Patents Examined by Thomas Dixon
  • Patent number: 8078516
    Abstract: A method for managing financial data involves parsing a digital file to obtain metadata describing the digital file, where the digital file includes financial data. The method further involves importing the digital file to a financial management application, identifying a record in the financial management application that is associated with the digital file, based on metadata describing the digital file, and linking the digital file to the record in the financial management application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin R. Weiss, James R. Del Favero, Todd Matthew Fitch, George A. Hansen
  • Patent number: 8078525
    Abstract: A method is provided for a service provider to automate service tasks for a client where the client would otherwise need to perform the tasks. The method can be implemented using computers and the internet, where a web site is provided that the client can access for information and/or calculations. Where the client is a lender making a loan to a borrower, who wishes to purchase real or personal property from a seller, the client provides customer information to the service provider who in turn provides documents for execution by the borrower and the seller. After auditing the information received, the service provider advises the client whether to make the loan. If the loan is made, the client disburses proceeds to the seller and/or to a pre-existing lienholder and an amount to the service provider, who sends information to a governmental entity for recording a lien on the property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Vintek, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence Highbloom
  • Patent number: 8069080
    Abstract: A method for generating healthcare provider quality rating data includes grouping claim records into one or more claim groups, assigning each claim group to a responsible provider, assessing the claim records in each claim group using guidelines for the particular disease or condition, and generating a compliance score for the claim group, wherein the compliance score indicates the extent to which the claim records in the claim group match the guidelines, and generating normalized provider quality rating data. A method for generating healthcare provider cost rating data includes grouping claim records into one or more claim groups, assigning each claim group to a responsible provider, calculating the total cost of each claim group, aggregating the total cost for each claim group, and comparing the total aggregate cost of each claim group assigned to each provider to an expected cost value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Ingenix, Inc.
    Inventor: Amita Rastogi
  • Patent number: 8060392
    Abstract: A professional development registry system comprising a processor and a storage medium operably connected to the processor, wherein the storage medium is capable of receiving and storing data representative of a first career ladder, data representative of at least one participant, data representative of at least one scholarship request, and data representative of at least one training event, and wherein the processor is operable to process said data and generate at least one report comprising at least part of said data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: ChildCare Education Institute, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Musso, Glenn Ewing
  • Patent number: 8055524
    Abstract: A method for visualizing a processing status of an order is disclosed, wherein the order is issued by a management information system, and executed on an execution system, and wherein status reports associated with the order are transmitted from the execution system to the management information system in Job Definition Format, and incoming status reports are stored in the management information system. In order to achieve simple handling and administration with a high degree of reliability, and simultaneously, with a high degree of flexibility with respect to changing requirements profiles, it is suggested that the processing status for each visualization is determined from the stored status reports on the fly through a parser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Hiflex Software GesMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Reichhart
  • Patent number: 8046296
    Abstract: The invention that is the subject of this Disclosure is a computerized method for valuing and transferring interests in property (whether real or personal, tangible or intangible) or goods. The method involves having parties that hold ownership interests in property or goods disclose to a processor that is administered by a third-party (but not disclose to each other) a price at which they would be willing to either sell their interests to the other side, or buy out the other side's interests, submitting binding offers to the third party obliging them either to buy or sell at their stated price (in the unlikely event that the stated prices are the same), or, alternatively, at some other price in between the ones set forth in their offers that is more favorable to each of them and that is identified by the third party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventors: Steven J. Brams, James F. Ring
  • Patent number: 8046253
    Abstract: A method of risk management across a mission support network is provided, including identifying a mission of the mission support network, and identifying, by a computer processor, assets of the mission support network. The assets include a mission asset to support the mission and a support asset to provide support to the mission asset. Each of the assets is characterized by a criticality index value to measure how important the asset is to a performance of the mission, and a vulnerability index value to measure a vulnerability of the asset to a threat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Joseph F. Scates
  • Patent number: 8046249
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide for a system and method for computer network scheduling and communication. In an embodiment, a computer network scheduling and communication system includes a settings module for selecting one or more preferences. The system also includes a calendar module adapted to generate one or more schedules based on the one or more preferences. In addition, the system includes a communication module for sending and receiving one or more messages. The system also includes a database for storing the one or more preferences, the one or more schedules and/or the one or more messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventor: John F. Hitz
  • Patent number: 8041637
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to process loss payments are described herein. In one example, an apparatus includes one or more data stores, a rules engine, an audit engine and a payment engine. In another example, the method may include receiving a notice of loss, deriving a payee, processing one or more rules using the information, determining whether an automatic payment can be made and transferring funds if the automatic payment can be made. In a further example, the method may include receiving a notice of loss, the loss having one or more exposures, processing one or more rules for each of the exposures in parallel, determining if an automatic payment can be made for each of the exposures and removing the automatic payment for an exposure if it can not be made while continuing processing payments for the remaining exposures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Ana Maria Garcia, Zinda R. Vareed, Pamela Glimm Diener
  • Patent number: 8041603
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for reimbursing merchants for coupons used by the customers of those merchants is disclosed. Pursuant to the Present Invention, a Coupon Data File is prepared, identifying the products potentially subject to coupons and/or incentives, and the nature of the associated discount. A Transaction Log Data File is also prepared, describing one or more purchase transactions undertaken by consumers. Finally, a Transaction Log Processor analyzes the transaction log data, compares the information in the Transaction Log Data File with information in the Coupon Data File and tabulates coupons redeemed by consumers during the transactions associated with the information in the Transaction Log Data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Inventor: Alex Suk
  • Patent number: 8041635
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to process loss payments are described herein. In one example, an apparatus includes one or more data stores, a rules engine, an audit engine and a payment engine. In another example, the method may include receiving a notice of loss, deriving a payee, processing one or more rules using the information, determining whether an automatic payment can be made and transferring funds if the automatic payment can be made. In a further example, the method may include receiving a notice of loss, the loss having one or more exposures, processing one or more rules for each of the exposures in parallel, determining if an automatic payment can be made for each of the exposures and removing the automatic payment for an exposure if it can not be made while continuing processing payments for the remaining exposures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Ana Maria Garcia, Zinda R. Vareed, Pamela Glimm Diener
  • Patent number: 8036964
    Abstract: A straight debt security may include a maturity component, a reset component, and a remarketing component. In general, the maturity component provides a maturity term of the straight debt security. The reset component specifies the terms and conditions for resetting a yield on the straight debt security. The remarketing component provides terms and conditions for remarketing the straight debt security to new investors. After remarketing, the straight debt security remains outstanding and potential recapture of excess tax benefits is postponed until the straight debt security ceases to be outstanding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Morgan Stanley
    Inventors: Serkan Savasoglu, Kevin G. Woodruff, Nathan McMurtray
  • Patent number: 8032405
    Abstract: A system and methods which enable modeling of end consumer interests based on online activity and producing e-commerce reports is described. The method includes scoring and classifying interests and preferences of consumers in relation to various items being offered as function of time and utilizing such scores to predict purchasing activity and revenue yield for n-dimensional combinations of interest for generation of consumer lists for target marketing and merchandising. The method also includes converse modeling of the performance and behavioral profile of items offered as a function of consumer activity. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Proclivity Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Sheldon Gilbert
  • Patent number: 8027918
    Abstract: A micro-payment system has buyers, sellers, and a broker. The buyers establish accounts with the broker and provide payment information allowing the broker to invoice the buyers. The sellers establish accounts with the brokers and specify terms for accessing items, including electronic content, available from the sellers. The sellers also provide payment information that allows the broker to credit the sellers for sales of the items. The broker aggregates the buyers' micro-payment purchases and invoices the buyers. The broker also aggregates the sellers' micro-payment sales and credits the sellers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Nielsen, John Dominick Piscitello, Arturo E. Crespo, Louis Vincent Perrochon, Benjamin Chan-Bin Ling, Georges Harik
  • Patent number: 8027864
    Abstract: A system and methods which enable modeling of end consumer interests based on online activity and producing e-commerce reports is described. The method includes scoring and classifying interests and preferences of consumers in relation to various items being offered as function of time and utilizing such scores to predict purchasing activity and revenue yield for n-dimensional combinations of interest for generation of consumer lists for target marketing and merchandising. The method also includes converse modeling of the performance and behavioral profile of items offered as a function of consumer activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Proclivity Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Sheldon Gilbert
  • Patent number: 8027857
    Abstract: An electronic data structure, tangibly embodied in an electronic information carrier, models a manufacturing process, and a computer-implemented method that generates and that uses the data structure. The data structure includes a header structure comprising planned time duration information for a defined manufacturing operation of the manufacturing process. The data structure also includes a resource capacity requirement structure linked to the header structure. The resource capacity requirement structure includes, firstly, planned resource capacity requirement information for a defined resource used in the manufacturing operation, and secondly, planned time refinement information that defines, within the header time duration information, a further refined timeframe during which the defined resource is estimated to be consumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventors: Jochen Steinbach, Klaus Reinelt, Tesfaldet Negash, Arno Eifel
  • Patent number: 8027865
    Abstract: A system and methods which enable modeling of end consumer interests based on online activity and producing e-commerce reports is described. The method includes scoring and classifying interests and preferences of consumers in relation to various items being offered as function of time and utilizing such scores to predict purchasing activity and revenue yield for n-dimensional combinations of interest for generation of consumer lists for target marketing and merchandising. The method also includes converse modeling of the performance and behavioral profile of items offered as a function of consumer activity. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Proclivity Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Sheldon Gilbert
  • Patent number: 8024223
    Abstract: A method, article and apparatus for advertising via a mobile device. A communication request is received from the mobile device that includes a screen for displaying an ad. One more ad selection criteria are then determined. Such criteria may include a visibility of the ad on the screen; a target audience determined on the basis of information provided from the mobile device; and attributes of the determined target audience. The ad selection is based on the visibility of the ad and the attributes of the target audience. Commands may then be initiated to cause the selected ad to be displayed on the screen of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Kirk Cradick, Zachary Adam Garbow
  • Patent number: 8024216
    Abstract: Computer implemented method and system for improving demand forecasting by estimating the hidden demand at an occurrence of a sellout using a single parameter probability distribution with a parameter assuming a forecasted mean demand value derived from a statistical seasonal causal time series forecasting model of count data on a new data set of sales values excluding truncated sales values at occurrences of sellouts. The present invention also provides for new more accurate performance evaluation techniques together with new performance metrics for evaluating an actual draw and for comparing a recommended draw to an actual draw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Demantra Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Aronowich, Sofia Mariamova, Ofra Natan, Henry Harel
  • Patent number: 8024215
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for improving overall profitability, and/or longevity of one or more businesses within an industry, by analyzing their position(s) within one or more market segment. In doing so, it is contemplated that the systems or methods may include managing sales (e.g. competition and/or volume, or otherwise) within one or more market segments of an industry. Of the many available applications, the present invention may be particularly suited for the automotive industry, or other similar types of industries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: CSM Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Roy Mount