.

Abstract: The system enables a data processing framework that polls for files using a listener, controls the workflow using event driven logic, processes financial transactions, and creates a business to business trading partner network. The listener ensures the reliability and data integrity of input files and performs archiving functions. The payment management functions automatically processes transactions, including payor (e.g., the buyer) initiated payments to a payee (e.g., a supplier) by utilizing a flexible, decoupled processing architecture. A payment management computer identifies a universal identifier for each entity and forms relationships and hierarchies in order to increase efficiency of the trading partner network. Metadata describes the format, validation and relationships for a wide variety of financial account data.

Abstract: A system and method to optimize the yield of a restaurant having perishable inventory is described. Through a card company, a restaurant can market incentives to make reservations during an off-peak time to enrolled card members. Offer marketing is based on stated customer preferences, and conducted via, for example, a website, email, or text message. Reservations are made, for example, via a centralized booking service. The incentive is fulfilled to the card member in a coupon-less manner. The card company receives a commission from the participating restaurant for every such sale.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking expenditures incurred by an entity involves determining the costs incurred, reading a file containing business model information, and allocating the costs according to the business model information. The business model information includes information regarding the internal structure of the entity including groups and sub-groups within the entity. Furthermore, value drivers of the entity and application profiles of the entity are also taken into consideration in determining whether various groups and sub-groups within the entity are performing optimally.

Abstract: Commercial size of spending wallet (“CSoSW”) is the total business spend of a business including cash but excluding bartered items. Commercial share of wallet (“CSoW”) is the portion of the spending wallet that is captured by a particular financial company. A modeling approach utilizes various data sources to provide outputs that describe a company's spend capacity. Online marketplaces that allow small businesses to advertise their services can use this CSoW/CSoSW modeling approach to provide a rating that gives an indication of the business prospects of the vendors listed on their sites. Further, such marketplaces can combine this information with their own internal analytics to provide a single holistic rating.

Abstract: A solution is provided for a method for a user to shop online in a three dimensional (3D) virtual reality (VR) setting by receiving a request at a shopping server to view a shopping location, having at least one store, and displaying the shopping location to the user's computer in a 3D interactive simulation view via a web browser to emulate a real-life shopping experience for the user. The server then obtains a request to enter into one of the stores and displays the store website to the user in the same web browser. The store website has one or more enhanced VR features. The server then receives a request to view at least one product and the product is presented in a 3D interactive simulation view to emulate a real-life viewing of the product.

Abstract: Commercial size of spending wallet (“CSoSW”) is the total business spend of a business including cash but excluding bartered items. Commercial share of wallet (“CSoW”) is the portion of the spending wallet that is captured by a particular financial company. A modeling approach utilizes various data sources to provide outputs that describe a company's spend capacity. Companies which provide databases of financial information about other companies can use scores provided by this CSoW/CSoSW modeling approach to give an indication of how much the company is likely to spend in the future.

Abstract: The invention facilitates monitoring, identifying, allocating and distributing the costs related to the consumption of raw technology resources by an organization. The invention provides a controller for automatically billing a designated account, project, division or third party for fees associated with the computing time, use or other similar services. The system may utilize a rules engine or any other factors for dividing the billings. The system may provide loyalty points for computer usage or accept loyalty points to pay for computer usage. The system may also monitor use in substantially real-time or provide notifications and warnings related to low or excessive use. Enhanced descriptive billing statements can be created simplifying the process of reconciling fees to the computing costs. The system may also compile usage statistics and send out requests for bids to obtain improved financial arrangements or to share usage with other entities.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for offering transaction account consumers with payment term options to pay a minimum amount due early, defer payment into the following payment cycle, and pay a standard amount when due. When generating a periodic billing statement, the invention determines a consumer's eligibility to elect early payment, deferred payment, and regular payment. When a consumer is eligible for early payment, a received payment is compared to a discount rate tier, then a discount amount is calculated and credited to the consumer's account. When the consumer is eligible for deferred payment, the system calculates a new current minimum payment due by multiplying the current non-deferred balance by a predetermined percentage amount and adding the result to the deferred balance. When the consumer is not eligible for deferred payment, the system calculates a new current minimum due by summing the current non-deferred balance with the deferred balance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for video management facilitate operations on a video file based on a transcript or other annotations about the video file. On a stand-alone DVD player, DVD menu components facilitate navigation of a video file in increments corresponding to a portion of a transcript of the video file, for example one page of the transcript at a time. Transcript text may be presented as part of the DVD menu components to enable a user to read the transcript in increments and navigate the video file accordingly.

Abstract: The loyalty system allows a consumer to accumulate general loyalty points from one or more merchants, and convert any desired subset of general points to loyalty dollars associated with a specific merchant. The system stores, for each consumer, the merchant loyalty dollars (or monetary equivalent) by merchant within a remotely-accessible host database or within a smart card database. Upon conducting a purchase at a particular merchant, the consumer may utilize a code key to facilitate access to the consumer's own loyalty dollars for the particular merchant. The loyalty dollars are then applied to the purchase transaction as a discount or rebate. The consumer may also re-load the merchant loyalty dollar accounts.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing prepaid cash alternatives and resolving exceptions related to the sale of prepaid cash alternatives such as traveler's cheques or prepaid cards. Reports of sales may be reviewed to identify exceptions, and information explaining the exceptions may be made available electronically. Sellers may be notified of exceptions by e-mail, which may include a link or address to information explaining the exceptions. The information may be provided in real time through a secure site on a network, such as the Internet. A company may contract with business partners to sell the prepaid cash alternatives to customers, and the business partners may report the sales to the company via reports. After being notified of exceptions, business partners may provide corrected information or new information to resolve the exceptions.

Abstract: A method of labeling a package for shipment includes: providing a shipping label having a generally laminar body with a designated tear path matrix extending over at least a major portion thereof, the generally laminar body having a face side on which is printed origination, destination and tracking data, and a bottom side to which is applied a pressure-sensitive adhesive surface; and attaching the shipping label to a surface of the package, via the pressure-sensitive adhesive surface on the bottom side of said label, prior to its shipment via a common carrier. The designated tear path matrix may be a pattern of interconnected regular hexagons, or a pattern of intersecting first and second parallel tear lines. The tear path matrix may be formed by through-hole perforations in the label body, by channels in the label body, or by regions of reduced shear strength in the label body.

Abstract: An exemplary extended switched-mode controller is provided for controlling the switching of a switched-mode power converter. This exemplary extended switched-mode controller further comprises a standard switched-mode controller and an auxiliary controller configured to receive standard switch control signals from the switched-mode controller and to (1) pass the standard switch control signals to the switched-mode power converter during non-transient operation, and (2) provide auxiliary switch control signals to the switched-mode power converter during transient operation instead of the standard switch control signals. The auxiliary controller is further configured to determine when to provide the auxiliary switch control signals and to determine what control signals to provide at least partially based on an auxiliary feedback input signal comprising at least one of: sensed converter voltages, converter currents, and an error signal.