Patents Examined by Christopher Buchanan
  • Patent number: 7523049
    Abstract: A POS (point of sales) apparatus has: database constructing means for classifying a commodity with a high level of relation to a commodity sold to the customer to prepare a database for related commodities; and processing means for retrieving a related commodity with a high level of relation to a commodity sold to the customer from the database by using, as a key word, the above commodity sold to the customer and for printing information of the related commodity on the receipt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: NEC Infrontia Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Tokorotani
  • Patent number: 7519545
    Abstract: An employee of a company that has concluded a commodity-sales-to-employees contract with a seller accesses a sales system using a dedicated URL. A certification sub-system certifies the employee based upon employee information registered in an employee database. A commodity management sub-system displays a commodity catalog indicating an employee price on the terminal screen of the employee when the employee accesses the sales system using the dedicated URL, and displays a commodity catalog indicating an ordinary price on the terminal screen of a general end-user customer when the end-user customer accesses the sales system using an ordinary URL. An account settlement system sells the commodities designated by a customer at the price indicated in the commodity catalog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Masanobu Kanazawa
  • Patent number: 7512553
    Abstract: Automated mapping of part numbers associated with parts in a bill of materials (BOM) to internal part numbers assigned by a BOM receiver. Historical data on bills of materials, known part number mappings, and parametric data describing the parts associated with bills of materials re received. Prediction models, for predicting BOM receiver internal part numbers, are learned from the historical BOM data, known part number mappings data and parametric data. The learned models are applied to unmapped BOM originator part numbers to assign BOM receiver internal part numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ghassan Chidiac, Jayant R. Kalagnanam, Moninder Singh, Sudhir Verma, Fabio Dennis White, Michael D. Patek, Yuk Wah Wong
  • Patent number: 7496530
    Abstract: A manufacturing process is migrated from an existing operation to a configure-to-order (CTO) system. As the CTO operation will eliminate the “machine-type model” (MTM) inventory of the existing operation, the emphasis is shifted to the components, or “building blocks”, which will still follow the build-to-stock scheme, due to their long leadtimes, and hence still require inventory. The solution involves an inventory-service trade-off of the new CTO system, resulting in performance gains, in terms of reduced inventory cost and increased service level. Other benefits of the method include better forecast accuracy through parts commonality and risk-pooling, and increased customer demand, as orders will no longer be confined within a restricted set of pre-configured MTMs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Feng Cheng, Markus Ettl, Grace Yuh-Jiun Lin, David Da-Wei Yao
  • Patent number: 7478054
    Abstract: A facility for notifying a first user about a purchase made by a second user is described. The facility detects that the second user has purchased an item. The facility further determines that the first user has a purchase notification relationship with the second user. The facility then provides to the first user a notification that the second user has purchased the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Amazon.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren Adams, Jeffrey P. Bezos, Jennifer Jacobi, Ryan Snodgrass
  • Patent number: 7447143
    Abstract: An optical disc has a security feature in the form of an RFID tag that communicates with a voltage controlled optical modifier layer in the optical disc. In the presence of an interrogation signal, the RFID tag allows the optical disc to be used normally by outputting a voltage to the optical modifier layer. In the absence of an interrogation signal, the optical modifier layer prevents a laser from reading from or writing on the optical disc. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Mineral Lassen LLC
    Inventors: Ian J Forster, Michael G Ginn
  • Patent number: 7418403
    Abstract: New functions for a contact center system include: testing user's comprehension of informational messages with a quiz; capturing insight of superior users having a KPI score above a threshold by having those users submit information on why they perform so well; dynamically ordering solutions to issues by re-ranking the solutions periodically based on recency and frequency; integrating information for use by a contact center representative while online with a customer and information for use when not online; storing content items in a telecommunications industry taxonomy; directing user feedback on a content item to the proper owner/manager of that content; communicating solution information using a solutions taxonomy; displaying a dual information system having a CRM application as well as reference material that is context-appropriate; enforcing completion of a group of templates when creating a content item to be published; ensuring a group of templates for a content item are complete before publishing them
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignees: BT Group PLC, Accenture Global Services GmbH
    Inventors: Gregory S Reid, Timothy Ringo, David P Lane, Elizabeth H Lian, Daniel C Farrell, Craig Fenton, Elise Shearing, Randy Bell, Sevasti Wong, Anthony Lingham, Audrey Forrester, Claudia Staubitz, Kevin Adams, Lesley Pickering, Paul Ritchie
  • Patent number: 7406439
    Abstract: Inventory control with inventory item attributes wherein the attributes describe an inventory item, the inventory item has an RFID identification tag having an RFID identification tag code, and the inventory item attributes include an RFID identification tag code field, a control value, an acceptable control value range, and an out of range action. Detecting changes in the inventory item attributes, including reading, through an RFID reader, the RFID identification code from the RFID tag associated with the inventory item, recording detected changes in inventory item attributes, comparing the control value and the acceptable control value range, and taking action in dependence upon the result of the comparing and the out of range action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William Kress Bodin, Derral Charles Thorson, Parag Himanshu Shah
  • Patent number: 7398234
    Abstract: A plurality of accounts payable items (14) are communicated over communications links (24) to a global purchasing information repository (GPIR) (12) by account servers (19) and regional servers (18). A preparation application (16) unifies the representation of the items and a GPIR application (20) associates categories (54) and buyer identifiers (56) with the items based on criteria (70). A vendor alignment tool module (23) associates vendor identifiers (58) with vendor names (34) associated with the items and with the items. The module also associates vendor groups (62) with the vendor identifiers based on relationships between the vendor identifiers. A plurality of reports (74) may be generated in response to the identifiers, groups and categories to provide information to a business regarding global expenditures and vendor relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Electronic Data Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Lisa M. Theis, Michael L. Pope
  • Patent number: 7398231
    Abstract: A wardrobe closet that assists users in selecting and purchasing clothing is provided. A radio frequency receiver scans tags embedded in clothing to identify the clothing. When a user removes an article of clothing from the wardrobe closet, the wardrobe closet suggests other articles of clothing that match the removed article of clothing. The wardrobe closet may also be connected to websites via the Internet. The wardrobe closet may determine the user's clothing needs and find clothing offered for sale at one or more web sites. The user is then allowed to purchase the clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Accenture LLP
    Inventors: Dadong Wan, Anatole V. Gershman
  • Patent number: 7383200
    Abstract: A method and system for collecting and categorizing survey data includes receiving customer information from a customer. A query is identified based at least in part on the customer information. The query is output for presentation to the customer. In one embodiment, the query is presented to the customer by prompting an employee, such as a clerk at a point-of-sale terminal, to verbally present the question to the customer. A customer response to the query is then received. The request from the customer may be, e.g., a request to purchase one or more products or it may be a request for assistance or information. The customer response is then captured and analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Andrew S. Van Luchene, Daniel E. Tedesco, John B. Dickerson, Keith Bemer, Russell P. Sammon, Andrew P. Golden, Anna Rath, Magdalena Mik Fincham, Geoffrey M. Gelman
  • Patent number: 7367410
    Abstract: Method for drilling and lining a well wherein at least one liner (1, 2, 32) with a larger external diameter than the substantial part of a drilling riser (10) is pre-installed at a point below the substantial part of the drilling riser (10). A bore hole section (21) is drilled after the drilling riser (10) has been installed, the bore hole section having a larger diameter than the at least one pre-installed liner (1, 2, 32). The at least one pre-installed liner (1, 2, 32) is subsequently lowered into the bore hole section (21, 22). A drilling and liner system for implementing the method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Ocean Riser Systems AS
    Inventor: Sigbjorn Sangesland
  • Patent number: 7340422
    Abstract: A system and method for management and processing a plurality of types of telecommunication invoices at a user's site involving importing the plurality of types of telecommunication invoices to provide comparable telecommunication invoices and auditing the comparable telecommunication invoices by performing an automated reasonability test on the comparable telecommunication invoices. The system and method also provide a means for approving, processing and reporting on the comparable telecommunication invoices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Asentinel LLC
    Inventor: Jason M. Fisher
  • Patent number: 7340419
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for receiving a request to display a type of product. Thereafter, a substitute product for the product is selected from a plurality of substitute products. The selection is based on expected revenue from display of the selected substitute product. The product is then displayed to a customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Andrew S. Van Luchene, Magdalena M. Fincham
  • Patent number: 7333942
    Abstract: A networked computer architecture (AgoraNet) facilitates and conducts secure electronic commerce based on national deployment independent of the Internet. A “publish and subscribe” model is used in which vendors may publish catalogs and information about product and service offerings to AgoraNet applications hosted at a national site. Subscribing organizations may browse and search vendor data using a Global Naming Service as well as search engines, agents, queries and a subscription service. Buyers and Sellers may communicate directly using an integrated messaging system. Buyers may obtain quotations from Sellers and calculate the Total Landed (delivered) cost of goods prior to purchase. Buyers may place Blanket and standard Purchase Orders and track order shipments to destination. Sellers receive payment electronically for goods and services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: D-Net Corporation
    Inventor: Roger Cowles
  • Patent number: 7328741
    Abstract: A riser monitoring assembly is provided to monitor and manage a riser extending between subsea well equipment and a floating vessel. A riser measurement instrument module is connected adjacent a selected portion of the riser provides dynamic orientation data for the selected portion of the riser. A computer having a memory associated therewith and riser system analyzing management software stored thereon is in communication with the riser measurement module to process data received therefrom. The riser monitoring assembly can utilize real-time orientation data for the selected portion of the riser to analyze the riser dynamic behavior, to determine a model of the real-time structure of the riser, to determine and manage the existence of vortex induced vibration, to determine and manage riser stress levels, to manage riser inspection and riser maintenance, and to supplement determination and management of the position of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: John Allen, Antonio J. Pinto
  • Patent number: 7330830
    Abstract: A computer-implemented networked commercial interaction management method distributes information bundles that include values for a plurality of content attribute descriptors and information fields characterizing commercial interactions. The content attribute descriptors include business language definition descriptors that specify the descriptive metadata of each of the information bundles, having at least one keyword having at least one value. The method monitors the distribution, response and manages the commercial interactions between networked users. Based on the keyword and the business language definition descriptors, the method derives traffic statistics based on the distribution and the response from the networked users via a statistics engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Thomson Financial Inc.
    Inventors: Bob Lamoureux, Paul Jaminet, Edward Shea, Alexis Kopikis, John Boland Constantine, Jr., Matthew Kuntz, Todd Bremner, Zenobia Moochhala
  • Patent number: 7328170
    Abstract: A customer self-checkout system includes one or more checkout stations and multiple supervisor terminals. The supervisor terminals provide support to, and control over, the self-checkout system and checkout stations. The supervisory terminals may be wireless terminals that can capture self-checkout customer identification information including signatures, fingerprints, images, and other forms of identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Optimal Robotics Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Jacobs, Iouri Kloubakov, Bruce McVicar, Thierry Leroux-Demers
  • Patent number: 7324966
    Abstract: A method for fulfilling an order in a supply chain. The method is performed by extracting from a customer system information pertaining to the work order that specifies a piece of equipment to be repaired and items expected to be used during the repair procedure, determining, using an equipment knowledge base, a probability that each of the items will be needed to effect the repair procedure, and using the determined probability to stage the items within the supply chain whereby the items are made ready for use in the repair procedure. Further steps can include extracting from the customer system information pertaining to a completion of the repair procedure and using the information pertaining to the completion of the repair procedure to populate the equipment knowledge base for use in future probability of need calculations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: W.W. Grainger
    Inventor: Robert H. Scheer
  • Patent number: 7319982
    Abstract: A method that allows taxing jurisdictions to collect sales and/or use taxes from sales that are made via the internet and catalogs. The method also makes it easier for sellers to comply with the taxing jurisdiction's mandated seller administrative functions. The foregoing is accomplished by using an agent to perform the sales tax administration functions of a seller, relieving the seller of as much of the burden of compliance as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick W. Ryan, Jr., Michael W. Wilson, Ronald P. Sansone, Theresa Biasi, Vadim Stelman