Patents Examined by Andre Boyce
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Patent number: 7457762Abstract: A method for planning, scheduling and allocation of maintenance, repair and overhaul resources includes establishing the configuration definition database, establishing a maintenance task database based on the configuration, determining the resource requirements for the maintenance tasks, optimizing the deployment of resources for those maintenance tasks in a specified time window based on resource requirements, resource availability, current maintenance execution status of equipment and activity-based cost models, creating allocation transactions to assign the resources to the specific tasks and initiating the kitting of material.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2001Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Accenture Global Services GmbHInventors: Michael Wetzer, Gary R. Garrow, David P. West, II, Patrick E. Weir, Gary Ashby, Charles P. Newton, III
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Patent number: 7440906Abstract: A method for managing maintenance of equipment includes identifying a planned MRO task and a first set of components associated with the task and determining a set of probabilities associated with a second set of components and indicating that the second set of components will require maintenance during the planned MRO task. The method further includes developing a plan for maintenance of individual items in the second set of components and, upon discovering a need for maintenance of at least one item of the second set of components, accessing the plan and integrating it with a plan of planned MRO tasks for the equipment.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2001Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Accenture Global Services GmbHInventors: Michael Wetzer, Gary R. Garrow, David P. West, II, Patrick E. Weir, Gary Ashby, Charles P. Newton, III
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Patent number: 7437307Abstract: A method for relating multiple independent databases uses a graphical interface allowing market researchers to conveniently model different prototype forecast scenarios based on specific choices for ad campaign portfolio distributions among specific types of advertising vehicles, media vehicles or advertising media such as television or magazine print, for example. The method solves the classic regression-to-mean problem associated with the prior art fusion approach and requires less computer processing time and/or user expertise.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2002Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Telmar Group, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Peter Walsh, Harry Appel, Valeri Kolokoltsev, Corey V. Panno, Kent M. Lancaster, Alexander Stepanov, Ann Zahm
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Patent number: 7437305Abstract: Methods and apparatus for scheduling delivery of an order via a wide area network. A delivery interface is generated in which a plurality of delivery windows are presented. The delivery interface is transmitted to a remote platform via the wide area network. In response to selection of a first one of the plurality of delivery windows, it is determined whether the order may be delivered in the first delivery window. Where it is determined that the order may be delivered in the first delivery window, delivery of the order is scheduled in the first delivery window.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2000Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Inventors: Christopher Angel Kantarjiev, Sandeep Nijhawan, Justin Miller
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Patent number: 7406434Abstract: Automated system, methods, algorithms, procedures, and computer software programs and computer program products for improving and optimizing the performance of messaging campaigns, particularly for marketing campaigns in which advertisements or other messages are distributed over an interactive measurable medium such as the Internet. Analysis and Optimization method and procedure, an automated system, and system and method that exploit the underlying multi-attribute structure, as well as other features and advantages. Optimization procedures allocate the ad alternatives or other message to the customer population to optimize business objectives such as maximizing the number of positive responses received. Procedure for generating message allocations that improve and attempt to optimize the campaign performance. Methods ensure that campaign constraints are not violated.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2001Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Inventors: E. Diane Chang, Richard E. Chatwin, Sachin Kumar, Sanjay Ranka, James R. Weisinger, Jason Lenderman
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Patent number: 7353182Abstract: A method and apparatus allow a customer service representative (CSR) to conduct personalized interaction based on the value of the customer to the organization. A customer seeking to interact with a CSR is first presented with a list of available interaction options. The list of available interaction options is based on the customer's value to the organization such that the more valuable a customer is, the more options that will be made available to him or her for the interaction. The present invention determines a customer's value to an organization by monitoring a customer's purchase history with respect to the organization over a period of time and computing a customer value based on the frequency and amount of the customer's purchases. A customer service representative is further able to personalize the interaction based on previous interactions between the customer and the customer interaction center by accessing a contact history database.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Accenture LLPInventors: Jean L. Missinhoun, Thomas G. Tynan, Robert P. Drzewicki
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Patent number: 7346538Abstract: A system and method for analyzing a business comprising generating a matrix for analysis and planning that utilizes trend changes in the Average Selling Price (ASP) of End-User Products (EUP) and the trend changes in the OEM price of specific components used in the EUP to provide quantifiable “fact based” analysis, quantification, planning, and measurable actions for developing profitable business plans and tracking their progress against the business objectives.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Kevin J. Reardon
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Patent number: 7343314Abstract: A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a multipath system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The scheduling system utilizes a cost reactive resource scheduler to minimize resource exception while at the same time minimizing the global costs associated with the solution. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2003Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: Harris CorporationInventors: William L. Matheson, Paul M. Julich, Michael S. Crone, Douglas A. Thomae, Thu V. Vu, M. Scott Wills
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Patent number: 7340328Abstract: A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a multipath system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The scheduling system utilizes a cost reactive resource scheduler to minimize resource exception while at the same time minimizing the global costs associated with the solution. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2003Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Harris CorporationInventors: William L. Matheson, Paul M. Julich, Michael S. Crone, Douglas A. Thomae, Thu V. Vu, M. Scott Wills
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Patent number: 7318040Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for predicting and adjusting future working hours and calendar events for users of electronic calendars. Predictions may be made based on historical calendar data (e.g., a user's scheduled working hours/events and that user's actual working hours/events); based on updates to working hours or events; and/or based on external information. Rules are used in preferred embodiments to indicate the actions that should be taken when a particular condition occurs.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2002Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: J. Smith Doss, Renee M. Kovales, Diane P. Pozefsky, Robert J. Sundstrom
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Patent number: 7283971Abstract: A computer implemented system and method for managing mobile workers in an object oriented programming environment is disclosed. A plurality of target objects that correspond to facilities assets to be worked on by a mobile worker are classified within a database of the computer. The attributes of each target object are defined, including a task to be performed on each target object. Mobile workers are scheduled for the tasks to be performed on target objects by running a rule engine to determine the algorithms and heuristics to be used to schedule mobile workers for the tasks to be performed. The scheduled jobs are then output to the mobile workers.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2000Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: Masterlink CorporationInventors: Kenneth M. Levine, Garry Fenimore
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Patent number: 7251612Abstract: Computer-based methods and systems for dynamically scheduling the distribution of products and services among a system of routes and timeslots are provided. Exemplary embodiments provide a Route and Timeslot Scheduler (the “RTS”), which controls the creation, quantity, and allocation of schedule stops (or events) for each timeslot of each route based upon a calendar and template system. Each route typically represents a geographic area to which products can be delivered. Each timeslot typically represents a window of time, during which delivery stops (or events) can be scheduled. Scheduled stops/events are created based upon defaults which are specified in the template system. A calendar system is provided to specify which routes and timeslots, which would otherwise be available based upon the template system, are actually applicable to be scheduled on a given calendar day. The RTS creates scheduled stops for a designated point.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2000Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Inventors: John E. Parker, Michael L. Smith
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Patent number: 7246080Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for managing supply chain risk are provided. The apparatus, system and method identify which components are most critical to the assembly of the final product, in terms of placing the largest amount of revenue or profit at risk. The impact on profit and revenue of the failure to effectively deliver one or more of these critical products along one or more of the dimensions of quantity, time, space, or quality, is then quantified. The revenue and profit distribution from the supply chain is characterized given a projected distribution supply uncertainty, taking into consideration that input products are only useful if all of the BOM components are present. The revenue at risk is then determined. From the set of possible final products that can be produced, the portfolio of final products with the best risk-return characteristics are determined. Efficient hedges may then be developed.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2001Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Stuart Irwin Feldman, William Grey, Alan Jonathan King, Richard Perret, Dailun H. Shi
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Patent number: 7222083Abstract: A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a multipath system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The scheduling system utilizes a cost reactive resource scheduler to minimize resource exception while at the same time minimizing the global costs associated with the solution. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2003Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Harris CorporationInventors: William L. Matheson, Paul M. Julich, Michael S. Crone, Douglas A. Thomae, Thu V. Vu, M. Scott Wills
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Patent number: 7171373Abstract: Disclosed is a workflow management system for creating and delivering output material. A customer record is generated to include fields specifying at least one product, customer preferences, and a selected output method to deliver generated output material on the product specified in the customer record. A job record including a status field is added to a job status table for the customer record and set to a first status. A first worker generates output material from processing the product and customer preference fields in the customer record for the selected job, and sets the status for the selected job to a second status. A second worker determines a selected one of a plurality of delivery options from the customer record for the selected job and transmits the output material via the determined delivery option to the customer specified in the customer record.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2005Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Leonard Corning Lahey, Jagdish Mooljee Nagda, Robert Curt Nielsen, Dwight Ross Palmer, Anthony Franke Stuart, Adam Alvin Swartz
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Patent number: 7139721Abstract: Methods and apparatus for scheduling delivery of an order via a wide area network. A computer system associates a customer point value with each customer according to a customer point system. The customer point values is determined with reference to customer order data. The computer system then divides the customers into customer groups, each of which has a range of customer point values. The system determines an actual capacity allocation distribution among the customer groups based on the customer order data. The system adjusts the range of customer point values for customer groups to cause the actual capacity allocation distribution to converge to a target capacity allocation distribution.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2001Date of Patent: November 21, 2006Inventors: Louis H. Borders, Sunil Bhargava, Joyo Wijaya, Sandeep Nijhawan
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Patent number: 7103562Abstract: A method of predicting expected performance of a processing center system is provided. The method includes receiving performance information from a performance monitoring system associated with the processing center system. A computer model of the processing center system is developed based on the performance information. The method further includes generating predictions based on the computer model, and analyzing the predictions to generate performance scenarios for the processing center system.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2002Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Bay Bridge Decision Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Eric D. Kosiba, Douglas G. Newhard, Neofytos C. Papadopoulos
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Patent number: 7092894Abstract: A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a multipath system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The scheduling system utilizes a cost reactive resource scheduler to minimize resource exception while at the same time minimizing the global costs associated with the solution. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1999Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Harris CorporationInventor: Michael S. Crone
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Patent number: 7058589Abstract: A method is provided for assigning a group of agents to a plurality of available schedules, including determining preferences for a plurality of factors for each agent. Each agent provides an order of importance for the plurality of factors. For each factor, a difference value for that factor between a preliminarily assigned schedule (or pool of unassigned schedules) and each agent's preference for that factor is determined. The difference value for each factor is assigned to a vector for each agent. Then, for each agent, a vector for each schedule not assigned to that agent is determined. Vectors for every other agent are also calculated for every schedule swap involving the current agent. The schedule having the lowest vector is then assigned for each agent.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1999Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: IEX CorporationInventors: Paul H. Leamon, Charles W. Gulledge
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Patent number: 7039594Abstract: A method is disclosed for designing a coordinated content management and delivery system, using key considerations related to the client environment, and using key processes, and applying these to the design problem with the assistance of a template showing basic content management and delivery element relationships, whereby such a system can be implemented wherein coherent sales, training or marketing campaigns may be efficiently generated to web-based and other clients.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2000Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Accenture, LLPInventor: Adam M. Gersting