Abstract: Systems and methods for providing access to an information account stored in a central data repository. The information account is associated with a consumer and is subject to the consumer's control and management. Consumer authentication information is input by the consumer in connection with a first request for access to the information account via a first web-site. Responsive to authentication of the consumer, a single sign-on feature may be activated for automatically managing subsequent authentications of the consumer so that the consumer will not be required to again input the consumer authentication information upon initiating a second request for access to the information account while interacting with a subsequent web-site that is configured to provide access to the information account upon authentication of the consumer. The single sign-on function may be deactivated upon the occurrence of a terminating event, such as the expiration of a time-out interval.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for tracking service representative activity and data. Service representatives are equipped with handheld devices that are configured to execute question and instruction sequences during a service call. Worksheets containing such surveys and instruction sequences may be periodically transmitted to the handheld device from a backend server. The handheld device records the times at which the service representative enters and exits a retail location and the times at which particular tasks are started and completed. The worksheets allow service representatives to enter relevant data into the handheld device. Such data may include digital images, signatures and the like. All data collected at the handheld devices may be transmitted via a network or other communication link to a secure backend server, where it stored in a database and made available for query by a reporting module.

Abstract: In one example, a method for managing information in an environment that includes a client device includes accessing, at the client device, an electronic input interface. Next, the client device transmits a signal to a host system associated with the electronic input interface by entering consumer profile information into the electronic input interface. A request is then made for creation of an information account for storage of the consumer profile information. The client device then receives authentication information from the host system. Finally, the client device enables the vendor to access some of the consumer profile information stored in the information account.

Abstract: Panoramic camera systems are disclosed. The panoramic camera systems include a panoramic lens with a wide field of view, a video sensor and a processor module contained in a camera body that remains outside the field of view of the lens. The panoramic camera systems may also capture audio sounds and may include various types of motion sensors. Mounting assemblies and charging cradles for the camera systems are also disclosed. Methods for processing panoramic video image data are disclosed. Methods and devices for displaying video images are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for tracking service representative activity and data. Service representatives are equipped with handheld devices that are configured to execute question and instruction sequences during a service call. Worksheets containing such surveys and instruction sequences may be periodically transmitted to the handheld device from a backend server. The handheld device records the times at which the service representative enters and exits a retail location and the times at which particular tasks are started and completed. The worksheets allow service representatives to enter relevant data into the handheld device. Such data may include digital images, signatures and the like. All data collected at the handheld devices may be transmitted via a network or other communication link to a secure backend server, where it stored in a database and made available for query by a reporting module.

Abstract: An initiator service executed by a host server manages communications with wireless client devices concerning information accounts centrally stored in a data repository. In response to authenticating a user of a wireless client device, the initiator service may prompt the user to specify information to be retrieved from his information account and to specify a recipient of the retrieved information. The initiator service may then manage the retrieval and distribution of the specified information. The initiator service may also interact with a wireless client device to establish and distribute temporary authorizations to access information accounts. The initiator service may further receive promotion codes from wireless client devices and may query databases for data associated with each promotion code. Data received from the database may be transferred by the initiator service into an information account owned by the user of the wireless client device.

Abstract: Consumers may centrally store, manage and distribute information using an information account stored in a central data repository. The information account is accessible from any client device, without the need to permanently store or install proprietary software thereon. The information account comprises a plurality of consumer information elements stored in a tagged data format. A host server hosts a database management system for accessing the information account. A client-side application may manage communications with host server. Alternatively, the client device may interact with a vendor server that executes a server-side application for managing communications with the host server. In response to a request from the consumer, the host server may filter selected consumer information elements from the information account and transmit the filtered consumer information elements to the client-side or server-side application.

Abstract: In one example, a method for managing information in an environment that includes a client device includes accessing, at the client device, an electronic input interface. Next, the client device transmits a signal to a host system associated with the electronic input interface by entering consumer profile information into the electronic input interface. A request is then made for creation of an information account for storage of the consumer profile information. The client device then receives authentication information from the host system. Finally, the client device enables the vendor to access some of the consumer profile information stored in the information account.

Abstract: Consumer authentication information is associated with an information account stored in a central database, such that access to the information account by the consumer is conditioned upon receipt and verification of the consumer authentication information. A temporary authorization may also be associated with the information account. The temporary authorization has consumer-defined attributes that define access privileges to be granted to a person who presents the temporary authorization along with a request for further access to the information account. The temporary authorization may be transmitted to the consumer for presentation to a third-party of the consumer's choice. Alternately, the temporary authorization may be transmitted to a designated third-party or device on behalf of the consumer.

Abstract: Information accounts stored in a central data repository comprise consumer information elements associated with consumers, which may be stored in a tagged data format. A consumer may have created an information account via an originating vendor's website. The information account may be branded to identify a sponsor, which may be the originating vendor. A vendor server may be a member of an exchange comprising a logical grouping of servers authorized and configured to interact with one or more information accounts, such as differently branded information accounts. The consumer uses a client device to request selected consumer information elements from the information account. The consumer information elements transmitted to the client device may be auto-populated into a web page hosted by the vendor server and may be used to complete a transaction. The custodian of the data repository may share transaction-related revenue with the originating vendor and/or transacting vendor.

Abstract: Consumers may centrally store, manage and distribute information using an information account stored in a central data repository. The information account is accessible from any client device, without the need to permanently store or install proprietary software thereon. The information account comprises a plurality of consumer information elements stored in a tagged data format. A host server hosts a database management system for accessing the information account. A client-side application may manage communications with host server. Alternatively, the client device may interact with a vendor server that executes a server-side application for managing communications with the host server. In response to a request from the consumer, the host server may filter selected consumer information elements from the information account and transmit the filtered consumer information elements to the client-side or server-side application.

Abstract: Consumers may centrally store, manage and distribute information using an information account stored in a central data repository. The information account is accessible from any client device, without the need to permanently store or install proprietary software thereon. The information account comprises a plurality of consumer information elements stored in a tagged data format. A host server hosts a database management system for accessing the information account. A client-side application may manage communications with host server. Alternatively, the client device may interact with a vendor server that executes a server-side application for managing communications with the host server. In response to a request from the consumer, the host server may filter selected consumer information elements from the information account and transmit the filtered consumer information elements to the client-side or server-side application.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing access to an information account stored in a central data repository. The information account is associated with a consumer and is subject to the consumer's control and management. Consumer authentication information is input by the consumer in connection with a first request for access to the information account via a first web-site. Responsive to authentication of the consumer, a single sign-on feature may be activated for automatically managing subsequent authentications of the consumer so that the consumer will not be required to again input the consumer authentication information upon initiating a second request for access to the information account while interacting with a subsequent web-site that is configured to provide access to the information account upon authentication of the consumer. The single sign-on function may be deactivated upon the occurrence of a terminating event, such as the expiration of a time-out interval.

Abstract: Consumer authentication information is associated with an information account stored in a central database, such that access to the information account by the consumer is conditioned upon receipt and verification of the consumer authentication information. A temporary authorization may also be associated with the information account. The temporary authorization has consumer-defined attributes that define access privileges to be granted to a person who presents the temporary authorization along with a request for further access to the information account. The temporary authorization may be transmitted to the consumer for presentation to a third-party of the consumer's choice. Alternately, the temporary authorization may be transmitted to a designated third-party or device on behalf of the consumer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing access to an information account stored in a central data repository. The information account is associated with a consumer and is subject to the consumer's control and management. Consumer authentication information is input by the consumer in connection with a first request for access to the information account via a first web-site. Responsive to authentication of the consumer, a single sign-on feature may be activated for automatically managing subsequent authentications of the consumer so that the consumer will not be required to again input the consumer authentication information upon initiating a second request for access to the information account while interacting with a subsequent web-site that is configured to provide access to the information account upon authentication of the consumer. The single sign-on function may be deactivated upon the occurrence of a terminating event, such as the expiration of a time-out interval.

Abstract: Consumer authentication information is associated with an information account stored in a central database, such that access to the information account by the consumer is conditioned upon receipt and verification of the consumer authentication information. A temporary authorization may also be associated with the information account. The temporary authorization has consumer-defined attributes that define access privileges to be granted to a person who presents the temporary authorization along with a request for further access to the information account. The temporary authorization may be transmitted to the consumer for presentation to a third-party of the consumer's choice. Alternately, the temporary authorization may be transmitted to a designated third-party or device on behalf of the consumer.