Abstract: A computer system apparatus and method uses a display (20) to present a query (40, 50, 60) and responses (41-45) to the query (40, 50, 60) in a first language. The user may select the most appropriate response (41-45) to the given query (40, 50, 60) or may select a change of the written language for the responses (41-45) presented by touching button (70) such that the same responses (41-45) are presented in a second or other language. The display (20) also allows the user to select a verbalization of the responses (41-45) in the first, second or other language by touching button (80). The display (20) further allows the user to view an animated or video vignette display that represents the meaning of the responses (41-45) that are displayed and/or verbalized by touching button (90), whereby the user's understanding of the responses (41-45) is enhanced.

Abstract: An audio encoder in which two or more preferably different encoders cooperate to generate a joint encoded audio signal. Encoding parameters of the two or more encoders are optimized in response to a measure of distortion of the joint encoded audio signal in accordance with a predetermined criterion. The distortion. measure is preferably a perceptual distortion measure. In one encoder embodiment comprising a sinusoidal and a waveform encoder, a constant total bit rate for each audio frame is distributed between the two encoders so as to minimize perceptual distortion for both the first and the second encoder. Other embodiments consider a set of encoding parameters that is larger than only those that minimize the perceptual distortion of the first encoder. In some embodiments, perceptual distortion may be minimized by optimizing encoding via optimizing entire encoding templates, i.e. a complex set of encoding parameters, for the separate encoders.

Abstract: An embodiment of an analysis filterbank for filtering a plurality of time domain input frames, wherein an input frame comprises a number of ordered input samples, comprises a windower configured to generating a plurality of windowed frames, wherein a windowed frame comprises a plurality of windowed samples, wherein the windower is configured to process the plurality of input frames in an overlapping manner using a sample advance value, wherein the sample advance value is less than the number of ordered input samples of an input frame divided by two, and a time/frequency converter configured to providing an output frame comprising a number of output values, wherein an output frame is a spectral representation of a windowed frame.

Abstract: Details of media encoding and decoding devices which support generic homing sequences, and methods for operating such devices are disclosed. The use of generic homing sequences may permit an embodiment of the disclosed invention to support real-time, bit-exact testing of existing and future media encoding and decoding devices. An embodiment of the present invention may permit the initialization of encoding and decoding algorithms to a known state, enabling bit-exact testing of a large group of devices using these algorithms, including those whose specifications do not support such functionality. This capability may permit the full-speed, bit-exact, testing, of both locally and remotely situated media encoders and decoders.

Abstract: A method, medium, and apparatus encoding and/or decoding a multichannel audio signal. The method includes detecting the type of spatial extension data included in an encoding result of an audio signal, if the spatial extension data is data indicating a core audio object type related to a technique of encoding core audio data, detecting the core audio object type; decoding core audio data by using a decoding technique according to the detected core audio object type, if the spatial extension data is residual coding data, decoding the residual coding data by using the decoding technique according to the core audio object type, and up-mixing the decoded core audio data by using the decoded residual coding data. According to the method, the core audio data and residual coding data may be decoded by using an identical decoding technique, thereby reducing complexity at the decoding end.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for providing real-estate information using a computer network, such as the Internet. A buyer information web page showing relevant buyer list information in an easy-to-read, summary format is created and displayed to a real estate agent. Buyer information provided includes summaries of various aspects of information needed by a real estate agent to effectively represent and assist a buyer. Examples of information provided include a potential buyer name, a new activity summary summarizing newly-listed properties and other activity meeting the buyer's profile, a new views summary summarizing any views of detailed property information by the buyer using an online property data search and information system provided by the agent, and a new tags summary summarizing any properties that the buyer or the agent finds of particular interest.

Abstract: Methods and systems for block level visual presentation of real estate forecasts and related statistical confidence indicators and supporting factors. The visual presentations build upon a data set comprising block level future value predictions, statistical confidence indicators and supporting factors. A map of a user selected geographical area is visually marked to distinguish blocks or block groups based on their future value predictions. Additional overlay information includes statistical confidence indicators associated with the future value predictions, as well as presentation of supporting factors representing “reasons” behind the predictions. Visualizations allow user interactions, thereby offering the ability to visually navigate the predictions and supporting factors using tables, graphs and other tools.

Abstract: Methods and systems of customer feedback include collecting customer feedback while the customer is physically located in a retail environment, transmitting the customer feedback through a wireless communication facility to a data processing facility, wherein the data processing facility automatically compares the customer feedback to at least one threshold value in accordance to a business rule to determine an alert action, and communicating a message to an employee of an enterprise associated with the retail environment. Customer feedback is also collected by a payment transaction facility including a touch screen display adapted to present transaction information and receive a signature. A customer query is presented on the touch screen display along with selectable answers to collect customer feedback.

Abstract: A vending machine capable of refilling used ink cartridges as well as dispensing filled ink cartridges is closed. The vending machine includes at least one cartridge receptacle for receiving an ink cartridge, a user interface, a display unit, a nozzle health check module, a printhead servicing module, an ink reservoir, an ink refilling unit, a compartment containing new ink cartridges, a compartment containing filled, second-hand ink cartridges, and a recycle compartment for receiving discarded ink cartridges. The user is presented by the display unit with the option of (a) refilling a used cartridge, (b) purchasing a filled cartridge, or (c) returning a used cartridge in exchange for a purchase rebate or a discount voucher. When the user selects the option of refilling, the vending machine executes a refilling subroutine which includes checking the nozzle health.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and deploying distributed applications. A template defines a business process by means of validation, input, permission and workflow rules. The specific business process is performed by first creating a document that is a particular instantiation of the template. The document embeds all of the rules of the template along with data particular to that particular process. The document may then be assigned to a specific user, and be delivered over a wireless network. The user may view and/or update portions of the document and forward the document to a next participant in the process, all according to the embedded rules. Document updates may incorporate input from external sensors such as Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) and bar code scanners. After instantiation, the document is independent of the original template, with the document holding the actual results of the business process throughout the process.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system is operable to: receive a referral, the referral including referral information identifying a referred party, obtain referred party information related to the referred party, and use the referral information and the referred party information to automatically produce a disposition for the referral.

Abstract: The invention in some embodiments comprises a non-disclosure bond that deters a receiving party from disclosing confidential information and/or compensates a disclosing party in the event the receiving party discloses the confidential information.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to a method and system of receiving information of a user's support facility comfort requirements; using a software application to determine a proper support facility firmness configuration to match the user's requirement; selecting foam springs with the proper user required firmness as determined by the software application; and configuring the selected foam springs within the support facility to match the user's firmness requirements.

Abstract: A Digital Rights Management (DRM) content player and play method for a portable terminal are disclosed. The DRM content player includes a first memory unit for storing a license stating usage rights upon an associated DRM content, and a content list of DRM contents, a second memory unit for storing the DRM content associated with the license, wherein the DRM content and associated license are received from an external source, a first controller for controlling the first memory unit, and finding a desired license in the first memory and sending the found license to the second memory unit, and a second controller for communicating with the first controller and controlling the second memory unit.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering an assessment to individuals currently having an involvement in and those potentially acquiring an involvement in the management of an established business are provided. The system and method include an assessment of a plurality of factors that have been shown to influence the success of a business management transition, an analysis of the assessment, and a reporting of the analysis to the client. By subdividing the assessment and analysis into the plurality of factors, each can be prioritized, addressed independently and remediated as deemed necessary. In a particular embodiment, the succession success assessment and report can be delivered online.

Abstract: An electronic document execution system is provided. In one implementation, a method of executing a transaction includes creating a transaction document object populated with transaction document data and incorporating a signature image capture component; capturing a signature image via the signature image capture component of a party to the transaction document; storing the signature image associated with the transaction document object as transaction agreement data; and locking at least a portion of the transaction document data including the signature image responsive to the capturing operation.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to a method and system of receiving information of a user's support facility comfort requirements; using a software application to determine a proper support facility firmness configuration to match the user's requirement; selecting foam springs with the proper user required firmness as determined by the software application; and configuring the selected foam springs within the support facility to match the user's firmness requirements.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to a method and system of receiving information of a user's support facility comfort requirements; using a software application to determine a proper support facility firmness configuration to match the user's requirement; selecting foam springs with the proper user required firmness as determined by the software application; and configuring the selected foam springs within the support facility to match the user's firmness requirements.

Abstract: A network administration system includes an Internet-based repair (eRepair) subsystem that is configured to accept customer trouble reports related to a network and to provide customer trouble report status information to customers. The administration system also includes a Work Force and Administration-Control (WFA/C) subsystem that is configured to manage repair services that are performed on the network in response to the customer trouble reports. A repair status update system, method and/or computer program product is configured to automatically send a status change message from the WFA/C subsystem to the eRepair subsystem upon occurrence of a change in a status of a customer trouble report in the WFA/C subsystem as a result of repair services that are performed on the network. The customer trouble report status information is updated in response to receipt of the status change message.

Abstract: An automated system and method for storing information from employment seeking candidates, evaluating each candidate's job-related qualifications based on criteria set by the employer, quickly eliminating unqualified candidates, and tracking the source that referred the candidate.

Abstract: A multi-utility energy and facility automation control system has control center computer(s) connected to various utility consuming systems and software that formats pertinent systems' energy data, stores, retrieves, diagnoses and acts in response to changes and includes a multi-utility master meter device and a plurality of sensors for utilities and other facility operational data. The system includes at least one dashboard screen as a control screen, and a plurality of interconnected gateways for selection of separate networks for various utility-facility related subscreens. The sensors monitor consumption of a plurality of different utilities and other pertinent data and, using the presentation of the facility information as processed by the computer and presented on the dashboard, exercise c control of the facility to optimize performance and reduce the cost of purchased utilities and other facility operations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an on-line, interactive, and fully integrated feature-based account enrollment management program that monitors, evaluates, acquires, activates, and manages accounts and executes functions to acquire, activate, and make available account structures for users by discovering, applying, managing, and automating appropriate acquisition and administration actions.

Abstract: A method of determining the appropriateness of a medication therapy regimen detects and reduces gaps occurring between established standards of treatment and treatment provided to a person through a medication therapy regimen. Methods of determining the appropriateness of a medication or medication therapy regimen and intervention thereof are provided herein. The methods of determining the appropriateness of a medication and intervention include receiving information on a medication for the person, receiving treatment guidelines for treating a chronic medical condition, determining a level of compliance between the medication and the treatment guidelines, and intervening in a medical treatment of the person if the medication does not comply with the one or more treatment guidelines.

Abstract: A system for facilitating identification of correlations over time between patient monitoring signal histories to facilitate the making and revising of healthcare decisions includes patient monitoring equipment (144), a memory (146), a computing device (148), and a display device (152). A method for facilitating identification of correlations over time between patient monitoring signal histories to facilitate the making and revising of healthcare decisions includes designating (158) a time frame, providing (160) two patient monitoring signal histories over the time frame, constructing (162) a three-dimensional geometric surface model of the signal histories over the time frame, and visually displaying (164) the model to facilitate visual identification of correlation between the signal histories.

Abstract: Method and system for providing services in healthcare enterprises for authentication and forensic analysis of medical and dental records of patients comprising text, image, video and speech stored and communicated in digital form are disclosed. The digital images may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional comprising, for example, photographs, x-rays, CT-scans, other types of scanned images, video, etc. The patient records include living wills. Patient's original record, record ID, activity log and signature are stored in digital storage along with the original patient record attributes. Access of the records is provided to the users. New versions of record are saved along with the activity log and signature; and attributes of new versions of the record are computes and compared with the original version. If new attributes are not the same as the original attributes, then further analyses is conducted to identify the extent and the nature of record modifications and the source of modifications.

Abstract: A pharmacy label includes a patient section, a first drug section, and a second drug section. The patient section has patient-specific information printed thereon, and the first and second drug sections have first and second drug-specific information printed thereon, respectively. The patient section further contains a prescription number printed thereon. The prescription number is correlated to the patient-specific information, the first drug-specific information, and the second drug-specific information.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for profiling medical claims to assist health care managers in determining the cost-efficiency and service quality of health care providers. The method allows an objective means for measuring and quantifying health care services. An episode treatment group (ETG) is a patient classification unit, which defines groups that are clinically homogenous (similar cause of illness and treatment) and statistically stable. The ETG grouper methodology uses service or segment-level claim data as input data and assigns each service to the appropriate episode. The program identifies concurrent and recurrent episodes, flags records, creates new groupings, shifts groupings for changed conditions, selects the most recent claims, resets windows, makes a determination if the provider is an independent lab and continues to collect information until an absence of treatment is detected.

Abstract: A system and a method of identifying a need to modify data entries in a database containing healthcare admissions data. An exemplary data quality management system is useful for managing healthcare admissions data. According to an embodiment the system can include a first computer system comprising at least one server and having storage media. The media may contain a plurality of sets of patient data each assembled by a different health care provider and useful in relation to filing of insurance claims. A plurality of rules engines may each be customized for a different health care provider with each stored in human readable code. A program, which when run on the first computer system, compiles a first of the rules engines customized for a first of the health care providers wherein rules associated with the first rules engine are applied to identify needs for modifying a set of patient data received from the first health care provider.

Abstract: Methods are provided for collecting fees for managing and optimizing the profitability of a plurality of physicians in a healthcare practice participating in an insurance network. The methods can include establishing a relationship between a healthcare consultation group and the healthcare practice participating in the insurance network to increase the physician's profitability by reducing a risk of not receiving a predetermined reimbursement amount for ancillary medical costs from the insurance network. The methods can also include distributing predetermined percentages of savings attributed to the physicians' modified ancillary medical cost management behavior.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for exchanging data between a local information storage system (26) storing first data elements associated with respective data, and an executable guideline decision support system (12) executable on at least one processor for storing a plurality of executable guidelines and executing the guidelines, including processing at least data associated with a second data element. The method includes the steps of generating a request to exchange data between the local information system and the decision support system (12); determining a first data element of the plurality of first data elements that corresponds to the second data element, and at least one interoperability parameter defining how the first and second data elements correspond; processing the data being exchanged in accordance with the determined at least one interoperability parameter; and transmitting the data being exchanged between the first and second data elements.

Abstract: A system provides clinicians with realtime medication suggestions. A treatment decision support system comprises at least one repository including information associating candidate treatment items, treatment costs, treatment supply availability, patient specific medical information and corresponding related treatment parameters. An individual treatment item is associated with multiple related treatment parameters. A communication processor accesses the information in the at least one repository. A treatment decision processor uses accessed information provided by the communication processor for providing data representing candidate treatments in response to user entry of data identifying an initial treatment based on both clinical and non-clinical factors. The non-clinical factors include lowest cost and availability and the clinical factors include patient specific medical information and predetermined treatment guidelines for treating a particular medical condition.

Abstract: A method according to one aspect of the present invention includes receiving patient information, analyzing the patient information to identify a condition for the patient, and formatting a report based on the patient information and the patient condition. Embodiments of the present invention may be used to monitor any appropriate medical device from essentially any location from which a communications signal can be sent and received. This enables patients to enjoy an active lifestyle by not being tied to medical device monitoring equipment that is difficult or impossible to transport or having to routinely visit health care facilities. Multiple reports can be formatted to include any desired amount and type of information, and can be transmitted selectively to any number of users.

Abstract: A system and method for building and/or manipulating a centralized medical image quantitative information database aid in diagnosing diseases, identifying prevalence of diseases, and analyzing market penetration data and efficacy of different drugs. In one embodiment, the diseases are bone-related, such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. Subjects' medical images, personal and treatment information are obtained at information collection terminals, for example, at medical and/or dental facilities, and are transferred to a central database, either directly or through a system server. Quantitative information is derived from the medical images, and stored in a central database, associated with subjects' personal and treatment information. Authorized users, such as medical officials and/or pharmaceutical companies, can access the database, either directly or through the central server, to diagnose diseases and perform statistical analysis on the stored data.

Abstract: A disease-symptom-combination DB storing information obtained by combining each of disease name elements indicative of diseases with one or more symptom elements each indicative of a symptom, and a disease-care-combination DB storing information obtained by combining each of the disease name elements with a plurality of care elements each indicative of a care are stored in a storing unit. When the user enters symptom information of a symptom in any of terminals, a server control unit recognizes one or more symptom elements from the symptom information and detects one disease name element combined with all of the one or more symptom elements from the disease-symptom-combination DB. Further, a plurality of care elements combined with the one disease name element are detected from the disease-care-combination DB. Disease care information obtained by combining the one disease name element with the plurality of care elements is generated and visibly output in a display unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel system and method that provides real time information to an insurance adjuster. The system obtains information related to an insured item which has an outstanding claim. Information includes the cost to repair a specific item, the salvage value of the item, and the cost to replace the item. The system then compares the information related to the insured item from an economic perspective to determine whether it should be repaired or replaced. Since the system is objective, it reduces the reliance on subjective human factors such as collusion and lack of expertise. As a result, the system reduces the number of fraudulent and inaccurate transactions related to the specific item.

Abstract: A retirement compensation arrangement (RCA) leveraged loan portfolio is created and debt instruments secured by the RCA leveraged loan portfolio are sold in a public or private offering. The fixed rate or floating rate debt instruments secured by the RCA leveraged loan portfolio provide investment access to high quality insurance policies and rights to monies in refundable government tax accounts.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for creating and managing rental vehicle reservations. According to one embodiment, a system is disclosed for creating and managing a rental vehicle reservation, the system comprising: (a) a user computer, and (b) a reservation computer system that is in communication with the user computer via a network, and wherein the reservation computer system is configured to accept input from a user of the user computer over the network to create a pended rental vehicle reservation for storage and processing by the reservation computer system. The inventors herein believe that the ability of a reservation computer system to maintain such a pended status for rental vehicle reservations is particularly useful in connection with processing vouchers for replacement rental vehicles.

Abstract: A method and system of processing reservation data comprises establishing network communications between at least one user device and a check-in server, collecting information, at the check-in server, from one user device regarding at least one passenger's reservation information, establishing network communications between one or more information sources and the check-in server, and enabling a user to obtain approval status from a travel provider regarding the reservation, said approval status received via at least one user device.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of marketing an electricity distribution and transmission substation to a customer by a substation vendor. The method includes collecting functional information relating to intended use and location of the substation. The method also includes identifying at least one substation configuration from a database of plural substation configurations, where the identified substation configurations have at least some suitability for satisfying the collected functional information. The identification is made by an expert system that matches the functional information with predetermined characteristics of each of the plural substation configurations.

Abstract: 1. A method for monitoring transaction based systems monitoring their system resource and transaction performance data with thresholds on metrics, said method comprising the steps of collecting system resource data and transaction performance data on a period basis and each time a transaction performance metric is passed, triggering the collection of the system resource and storing an identifier correlating the transaction performance data and the system resource data; merging the collected system resource and transaction performance data; calculating the mean value for each system resource or transaction performance metric of merged data; identifying the metrics for which there is a significant difference between mean value obtained with triggering or without triggering; according to the identified metric mean value, calculating new thresholds of system resource metrics to be used for monitoring. The steps of the method are repeated as many times as necessary for a good training of the system monitoring.

Abstract: A forecasting system is regulated with time-series data. The context of the time-series data is determined by one or more parameters encapsulated within a forecast data type, the forecast data type being arranged to present the time-series data in a generic form (independent of any context information) to a forecasting algorithm of the forecasting system. The time-series data is encapsulated to enable the forecasting algorithm to generate a forecast for the time-series dependent on such context. The time-series data is retrieved using a generic forecast data type object arranged to provide the time-series in the predetermined context. The context presented by the fore-cast data type is capable of changing by the fore-cast data type representing a variable number and type of parameters to the forecasting system without requiring the forecasting system to be re-configured to provide the forecast over the time-series data.

Abstract: A monitoring system for developing information data, for use in association with an opening that provides access for removal by a customer of articles stored in an article storage area. In one embodiment, the monitoring system includes a beam forming device adapted to be arranged about the perimeter of the opening so as to form at least one radiation beam that spans the opening. The radiation beam has a position with respect to the opening that is sufficient to detect manual removal by the customer of one or more of the articles from inside the article storage area, by the article and hand of the customer causing a temporary blockage of at least a portion of the radiation beam as the article and hand of the customer pass through the opening. A processing circuit coupled to the beam forming device senses the blockage of the radiation beam, and in response to the sensing, develops the information data.

Abstract: A method for developing and managing a manufacturing process may include presenting a graphical user interface to define a project for developing and managing the manufacturing process for a product and storing the data entered to define the project in a database. The method may also include presenting a graphical user interface to at least one process development participant for entering data related to developing and managing the manufacturing process and storing the data related to developing and managing the manufacturing process in the database. The method may further include presenting selected data related to developing and managing the manufacturing process. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a quality assurance system may be associated with the manufacturing process. The method may also include developing and managing the manufacturing process and the quality assurance system which may be integrated in the manufacturing process.

Abstract: The transaction processing method is a computer-implemented method capable of logging events related to a consumer at a point of transaction. The event logging is performed at a transaction processing center. The transaction processing center can log such events as: receipts generated by a plurality of merchants doing business with the consumer; cash transactions generated at a plurality of cash transaction venues visited by the consumer; credit transactions generated by a plurality of creditors of the consumer; and non-financial events associated with the consumer. The events are reported to the transaction processing center by a plurality of associate members who contract with the center to provide the data. For each consumer, the event data can be stored in journal format on a server and made available for search, retrieval, display, and documentation by consumers who sign up to receive their journal information.

Abstract: A system is described including the steps of receiving a set of a digital-medium from an organization; dividing the set into a free portion and a paid portion; distributing to a person, associated with the organization, the set; allowing performing of the free portion; collecting a payment from the person; allowing performing, after the step of collecting a payment, of the paid portion; and paying, to the organization, a portion of the payment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling business level SLAs (Service level Agreements), and more particularly, systems and method for monitoring and controlling business level SLAs using probe points, KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and business commitments. An XML (extensible Markup Language)-based specification referred to as BPCL (Business Process Commitment Language) is used to describe business commitments. BPCL specifications are used by a business process management (BPM) system to configure, monitor, and control business processes based on business commitments. Business Commitments and BPCL provide a path toward model-based management for dynamic e-business solutions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of broadcasting is provided that has a geographic identifier memory, an overlay memory storing an overlay, a receiver circuit for receiving a broadcast signal and a control circuit. The control circuit displays the overlay on the broadcast signal in response to the geographic identifier.

Abstract: This invention relates to systems and methods for managing livestock, such as cattle, from conception to consumption. More particularly, this invention relates to systems and methods in which users, such as producers, feedlot managers, packers, buyers, sellers, and consumers, are brought together through shared information and improved communication. Users may access one or more applications, tools, and/or systems to increase the value of each animal, monitor and track each animal, and improve the efficiency of their operation.

Abstract: A credit card processing system uses an express processing module to create and initialize merchant accounts. The credit card processing system includes a merchant, bank, and credit card association which are connected by electronic communication links. The express processing module uses a plurality of data entry screens to compile and format merchant data for transmission to the bank which in turn opens the merchant accounts upon completion and approval of all data requirements. The express processing module further manages workflow of the applications for each of the plurality of merchants by tracking data entry progress and assigning resources to complete the applications and meet requirements for creation and initialization of the merchant accounts. The express processing module uses a plurality of web services handlers to interface with external systems to handle requests for information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and monitoring a plan to reduce poverty include identifying market opportunities exploitable by one or more smallholders; generating an intervention plan to assist the smallholders; establishing a supply chain to deliver supplies to the smallholders and establishing a linkage with an output market; and monitoring and evaluating the intervention plan.