Patents Examined by Akiba K Robinson-Boyce
  • Patent number: 8015121
    Abstract: This invention relates to a machine for franking mail items, comprising means for printing postal indicia on a mail item and means for also printing on this mail item a unique identification number for this mail item, means for creating at least one data document or file associated with this unique identification number printed on the mail item and means for communicating, through a secure link, the or each data document or file to an information server remote from the franking machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Neopost Industrie
    Inventor: Denis Gilham
  • Patent number: 8005700
    Abstract: A customer relationship management (CRM) system and method accessible via a network. The system comprises: a user interface that provides distributed access for customers and support providers to case information within the CRM system; a case management system for managing customer cases, wherein the case management system includes a system for assigning cases to different tiers within a support provider hierarchy; and a compliance tracking system that determines customer compliance and provides a compliance indicator on customer case management pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Prasanna Amitabh, Jeffrey D. Carpenter, Francis J. Cotter, Cynthia N. Gee
  • Patent number: 8005763
    Abstract: A system for providing distributed control to process transactions is disclosed. The system includes a service provider system having associated therewith a number of rules and a number of meta-rules, a point of service device having associated therewith a number of rules and a number of meta-rules, and a portable device having associated therewith a number of rules and a number of meta-rules. The portable device uses its associated rules to determine an outcome for a transaction. If the portable device is unable to determine the outcome for the transaction, the portable device uses its associated meta-rules to either determine whether one or more of its associated rules can be altered locally in order to determine the outcome or request the point of service device to help determine the outcome using the rules and meta-rules associated with the point of service device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Visa U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Loc Nguyen, Ayman Hammad, Patrick Gauthier
  • Patent number: 7996258
    Abstract: A computer system and a method as a part of the registration and/or inspection system of a state or other jurisdiction results in the assignment of a vehicle identification code to each vehicle and notification to the registrant to take the vehicle to an inspection/installation facility wherein a GPS receiver and transmitter are either installed, updated or checked for operability on a regular basis, such as yearly. Each registered vehicle in a state or other jurisdiction, as a result of the regular registration process or as the result of a temporary registration process when the vehicle enters the state temporarily, has a GPS receiver and transmitter transmit in real time location data of the vehicle via a wireless communication system such a WiFi, cellular, satellite or other system to an electronic storage subsystem which stores for each vehicle identification code the location data and time in real time and maintains it for a predetermined period of time, such as twelve months.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Christine M. Hembury
  • Patent number: 7966222
    Abstract: Information pertaining to products made by manufacturers and sold to consumers through retailers, is distributed to consumers through a communication network that connects consumer communication nodes to a cooperative network site having an accumulation of information about manufacturer product offers and retailer special deals. A consumer can obtain selected items of this information without knowledge of how to reach the cooperative network site, by simply logging in to a manufacturer network site or to a retailer network site. At a manufacturer site, the consumer can obtain a list of local retailers carrying the manufacturer offers and can then select from among the offers and receive complete details of the selected offers. At a retailer site, the consumer can obtain a list of manufacturer offers available at the retailer stores in the consumer's area, and can then select from among the available offers and receive their complete details.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Catalina Marketing Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Scroggie, David A. Rochon, David W. Banker, Will Gardenswartz
  • Patent number: 7953618
    Abstract: A transport system having commuters with identification and/or vehicles with identification (“identifiers”) authorizing them to take part in the transport system, at least one vehicle park in which authorized commuters may park vehicles and/or take on board authorized commuters who may or may not have parked vehicles and transport them to a specified destination and/or for set down near the specified destination, a hub at which vehicles of authorized commuters or others may take on board authorized commuters and transport them to the or a said vehicle park, optionally near the specified destination, at least one pickup point from which authorized commuters may be transported back to the hub, and a benefit sharing system involving the use of the identifiers at the vehicle park(s) and/or said hub whereby an authorized commuter, when a driver of authorized commuter(s) leaving and/or returning to or arriving at the vehicle park(s) and/or hub, benefits at some detriment to each carried commuter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventors: John H Pearce, Paul Minett
  • Patent number: 7930203
    Abstract: A system for providing integrated system solutions includes a set of process descriptions; a set of work product descriptions; and engagement models collecting the process descriptions and work product descriptions into a models for implementing typical projects addressing marketplace requirements. A systems integration method includes the steps of defining an engagement model which will be used to address a market place requirement; utilizing the engagement model to create an engagement template which specifically addresses client requirements within the market place; and measuring, monitoring and controlling client engagements based upon the engagement model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven D. Barnes, John R. Cameron, David M. Gerber, Eduardo T. Kahan, Jon M. Boring, Christopher A. Newlon
  • Patent number: 7899691
    Abstract: A method for creating a sales model for a plurality of products is provided. Generally a plurality demand groups are created, where each demand group is a set of at least one product and wherein at least one of the demand groups is a set of at least two products. A sales model is created for each demand group. A market share model is created for each product in each demand group. In addition, an econometric engine for modeling sales as a function of price is provided. An imputed variable generator and a coefficient estimator coupled to the imputed variable generator form the econometric engine, where imputed variables generated by the variable generator are used by the coefficient estimator to create a sales model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: DemandTec, Inc.
    Inventors: Hau Lee, Krishna Venkatraman, Michael Neal, Suzanne Valentine, Phil Delurgio
  • Patent number: 7822629
    Abstract: A customer profiling apparatus is provided for conducting customer behavior pattern analysis. The apparatus includes processing circuitry, a data warehouse, a profiling engine, and at least one computer program. The processing circuitry is operative to process customer records. The data warehouse is coupled with the processing circuitry and is configured to store the processed customer records. The profiling engine communicates with the data warehouse and is operative to build and update customer behavior profiles by mining the customer records that flow into the data warehouse. The at least one computer program is performed by the profiling engine, and is operative to define behavior profiles as data cubes and derive similarity measures on patterns extracted from the behavior profiles. A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Qiming Chen, Umeshwar Dayal, Meichun Hsu
  • Patent number: 7818190
    Abstract: A camping reservation system receives camping reservations from a camping facility agent or a user of a camping facility. The agent or the user enters information relating to the user, the user's camping vehicle, camping accommodations requested by the user, and reservation information. The reservation information is transferred to a transaction processor via a communications link, where the processor automatically generates transaction documents related to the user, the camping facility agent, and the camping reservation. A confirmation document is sent to the camping facility for which a camping pad has been reserved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Kampgrounds of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Jef Sutherland
  • Patent number: 7809600
    Abstract: A method and system for business planning via a communications network includes automated electronic communication procedures for managing the exchange of goods, services, or materials among different business entities. Requirement-indicating data is obtained from a first entity with respect to a transactional subject. The transactional subject may refer to the provision of a material, a good, a service, or any combination of the foregoing items. The obtained requirement-indicating data is automatically transmitted from the first business entity to a second business entity over a communications network. The transmitted requirement-indicating data is automatically fed into an electronic processor associated with the second business entity. A business decision of the second business entity is generated based on the requirement-indicating data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Accenture LLP
    Inventors: Gary Como, Sheryl L. Gast-Graham, Doug Grimm, Barry Smiach, Arnold Z. Huffman, Richard R. Krahn, John Mitchell, Michael S. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 7774228
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for transferring toll data from a third party operated transport to a user account comprises, performing a verification of the user account, receiving a service request to transfer tolls incurred by the third party operated transport, receiving toll data, and sending information related to the user account if the toll data and the service request match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Rent A Toll, Ltd
    Inventors: Benjamin P. Robinson, Sarath K. Balachandran
  • Patent number: 7774259
    Abstract: An interactive wagering application is provided that allows users to establish wagering criteria. When the wagering application detects that a wagering opportunity is available that satisfies the user's selected criteria, the wagering application may take an appropriate action. The wagering application may, for example, automatically place a wager or may notify a user that the criteria have been satisfied. Wagering criteria may be based on a particular track, horse, jockey, trainer, racetrack surface, race distance, statistics, jockey silks, odds or changes in odds, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: ODS Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin D. Satterfield, Connie T. Marshall, Jon C. Zaring
  • Patent number: 7769611
    Abstract: A system and method for automatically performing actions in response to a user making travel arrangements. Delivery services, such as postal and parcel services, are instructed to take certain actions while the user is traveling. For example, the delivery can be instructed to hold packages for pickup by the user, deliver the packages to the user when the user returns, or forward the packages to another location. In addition, a system and method for notifying a company mailroom with travel instructions is included. An electronic calendar is automatically updated with information related to the user's travel plans. Other users with access to the calendar can view the user's travel agenda. The user can gather travel specific details from the calendar for use in traveling, for example the flight and hotel information, is readily available. The user's telephone can also be configured as preferred by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Herman Rodriguez, Newton James Smith, Jr., Clifford Jay Spinac
  • Patent number: 7743000
    Abstract: A printer which provides detailed information on usage of consumables such as paper, ink, toner, etc., aiding in planning print tasks and ordering supplies. The printer also provides information on printer setting usage and print costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Kram Henry Allen, Linn James Kropf, Brett Green
  • Patent number: 7734500
    Abstract: A multizone RF read/write system for conducting transactions with vehicles traveling at high speeds. A first RF read zone is created, preferably by use of a first gantry that extends over at least one lane and contains at least one RF source that creates a large powerful RF read zone for reading or reading and writing to a transponder on a passing vehicle. Additional RF read zones arranged in tandem with the first RF read zone are created by at least one additional RF source that is located on an additional gantry extending over at least one lane, or located on the first gantry. Accordingly, multiple RF read zones are created to conduct transactions with passing vehicles. In one aspect, the multiple RF read zones can be used to ensure that tolling transactions with a single vehicle are more likely to be completed and have a higher degree of accuracy. In another aspect, the multiple RF read zones each employ a different RF technology so that multiple types of RF toll tags can be read and written.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: United Toll Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Allen, Balaraju Banna, Shyamnath Harinath, Fajie Sun, Malcolm Talley
  • Patent number: 7729937
    Abstract: A customized group tour development system includes a server configured to execute a customized tour application. The customized tour application includes a sales module configured to generate a tour proposal for a custom tour as a function of a customized tour framework. The customized tour application may also include a client module that is configured to be enabled to allow creation of a group list within the customized tour framework. The group list may include participants in the custom tour. An operations module is also included in the customized tour application. The operations module is configured to develop the customized tour framework into a fully detailed customized tour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Star Travel Services Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Taylor Attebury, Gregory Bernard Knotek
  • Patent number: 7725348
    Abstract: A system and method for accurate express tolling of highway vehicles. A multilane tolling system comprises a tolling (MVIC) unit that collects information from tolling subsystems arranged to take various vehicle measurements. Preferably, an intelligent vehicle identification subsystem sends vehicle information to the MVIC unit many times per second. Preferably, a vision tracking system (VTS) communicates with the MVIC unit and sends the latter information about the vehicle position using vision tracking sensors. Preferably, an RF subsystem conducts multiple reads of a transponder on a passing vehicle and forwards the read information to the MVIC unit. Preferably, a vehicle image capture unit (VICU) captures images of the passing vehicle when a camera in the VICU receives a trigger from the MVIC unit. Preferably, a driver alert module is used alert a driver passing through a tolling point as to account balance associated with a silent toll tag or pay by plate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: United Toll Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Allen, Sheng Zhong, Raghavan Venugopal, Tiegang Xie, Fajie Sun, Sangmesh Reddy, Brijesh Rai Chawla, Balaraju Banna, Shyamnath Harinath
  • Patent number: 7720705
    Abstract: Service providers are evaluated and rated according to criteria that includes customer satisfaction with the services provided by the service provider. If the service provider meets and/or exceeds certain predetermined criteria, the service provider is certified, and a list of certified companies together with a satisfaction rating, is posted on an Internet Web site maintained by the rating company for access by the consuming public. A member of the consuming public, wishing to use the service of a certified company, may register his/her credit card with the Rating Company. When the service is rendered, and paid for by the registered credit card, the payment is detected to trigger the sending of Internet e-mail to the consumer to solicit information as to the consumer's satisfaction with the service. A response to the Internet e-mail by the Rating Company is used to update on a real-time basis the customer satisfaction of the service provider that provided the service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Service Ratings, LLC
    Inventor: James Stein
  • Patent number: 7693801
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method and system for creating a price-forecasting tool for a commodity. The method and system comprise providing price data and industry capacity utilization data related to the commodity, and establishing the price-forecasting tool based on a statistical relationship between the price data and the industry capacity utilization data. A method of doing business is disclosed comprising creating a price forecasting tool based on a statistical relationship between price data and industry capacity utilization data of the commodity, and utilizing the price forecasting tool to generate a plurality of scenario prices for the commodity for a plurality of forecast horizons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas Olavson