Patents Issued in January 28, 2014
  • Patent number: 8639558
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing relative optimized pricing for markdown items is provided. A financial engine for determining revenue for determining sales costs is provided. An optimization engine receiving input from the financial engine and uses the determined sales costs to provide relative optimized pricing for markdown items and provides pricing and a promotion calendar for non-markdown items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paritosh Desai, Rob Parkin, John Crowther, David Davtian, France Savard, Krishna Venkatraman, Chi-Yi Kuan, Fedor Dzegilenko
  • Patent number: 8639559
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to performing brand analysis based on user's interactions with search results. In one embodiment, at least one search result list is analyzed. The search result includes a set of items corresponding to at least one search request submitted by at least one user. The set of items in the at least one search result list is determined to include at least one item corresponding to a brand analysis target item, and at least one other item. A selection by the at least one user of one of the brand analysis target item and the other item from the at least one search result list is recorded for the at least one search result list. A brand analysis metric is generated based on the recording. The brand analysis metric indicates a ratio of selections between the brand analysis target item and the other item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eser Kandogan, Jalal U. Mahmud, Barton A. Smith
  • Patent number: 8639560
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to performing brand analysis based on user's interactions with search results. In one embodiment, at least one search result list is analyzed. The search result includes a set of items corresponding to at least one search request submitted by at least one user. The set of items in the at least one search result list is determined to include at least one item corresponding to a brand analysis target item, and at least one other item. A selection by the at least one user of one of the brand analysis target item and the other item from the at least one search result list is recorded for the at least one search result list. A brand analysis metric is generated based on the recording. The brand analysis metric indicates a ratio of selections between the brand analysis target item and the other item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eser Kandogan, Jalal U. Mahmud, Barton A. Smith
  • Patent number: 8639561
    Abstract: Embodiments include a computer system, method and program product for managing a software program installed on a computer hardware system, the software program subject to a software license. A retrieval of data is performed in which the data indicates actual usage of the software program and the computer hardware system, and processor power of the computer hardware system. In addition, a retrieval of licensing data from the software license is performed in which the licensing data indicates a permitted number of or fee for installations of the software program and a permitted amount of or fee for processor power of the computer hardware system in which the software program is installed. Whether to decommission a copy of the software program based on the data indicating actual usage, the licensing data, a projected amount of future usage of the software program, and criticality of the software program is determined and reported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael K. Boudreau, Jamie B. Marsnik, Bradley T. Moore, Clinton W. Wright
  • Patent number: 8639562
    Abstract: A method for cost entity matching can include constructing a first graph including a number of first entities and a number of second entities, and assigning a number of first cost values to each of a number of first edges connecting one of the number of first entities to one of the number of second entities in the first graph; adding a second graph to the first graph, wherein the second graph includes the number of first entities and the number of second entities, and assigning a second cost value to each of a number of second edges connecting one of the number of first entities in the first graph to the corresponding first entity in the second graph; and, matching each one of the number of second entities to one of the number of first entities based on the number of first cost values and the second cost values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Marcos Cesar Vargas-Magana, Cipriano A. Santos, Carlos Valencia, Lyle H. Ramshaw, Robert E. Tarjan, Ivan Lopez-Sanchez, Maria Teresa Gonzalez Diaz
  • Patent number: 8639563
    Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for generating customized marketing messages using current events data. In one embodiment, external marketing data is received from a set of sources to form the current events data. The current events data is processed to form dynamic data. A customized marketing message is generated for the customer using the dynamic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Lee Angell, James R. Kraemer
  • Patent number: 8639564
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises identifying, in a network, user selection preferences of an identified user having accessed the network, the identifying based on an accumulation of user selection inputs executed by the identified user, the user selection inputs accumulated relative to input options presented to the user and identifying respective available network items; classifying, by an apparatus in the network, the identified user into one of multiple user affinity categories relative to an advertisement campaign for a targeted product, the classifying based on determining whether one of the user selection inputs represents a view gesture of the user having viewed the targeted product; and selecting an advertisement asset for delivery to the identified user based on the classifying of the identified user into the one user affinity category.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John Toebes, Brian Patrick Lawler, Gary T. Chou
  • Patent number: 8639565
    Abstract: An advertisement space auction apparatus enabling for a more strategic and open auction transaction to be realized is provided. The advertisement space auction apparatus using a network, comprising a memory storing advertisement space information and being accessible by a plurality of entities connected to the network, a bid data communication unit receiving a bid data submitted via the network from at least one of the plurality of entities, the bid data corresponding to the advertisement space information stored in the memory; and a winning bidder determination unit determining a winning bidder of an advertisement space designated by the advertisement space information, on the basis of the bid data received by the bid data communication unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Chisato Numaoka, Etsuro Sakamoto, Motoyuki Koike, Takeru Kojima
  • Patent number: 8639566
    Abstract: The present invention provides a space and all necessary procedures enabling visitors to create, distribute, aggregate, exchange, return, donate, verify, redeem, account and clear different kinds of incentives by commonly available means and tools, where the specific commodity (promotional programs) is exchanged for special consideration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Reliable Business Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Dmitry Yankelevich, Yuriy K. Krasnov
  • Patent number: 8639567
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system includes a transaction handler to process transactions, a data warehouse to store data recording the transactions, and at least one processor coupled with the data warehouse and configured to identify a first set of customers who made first transactions correlated with an advertisement, identify a second set of customers not in the first set of customers, and determine a difference between a first pattern in a first set of transactions of the first set of customers and a second pattern in a second set of transactions of the second set of customers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Visa U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Michelle Eng Winters
  • Patent number: 8639568
    Abstract: A system and method for implementing a merchant loyalty program is disclosed. The invention includes receiving purchase data, wherein the purchase data comprises a consumer account code, a purchase amount, and a service establishment code; associating the service establishment code with a merchant proprietor rewards account code; calculating a reward amount based on the purchase amount; and, crediting a merchant proprietor reward account with at least a portion of said reward amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Propulsion Remote Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Elts de Boer, Glyn Philip Jackson, Samuel Martin Ramsey, Theodore S. Voltmer
  • Patent number: 8639569
    Abstract: A use history that at least associates a use subject identifier for identifying a user or a terminal device a user has used with a used item identifier, which is an item identifier for identifying an item used by a user, based on use information is stored in a use history storage section. Based on the use history, a degree of similarity between two item identifiers is calculated and using the degree of similarity, associated data causing a base item identifier, which is an item identifier of a base item, and an associated item identifier, which is an item identifier of an associated item similar to the base item to correspond to each other is created. A change value to change a point value managed for each use subject identifier is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: JVC Kenwood Corporation
    Inventors: Konosuke Matsushita, Ichiro Shishido
  • Patent number: 8639570
    Abstract: Described herein is technology for, among other things, mining similar user clusters based on user advertisement click behaviors. The technology involves methods and systems for mining similar user clusters based on log data available on an online advertising platform. By building a user linkage representation based on one or more attributes from the log data, the similar user clusters can be harvested in more efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Hua Li, Zheng Chen, Jian Wang
  • Patent number: 8639571
    Abstract: A system and method for converting a rebate sponsor's offer into an instant credit or price reduction against a follow-on purchase. Rebate requests are obtained at a site on the Internet. The rebate request is tested to confirm that the at least one predetermined criterion has been satisfied. The person making the rebate request is enabled to make the follow-on purchase, with the rebate being converted into the instant credit or price reduction against the total price of the follow-on purchase. The follow-on purchase transaction is completed by charging that person for the purchase. The credit or price reduction can be conditioned on at least one predetermined criterion such as amount being spent on the follow-on purchase, the vendor from which the follow-on purchase is being made, and other criteria. The credit or price reduction can be redeemed in parts across a series of follow-on purchase transactions. In another aspect of the invention, consumers are advised of rebate offers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Inventors: David Leason, Scott L. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8639572
    Abstract: Computer implemented methods and systems are provided for intelligent advertisement selection from multiple sources. A request for a content page is received from a device. An advertisement source is selected from a plurality of advertisement sources based on an advertisement source request from a content provider. The content page is generated based on the selection of the advertisement source. An advertisement is selected from a plurality of advertisements based on an advertisement from the content page. The content page is provided to the device. The advertisement is provided to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: James D. Barnes, Mandar Bhanushali, Peter H. Distler
  • Patent number: 8639573
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a commercial game that poses questions to a user related to advertisements that the user views or listens to using a multimedia device such as a computer connected to the Internet. Points may be awarded to the user based on the number of questions answered correctly, the number of advertisements viewed, the length of time advertisements are viewed, the number of attempts at answering each question before providing the correct answer, or other advertiser-selected criteria. Points earned by the user are immediately redeemable for services such as subscription services, movies downloads, Pay-Per-View credits, or for any other tangible or intangible good, service, or reward representing a monetary value. If the user provides an incorrect answer to a question, the user is permitted to watch the advertisement multiple times until a correct answer is provided and points are awarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: WILopEN Products, LC
    Inventor: Richard Wilen
  • Patent number: 8639574
    Abstract: To help advertisers to manage their online advertising, some business metric, such as ROI, profit, gross profit, etc., may be estimated and/or tracked with respect to an ad campaign, or a portion of the ad campaign. An advertiser may provide a business metric target, such as a target ROI, a target gross profit, a target profit, etc. An ad delivery system may then adjust information in an ad campaign (or a portion of an ad campaign) in an effort to meet the target. Similarly, an advertiser may provide a goal, such as maximizing or minimizing a business metric. The ad delivery system may then adjust information in an ad campaign (or a portion of an ad campaign) in an effort to meet the goal. The targets or goals may be subject to one or more constraints. The advertiser may provide limits on values of one or more business metrics. The ad delivery system may then turn off, or govern, the delivery of ads if the limits are violated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Sumit Agarwal, Thomas Korte
  • Patent number: 8639575
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for estimating segments from key values for advertising impressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Raimondas Kiveris
  • Patent number: 8639576
    Abstract: An Internet advertisement method and system that issues an authentication key for enabling selected target customers to receive a commercial sample at a membership-based offline store by performing an advertisement in the form of a banner on a web page of an online market, such as an Internet shopping mall, such that an advertiser can conveniently satisfy needs of customers desiring to purchase goods after receiving the sample without delivering the sample, a targeting goods advertisement can be effectively performed, membership-based offline stores can be publicized, and increasing visits from customers can lead to an increase in sales. The Internet advertisement method includes providing an advertisement including information on providing a sample, and generating an authentication key for enabling a customer terminal selecting the advertisement and requesting a sample of advertised goods to receive the sample at an offline store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: eBay, Inc.
    Inventor: Young Bae Ku
  • Patent number: 8639577
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for authenticating and enabling returns at a physical store location and based off of an electronic receipt. The electronic receipt may be viewed on a mobile electronic device with electronic receipts software thereon. The electronic receipts software may use sound recordings to verify whether a customer is present at a returns terminal at a physical store location. The electronic receipts software may recode particular sounds or ambient noise at a returns POS terminal and analyze and compare this sound recording against known sounds to determine whether a customer is present at a returns POS terminal. The electronic returns software may prevent the customer from accessing returns features if the customer is not at a returns terminal and allow the customer to access returns features if the customer is at a returns terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart Argue, Anthony Emile Marcar
  • Patent number: 8639578
    Abstract: A kiosk dispenses and receives recorded optical disk media using an interconnected system central server computer through an Internet Service Provider. The system central server contains databases and processing, and is connected to a credit verification system. The central databases collect inventory administration information and customer data from the kiosks including credit card and email addresses. The central server initiates credit verification and sends receipts to customers via email. The central server maintains databases that are used for remote inventory control and administration of the kiosk network. A kiosk has the capability to identify a recorded disk for automated restocking and may also perform quality assessment of a recorded disk. A kiosk may also provide publishing-on-demand or-act as a portal for remotely served advertisement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Redbox Automated Retail, LLC
    Inventors: William H. Barber, Philip J. Tomasi
  • Patent number: 8639579
    Abstract: A call center for handling requests for medical transportation utilizes a system that assists a call center agent by automatically determining, or prompting the agent to ask for, all information needed to assess the level of service required and the effects of any applicable contractual provisions. The system captures information relating to the patient and the requested transportation, and applies service level rules representing the applicable regulatory requirements for medical transportation at the location of the patient to determine the required level of service based on the patient's condition and needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: American Medical Response
    Inventors: Mark Kalevik, Tom Coogan, Denis Jackson, Glenn Leland, Steve Murphy, Kathy Wiljanen, Mark Rector
  • Patent number: 8639580
    Abstract: A method and system are provided that enable partner sites to join in the sale of products/services via an on-line group-buying sale business method. A seller registers a list of products/services to be displayed on partner sites. Customers/visitors who access partner sites may link to one or more on-line group-buying sales conducted on an owner's main site. Accordingly, the method and system enable a super demand aggregation for products/services offered for sale by the on-line group-buying sale business method. The invention provides a partner menu tree that allows partners to pre-select products/categories for display to customers linking to the on-line group-buying sale from their partner site. Sellers may provide particular products, services, categories, and abstract terms to help partners select which products/services to display for customers from among all the on-line group-buying sale products/services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Holding 79 LLC
    Inventors: Tom Van Horn, Richard V. Halbert, Dale A. Woodford
  • Patent number: 8639581
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for adjusting prices of items in foreign marketplaces based on fluctuations in currency exchange rates. A deviation from a return sought by a merchant for an item offered in an electronic marketplace is determined. The deviation results from a change in an exchange rate between a first currency employed by the merchant and a second currency employed by the electronic marketplace. It is determined whether the deviation from the return meets a threshold. One or more actions in response to the deviation are implemented when the deviation from the return meets the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Aravind Yalamanchi, Stefan M. Haney, Jason W. Vogrinec
  • Patent number: 8639582
    Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating interactions between computing systems, such as in accordance with usage models that are configured for available services by the providers of the services. In some situations, the services are Web services, and an electronic Web service (“WS”) marketplace is provided via which third-party WS providers make their WSes available to third-party WS consumers who purchase access to those WSes via the electronic marketplace based on configured usage models selected by the consumers. Some or all of the one or more usage models configured for an available WS may each have associated use prices and/or non-price use conditions, and if so access to those WSes using those usage models may be provided only if a consumer requesting access provides appropriate payment and otherwise satisfies the specified use conditions for a selected usage model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Sirota, Gaurav D. Ghare, Don Johnson, Tushar Jain, Robert Frederick, Ashish Agrawal, Jeffrey Barr
  • Patent number: 8639583
    Abstract: A system and method for selling software products over a network. The system includes a server computer with access to software products. The system is configured to allow a user to purchase a subscription for the periodic acquisition of selected software products. In one embodiment, as part of the subscription, the user pays an amount during selected billing intervals. In return, the system issues to the user a number of credits for downloading at no additional charge at least one of the software products during a credit interval, which may be equal in length to the billing interval. In one embodiment, the system debits a number of credits in response to fulfilling a user's purchase request. The system may be also configured to deduct credits that are not used within selected credit intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew C. Wright
  • Patent number: 8639584
    Abstract: A service provider system enables a subscriber to purchase services over a network from a service provider for the benefit of third parties located in different locations. The service provider system provides service flexibility by allowing parameters to be set, such as place and time of service delivery. Further, conditions allowing third-party recipients to change service parameters include delivery time and place, exchange of purchased service for another service, return of the purchased service, etc. Reporting options to both the subscriber and the third party can additionally be provided. Reporting messages or notifications may be sent to the purchasing subscriber to indicate which of the third parties had taken advantage of the purchased service, when and where the service was consumed, and/or what the actual cost of delivering the service was. The service provider system can also provide incentives for third parties to take advantage of the purchased service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: John Bruce Harlow, Robert Sayko, Norman Shaye, Richard A. Stubing
  • Patent number: 8639585
    Abstract: Computer based systems and methods allow designing of (e.g. customization) consumer products, such as articles of footwear, apparel, athletic equipment, etc., by users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Tiffany L. Paul, Heather A. Mahoney, Michael J. Wood
  • Patent number: 8639586
    Abstract: A computer system and method of facilitating a sale which permits inventory information to be used in connection with a technology enabled selling (TES) system to facilitate a sale. The inventory information may be used during configuration of an item to be sold to a customer in a manner which allows the sales representative to more easily sell items from inventory if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Clear With Computers, LLC
    Inventors: Jerome Dale Johnson, David Robert Lundberg, Dale Arthur Mehr
  • Patent number: 8639587
    Abstract: A user and a merchant register an account with a payment processing system and each receive a unique identifier. When the registered user enters a search query for a product, the search engine system locates a product that matches the search query and that is associated with a registered merchant. The search engine system then confirms that the user and the merchant are registered, and creates a unique product identifier for the product. After associating the unique product identifier with the product, the search engine presents the product to the user with a direct purchase option. If the user selects a direct purchase option, the search engine system communicates with the payment processing system and merchant system to facilitate and verify the purchase transaction. The merchant then provides the product to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Whang
  • Patent number: 8639588
    Abstract: A system and method in a virtual universe system for tagging objects in one virtual world so that avatars in other virtual worlds can search for, review, purchase, and exchange real goods and virtual objects. In a virtual universe having more than one virtual world, an object in one virtual world may be tagged with a seller identification, an advertising location, an item type, and details of the item. The object may then be externalized to other virtual worlds within the virtual universe for searching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Peter G. Finn, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Neil A. Katz, James W. Seaman
  • Patent number: 8639589
    Abstract: A system and method in a virtual universe system for tagging objects in one virtual world so that avatars in other virtual worlds can search for, review, purchase, and exchange real goods and virtual objects. In a virtual universe having more than one virtual world, an object in one virtual world may be tagged with a seller identification, an advertising location, an item type, and details of the item. The object may then be externalized to other virtual worlds within the virtual universe for searching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Peter G. Finn, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Neil A. Katz, James W. Seaman
  • Patent number: 8639590
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of checking the availability of products comprising deriving information on one or more second electronic data sets based on information received on a plurality of first data sets. Each first data set includes a first key, including a primary key element and secondary keys elements representative of product-related conditions, and a product quantity related to a single point of time or time period. Each second data set includes a second key, formed exclusively of the secondary key elements, and product quantities related to a series of points of time or time periods. Information on the availability of one or more products is derived by checking the information on the second data sets against one or more product-related checking requirements. Furthermore, the information on the second data sets is directly generated (i.e., with no intermediary linear array) based on the information on the first data sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventor: Thorsten Glebe
  • Patent number: 8639591
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method for generating a visual display indicating the status of multiple shipping loads are described. The embodiments described herein may include one or more displays and a display control component configured to control the displays. In various embodiments, the display control component may track items (e.g., freight, inventory, etc.) shipped to a materials handling facility and generate a display to visually indicate the various statuses as a graphical representation. As described in more detail herein, such a display may provide agents with greater visibility into the various processes performed in the materials handling facility. To do so, the various displays under the control of the display control component may in some embodiments be strategically located within the materials handling facility. For instance, such displays may be present in inbound and outbound docking areas in the presence of one or more agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Devesh Mishra, Eric Young, Michael McKenna, Jun Zhao, Kevin R. MacKenzie
  • Patent number: 8639592
    Abstract: Methods, processes, and systems architecture utilized to integrate key attributes of the unclaimed property laws of the states of the United States and other jurisdictions, along with certain generally accepted accounting principles, into a rules-based processing platform that processes, positions, and manages prepaid cards, stored value cards, and other payment instruments with respect to escheat under the unclaimed property laws and derecognition under the accounting standards are provided. A systems architecture platform aggregates transaction data and other information and processes escheat and derecognition for the payment instruments. Each instrument in a portfolio is individually positioned and individually repositioned into single or multiple footprint systems using one or more issuers to achieve optimum compliance with escheat laws while either minimizing or maximizing the breakage that is subject to escheat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Card Compliant, LLC
    Inventors: Phillip C. Rouse, Victoria Blake, Jeff Horen, Amanda Culp
  • Patent number: 8639593
    Abstract: The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A COMPLIANCE COORDINATOR (“COMPLIANCE COORDINATOR”) provides a facility for facilitating compliance with regulation of retirement savings plans with multiple plan vendors, including 403(b) plans. In one embodiment, the Compliance Coordinator effects aggregation of data relevant to regulatory compliance across multiple vendors serving retirement savings plans, and sharing of aggregated data among vendors to allow for compliance monitoring and analysis. In one embodiment, the Compliance Coordinator may also provide compliance analysis facilities to analyze aggregated plan data for regulatory compliance, determine compliance statuses, generate compliance reports, and/or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America
    Inventors: Paul J. Gallagher, Evan Giller, Elaine Immerman, Ralph Sanna, Christopher Fee, Grace Murphy, Brian Smerdell, Merrell Rielly, Brian Ragone, Denise Lovell
  • Patent number: 8639594
    Abstract: Devices and techniques for cash management of self-service transactional terminals are provided. Cash flow, cash holding cost, and cash service cost data, associated with one or more self-service transactional devices are received. An optimal cash reset value and associated interval between services calls may be calculated based on the cash flow data, the cash holding cost data, and the cash service cost data. The cash reset value being the amount of cash left in each of the one or more self-service transactional devices after a service call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Robert Cash
  • Patent number: 8639595
    Abstract: Techniques, including systems and methods, for virtual resource cost tracking account for unused capacity of implementation resources that is dedicated to particular customers and, as a result, is unusable for maintaining virtual resources for other customers. Customers requesting dedicated use of implementation resources are charged in a manner that compensates the virtual resource provider for the lost ability to use unused capacity of implementation resources to serve other customers. Customer charges may be determined by a pricing function that is calculated such that, for a base of customers, expected revenue from the base of customers approximates a revenue goal. The revenue goal may be determined based on revenue that would have been expected had the unused capacity of the dedicated implementation resources been available for serving other customers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc J. Brooker, Abhinav Agrawal, David Brown, Eric Jason Brandwine, Marvin M. Theimer
  • Patent number: 8639596
    Abstract: Disclosed is a generalized method for automated account reconciliation capable of matching transactions in one accounting dataset to transactions in another accounting dataset with little initial data preparation. The method is highly flexible in that it does not require source data in a particular format, can accept both structured and unstructured (e.g. descriptive text) data as input, is not domain- or language-dependent, and requires little to no training or user-provided heuristics. The method is also adjustable depending on a user's tolerance of error. Based on probability and information theory, computational linguistics, and statistics, the method can complete accounting reconciliation problems in significantly less time than is possible manually, and with just as high accuracy. Especially for large reconciliation problems, the method can save an overwhelming portion of the cost associated with this kind of task in the past.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Galisteo Consulting Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter A. Chew
  • Patent number: 8639597
    Abstract: Systems and methods for verifying and monitoring employees are provided. Employees call-in to the system at scheduled times. If an employee misses a scheduled call-in, an alert can be generated. An employer notification process can generate the alert, notifying a supervisor of the employee's missed call. The alert can include the employee's name, the location of the employee, and the time he/she was supposed to call. Such systems and methods can be used to verify that a worker is at the proper location at the proper time and awake and alert during the entire time period that he/she is supposed to be working.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Steadycare, LLC
    Inventors: Arthur Phillip Clifford, Patricia A. Marrin
  • Patent number: 8639598
    Abstract: A method for providing technical support for a computing device is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, such a method includes detecting a problem associated with a computing device. The method then determines a support level assigned to the computing device. A set of problems is associated with the support level. If the problem belongs to the set of problems associated with the support level, the method automatically sends a message to a support provider so that the support provider can address the problem. A corresponding system and computer program product are also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Charles Compton, Nikhil Khandelwal, Michael R. Maletich, Richard Albert Welp
  • Patent number: 8639599
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for usage billing of one or more hosted applications serving one or more clients. The hosted applications are contained within one or more isolated environments or run without isolated environments. The system may include usage billing based on one or more of resources open, amount of data flowing through resources, number of open files, number of transactions, number of concurrent users, number of processes, CPU utilization and memory usage, The system may further include a management interface where administrators may add, remove and configure isolated environments, configure client policies and credentials, and force upgrades. If using isolated environments, the isolated environments may be isolated from other applications and the host operating system on the clients and applications within the isolated environments may run without performing an application-installation on the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Open Invention Network, LLC
    Inventor: Allan Havemose
  • Patent number: 8639600
    Abstract: An address of a computing device for conducting a transaction with a merchant on an account of an account holder is used to obtain display attributes of the computing device. An authentication request is formatted using the obtained display attributes of the computing device. The formatted authentication request is sent for delivery to the logical address of the computing device. In response to the formatted authentication request, authentication information for the account holder is received from the logical address of the computing device. A validation attempt is performed on the received authentication information for the account holder. If the received authentication information for the account holder was successfully validated by the performance of the validation attempt, the authentication response is transmitted for delivery to a logical address for the merchant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Visa U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Mu-Chu Lee
  • Patent number: 8639601
    Abstract: A calendar spread futures contract is a forward contract on the intermonth spread of futures contracts. The calendar spread futures contract can be independently traded and accounted for independent of the traditional roll periods of the complementary futures contracts. An open interest holder can hedge against price volatility in the related futures contracts that may occur prior to or during the roll period. In other words, the calendar spread futures contract locks in the current spread between the front-month contract and the first-deferred contract. Buying a calendar spread futures control is equivalent to buying the spread difference between the expiring contract and the second expiry. Selling a calendar spread futures contract is equivalent to selling the spread difference between the expiring contract and the second expiry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Mueller, Daniel Grombacher, Frederick Sturm
  • Patent number: 8639602
    Abstract: A system for managing funds transfer and banking that facilitates mobile funds transfers, mobile deposits, mobile withdrawal of funds by a user. These operations are conducted with the help of one or more agents, as necessary. The system for managing funds transfer and banking comprises a server to which a user can connect using a first mobile device or a computer/laptop. The server receives a funds transfer request from a first mobile device communicatively coupled to the server and it communicates a first one-time-use token to the first mobile device. The first mobile device is used by a sender of funds in a funds transfer operation. The sender approaches an agent who can facilitate funds transfer, for example by accepting cash/money from the sender and initiating funds transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Inventor: Bindu Rama Rao
  • Patent number: 8639603
    Abstract: Pursuant to some embodiments, systems, methods, apparatus and computer program code for creating and administering virtual affinity groups are provided. Pursuant to some embodiments, a computer implemented processing method is provided which includes receiving, at an insurance processing platform, information identifying at least a first characteristic of a virtual affinity group, receiving, at the insurance processing platform, information identifying at least a first feature of the virtual affinity group and at least a first insurance related benefit to be offered to the virtual affinity group, automatically identifying at least a first individual matching the at least first characteristic, and communicating to the at least first individual information allowing the at least first individual to participate in the virtual affinity group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hartford Fire Insurance Company
    Inventors: Ryan Owen Denning, Mushter Munib Moin, Deborah L. Perschy
  • Patent number: 8639604
    Abstract: A system and method of managing tax-deferred retirement accounts that enable the participants to invest in exchange traded funds (ETFs) and to forecast and intelligently plan for their retirement savings needs. The system and method preferably allow each participant to select an asset allocation model pursuant to which their investments will be managed and periodically rebalance the portfolio of each participant based on the selected asset allocation model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Invest N Retire, LLC
    Inventor: Darwin K. Abrahamson
  • Patent number: 8639605
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, systems, methods, computer program code, and means are provided to receive a broadcast request and a message from a first mobile device where the first mobile device is associated with a first user, compare information in the message to information in a preferences database to match the message with at least a first recipient of the message, and to transmit the message to a second mobile device associated with at least the first recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Reuters Global Resources
    Inventor: Mans Olof-Ors
  • Patent number: 8639606
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention comprises a method comprising: receiving data regarding bank rates and swap rates for two or more currencies; calculating a swap curve for each of the currencies; calculating signals for each of the swap curves; and based on the signals, taking a position with respect to each of the swap curves and currencies. In various embodiments, the method further comprises calculating a sub-index value for each of the currencies, the sub-index values based on returns for the positions; and weighting each sub-index value and calculating a value for an index, based on a combination of the sub-index values. In another aspect, the invention comprises: receiving data regarding the index; calculating a performance value for the index to be used in a derivative based on the index; and calculating an amount due to, or owed by, an investor in the derivative, based on the performance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Barclays Capital Inc.
    Inventors: Rami Shakarchi, Jonathan Rogers, Laurent Marsan
  • Patent number: 8639607
    Abstract: An anonymous trading system for financial instruments comprises a network of broking nodes each performing a bid and offer matching function and a market view distribution function. Trader terminals are connected to the network via trading agent nodes. During deal execution a credit check is performed and once the deal is complete the identity of the counterparty becomes known to the other counterparty to the deal. The originating counterparty may send a More quantity message to the other party proposing a further deal at the same price. The other party may decline, partially accept, accept or accept and propose a still further amount. Credit for the further deal is drawn from an external source and the internal credit limits are temporarily increased or disabled to prevent the deal from being rejected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: EBS Group Limited
    Inventors: August M. Hochenberger, Edward R. Howorka, Neena Jain, John C. Gaudio, John R. Capuano, Gregory Mills, Srivathsan Krishnasami