Abstract: Techniques to automatically generate invoices for contracts, each of which may include any number of line items. Each contract line item may be associated with (1) a particular invoice plan that defines one or more applicable billing types (e.g., for non-recurring, recurring, and use charges) and any adjustments to the total billed amount, (2) a particular invoicing schedule that defines the timing for the invoice generation, (3) a particular account to which invoices are addressed, and (4) a flag to selectively enable automatic invoice generation. An invoice engine automatically generates invoices for a set of one or more contracts by processing each enabled line item of each contract based on the associated invoice plan and invoicing schedule to generate a set of one or more invoice line items for the contract line item. All invoice line items for each account are aggregated into an invoice for the account.

Abstract: A method, and system for implementing the method, comprising the steps of providing an object browser user supporting at least speech communication with the user, permitting user-controlled browsing of objects received through a computer communication network; downloading an object through the computer communication network in dependence on a user input, the object having an associated data file defining a predetermined vocabulary and a predetermined grammar; presenting the downloaded object through the object browser, wherein speech information received from the user is interpreted in conjunction with both the predetermined vocabulary and the predetermined grammar; and selectively generating at least one communication through the computer communication network, in dependence on the interpreted speech information.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring transferability of workers between and among occupations by means of the mathematical relationships between those occupations' key attributes, as defined by publicly available data on the competencies required as specified by a complete catalog of U.S. occupations known as O*NET. This method provides a concise, informative measurement for comparing the relative requirements of Abilities, Skills, Knowledge, and other relevant attributes of occupations, enabling users to gauge the feasibility of transferring workers from one occupation to another.

Abstract: Provided are techniques for defining a fulfillment path solution (FPS) comprising items undergoing an operational fulfillment process (OFP); wherein the FPS is associated with milestones to be fulfilled by the items as the items travel the OFP. Each milestone exerts a resistive force on each item. Calculating a plurality of sums, each sum corresponding to a particular item and each sum a total of all resistive forces exerted on the corresponding item by each of the milestones, wherein an item with a deadline closer to the current time is set to a higher resistive force than an item with a deadline farther from the current time; and increasing each resistive force on each item as a corresponding deadline approaches each item; wherein a higher sum indicates a need for more immediate attention.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing relative optimized pricing for markdown items is provided. A financial engine for determining revenue for determining sales costs is provided. An optimization engine receiving input from the financial engine and uses the determined sales costs to provide relative optimized pricing for markdown items and provides pricing and a promotion calendar for non-markdown items.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for adapting a production flow schedule for one or more production processes, each having one or more process steps that use power for the execution thereof. An exemplary method includes identifying at least one availability time window in which there is a predetermined minimum power availability within a predetermined optimization time period based on a piece of availability information which indicates a forecast power availability during the optimization time period; providing an indication of one or more flexible process steps, which can be executed in a plurality of alternative time windows within the optimization time period; and for each of the flexible process steps, temporally rearranging the corresponding flexible process step into one of the corresponding alternative time windows if the rescheduling is within the availability time window in order to obtain an adapted production flow schedule.

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.

Abstract: A system for simulating drink production. The system can include a processor configured to aggregate existing material information, receive predicted material information, aggregate production information, receive timing information of at least one drink product, model consumer liking of the at least one drink product, and determine a production plan based on the existing material information, the predicted material information, the production information, the timing information and the consumer liking. The existing material information can be associated with a beverage input of at least one drink product. The predicted material information can be associated with the beverage input of the at least one drink product. The production information is associated with production resources of the at least one drink product.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for creating and using full-kit tasks, monitoring the progress of full-kit tasks, determining full-kit dates, checking compliance of release conditions associated with full-kit tasks, and/or computing and reporting full-kit task delays. A full-kit task can be used in the project plan to represent the preparations that are required or recommended to be performed before executing a set of tasks. The full-kit task can be a zero-duration task that has a full-kit date and that includes a list of items which need to be completed by the full-kit date. The full-kit task is capable of being in one of the following states: not started, in progress, released, and completed. In some embodiments, the set of tasks associated with the full-kit task can only be started if the full-kit task is either in the released state or the completed state.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for creating and using full-kit tasks, monitoring the progress of full-kit tasks, determining full-kit dates, checking compliance of release conditions associated with full-kit tasks, and/or computing and reporting full-kit task delays. A full-kit task can be used in the project plan to represent the preparations that are required or recommended to be performed before executing a set of tasks. The full-kit task can be a zero-duration task that has a full-kit date and that includes a list of items which need to be completed by the full-kit date. The full-kit task is capable of being in one of the following states: not started, in progress, released, and completed. In some embodiments, the set of tasks associated with the full-kit task can only be started if the full-kit task is either in the released state or the completed state.

Abstract: A robust method for solving in a computer, optimization problems under uncertainty including the steps of: specifying the uncertainty as a hierarchical series of sets of constraints on parameters, with the parameters restricted to each constraint set forming an ensemble, and the hierarchy of constraints, represented as mathematical sets forming a hierarchy of ensembles, said hierarchy being based on subset, intersection or disjoint relationships amongst them; utilizing optimization techniques to create effective identify minimum and maximum bounds on the each objective function, said bounds depending on the constraints comprising each ensemble of parameters and being computed for each of the assumptions about the future; estimating a volume of candidate ensembles and relating the volume to one or more information theoretic measures; and utilizing information theoretic measures to analyze and improve the candidate iteratively refine the ensembles and associated by changing a specificity of the bounds on the ob

Abstract: Money transfer method and system for quickly and easily sending cash from one party via electronic mediums such as phones and computer modems using one of a credit card, debit card, ATM (automated teller machine) card, and/or a bank card and/or bank checking account and/or bank savings account, to another party who accesses an electronic retrieval site using a specialized card, credit card, debit card, ATM card account, or debit card account. Simultaneous money transfers from human sender's available and accessible funds debit card accounts to human recipient's receiving debit card accounts are processed by computer without the necessity of a pre-established relationship between the sending and receiving accounts, and the method and system repeats simultaneous money transfers between other senders and receivers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for creating and using full-kit tasks, monitoring the progress of full-kit tasks, determining full-kit dates, checking compliance of release conditions associated with full-kit tasks, and/or computing and reporting full-kit task delays. A full-kit task can be used in the project plan to represent the preparations that are required or recommended to be performed before executing a set of tasks. The full-kit task can be a zero-duration task that has a full-kit date and that includes a list of items which need to be completed by the full-kit date. The full-kit task is capable of being in one of the following states: not started, in progress, released, and completed. In some embodiments, the set of tasks associated with the full-kit task can only be started if the full-kit task is either in the released state or the completed state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, systems and software for managing software license annuities. The method relates to monitoring renewal revenue, including developing a forecast of renewal revenue, for each of one or more customers, using a customer database; contacting some of the customers to obtain customer profile data; assisting each of the contacted customers to select a renewal option using the customer profile data; modifying the forecast for each of the contacted customers based on the renewal option selected by that customer; and comparing the forecast and the customer's actual renewal purchases to monitor renewal revenue. The followings methods are also disclosed: a computer-implemented method of modelling renewal options, a method of managing annuity renewals, a method of modelling annuity renewals, and a method of displaying customer compliance with a licensing scheme. Systems and software for performing any of the mentioned methods are further disclosed.

Abstract: A simulation framework for evaluating revenue that may use a pricing engine that runs at least one pricing algorithm with particular configurations and under particular model market conditions to provide revenue projections.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving from a user interface, by a computing device, a request for execution of at least one lambda function in an operation of a geospatial application, the geospatial application having lambda functions for operating on at least one of a workflow item or one or more entities of an ad hoc geospatial directory, the workflow item including at least one of the lambda functions for a workflow in the geospatial application; and executing by the computing device the at least one lambda function to form, in the geospatial application, a work entity that associates the workflow item with one of the entities, the work entity defining execution of the workflow on the one entity.

Abstract: A method for idea prediction market investment is provided. In an idea management system, a network server advertises to a user, via a network and a client device, a first idea that the user can invest an amount of virtual money X during an investment period in an idea prediction market. The advertising indicates to the user how much virtual money Y the user will receive if the user holds the investment until the first idea gets selected at the close of the investment period. The return of investment (ROI) Y over X is based at least on a second idea in the idea prediction market. In one embodiment, the user may divest the investment X prior to the close of the investment period. In another embodiment, the user is prevented from divest the investment X prior to the close of the investment period.

Abstract: System and method for tracking and processing of text translations for online use. Translation tasks are submitted along with language and schedule information for translation of primary language text into other languages for use on other language versions of the primary language site or emails. In performing translations, the translator first selects a task group and then translates the individual tasks in the group. A translation memory retains previously translated text and associated translations. When each individual translation task is selected for translation, the translation memory is searched and previously translated identical or similar text and translations are made available for displaying to and use by the translator.

Abstract: System and method for tracking and processing of text translations for online use. The adding or editing of a text element for a primary language site or a primary language promotional email automatically generates a potential translation task. Potential translation tasks are reviewed and either deleted if no translation is required or organized into groups of related translation items and submitted along with language and schedule information for translation of the primary language text into other languages for use on other language versions of the primary language site or emails. Submission of a translation group generates an automatic notification of pending translation work to the affected translators. In performing translations, the translator first selects a task group and then translates the individual tasks in the group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a digitally originated check (DOC) through an electronic payment system (EPS) which captures payor metadata instructions regarding the intended payment to a payee. The metadata is stored in a database or the like for further processing instead of printing a paper check. The EPS is operable to clear the DOC through either paper or electronic Check 21 mechanisms.