Abstract: Particular embodiments generally relate to the orchestration of an order fulfillment business process using effectivity dates and versioning. In one embodiment, a plurality of services in the order fulfillment business process are provided. A definition of a business process including one or more services is received from an interface. The one or more services may be defined in steps to be performed in the order fulfillment business process. An effectivity date associated with the definition is also received from the interface. For example, the effectivity date may be associated with the business process or individual steps in the business process and may specify a period of time during which the process or step can be used. The effectivity dates and versioning may then be enforced at run-time.

Abstract: User accounts can allow respective users to access any their respectively owned ticket. Each ticket in a group of tickets provides its owner the right to redeem the ticket to attend a particular event. A first user initially owns a ticket in the group. Ownership of the ticket is transferred from the first user to a second user, such that, subsequent to the transfer, the second user has the right to redeem the ticket but the first user does not. A code is generated for the ticket, the code being based on a characteristic of a device associated with the second user. The code is unique across codes in the group of tickets. Redeeming the ticket to attend the particular event includes analyzing the code. A history for the ticket can be stored, the history including an indication of the transfer occurrence.

Abstract: A system for disposing of medical waste is generally configured to sort waste items into a plurality of containers according to applicable rules and regulations governing the handling and/or disposal of such items. In some embodiments, a system comprises sorting stations each of which houses a number of disposable containers. Each station can identify an item of waste, determine the most appropriate container for the item, and facilitate disposal of the item in the appropriate container. In some embodiments, a detection system for determining a presence and/or a quantity of waste items within a container is also provided. In some embodiments, access to discarded waste items is restricted once the waste items have been placed in a container.

Abstract: A computer system for locating real estate service providers by navigating an aerial image map of a geographic region. The system determines a search region corresponding to the geographic region by use of geospatial information associated with the geographic region. Once the search region is determined, the system searches a database for real estate service providers that are associated with the search region and that satisfy certain predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A method of publishing a work of literature on a network includes transmitting a published portion of the work of literature to a device via the network. The published portion includes an indication that a keyword has been sold to a purchaser for at least one appearance of the keyword in the published portion. The method also includes adding a new installment to the published portion, and updating the published portion to include the indication that the keyword has been sold for at least one appearance of the keyword in the new installment at no additional monetary cost to the purchaser of the keyword.

Abstract: A business process management system may include a parent workflow process and a child workflow process. The parent workflow process may include a call to the child workflow process. The business process management system may also include a workflow engine that is configured to execute the parent workflow process and the child workflow process, and that is configured to determine an undefined characteristic of the child workflow process with reference to data that corresponds to the parent workflow process.

Abstract: A system and method for calculating the amount of space that a user will be required to lease in various office buildings and providing a comparison so that the user can make educated decisions and pre-qualifications as to whether the building will be a viable leasing option for the user. In so doing, the system and method provide the user with relative values and target rental rates of the office buildings by considering the buildings' efficiency and corresponding amount of space the tenant will be required to lease. The calculated relative values and target rental rates may be used by tenants to evaluate building choices for leasing. The system may be configured on a network computer system or a standalone computer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that combine private contact information and Enterprise Application System (“EAS”) data in a directory. An embodiment includes receiving private contact information regarding a first employee from a second employee, storing the private contact information regarding the first employee on an EAS server, and displaying the private contact information to the second employee upon request, wherein the private contact information is viewable only to the second employee.

Abstract: A method for enhancing search skills of human searchers in an information search system. The invention allows human searchers to be trained when they are not particularly busy fielding search queries from information seekers. The training can allow the searcher to increase their performance rating, thereby allowing greater effectiveness in fielding search queries for information seekers. The method can include determining whether a searcher is eligible to receive or provide training; and training an idle searcher with training queries, and/or search results.

Abstract: A method for admitting applicants into an academic institution can include the steps of: compiling a list of standardized test takers who have applied for admission to at least one academic institution, but have not received an offer of admission to any one of the at least one academic institutions; conditionally admitting selected ones of the test takers to an abbreviated academic program; subjecting the conditionally admitted test takers to at least one examination during the abbreviated academic program, each conditionally admitted test taker achieving a score on the at least one examination; and, admitting into the academic institution those conditionally admitted test takers who achieve a score on said at least one examination which satisfies an admissions criteria.

Abstract: A method for admitting applicants into an academic institution can include the steps of: compiling a list of standardized test takers who have applied for admission to at least one academic institution, but have not received an offer of admission to any one of the at least one academic institutions; conditionally admitting selected ones of the test takers to an abbreviated academic program; subjecting the conditionally admitted test takers to at least one examination during the abbreviated academic program, each conditionally admitted test taker achieving a score on the at least one examination; and, admitting into the academic institution those conditionally admitted test takers who achieve a score on said at least one examination which satisfies an admissions criteria.

Abstract: The present invention allows multiple parties to collaborate on managing the content of an electronic catalog. In one embodiment, the invention can include receiving at a hub records from a first source, receiving at the hub updates of the records from a second source, and transferring the updated records to the first source. In another embodiment, the invention can include transferring to a hub records having information related to items in an electronic catalog and receiving updates of the records from the hub.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for mortality tracking. The method includes electronically receiving contact information of a beneficiary of a life insurance policy. The method also includes electronically receiving a unique identifier of the policyholder of the life insurance policy. The method further includes periodically electronically searching mortality database records to obtain a periodic mortality search result. Upon occurrence of an aperiodic triggering event, the method may further aperiodically electronically search the mortality database records for the unique identifier of the policyholder to obtain an aperiodic mortality search result. The method may include verifying the deceased status of the policyholder upon occurrence of an indication that the policyholder being deceased according to the periodic mortality search result.

Abstract: A method of operating an employment system is provided. The method includes generating a score for each of a plurality of possible results compared to information associated with a user, enabling the user to access a result of the plurality of possible results if the score generated for the result meets a threshold condition, enabling the user to adjust the threshold condition and preventing the user from adjusting the threshold condition beyond a minimum threshold condition. The score can be a bi-directional matching score. The minimum threshold condition can include a minimum score. The minimum score can be determined based on the percentage of the plurality of possible results that would be accessible to the user.

Abstract: A system and method to distribute disaster information to a customer. An information distribution apparatus for distributing disaster information to a customer terminal includes a disaster information storage for storing disaster-occurred district information for identifying a disaster-occurred district in which a disaster has occurred and a real disaster level corresponding to the disaster selected from a plurality of preset disaster levels; a customer information registration unit for registering customer district information; a distribution information management unit for deciding whether the disaster information is distributed to the customer by collating the disaster-occurred district with the customer district with respect to the disaster level; and an information distribution unit for distributing disaster information to the terminal according to a decision of the distribution information management unit.

Abstract: A web-based grant management application and method is described. Registration information pertaining to a grant requestor is received at a web-based portal. A local, computer readable compliance database is maintained. The compliance database includes an exclusion list of grant requestors that have been excluded from receiving a grant. The grant management application determines an exclusion status for the grant requestor by comparing the registration information to the exclusion list. The grant requestor is informed of its exclusion status via the web-based portal. If the grant requestor's exclusion status is satisfactory, then the web-based portal receives grant information pertaining to a grant sought. Based on the grant information and the registration information, a custom set of business rules is derived to automatically manage the receipt, review, tracking, reconciliation and analysis of the grant sought.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling distribution and brokering of content information are described. A request to download data is transmitted to a server. Information on multiple content providers storing data obtained from the server is received. Finally, identification information for one content provider, which allowed the download of data, is transmitted to the server along with payment for the download of data.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for detecting unknown scenarios in a data processing system. An example method includes the steps of: providing known scenario data describing one or more known scenarios in a database; generating element data depending on the known scenario data to form a set of elements, wherein each element is related to at least an actor and the behavior of the actor; computing subsets of elements by combining at least some of the elements of the set in dependence on their corresponding behavior; generating new scenario data related to new scenarios depending on the subsets of elements; and comparing the known scenario data with the new scenario data in order to identify the unknown scenarios.

Abstract: A reliability evaluation device includes a route acquiring unit that acquires a route from a starting point to a verification point of an application procedure as a group of paths indicative of relation between objects used for identity verification at each step based on data that includes the paths, a direction in which information is transferred, and path reliabilities indicative of accuracy of transferring the information, and a verification-point-reliability computing unit that computes reliability of the application procedure at the verification point by multiplying the path reliabilities by the reliability at the starting point.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, licenses for various industries are applied for and managed. Embodiments of the present invention provide for centralizing and standardizing the obtainment, completion, and submission of various license forms for applicants (e.g., any entity/person applying for, renewing, or otherwise requesting some type of license, renewal, extension, or other license related item) across plural jurisdictions. The license forms and other materials are collected from various sources. Embodiments of the present invention provide and maintain all relevant existing licenses or license applications, and further provide project management and calendar functions for licenses and license renewals. Users may be alerted when licenses require renewal, and/or license renewal date information may be integrated with user calendars.