Abstract: The invention comprises a device for and method of managing supply chain risk at a computer system device comprising a processor, a memory subsystem in communication with the processor, and computer executable instructions storable in the memory subsystem and executable by the processor to perform the method, the method comprising determining a degree of supply chain risk to an enterprise as a function of an effect of a disruption of delivery of the production input to the enterprise on a financial performance metric of the enterprise.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems including a computer comprising at least one hardware processor, at least one tangible storage medium (memory), and at least one input/output (I/O) interface for evaluating a quality of a locate and/or marking operation. First information relating to the marking operation (e.g., marking information) is compared to second information relating to the locate operation (e.g., locate information). In some examples, one or both of the marking information and the locate information may be filtered to improve data integrity in some manner. One or more indications of a quality assessment of the locate and/or marking operation is automatically generated based on such a comparison, and the one or more indications of the quality assessment are electronically stored on the at least one tangible storage medium, and/or electronically transmitted via the at least one I/O interface, so as to provide an electronic record of the quality assessment.

Abstract: Scheduling of activities for field service technicians may be improved by modifying availability constraints associated with appointment windows for activities. Activities may be scheduled based on a performance deadline and relevant shift times of the resources to whom the activity may be allocated, as well as a variety of parameters relating to activities, resources and/or relevant environmental conditions (e.g., weather, traffic). An activity may be moved from one calendar day to another, a location constraint at the beginning and/or the end of a technician's shift may be removed or modified, and/or information updates may be provided in real time or near real time (e.g., every five minutes or less) throughout a work day to facilitate scheduling.

Abstract: A characteristic forecasting system is disclosed. The characteristic forecasting system may have a memory module and a processor. The memory module may store instructions, that, when executed, enable the processor to generate a forecast function that represents forecasted characteristics of a target item and includes one or more continuous functions and one or more attenuating functions. Each of the attenuating functions may attenuate forecast values generated by the continuous functions at periodic time intervals. The processor may also be enabled to forecast the characteristics of the target item using the forecast function.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems and methods for providing business process visibility at real time are described herein. One or more business activity events are received at a local business activity event manager. Further, business process binding information associated with the one or more business activity events is retrieved at the business activity manager from a business process model manager. A relationship of the one or more business activity events with a business process using the business process binding is identified at the business activity event manager. Upon determination, a business process log manager is triggered for logging a business activity log of a business process instance at real time. Furthermore, the business activity log is extracted to monitor and analyze the business process instance at real time.

Abstract: Systems, computer-implemented methods and computer program products for generating electronic shopping lists for recurring item purchase that identify items and their respective prices. Item-level electronic transaction data is analyzed to determine purchase intervals of items and estimate when the consumer will purchase the items again. A source of price data is accessed to determine prices of respective items, and an electronic shopping list is generated based on prior consumer purchase and lists items that when it is determined that consumer will need to purchase those items again and their respective prices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and process for creating an effective work schedule for a security checkpoint. The process includes the step of analyzing passenger flow to determine the coverage needed to sustain required service levels, generally through simulating the checkpoint to determine required staffing levels. Another step to optimize workforce levels and schedules is to create workforce schedules that are based on optimized person-hours and key variables. The schedule staffs as needed to achieve the required staffing levels and may consider numerous other factors, including acceptable ranges for shift lengths; a maximum number of start times; and a percentage of part-time or seasonal employees. In a particular embodiment, the schedule is formed by using linear programming to solve for a tour assignment matrix (defining a schedule) from a demand matrix representing the needed number of workers and a co efficient matrix representing the availability of workers.

Abstract: A method and systems of safety analysis of engineering processes for safety analysis of nuclear power stations are disclosed. A distribution of risk factors is analysed on different stages of the engineering process, and safety intervals are determined where safety conditions remain invariable. The method further includes analysis of failure transitions from one safety interval into another by means of cause-effect analysis. Based on the results of this analysis, deterministic safety models are created for possible scenarios of transition of failures from one safety interval into another. The method and systems provide quantitative safety analysis and evaluation for engineering processes in variable safety conditions and enable creating valid safety requirements to perform optimization of an engineering processes control system.

Abstract: A system for monitoring objects comprises a first database, a second database, and a processor coupled to both the first and second databases. The first database comprises information representing monitoring requirements for a plurality of monitoring targets in an enterprise. The second database comprises information representing the actual state of monitoring for the monitoring targets in the enterprise. The processor is operable to compare the monitoring requirements for the plurality of monitoring targets in the enterprise with the actual state of monitoring for the monitoring targets in the enterprise, and determine any gaps in monitoring for the monitoring targets in the enterprise based at least in part on the comparison. The processor generates at least one monitoring deployment request identifying one or more monitoring tools to be deployed for the monitoring targets in the enterprise based at least in part on any determined gaps in monitoring.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting electronic promotions and electronic requests for information, e.g., in an integrated manner, on multiple platforms including, e.g., cable network systems, cell phones, etc., are described. Rewards and/or benefits are tracked in a centralized manner and a subscriber is allowed to accumulate rewards and benefits in a single account irrespective of which device or platform was used to initiate an eRFI and/or to act upon a promotion. The methods and apparatus of the present invention allow a cable service provider which supports eRFI on set top boxes to use the same eRFI server to provide responses to eRFI requests received from devices, e.g., cell phones and/or E-mail devices corresponding to a service subscriber, to forward electronic promotion information and to reward users in a forwarding chain for redemptions of coupons included in forwarded promotion information. Forwarded promotion information securely identifies each device/user in the forwarding chain.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to displaying on a graph data describing events and data describing key performance indicators (KPIs). The event data describes an occurrence that may influence the performance objectives of a business, such as the appearance of an advertisement for the business in a magazine. The KPI data describes a quantifiable measure of the business's performance, such as the number of sales of a product. The event data and KPI data are received and displayed on a graph so that the business owner can understand the relationship between the events and the KPIs.

Abstract: A service task request ordering or prioritization system which has the intelligence to check all incidents on accounts supported by the Delivery Team in the current month, check the customer Service Level Agreement (“SLA”), check monthly ticket number average and calculate for a customer (or all customers) a priority level. The priority level assigned to a customer may be relative to other customers, or it may be an absolute indication of priority without regard to other customers. With this information, when a new ticket is opened, if this ticket is crucial to maintain the SLA according to the contract, the ordering will be based upon the priority level. For example, a light and/or sound alarm may turn on to indicate to the Delivery Team that a new ticket requires urgent attention based on its calculated priority level.

Abstract: The present intention permits a user to conduct remote transactions without a network while using an untrusted computing device, such as a hand held personal digital assistant or a laptop computer. The computing device is augmented with a smartcard reader, and the user obtains a smartcard and connects it to the device. This design can be used by an untrusted user to perform financial transactions, such as placing bets on the outcome of a probabilistic computation. Protocols are presented for adding (purchasing) or removing (selling) value on the smartcard, again without requiring a network connection. Using the instant protocols, neither the user nor the entity issuing the smartcards can benefit from cheating.

Abstract: Embodiments of sales generation, including sales generation employing reverse lead generation using vehicle data systems and methods, are presented herein. In particular, in certain embodiments a user may utilize the vehicle data system to obtain pricing data corresponding to a desired vehicle configuration. When the user is presented with the pricing data associated with the specified vehicle configuration the user may additionally be presented with an upfront price offered by a dealer, where by providing their personal information the user may obtain the name of the dealer offering the upfront price and may additionally be offered the opportunity to purchase the desired, or similar, vehicle at the upfront price.

Abstract: Methods and systems for assigning customers to steps in marketing campaigns. An assignment module assigns and reassigns the customers to the marketing activities. An evaluation module determines a predicted goal value of the marketing campaign for each assignment. The assignment module does not reassign a customer to a marketing activity that the customer has previously been assigned to. An execution module may execute campaign steps by performing marketing activities, and a response detection module may detect responses from the customers. The responses may be used in determining subsequent steps of the campaign. Creating sample target groups representative of the customers that are predicted to respond to a prior campaign step. The sample target group(s) may be used for predicting the outcome of subsequent campaign steps directed at the sample target group.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for assessing consumers' emotional attachment to product brand for targeted advertising, development of new products, valuation of products, brand marketing and other purposes. A method for determining consumer product brand loyalty is provided by quantifying a consumer's emotional attachment to a consumer product brand. The consumer's emotional attachment to a consumer product brand is indicated by the consumer's willingness to give up the consumer product brand. The willingness to give up the consumer product brand is measured, and applied to commercial uses such as advertising, marketing, product research and development and valuation of brands.

Abstract: In a method for refining a position estimate of a low earth orbiting (LEO) satellite a first position estimate of a LEO satellite is obtained with a GNSS receiver on-board the LEO satellite. The first position estimate is communicated to a Virtual Reference Station (VRS) processor. VRS corrections are received at the LEO satellite, the VRS corrections having been calculated for the first position estimate by the VRS processor. The VRS corrections are processed on-board the LEO satellite such that a VRS corrected LEO satellite position estimate of the LEO satellite is generated for the first position estimate.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media are provided. One example method includes receiving a textual input that forms a part of a user request, the textual input in the form of a prefix that when complete constitutes the request. The method further includes identifying completions based on the prefix, determining one or more content items associated with each completion, computing initial scores including a score for each content item-completion pair including determining a likelihood that a given completion represents the request and a quality of the content item as compared to the completion, computing final scores including scores for each prefix-content item pair using the initial scores, computing a bid for each content item, running an auction to select a content item based on the bids and final scores, and identifying display data associated with the selected content item.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided to facilitate buying and selling products utilizing social pricing. Sellers initiate sale of a product with volume discounts for a limited time. In other words, the more people that buy a product, the lower the price for the group. Buyers have a real incentive to become prosumers that not only purchase a product but also promote purchase by others. A social pricing system brokers interaction between sellers and buyer groups, and provisions mechanisms to aid promotion of products by consumers utilizing social networks and other online activities.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for sending out meeting notices that specify logistics for both a primary meeting and an alternate meeting. The invitees are to respond, indicating their availability for attending the primary and alternate meetings. Based on the invitee responses, the system sets up the meeting for either the primary time/place for the meeting or the alternate time/place for the meeting. The final meeting notices are sent out to the invitees informing them of the meeting logistics.