Abstract: A computer system and computer-implemented method are provided for management of employee leave and absence policies. The system is configured to receive data related to an employee leave claim at a single point of contact. The single point of contact may be implemented as a single address for leave issues related to any type of leave, including for example for employment-related injuries compensated through workers compensation, short term disability, long-term disability, and other types of leave. The system may be configured to provide prompts to a user for claims relating to multiple types of leave. The system may be configured to furnish data to separate computer systems for administration of multiple types of leave. The system may be configured to provide communications related to employee leave claims between separate computer systems responsive to receipt of data from one or more of the computer systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting data from one or more scoring candidates, storing such data in a database, and transforming such data using various techniques and software modules to generate a personal tracking and development score that determines an individual's proficiency for skills that are mapped to a job profile are depicted. Users may be ranked or compared against each other with similar units of measure. An attribute score may be used as a benefit for career development similar to the benefit a credit score may provide in assessing a user's financial records.

Abstract: A system and method that obtains and publishes user generated video product reviews by generating a user account and receiving a user generated video review associated with the user account, where the user generated video review comprises audio and video data featuring a reviewed product. A product tag associated with the reviewed product is received. A product description is associated to the reviewed product based on the product tag. The user generated video review is approved if a set of criteria are met. An incentive is distributed to the user account associated with the user generated video review. The user generated video review is stored to a database comprising a plurality of user generated video reviews. The user generated video review is published.

Abstract: A method, and system employing the method, for service channel reconfiguration at a service outlet includes generating service transaction data of a service outlet, generating queue management system (QMS) data of the service outlet, and generating cost and profit data for the service outlet. Data is extracted from the service transaction data and the QMS data relating to specified parameters including customer experience data, and customer demand data. The service transaction data and the QMS data is integrated with the cost and profit data providing a unified objective function. Stochastic service processes and customer behavior data are modeled. The unified objective function is evaluated using the stochastic service processes and customer behavior data model, and the service channel function of the service outlet is reconfigured using the unified objective function.

Abstract: A method and system is described for targeting advertisements to a targeted travel habit. A targeted travel habit is comprised of a derived travel habit and associated values for any variables relevant to the derived travel habit. A derived travel habit allows targeting an advertisement towards a specific travel habit of a traveler, and utilizes the raw data entered by a traveler into a location calendar system. This raw data includes the traveler's home locations and travel plans. Raw data may be for the past, present, or future.

Abstract: A system and method that obtains and publishes user generated video product reviews by generating a user account and receiving a user generated video review associated with the user account, where the user generated video review comprises audio and video data featuring a reviewed product. A product tag associated with the reviewed product is received. A product description is associated to the reviewed product based on the product tag. The user generated video review is approved if a set of criteria are met. An incentive is distributed to the user account associated with the user generated video review. The user generated video review is stored to a database comprising a plurality of user generated video reviews. The user generated video review is published.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards providing a likeness application that may be integrated into one or more different messaging applications to provide a user with an indication of how much the user may be liked by their messaging contacts. Such application is directed towards providing a level of fun to a first user through a dynamically calculated social networking indicator. In one embodiment, the first user may communicate with one or more other users over a network using the messaging application modified with the likeness application. The other users may also communicate with each other over the network using the modified messaging application. Then, at various times or conditions, the likeness application may display to the first user a relative percentage indicating how much the first user is being ‘liked’ by one or more other users.

Abstract: A technique for estimating the relative likelihood that specific parcels or groups thereof will sell within a selected time, possibly including such steps as: Responsive to location of each parcel with respect to other parcels that have recently sold, including receiving a 1st kind of information, associated with sales in a neighborhood for each parcel being examined, including a set of attributes. Deriving additional attributes for each parcel based on its attributes and others near it. Determining independently for each neighborhood which of those attributes are more important for estimating relative likelihood of sale. Determining a degree of similarity between each unsold parcel and each recently-sold parcel, in response to those sets of attributes, weighted in response to relative importance. Providing a 2nd kind of information, ordering parcels by a relative likelihood of sale within a selected time.

Abstract: An alliance business relationship is managed by receiving a request for a relationship from a firm. An alliance taxonomy stored in a database is used to determine whether the request is an alliance. An opportunity in the request is identified and quantified. The alliance is formed, executed, and subsequently terminated. Thereafter, the alliance is again evaluated against the criteria in the taxonomy to determine whether another relationship type applies.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of providing remote, self-service airport passenger check-in using a passenger verification provided by one or more personal identifiers, preferably a Personal Identification Number (PIN) and at least one biometric identifier. In the preferred mode, a remote check-in monitor is located in a passenger's hotel room or other convenient location. The passenger verification process requires between the personal identifier(s) and biometric identifier(s). Following passenger verification, the passenger is permitted to request a remotely printed boarding pass, remotely printed baggage claim tickets, etc. Details of the flight, such as seat selection, can also be defined or redefined from the remote site after successful passenger verification.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying and calculating inefficiencies in a real estate space includes determining the areas of rooms required by a user. A circulation loss is calculated. The total of the room areas and the circulation loss are added to determine a net usable space required by the user. The net usable amount of space is multiplied by the subject building's inefficiency measure to identify the amount of rentable space necessary given an efficient program, space plan and building. The user's updated, proposed space program is compared to the user's current or original space program to identify efficiency losses. The system may be configured on a network computer system or a standalone computer.

Abstract: A method and system provides transactions and arrangements in virtual world environments. A user can participate in transactions to acquire virtual property and related virtual rights. In some implementations, real-world and virtual parties can be involved in possible transfers of various types of virtual property and virtual property rights.

Abstract: Hacking a rental computer to use it beyond purchased rental time is prevented by plugging a time card with internal counter into a DIMM socket of the motherboard and encrypting the register locations of the time card with the private key of the motherboard to bind the time card to the motherboard. Thus, if the time card is not detected at boot or if it is removed during operation the computer is disabled. The counter counts down the rented time period as it receives clocking signals, and at the elapse of the purchased period disables the computer.

Abstract: A method to align and effectively apply business practices or culture within the business units in one or more business entities is provided. In the first phase, a practices charter defining future state business practices is developed. A practices charter is developed from an initial set of differing alternatives statements regarding future business practices, in view of a right-versus-right spectrum. A practices charter is an output of the reconciliation of differing alternatives statements in right-versus-right spectrums. In a second phase, a practices charter is applied to hypothetical issues to develop realistic outcome narratives describing hypothetical situations and dilemmas. In a third phase, discrepancies between outcome narratives and a current state of business practice are identified, and a prioritized action program is developed to address identified discrepancies.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a supplemental product or service may be offered to a user during a transaction, either in addition to products and/or services the user is purchasing, or as a replacement to one or more of the products and/or services that the user is purchasing. The functionality may be implemented, for example, in a retail embodiment where a user is purchasing products and/or services at a cash register or other point-of-sale terminal. One or more embodiments may be implemented online where a user is purchasing products and/or services using a computer, terminal, telephone or other client or user device and accessing a World Wide Web site, online catalog, interactive voice response unit or system, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for handling scheduled lending and self-returning of articles to which RFID tags are attached. The system includes a body. The body includes, on a front surface thereof, a display for displaying a method of using the system, handling processes, and processing results, a speaker, a receipt issuing unit, a manipulational information input unit, an external antenna for transmitting/receiving information to/from the RFID tags, and a plurality of article depositories having respective internal antennas for transmitting/receiving information to/from the RFID tags.

Abstract: A system includes a central server in communication with public agencies through a private network and with local service-providers through a public network. The central server executes a profiling module configured to exchange standardized information with a local service-provider over the public network and with a public agency over the private network; an invoicing module in communication with the profiling module, the invoicing module being configured to process claims submitted by the local service-providers; a compliance module in communication with the profiling module, the compliance module being configured to monitor compliance with contracts between the local service-providers and the public agencies; a demand module in communication with the profiling module for forecasting demand for services; and a procurement module in communication with the profiling module for entering into contracts with the local service-providers.

Abstract: A method of selecting security actions is provided. The method comprises estimating a maximum forecast loss, identifying general, sector specific, and targeted threats. The method further comprises forecasting a security loss based on the estimated maximum forecast loss and the threats, estimating a reduction in the security loss based on a first investment on a general threat countermeasure, on a second investment on a sector specific countermeasure, and on a third investment on a targeted threat countermeasure. The method further comprises allocating at least a portion of a security investment budget among the first, the second, and the third investments to maximize the estimated reduction in security loss. An aspect disclosed comprises a method that determines rates of return on security investment and selects security investments based on the rates of return. An aspect disclosed comprises a system for forecasting a security loss based on a security investment.

Abstract: A method of appraising the value of a property based on obtaining a credit score of an owner of a property and assigning an ownership responsibility indicator to the property. The ownership responsibility indicator provides insight into the condition of the property without performing a complete inspection. A more accurate value of the property can then be determined.

Abstract: A method of evaluating architectural fit of business software applications employed in an enterprise. The method comprises providing a computer tool with a defined rating system for each one of a set of business technology factors and with a set of defined keys having respective key values, inputting into the computer tool data for a plurality of business components using the respective key values, ranking one or more of the set of business technology factors according to the defined rating system, and conducting an analysis to evaluate architectural fit of the business software applications based on the data inputted using the respective key values and the ranked set of business technology factors. The conducting step further comprises providing at least one business or technology objective and executing an algorithm corresponding to the one business or technology objective provided to conduct the analysis.