Patents Issued in April 1, 2004
  • Publication number: 20040064340
    Abstract: A system and method for performing legal audits of corporate records and legal documents to identify areas of potential litigation for a company in advance of the commencement of actual litigation or other legal dispute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: J. Phillips L. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20040064341
    Abstract: Processes and systems collate hospital data and generate healthcare risk solutions. Hospitals electronically couple to one or more databases, through a firewall, to download hospital data. The hospital data may be processed to de-identify particular patient data. An application processes the hospital data to publish healthcare risk solutions reports to users over a network, e.g., the Internet. The healthcare risk solutions reports may include consultative solutions and one of the following: incidents, event tracking and trending; medical malpractice claim tracking and trending; cost impacts of adverse events and claims; analysis of incidents by type, dept, physician, specialty and/or shift; impact on hospital operations; and benchmarking to peer hospitals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Pete F. Langan, Jeffery S. Ritz
  • Publication number: 20040064342
    Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for managing health care protocols with a device that may be brought to the site of a patient in need of medical assistance. The device, which may comprise, for example, a defibrillator or a patient monitor, selects a protocol as a function of patient data and presents information pursuant to the protocol to assist an operator attending to the patient. The invention further includes techniques for customizing protocols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: David W. Browne, Christopher Pearce, Michael D. McMahon, Cynthia P. Jayne, Kathleen E. Briscoe, Stephen W. Radons, Joseph L. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20040064343
    Abstract: An apparatus for communicating health care data from a sender to a receiver is provided. The apparatus has a first computer system (10), a second computer system, and a rules engine. The first, computer system (10) has health care data stored therein. The second computer system is in operable communication with, and is configured to extract the health care data from the first computer system (10). The rules engine normalizes the extracted health care data to a predefined format. The rules engine defines a plurality of health care data fields in the predefined format, as well as a plurality of relationships between fields of normalized data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Ralph A Korpman, John C. Peterson, Cindy A. Post, J. Dominic Wallen
  • Publication number: 20040064344
    Abstract: A method for providing a dynamic, customized patient consent form for informing a patient of the risk of undergoing a surgery or therapeutic treatment by inputting dynamic and semi-static data to create a rule-based algorithm for calculating different risks of undergoing the surgery; drafting different explanatory paragraphs of the different risks; inputting individual patient data; creating a customized risk assessment and assembling a customized consent form by selecting the appropriate explanatory paragraphs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Ronald J. Link, Arthur Epstein, Kenneth Keith
  • Publication number: 20040064345
    Abstract: A method by which insurance claims may be handled on an on-going and continuous basis 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. By providing Internet or web-based document repository and distribution services, insurance companies, approved vendors, and independent adjusters may all address the loss or claim of an insured via the maintenance of such a web-based system by a service provider. In establishing certain methodological protocols, the present invention enables claims to be addressed in a rapid fashion to the benefit of insurers due to reduced costs and insureds due to quick response and more minimal damage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Setrak A. Ajamian, Harouteoun S. Ajamian
  • Publication number: 20040064346
    Abstract: A method of systematically gathering information relating to risk perceptions includes the steps of providing a site on a network, allowing a selected group of users access to the site, receiving information from one or more of the users, the information including at least an identification of a specific risk and a rating of that risk, communicating the information received to a database, periodically extracting elements of information from the database and preparing a report based upon one or more of the extracted elements of information. A system for implementing the method includes a server for hosting the site, means for providing the users access to the site, a memory device, means for transferring information from the site to a database stored in the memory device, and means for periodically extracting information from the database and preparing the report.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Reto Schneider, Annabelle R. Hett, Rudolf Frei
  • Publication number: 20040064347
    Abstract: An automated movie rental and notification system includes a computer having a movie database containing hold and reservation lists and movie records. The system receives rental requests, each request including a selected movie title, reservation mode, reservation time, and submitter contact information. If the reservation mode is a hold mode, the request is added to the hold list. If the mode is a reserve mode and the selected title will be available by the selected reservation time, then the request is added to the reserve list. When the movie title is available, submitters of the hold list requests associated with that title are successively contacted using respective submitter information to inform the submitter of availability until a positive response is returned from a submitter. Requests on the reserve list are selected for contact a predetermined amount of time before the selected reservation time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Stacy L. VanOrman
  • Publication number: 20040064348
    Abstract: An enterprise business planning system includes a server to an application server to execute an enterprise planning activity in accordance with a model that defines a set of enterprise users. The system further includes an extension manager to selectively deploy software extensions to the enterprise users in accordance with the model. The model may, for example, define roles for the enterprise users, and the extension manager selectively deploys the software extensions to the enterprise users based on the roles assigned to the enterprise users. As another example, enterprise model may comprises a multi-level hierarchy of related nodes, and associates the enterprise users with the nodes. The extension manager may selectively deploy the software extensions to the enterprise users based on the levels of respective nodes associated with the enterprise users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Brian S. Humenansky, John Sutcliffe, Michael Giles, Michael C. Mills, Clarence A. Aschenbrener, John M. Pitstick, Adam Thier
  • Publication number: 20040064349
    Abstract: An enterprise planning system includes a plurality of application servers, and an administration console to generate a deployment map that associates each of a set of enterprise planning models with a respective set of the application servers. The administration console, either automatically or in response to input from a system administrator, may finely control the allocation of computing resources to enterprise planning. The administrator console may adjust the deployment map based on approaching deadlines for the enterprise planning activities. When administrating a task associated with an enterprise planning activity, the administration console may break the task into a number of jobs, each job associated with a different slice of the model in accordance with the organizational hierarchy defined by the model. Consequently, allocation of computing resources to enterprise planning may be finely controlled, and may be adjusted to meet the current needs within the organizational hierarchy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Brian S. Humenansky, David S. Bowen, George Duncan Pearson, Jon M. Sandles, Clarence A. Aschenbrener, Mark Antrobus
  • Publication number: 20040064350
    Abstract: A supply chain management apparatus which allows determination of the number of orders in accordance with actual demand in a supply chain, and enables a smooth and immediate change in order/production/supply even when the actual demand varies. The supply chain management apparatus creates finished product demand forecast information based on actual sales information provided by a distributor terminal apparatus, creates part demand forecast information from the finished product demand forecast information, provides this for a part manufacturer side apparatus, creates finished product delivery schedule information based on part delivery schedule information provided by the part provider side apparatus, and provides the finished produce delivery schedule information for the distributor terminal apparatus. Said distributor terminal apparatus enables making of a modification request for the finished product demand forecast information after it receives the demand forecast information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Takashi Hanazato, Kenji Chiyoda, Takuya Kawabe, Kazuaki Shimozono, Kai Kemmochi
  • Publication number: 20040064351
    Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for a first business entity to provide a network-based supply chain framework for collaborative order management between at least a second and a third independent business entity, such as a service provider, vendor, reseller, manufacturer and the like. A request for an order is received over a network with an automated system, from at least a second business entity. The order is transmited over a network, with an automated system, to at least the third business entity. Information is received from the third business entity relating to a status of completion of the order by the third business entity using a network. The progress in completing the order is tracked based on the information received from the third business entity. Progress reports from the tracking are generated periodicly; and transmitted to the second business entity using the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Michael G. Mikurak
  • Publication number: 20040064352
    Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for administering sports leagues including the steps of providing a web site (13) for the administration of information related to a sports league and members of the sports league, registering (27) a league administrator and the league members through the web site, receiving external information (28) related to sports play from the league administrator and the league members, processing the external information (43, 48) and generating internal information (44, 49) related to the sports league and the league members, and permitting the league administrator and the league members secured access to the internal information (45, 50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: John E. Gordon, Donald A. Monteleone
  • Publication number: 20040064353
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for creating a personalized template which enable a person who monitors workflows to selectively set up search objects, analysis conditions and presentation conditions and create and manage an appropriate template.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Yeong-Ho Kim, Won-Chang Hur, Jea-Yoon Jung, Jung-Nam Lee, Mi-Suk Lee, Ho-Seong Song, Kyung-Won Kim, Yong-Woon Shin, Tae-Ho Lee, Byeong-Kwon Kwak
  • Publication number: 20040064354
    Abstract: A method (and a system) for selecting team members includes retrieving requirements for at least one task, retrieving data regarding skills of a potential team member, and determining whether the requirements are at least partially satisfied by the skills of the potential team member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brenda Lynn Dietrich, Edith Helen Stern
  • Publication number: 20040064355
    Abstract: A method of and processing function for a resource for facilitating scheduling a meeting the method 200 including specifying 203 individuals to participate in the meeting and desired resources for facilitating the meeting; communicating 207 with scheduling agents for the individuals and with a processor function 300 for a resource 311 corresponding to the desired resources; negotiating with the scheduling agents to determine availability of the individuals and with the processor function to determine availability of the resource; and scheduling 211, 215 the meeting at a time when the resource and a sufficient number of the individuals are available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Jheroen Pieter Dorenbosch, Richard Lionel Bennett, Steven Jeffrey Goldberg, W. Garland Phillips
  • Publication number: 20040064356
    Abstract: A workflow system comprising a plurality of workflow subsystems connected to a LAN (Local Area Network), these workflow subsystems being composed of servers and clients, and provides a workflow system which permits an integrated management of the definitions of the business processes placed under decentralized management, through the server managing shipping documents, BPs (Business Processes) describing shipping routes of shipping documents in the subsystem, and business process connection data to connect the BPs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Saito, Shunsuke Akifuji, Hiroshi Tsuji, Hiroshi Majima, Tetsuji Toge
  • Publication number: 20040064357
    Abstract: For new and experimental products for which no actual purchasing behavior is measurable, consumer behavior forecasting data is collected and then corrected based on a comparison of forecasted versus actual measured behavioral data for existing, “similar” products. The illustrative embodiment selects products or services that are (a) “similar” (based on various objective and subjective criteria) to the new product or service, and (b) are at a stage where actual consumer behavior can be measured. A computer then analyzes predicted consumer behavior forecasts for this “similar” product(s) or service(s) versus actual measured consumer behavior to determine a correction factor. This correction factor is then applied to correct predicted consumer behavior forecasts for a new product or service for which no actual consumer behavior can yet be measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Hunter, Sharon M. Hoeting
  • Publication number: 20040064358
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a computerized method used in marketing whole product offerings to clients includes identifying that a first respondent of a client fits into a first segment of a plurality of segments of a technology adoption profile for the client, identifying that a first whole product offering of a company fits into a first phase of a plurality of phases of a technology market development phase model for a plurality of whole product offerings of the company, comparing the first segment to the first phase, and generating an output, based on the comparison, to determine whether to market the first whole product offering to the first respondent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Joe R. Hill, Thomas L. Hill, Jeffry L. Buchmiller
  • Publication number: 20040064359
    Abstract: A computer method for enhancing regional product allocation management. The method includes the steps of providing a demand database comprising a compendium of individual demand history; providing a supply database comprising a compendium of at least one of regional product allocation management solutions, regional product allocation information, and regional product allocation diagnostics; and, employing a data mining technique for interrogating the demand and supply databases for generating an output data stream, the output data stream correlating demand problem with supply solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Menachem Levanoni, Jerome M. Kurtzberg
  • Publication number: 20040064360
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that includes assessing the capacity and effectiveness of sales pipelines by assigning values to a lead as it progresses through a sales pipeline. From these values, the sale forces can efficiently process, manage and regulate the flow of new leads to ensure that the leads generated are processed effectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Anthony F. Meggs
  • Publication number: 20040064361
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for providing suggested incentives to aid a salesperson in the close of a sale based upon a customer's user history and a business's operating information. The method and system may receive a customer's registration that includes a customer's attributes and may track the shopping patterns of the user. In addition, a business's operating information including real-time sales and inventory records may be monitored and cross-referenced against a customer's attributes and shopping history to provide suggested incentives to aid a salesperson in the close of a sale. The suggested incentives may make it more likely that a customer will close on a sale of a particular product or group of products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen J. Anderson, Russell F. McKnight
  • Publication number: 20040064362
    Abstract: A method of conducting a promotional contest by providing a portal that establishes a field for detecting the presence of a field-disturbing element, providing packages respectively having and lacking a concealed field-disturbing element, and distributing the packages randomly to different individuals who carry the packages past the portal so that a package with a field-disturbing element causes the portal to produce a signal indicating a winner of the contest. A can for beverages or the like having a field-disturbing element concealed thereon, for use in such a promotional contest. The element may be mounted in a peelable foil closure member covering an aperture in the can lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Aron M. Rosenfeld
  • Publication number: 20040064363
    Abstract: A user of information assistance may request, in a call, information about desired goods or service, e.g., suppliers of the desired goods or service in a given area. An operator who answers the call may search a database for the requested information. The search results may include not only the identities of the relevant goods or service suppliers but also special offers made thereby. The operator presents the search results to the user, and may connect the user to the telephone number of a selected goods or service supplier. In accordance with the invention, the operator may also transmit any special offer of the selected supplier to the user via a communication method(s) specified by the user in the call or a user profile previously established with the information assistance service. In addition, the participating goods or service suppliers may communicate with the information assistance service to initiate their special offers or to modify the same in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Matthew A. Mostad, David W. Camarillo, Karen L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20040064364
    Abstract: The present invention is made up of settlement terminals 4 that can settle a commodity price and service charge, receive a card-type recording medium 40 provided with a rewritable display section 46 on its surface, perform prescribed processing for the settlement, and update the recording on the display section 46, and an advertisement distribution server computer 1 that has an advertisement database with which advertisement data are registered, is connected data-communicably to the settlement terminals 4, and distributes the registered advertisement data to the settlement terminals 4, in which the settlement terminals 4 update the recording of the display content on the display section 46 of the received card-type recording medium 40 to the advertisement content based on the advertisement data distributed by the advertisement distribution server computer 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Takamaro Toyooka
  • Publication number: 20040064365
    Abstract: A method of generating and redeeming an electronic coupon for a purchaser. The method comprises the steps of generating an electronic coupon at a central server 5, the coupon being, associated with a purchaser's identity, sending a request for the coupon from a point-of-sale 14 to the central server 5, the request identifying the purchaser; and sending the coupon from the central server 5 to the point-of-sale 14.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Johan Sjobl Sjoblom, Alex D'Anci
  • Publication number: 20040064366
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system, method and apparatus for increasing transaction conversion rates for the purchase of goods or services. Embodiments of the transaction conversion system comprise an incentive apparatus, a membership database and a notification means, wherein the incentive apparatus comprises a database, an incentive selection means and a presentation means. The database contains a list of awards and a list of sources from which the set of indicia, or winning indicia can be found. The transaction conversion system presents an award to the user computer and the conditions for winning the award, wherein to be eligible to win, the user must complete a purchase transaction. The conditions for winning set forth by the incentive selection means requires the matching of the set of indicia to information located in the pre-identified source of information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Takao Asayama
  • Publication number: 20040064367
    Abstract: The present invention is method for revenue enhancement for a business establishment, comprising the steps of providing a wireless operational aid visible to a prospective patron of the business establishment; displaying a Billboard Page on the operational aid; focusing the content of the Billboard Page towards a selected group of users of the World Wide Web and Delivered Content; offering a selected user from the group of users controllable access to the World Wide Web and Delivered Content via selected Web Pages stored on the operational aid; and receiving selectively configurable revenue from the selected user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: W. Ross McKee, Thomas Halcom, Robert Breckenridge
  • Publication number: 20040064368
    Abstract: A system and method for execution of customer-specific marketing, discounts, and promotions which alerts the customer that the customer is to receive the promotion. In one form, the system includes a point-of-sale computer at a checkout counter for processing purchase of items, a customer interface device at the checkout counter which alerts a customer to the existence of a promotion and for transferring details of the promotion to the point-of-sale computer, wherein the details of the promotion appear as bar code data to the point-of-sale computer, and a local promotional server wirelessly connected to the customer interface device for sending the details of the promotion to the customer interface display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Vincent R. Koser, G. Mark McGregor, Kent A. Wert
  • Publication number: 20040064369
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus is disclosed which includes: a storing element for storing content data; a managing element for managing preference data by which to determine preferences of a user; a reading element for reading the content data from the storing element in response to an instruction from the user; a sorting element for sorting the content data read by the reading element, in accordance with the preference data managed by the managing element; and a composing element for composing the content data sorted by the sorting element, into a single item ready to be handled by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Kato
  • Publication number: 20040064370
    Abstract: A system for dispensing and redeeming the electronic discount coupons. The system includes a personal computer (PC) having hardware and software for receiving an electronic coupon from the system of computer networks, translating the received coupon into a binary format, and sending the binary-formatted coupon to a card-writing device. The card-writing device writes the coupon data onto a portable customer card (“smart card”) approximately the size of a credit card. Subsequently, the customer goes to the store with the card. Upon completion of shopping, the customer redeems the electronic coupons at the checkout area, by inserting the card into the checkout station. During checkout, the customer is credited with the value of a coupon when UPC data from a bar code reader corresponds to a coupon stored on the card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Ken R. Powell
  • Publication number: 20040064371
    Abstract: The present invention is a unique system and method for registering potential members for an incentive awards-based system and method that provides generic miles for a variety of behaviors that are redeemable for tickets for world-wide travel on any airline. The system determines whether the individual actively contacted the system. If the individual was identified without active participation by the individual, a passive registration process is used to proactively identify and contact the prospective member and entice him or her with generic miles incentive to register for the system. The prospective member then can accept the invitation to register without much effort on the part of the prospective member. If the individual actively contacted the system to register with the system, the active registration process is initiated to allow a prospective member to register with the system in order to receive generic miles incentives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Jeff D. Crapo
  • Publication number: 20040064372
    Abstract: A store transaction system that can determine what a store should be making each day if all the customer transactions were entered into the stores point of sale computer. The store transaction system combines various sensor outputs activated by customer activity in a logical manner to develop an independent store monitor that can operate 24/7 to reduce employee theft. A preferred embodiment compares the store transaction system revenue with the store point of sale computer system operated by the employees so an owner can determine a shift or the employees that are involved with theft without having to manually view video surveillance information or hire extra managers to watch the store operations. The invention also allows remote reviewing of those that are having exceptional positive impact on store sales. Another preferred embodiment allows an owner to remotely operate their integrated computer and store transaction system from any Internet access device with the proper browser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Charles C. Freeny
  • Publication number: 20040064373
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a receipt for a transaction involving electronic payment includes accessing electronic point of sale transaction data, generating a receipt in text format from the transaction data, storing the generated receipt in an indexed database, and making the receipt accessible via one or more electronic communications networks. In an exemplary embodiment, the receipt can be accessed subsequent to the transaction at any time via an ATM, or other electronic banking network or via the Internet from a bank web portal, and viewed, emailed, stored and/or printed out as may be desired. In an exemplary embodiment, the receipt comprises an ASCII text file that can be transmission quickly even at low data transfer rates and has a low storage cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Robert W. J. Shannon
  • Publication number: 20040064374
    Abstract: An Internet-based system for retail distribution of customized media content is disclosed. In a first embodiment of the invention, a retail establishment provides cards representing media content available for access. A customer selects the cards they wish to own, and when finished, the retail establishment presents a cost. After payment is received, the retail establishment grants the customer access to the media content. In another embodiment of the invention, a networked server provides a distribution center for providing media content to the customer. The networked server receives data corresponding to the information contained on a card and subsequently allows access the media content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Mansoo S. Cho
  • Publication number: 20040064375
    Abstract: A method and system for providing information regarding a customer account are provided. The customer account includes a plurality of entries, each entry being indicative of a request for payment where the request for payment is being issued by a biller entity to a customer entity. A payment record including remittance detail data is received over a network account reconciliation data at least in part on the basis of the remittance detail data and the entries in the customer account. A signal suitable for causing information derived from the account reconciliation data to be displayed on a display screen is then transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Wayne L. Randell, Leonard A. Podgurny, Edward A. Widlake
  • Publication number: 20040064376
    Abstract: A system and method for ordering and purchasing eyeglasses remotely via a network. The network eyeglass ordering and marketing system includes a user interface unit (1), an eyeglass ordering and marketing service center (2), and a network that connects therebetween. The system includes an eyeglass frame selection means (27) for selecting eyeglass frames from among a plurality of eyeglass frames in response to user input, a means (22) for creating display information concerning eyeglass frames, a means for testing the vision of the user, and an eyeglass lens selection means (26) for selecting lenses from among a plurality of eyeglass lenses in response to user input. The system also includes an eyeglass ordering and marketing processor (23) wherein the frame selection means (27), the vision test means, and the lens selection means (26) carry out a vision test in response to the requirements of the user. Appropriate eyeglass frames and eyeglass lenses are determined which best fit the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Takehiko Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20040064377
    Abstract: A system and method for allowing a customer to rent or purchase a video on an optically readable medium is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the invention consists of a kiosk at which a customer makes a video selection and the video is written to the optically readable medium, such as a DVD, within the kiosk. By applying an opaquing layer that becomes opaque with exposure to light and/or air or due to the passage of time, the rented video becomes unreadable and the customer need not return the rented video to a video rental store. Because the video kiosk writes the video content to the DVD, the video kiosk is only limited to the number of stored blank DVDs rather than a fixed number of copies of a video as is a video rental store.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Jared Ergo, Rachel Pauline Avery
  • Publication number: 20040064378
    Abstract: The customer solicitation support system includes: a portable apparatus carried by a customer; a plurality of client computers installed in shops; and a server for exchanging information among the plurality of client computers. The server manages desired product information, which indicates a product desired by a customer in association with customer information of each customer, and stocked product information, which indicates stocked products of each shop, in a database in association with shop information. When the customer goes around shops carrying the portable apparatus, the customer information is sent to the server from the portable apparatus of the customer via the client computer wirelessly communicating with the portable apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Masanori Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20040064379
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for local availability of products and services on a sales user interface. Through use of the present invention, availability of goods and corresponding services offered at a location near the user may be communicated to a consumer, thereby informing the consumer of desirable services and goods. A method for identifying services corresponding to a product available to a user based on user location may include monitoring user interaction with network navigation software operating on an information handling system. A product is identified based on the monitored user interaction with the network navigation software and a service corresponding to the identified product determined, the service determination based on user location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen J. Anderson, Russell F. McKnight
  • Publication number: 20040064380
    Abstract: Server SV of a contents supplying system according to this invention stores, together with numerous contents, contents purchase information including contents ID information and copy control data of already supplied contents as user information for each user US (a; b) of information processing terminal PC (a1, a2; b1) registered in advance. Upon request for supplying the contents from information processing terminal PC, server SV supplies the relevant contents and renews the contents purchase information of the relevant user by amendment. When information processing terminal PC sends to server SV a request for copying the downloaded contents, server SV sends the copy control data of the relevant contents as a reply. In accordance with the contents of the copy control data, information processing terminal PC determines whether or not to copy the relevant contents into external apparatus KD or recording medium RMb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoshi Hiratsuka
  • Publication number: 20040064381
    Abstract: A method and system for supplying management and maintenance parts which enables earlier reception of orders of parts required for management and maintenance of products. A physical distribution management (logistics) server 3 is provided to connect users 6, a manufacturer 6, and cooperating manufacturers 9. The users 6 are connected to said logistic server 3 through Internet or the like. Said logistic server 3 contains a management and maintenance parts supply system 2 and a parts information (spare parts information) database which stores parts information required for management and maintenance of products. The users select required parts from said database and send information of the selected parts to said manufacturer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Yuichiro Mizumachi, Kenji Yokose, Tsuyoshi Aihara, Koichi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20040064382
    Abstract: A system and method for supply chain and inventory risk management that supplies inventory from a manufacturer to a plurality of customers. An owner entity of the system is transferred a plurality of customer agreements which describe requirements for the distribution of the inventory to the customers in agreed-upon amounts in exchange for agreed-upon payments. Transfer of the customer agreements allows an electronic system of the owner entity to forecast and place orders purchasing from the manufacturer the amount of inventory that will be needed by the customers. Further, the transfer of the agreements increases the certainty that inventory purchased by the owner will be sold to the customer. The electronic owner system may also commission the services of a logistics agent that is capable of providing shipping and handling services customized to high-risk inventory, such as electronic components, increasing the owner's profit on the sale of the inventory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: United Parcel Service
    Inventor: Richard J. Negron
  • Publication number: 20040064383
    Abstract: A computer based method for communicating problems with parts shipments to a customer includes detecting a problem with the shipment, creating a trouble report with a notification to the customer, approving the trouble report with notification to the supplier, entering a proposed solution by the supplier with notification to the customer, and approval or disapproval of the solution by the customer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Jennifer Gilger, Sandi Petkus, Steve Verdes, Richard G. Chesnut, Chester A. Stanley, Corey Brock, Preston H. Spahr
  • Publication number: 20040064384
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for identifying an unknown object from an object class such as transmissions, engines, and other parts. The system utilizes a classification scheme configured to distinguish objects of the object class based upon variations observable through visual inspection. In many instances, these variations can be relatively obscure. In use, the system presents sets of options for selection by a user. Each set is directed to a particular feature for distinguishing objects of the object class, and each option represents a distinct configuration for the corresponding feature. The system receives a selection of one of the options from each set of options presented that corresponds to a feature found on the unknown object. Once the system receives sufficient information in accordance with the classification scheme, it presents an identification for the unknown object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: David Miles, David Arney
  • Publication number: 20040064385
    Abstract: A parts warehousing system has a plurality of parts warehouses, one or more hubs and one or more suppliers. A method for stocking parts in the parts warehouses of the system, includes, ordering parts from a supplier, receiving advance notice of the shipment from the supplier, and generating a deployment ticket for each part, wherein the deployment ticket includes information regarding the specific location in the warehouse in which the part is to be stocked. Received parts are tagged with the appropriate deployment ticket, segregated at the hub and shipped to the appropriate warehouse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Desmond Tamaki
  • Publication number: 20040064386
    Abstract: A real time claim processing system, the system comprising: an electronic claim submission interface; an eligibility processor of claim data supplied through the claim interface; a repricing processor for repricing the claim data; an adjudication processor for adjudicating the repriced claim data to provide adjudication details; and a payment processor for providing payment details of the adjudicated claim; wherein a real time response is provided to a provider of the claim data supplying adjudication and payment details.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Jane Goguen, Darren Willson-Rymer, Kathleen Connolly, Michael Schmidt, Julie Demers, Vincent Loparo
  • Publication number: 20040064387
    Abstract: A customizable electronic bill payment and presentment system whereby the base logic for event notification messaging need not be changed in order to provide customization to different billers. Rather, customization features are stored in data repositories, preferably in XML format. An administrator can select which events will trigger event notification messages, control parameters for processing the event messages, and who will receive messages. Also, customizable message templates are provided in the data repositories. These templates can provide messages in different languages based the recipient. Also, the templates may provide different customizable messages to different recipients depending on the role of the recipient. Accordingly, customization for a particular biller is achieved by changing data stored in a repository, rather than reprogramming core logic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: William D. Clarke, Robert A. Laprade, Daniel M. Palma, Anita Rao
  • Publication number: 20040064388
    Abstract: A method of processing data in an invoice processing system having a plurality of customer systems includes the steps of: identifying each of the plurality of customer systems; and creating a data module set associated with each of the plurality of customer systems. An electronic billing system includes a plurality of customer systems and a data center configured to receive data from the plurality of customer systems, where the data center includes a data base. The data base further includes a data module set for each of the plurality of customer systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Julie Violet Pierce
  • Publication number: 20040064389
    Abstract: A budget software application is provided to aid corporate client systems in analysis of electronic invoices from law firm systems by: prompting at least one of the corporate client systems to provide invoice identifying information to properly identify an invoice from one of the law firm systems, the invoice identifying information including at least an identified billing matter; prompting at least one of the corporate client systems to define a budgeted item; prompting at least one of the corporate client systems to define a budgeted amount for the budgeted item; and storing the budgeted item and the budgeted amount. A rules engine that permits creation of rules for such budgeted items is also provided. Machine readable medium and related electronic invoice processing systems having such media for performing such functions is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Patrick Force, Lisa Christine Batur, Julie Violet Pierce