Abstract: A database used by a consumer reporting agency for storing application information data in association with transaction and experience information. A consumer applying for credit submits personal and financial information either verbally or by filling out a form. The application information data submitted verbally or by a form is submitted by an institution along with a request for a credit report on the consumer. The consumer reporting agency receives the request and stores the application information separately from the transaction and experience information. Each time an institution submits application information data related to the consumer, the data is accumulated in successive records and maintained. In response to a request for a report on a consumer, the consumer reporting agency forwards a response based on the application records accumulated.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses are presented for using cross-domain communication to allow manufacturers and other sellers to use cloud/Internet-based products catalog services without sacrificing the search-engine optimization benefit of catalog pages hosted within the manufacturer's domain. The Same Origin Policy used by many browsers may disallow direct communication to the manufacturer's domain for corporate web site and other functions, on the one hand, and an external domain for an efficiently hosted products catalog, on the other. Some embodiments present the use of the JSONP protocol for cross-domain retrieval of a Catalog Widget that is configured to retrieve product catalog information directly from the external domain. In these embodiments, search-engine optimization is furthered by the efficient production of numerous catalog pages that originate from the external domain yet appear to users and search engine crawlers to be within the manufacturer's domain.

Abstract: A target world wide port name of a target port of a storage system is identified, by a device located in a path between a switch port of a switch and the target port of the storage system. A first port of the device is registered with the switch based on the target world wide port name, in a first registration procedure. Registration information relating to an initiator port of a server that is associated with the target port is received, in a second registration procedure. An initiator world wide port name of the initiator port of the server is determined, based on the registration information. A storage volume in the storage system that is associated with the initiator port is identified, based on the initiator world wide port name of the initiator port.

Abstract: A method for operating a communications system is disclosed. At a first point in time, the communications system is operated using a first TDM switch/MUX controlling a first set of TDM streams operating at a first frequency. At a second point in time, a second TDM switch/MUX is installed in the communications system which controls the first set of TDM streams operating at the first frequency and also controls a second set of TDM streams operating at a second frequency that is different as compared to the first frequency. The second TDM switch/MUX couples TDM streams to and from the communications system at the first frequency, while concurrently coupling TDM streams to and from the communications system at the second frequency, and an upgradable switch/MUX capability is provided in the communications system.

Abstract: A method for providing a report database is disclosed. A server system coordinates management activities for a plurality of localized devices. An abstraction layer references the localized devices as “locations” rather than physical equipment, which are distinct from an IP address. The server system communicates with an individual device of the plurality of localized devices via the abstraction layer to request software distribution information without requiring user initiation at the individual device. Communications between the server system and the individual device are performed using a protectable communications protocol that includes an atomic error handling capability to enable one or more transaction instructions to be reversed upon an error in one of the plurality of transaction instructions.

Abstract: A target world wide port name of a target port of a storage system is identified, by a device located in a path between a switch port of a switch and the target port of the storage system. A first port of the device is registered with the switch based on the target world wide port name, in a first registration procedure. Registration information relating to an initiator port of a server that is associated with the target port is received, in a second registration procedure. An initiator world wide port name of the initiator port of the server is determined, based on the registration information. A storage volume in the storage system that is associated with the initiator port is identified, based on the initiator world wide port name of the initiator port.

Abstract: Methods for managing localized devices providing voice/data services in a plurality of geographically diverse locations. A console system is provided to coordinate management activities for software on the plurality of localized devices. The console system communicates with an individual device of the plurality of localized devices via a protectable communications protocol to provide software configuration information to the individual device. The software configuration information provides the individual device with information sufficient to establish a direct link with a software distribution server in order to receive software data without requiring user initiation at the individual device. The protectable communications protocol includes an atomic error handling capability to enable one or more transaction instructions to be conditionally executed. Marketing feedback statistics may be collected from the plurality of localized devices sufficient to assess the response to an advertisement.

Abstract: A system for managing voice and data communications coupled to a wide area telecommunications network. Video data is coupled between the system and a video unit under control of a processor. Audio data is coupled between the system and a microphone unit under control of the processor. The audio data are coupled to a TDM bus in the system operating under control of the processor. The video and audio data are coupled to a digital transmission link of the wide area telecommunications network. A user participates in a video call with the video data, while concurrently the user participates in a telephone call with the audio data. Voice communications of the telephone call that stay in a circuit-switched form are provided via the TDM bus. The video call and the telephone call provide a conference call.

Abstract: Systems and methods by which voice/data communications may occur in multiple modes/protocols are disclosed. In particular, systems and methods are provided for multiple native mode/protocol voice and data transmissions and receptions with a computing system having a multi-bus structure, including, for example, a TDM bus and a packet bus, and multi-protocol framing engines. Such systems preferably include subsystem functions such as PBX, voice mail and other telephony functions, LAN hub and data router. In preferred embodiments, a TDM bus and a packet bus are intelligently bridged and managed, thereby enabling such multiple mode/protocol voice and data transmissions to be intelligently managed and controlled with a single, integrated system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring, making, managing and controlling telephone communications with a computer call assistant with an integrated voice/data communications system are disclosed. A call assistant computer application preferably runs on a personal computer (“PC”) coupled to the integrated system over a packet bus. The call assistant exchanges control and/or status packets with the integrated system preferably over a packet bus. The call assistant enables the user to make, receive and control telephone calls, monitor the status of the user's extension, voice mail, etc., and preferably operates with integrated systems capable of transmitting and receiving voice and data in multiple modes.

Abstract: A communications system provides voice or data services in a plurality of geographically diverse sites. A plurality of localized devices provide portions of voice or data services at each site. The localized devices are managed with a console system. The console system coordinates management activities for the plurality of localized devices. A protectable communications protocol is utilized for communications between the console system and the plurality of localized devices. The console system communicates with an individual device of the plurality of localized devices via the protectable communications protocol to provide software distribution instructions to the individual device. The software distribution instructions provide the individual device with information sufficient to establish a direct link with a software distribution server in order to receive software distribution data without user intervention.

Abstract: A system for monitoring auxiliary operations on a drilling unit includes at least one sensor configured to measure a parameter related to a start time and a stop time of at least one auxiliary operation on the drilling unit. The system includes a data acquisition device configured to determine a start time and a stop time of the at least one auxiliary operation from measurements made by the at least one sensor. The data acquisition device includes a data recorder for recording elapsed time between the start time and the stop time.

Abstract: Integrated communications systems having a scalable or upgradable TDM switch fabric (i.e., e.g., TDM-controlling switch/MUX) are disclosed. At a first point in time a system is first sold, installed and utilized with a first TDM capacity, using a first TDM switch/MUX controlling a first set of TDM streams operating at a first frequency. A first set of line and other cards (e.g., DSP resources) are provided to provide or receive the first set of TDM streams. At a second point in time the system is upgraded by installation of a second TDM switch/MUX; the second TDM switch MUX controls the first set of TDM streams operating at the first frequency and also controls a second set of TDM streams operating at second frequency, which is a frequency different and preferably higher as compared to the first frequency.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for automating insurance underwriting by integrating information from multiple online databases and creating decision making advice useful to insurance underwriters. One system includes a client, database, and server. The client allows an underwriter to enter applicant information, enter customized risk modifiers, and receive an underwriting decision. The database provides additional applicant information. This information can include one or more of prescription drug history, credit history, motor vehicle records, and geocentric mortality risk. The server obtains the applicant information, calculates the applicant's risk, makes an underwriting decision. Another system calculates a prescription drug risk for an applicant from pharmacy benefits management data, drug risk category data, and application data.

Abstract: The present invention discloses improved systems and methods for multisite management of computer server systems and in particular converged communication systems based on a decentralized architecture. Certain and various aspects relating to atomic error handling, transaction-based authentication/security, intelligent bandwidth management, decoupled data/configuration messaging, improved scalability, auto-detection functions, business metrics, etc., also are disclosed. A console is disclosed that communicates with each of a plurality of converged communications systems, e.g., preferably through the use of sockets. The actual traffic load is decentralized among the computer server systems, as each one uses direct connections (e.g., via an enhanced file transfer protocol) to access update/configuration data as needed. In addition, an improved communication protocol is disclosed that is optimized for the multisite management architecture of the present invention.

Abstract: Systems and methods by which voice/data communications may occur are disclosed. In particular, systems and methods are provided with a computing system having a multi-bus structure, including, for example, a TDM bus and a packet bus. An integrated communication system is coupled to a digital telecommunications link, the communication system providing voice and data communications to a plurality of users. At least a first packet bus is coupled to one or more packet-based devices and adapted for transferring packetized data to and from the system. One or more time division multiplex (TDM) buses are coupled to one or more telephony devices. Data routing resources are provided internal to the integrated system. A network interface module couples data to and from a data router external to the integrated system. The data router external to the integrated system is coupled to the first packet bus.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are provided for human resource assessment. A resource planning device includes a processor, a memory, and a user interface coupled to one another. The device includes program instructions storable in the memory and executable by the processor to present, in a selectable configuration, organization specific human resource content after processing according to a selectable set of business rules. The selectable set of business rules are process neutral, brand neutral, and assessment neutral between various organizations. The device can track input to the organization specific content and analyze the input. A participant loading module is coupled to the processor and memory. The participant loading module includes a set of instructions which can be executed by the processor to load a client provided file of personnel information from a particular organization's enterprise database.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are provided for human resource assessment. A resource planning device includes a processor, a memory, and a user interface coupled to one another. The device includes program instructions storable in the memory and executable by the processor to present, in a selectable configuration, organization specific human resource content after processing according to a selectable set of business rules. The selectable set of business rules are process neutral, brand neutral, and assessment neutral between various organizations. The device can track input to the organization specific content and analyze the input.

Abstract: A consumer credit information data base for storing current consumer credit information, as well as historical credit data information. On-line computerized systems can access the data base and present current and historical credit data information to users so that better assessments can be made as to the credit worthiness of a consumer.

Abstract: Provided herein are data structures, processes and systems to facilitate scheduling of complex work orders to a mobile workforce. Complex work orders are comprised of several distinct sub-orders that require coordinated scheduling because the start of one sub-order is dependent on the start or completion of another. The data structure provided herein identifies a set of member sub-orders required for completing complex work orders and relates those sub-orders to one another by precedence criteria that establish which sub-orders are dependent on which other sub-orders. This data structure is used in computer processes integrated with workforce management systems to permit such systems to schedule and/or assign individual work orders in a coordinated manner to satisfy the precedence criteria.