Abstract: A method and system for managing privilege information across multiple applications and/or databases is provided. A flexible and extensible enterprise entitlement framework may be implemented to store and manage various types of privileges, access rights and resources. The enterprise entitlement framework may include a variety of data objects and structures configured to store various components and/or aspects of a privilege. The data objects may include resource type objects, user objects, role objects, action objects, resource attribute objects, list item object and/or hierarchy objects. The data objects defined for a particular privilege may further be linked according to relationships between one or more objects. The enterprise entitlement framework is extensible for use with new applications by defining new objects compatible with the privilege structures of the new applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with the invention relate to matching user attributes. In one exemplary implementation, the system and methods may store predetermined general attribute descriptors reflecting attributes of users generally, receive personal attribute descriptors selected from the predetermined general attribute descriptors as corresponding to attributes of a first user and a second user, receive a rating associated with each received personal attribute descriptor, compare at least one personal attribute descriptor associated with the first user with at least one personal attribute descriptor associated with the second user to determine a descriptor match, and calculate a match score based on the determined descriptor match and the received ratings. In addition, first and second display points may be displayed and may be separated by a one-dimensional display distance that is a function of the calculated match score.

Abstract: A system is described for aiding a user in reducing a carbon footprint. The system includes a processor to process inputted energy use information, where the energy use information is specific to the user. The processor determines an outputted emission data in accordance with the inputted energy use information. A screenshot displays the outputted emission data, wherein the emission data includes a custom action for reducing the carbon footprint.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with the invention relate to matching user attributes. In one exemplary implementation, the system and methods may store predetermined general attribute descriptors reflecting attributes of users generally, receive personal attribute descriptors selected from the predetermined general attribute descriptors as corresponding to attributes of a first user and a second user, receive a rating associated with each received personal attribute descriptor, compare at least one personal attribute descriptor associated with the first user with at least one personal attribute descriptor associated with the second user to determine a descriptor match, and calculate a match score based on the determined descriptor match and the received ratings. In addition, first and second display points may be displayed and may be separated by a one-dimensional display distance that is a function of the calculated match score.

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.

Abstract: Methods and systems for structuring and operating an integrated energy merchant enterprise are provided. Enterprise core value creation functions are first identified. The core value creation functions are those that are primary profit and loss drivers and are generally market facing entities. The core value creation functions are then integrated with one or more integration functions. The integration functions and core value creation functions are controlled with one or more governance functions.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for performing threat assessments. In one exemplary embodiment, the method may include generating one or more patterns of behavior corresponding to a security breach at a first company, and storing the generated one or more patterns in a pattern repository. In addition, the method may include comparing at least one of the one or more patterns with one or more standardized log files for the first company to identify one or more first log entries related to the behavior corresponding to the security breach. The method may also include processing at least one pattern of the one or more patterns with one or more standardized log files for a second company to identify log entries of the second company that indicate a possible security breach at the second company.

Abstract: Embodiments of the claimed subject matter provide a process and system for designing composite application systems. One embodiment of the claimed subject matter is a process of designing a composite application system to meet an application requirement. The process includes defining a use case scenario performed by a composite application system to meet the application requirement, integrating the use case scenario with an execution tool, and specifying an underlying infrastructure for the system design, wherein, the entire process is performed within an integrated software application.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for delivering telecommunications services to customers. The systems and methods allow for the rapid creation and deployment of new telecommunications services, and the bundling of multiple services into service packages that can be sold together as a single product. Based on the systems and methods, targeted service packages may be developed and marketed toward business customers in specific industries. The systems and method provide opportunities for new business arrangements between telecommunications service providers and smaller third party providers. The new business arrangements provide access to a much wider customer pool for the third party providers, and create new sources of revenue for telecoms.

Abstract: Methods, computer-readable media, and apparatuses support the accreditation of an employee based on training provided to the employee. Different employment areas are supported, including services and manufacturing. The employee's experience level and performance rating are compared with a predetermined experience duration and an acceptable performance rating, respectively, in order to determine a number of training modules and an allowed time frame to complete the number of training modules. The number of training modules is selected from a collection of training modules based on a performance indicator that is associated with the employee. When the employee has completed the number of training modules in the allowed time frame, the employee is accredited. If an employee's performance is less than a satisfactory performance rating, the employee may forfeit accreditation. Consequently, the employee must repeat the accreditation process in order to regain accreditation.

Abstract: A rule generation system facilitates the dynamic generation of rules for an insurance claim processing computer system. The rule generation system includes various modules and graphical user interfaces that provide a streamlined mechanism for creating new rules for the insurance claim processing architecture. The rule generation system may include various levels of usability that distinguish between an advanced user of the rule generation system and basic user that uses the generated rules. The rule generation system may also include graphical user interfaces directed to adding, editing, removing, or maintaining rules for the insurance claim processing computer system.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for providing a closed loop supply chain in a paper packaging business sector. A closed loop supply chain, as provided by a paper packaging company, includes collecting paper packaging waste from a retailer, producing paper material from the paper packaging waste, converting the paper material into packaging material, providing the packaging material to a product manufacturing company, and assisting the product manufacturing company in packaging a manufactured product. The paper packaging company may transport the manufactured product from the product manufacturing company to the retailer, obtain timber harvest, and produce paper material from the timber harvest and the paper packaging waste. Paper-packaging material is monitored as the paper-packaging material moves with a closed-loop supply chain.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are demographic based content delivery systems and associated methods that automatically and non-invasively detect information regarding one or more persons within a designated viewing area. In embodiments of the systems and methods, two different automatic viewer identification and demographic classification technologies may be utilized, either alone or on combination. The technologies include image recognition technologies that utilize computer driven image and pattern recognition analysis algorithms and radio frequency identification tagging and reading technologies. Data collected from either one of or both of the two technologies is used to feed a demographic classification algorithm which then delivers different multimedia content based upon the determination of the algorithm. The embodiments of the invention may therefore be advantageously utilized to market in real time to consumers at the point of sale.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are inventions that integrate a home television set top box (“STB”) or home media center with a smart voicemail system of a telephone service provider. Smart voicemail features, such as email notification of voicemails, or online playback of voicemails, may be used to obtain digital voicemail audio files that are then stored and maintained in a home computer network. These files can be served over the network via a networked television STB or a media center computer, to a display monitor during normal usage. Embodiments cause new voicemail notifications to be displayed during typical operation of a television with the STB or media center computer and provide users with an interface for responding to new voicemail notifications, and reviewing, managing, and playing back voicemail. Messages received thus can be easily identified and reviewed through an interface with which subscribers are extremely comfortable.

Abstract: A tax transaction system, and combined sale and tax transaction systems, are disclosed for use in electronic commerce for the deduction of a tax, which may be a sales tax, value-added tax, or any tax on income related to a transaction or taxing event. A trusted third party server system (300, 1060) may be provided which handles the calculation and/or deduction of a tax, e.g. related to a transaction of the sale of a good or service from a seller (200) to a buyer (100), on behalf of the seller, and which further provides for the remission of the tax to a tax collection agency (500, 1090), and which may perform the entire sale and tax transaction by proxy on behalf of the seller. Software modules (1070) including objects which embody instruction code and data structures to enable integral tax calculation and collection solutions, including multi jurisdictional tax calculation, remission and reporting, and even real time tax collection at point of sale, are provided.

Abstract: An event analysis system monitors information available from both publicly and privately distributed networks of information for events that are relevant to the user's particular business concerns. Those concerns are defined in a customized model of the user's organization and external business environment. The system receives the information, detects events in the information, interprets the events, and determines implications of these events. The detection and implication proceeds with regard to specific entities, relationships between entities, and definitions of the types of events which may occur in the environment in which the entities exist. Accordingly, the analysis system intelligently adapts its processing to recognize and report events which may be of interest for any particular entity.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for a first business entity to provide a network-based supply chain framework for collaborative order management between at least a second and a third independent business entity, such as a service provider, vendor, reseller, manufacturer and the like. A request for an order is received over a network with an automated system, from at least a second business entity. The order is transmitted over a network, with an automated system, to at least the third business entity. Information is received from the third business entity relating to a status of completion of the order by the third business entity using a network. The progress in completing the order is tracked based on the information received from the third business entity. Progress reports from the tracking are generated periodically; and transmitted to the second business entity using the network.

Abstract: A script analyzer with change guide generates accurate test scripts for evolving applications. Applications often have complex graphical user interfaces for which the permutations and combinations of GUI elements give rise to an enormous field of potential commands and command sequences to be tested. Furthermore, these applications change over time, rendering prior test scripts unworkable. The script analyzer automatically generates new test scripts to reliably test subsequent application versions, while greatly reducing the time, cost, and resource expenditures needed to arrive at subsequent application versions.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that facilitates creation of a web-based user interface which obtains user profile information from a database, gathers information from one or more users regarding product characteristics, correlates the user responses, performs statistical analysis of the user responses and presents the statistical analysis in a user comprehendible manner. The system also stores statistical ratings in a database correlated to a particular product or service. Ratings are provided to a user from the database based on a particular product or service, and the database can be queried to retrieve one or more user profiles that have rated a product of interest to the current use.

Abstract: A system determines one or more winning candidate bids and includes an offer receipt module that creates an offer which includes a request for a demand shaping tactic, a type of product, a demand opportunity group, and a desired demand response. A customer potential scoring module determines a customer potential score for the offer based on the demand opportunity group and the demand shaping tactic. A bid receipt module receives a plurality bids for a plurality of different offers including the offer. A bid matching module determines one or more matching bids of the plurality of bids based on the demand shaping tactic, the type of product, the demand opportunity group, and the desired demand response of the offer. A bid determination module determines one or more winning candidate bids based on the customer potential score, ad yield of the winning candidate bid, and customer lifetime value.