Abstract: A workflow can be managed by presenting one or more questions to a user, wherein the questions are associated with a present status of an entity being processed through a workflow; receiving input from the user corresponding to the presented questions; evaluating the received input to determine whether one or more tasks associated with the present status have been completed; determining to advance the entity to a subsequent status in the workflow if each of the tasks associated with the present status has been completed; and executing an action mapping to advance the entity. Further, it can be determined not to advance the entity to the subsequent status in the workflow if each of the one or more tasks associated with the present status has not been completed. Thus, the entity can be retained in the present status or transferred to a previous status in the workflow.

Abstract: A mobile collection application is disclosed that is capable of providing collection data to a field agent on a wireless pocket PC. A collection case inventory module is used to generate a list of collection cases on the wireless pocket PC. The field agent may view a detailed report of collection cases that are contained in the list of collection cases. A payment plan component is also provided that allows the field agent to work out a payment plan with the debtor. The mobile collection application is also capable of allowing field agents to register transient taxpayers for the purpose of collecting sales and use taxes.

Abstract: A reverse rating system determines the duration for which a phone call or other transaction may continue, given an account balance on a pre-paid customer account. The duration may take into consideration multiple time bands, applicable discounts, rating plans and other characteristics of the customer account and telecommunications service. The telecommunications service provider may employ the duration information to determine when to disconnect an ongoing transaction. As a result, the telecommunications service provider avoids substantial revenue loses from continuing to allow a pre-paid customer to continue their transaction longer than their account balance will support.

Abstract: The invention provides a call system and methods whereby users can establish a predetermined list of contacts and whereby those contacts can be reached by the touch of a single button on a communications device. The system in accordance with the invention will also determine whether the designated contacts are available and directly connect the user to an available contact. The invention also allows users to establish a set of access rules governing when and who may be contacted using the communications device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a sound control installation for at least one electrical unit comprising two cameras (4, 5) to take pictures of an area (A) in a space containing the electrical units; three microphones (6, 7, 8) positioned at different locations to sense the sounds in said space; a control screen (3) displaying an image of the space and the electrical units; a control device for positioning on the control screen a cursor (C) in accordance with the movements of the hand of a user detected by the cameras, and for controlling an electrical unit when: the cursor is on the image of an electrical unit, a sound is produced, and a system associated with the microphones checks that the origin of the sound is close to the position of the hand.

Abstract: A system, application and product in data processing is disclosed for setting up a credit check of a customer. A customer risk category is set. A credit is reviewed based on the risk category. A customer hierarchy is set. A customer credit limit is assigned to the customer based on the reviewed credit and the customer hierarchy.

Abstract: A system and method for determining positions of multiple targets on a planar surface is described. The targets subject to detection may include a touch from a body part (such as a finger), a pen, or other objects. The system and method may use light sensors, such as cameras, to generate information for the multiple simultaneous targets (such as finger, pens, etc.) that are proximate to or on the planar surface. The information from the cameras may be used to generate possible targets. The possible targets include both “real” targets (a target associated with an actual touch) and “ghost” targets (a target not associated with an actual touch). Using analysis, such as a history of previous targets, the list of potential targets may then be narrowed to the multiple targets by analyzing state information for targets from a previous cycle (such as the targets determined during a previous frame).

Abstract: Content files such as photographs, video, graphics and/or music are indexed to identify subjects captured in them. Indexed content files are scanned to identify content files that match certain criteria. Content files that satisfy the selection criteria are directed to appropriate output devices for display such that related files are presented in a fashion by which a theme or message is conveyed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a system for determining a scent or taste profile of a user consisting in: storing for each of a set of products chosen among products for which a database contains smell of taste prints constituted by a set of measurements given by smell or taste electronic sensors, a rating (SN) given by the user; and automatically calculating weighting coefficients constituting said profile and respectively affected to said sensors, by successive approximation of sets of weighting coefficients leading to minimizing the sum of the quadratic errors over the set of satisfaction notes.

Abstract: A defined contribution benefits tool having various embodiments interfaces employers, employees, brokers and benefits suppliers. Suppliers provide product information. An employer creates an employer profile indicating the categories of benefits to offer, which categories are required, which categories the employer will contribute to, and the contribution range for the categories. Based on the profile (and from other available products), a portfolio recommendation that essentially meets the requirements is generated. Based on the portfolio recommendation, the employer chooses a set of products as its benefits portfolio. Employees create an employee profile allocating the total employer contribution among a set of benefit categories. A package recommendation that essentially meets the requirements set forth in the employee's profile is generated. From this recommendation (and from other available products), the employee chooses his or her benefits package.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to systems and methods for improving a sort plan. According to one embodiment, several groups are formed where each group contains articles having an identifier of a hierarchical structure. In certain embodiments, the identifier may include a geographical indication, such as a postal or ZIP code. Further aspects relate to systems and methods for conducting sort plan optimization where at least some prior data is known or otherwise obtainable. In one embodiment, data relating to the quantity of groups within the sort plan, the quantity of articles associated with each identifier, and/or the quantity of articles within each group may be estimated or known. In certain embodiments, such data may be utilized to assign articles to specific bins, including any available bin, and then optimize the sort plan by selecting at least one bin for improvement.

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating a public sector organization includes identifying at least one outcome measure and at least one cost-effectiveness measure for a public sector organization; obtaining measurements associated with the measure; and determining a relative public performance measure of the public sector organization based on the measurements.

Abstract: In an approach to financial management, a data representation is formed that defines a number of data elements and relationships between the data elements according to one or more regulatory requirements. Data characterizing availability of particular ones of the data elements for a financial institution are accepted, and actual or potential compliance by the financial institution with at least some of the regulatory requirements is then analyzed. The analysis can include identifying gaps in collection of values associated with the data elements for the regulator requirements, which can relate to calculation requirements and/or to reporting requirements for the regulations. Data representing computations associated with the regulatory requirements can be stored and the computations can then be executed to validate other implementations of the calculation.

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: The present invention relates to a system and method for fully electronic identity authentication, with particular application to electronic election registration and voting. In particular, the present invention provides an authentication system that operates in conjunction with a secure server to authenticate users to provide access information as needed for the authenticated users to access the secure server.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and system for determining the age of an object such as a product containing volatile components, comprising: measuring a first strength of a first scent with a first electronic sensor, the decay rate constant of the first scent being known; measuring simultaneously a second strength of a second scent with a second electronic sensor, the decay rate constant of the second scent being known; calculating a current scent ratio (?) of the two scent strengths; and determining the age of the object from a reference time for which a reference scent ratio (?0) of the scent strengths has been registered.

Abstract: A wearable computer system has a user interface with at least an audio-only mode of operating, and that is natural in appearance and facilitates natural interactions with the system and the user's surroundings. The wearable computer system may retrieve information from the user's voice or surroundings using a passive user interface. The audio-only user interface for the wearable computer system may include two audio receivers and a single output device, such as a speaker, that provides audio data directly to the user. The two audio receivers may be miniature microphones that collaborate to input audio signals from the user's surroundings while also accurately inputting voice commands from the user. Additionally, the user may enter natural voice commands to the wearable computer system in a manner that blends in with the natural phrases and terminology spoken by the user.

Abstract: A call center application data and interoperation architecture provides a centralized design for managing applications providing call center functionality. The architecture integrates information flow using a mater data repository for all applications for all aspects of a call center operation. The architecture provides employee information at defined levels through the complete employment life cycle, including the initial hiring and termination. The architecture provides the employee information by integrating human resources information with call center applications such as Employee attendance and Leave management, ID management, Transport management, Commitment logs, and Movement management, or any other application.

Abstract: A performance management system renders performance management data and computed and aggregated metrics in a portfolio view. The performance management data flexibly calculates metrics from elemental data, aggregates the data within and across hierarchies, and establishes cross hierarchy performance management targets. Cross hierarchy performance management targets provide deeper insight into business performance through which the performance management system meets the performance management reporting challenges of modern, complex, global businesses.

Abstract: A subscriber profile access management system provides technical solutions to providing a single point of access to telecommunications subscriber profile information. As the products and services offered by the service provider grow, and given the many different access mechanisms through which a subscriber connects to services, the single point of access eliminates the inefficient proliferation of custom interfaces between the many support systems and applications which need access to subscriber profile information. The single point of access provides a universal and personalized access to telecommunications services. Access may be made to the subscriber profile regardless of the particular type of access mechanism (e.g., WiFi, or DSL access), while the personalized access allows services to be customized based upon static and dynamically maintained information in the subscriber profile.