Abstract: An encoder, based on a combination of two audio channels, obtains a first combination signal as a mid-signal and a residual signal derivable using a predicted side signal derived from the mid signal. The first combination signal and the prediction residual signal are encoded and written into a data stream together with the prediction information. A decoder generates decoded first and second channel signals using the prediction residual signal, the first combination signal and the prediction information. A real-to-imaginary transform may be applied for estimating the imaginary part of the spectrum of the first combination signal. For calculating the prediction signal used in the derivation of the prediction residual signal, the real-valued first combination signal is multiplied by a real portion of the complex prediction information and the estimated imaginary part of the first combination signal is multiplied by an imaginary portion of the complex prediction information.

Abstract: An Internet based real estate transaction and release tracking system that insures deeds of trust, liens and other encumbrances are released in a timely manner after the lien holder has received payment for the underlying obligation. Based on information provided by an agent, such as an escrow agent or a settlement agent, the system creates a unique electronic record for each real estate transaction entered by the agent. The system receives update information, either automatically from other computers or via manual input from searchers, and uses this update information to track each real estate transaction. The system monitors the records and indicates when a lien holder has failed to release their lien after a statutory time period that begins after the passing of the settlement date. When the statutory time period has passed, the system generates a number of forms, including a demand letter. The demand letter is sent to the lien holder demanding them to release the lien.

Abstract: Data about a plurality of events is stored in an event database, including information for selecting who should be invited to the event. Data about a plurality of members is stored in a member database, preferably including members' preference criteria specifying the type of events in which each member likes to participate. The member information is matched against the invitee selection criteria and the event information is matched against the member preference criteria to determine which members should be invited to each event. Based on results of this matching process, e-mail invitations to the selected events are sent to the members.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a mobile multi-media intelligent tourist guide service system, comprising GPS positioning receiver, GPS subsystem, mobile tourist guide service control subsystem, trigger area network subsystem, tourist guide information intelligent selecting and compositing subsystem, multi-media managing display subsystem, and electronic map subsystem. The mobile tourist guide service control subsystem receives and processes position information from the GPS positioning subsystem, produces multi-media tourist guide information in real-time through trigger area network subsystem and a tourist guide information intelligent selecting and compositing subsystem, plays on said multi-media managing display subsystem, and controls said electronic map subsystem displaying position in real-time, recording track and displaying corresponding geography information.

Abstract: A method of providing personal service assistance in a virtual universe is disclosed. The method provides a customer avatar (CA) access to a personal assistance avatar or personal customer service representative (PCSR) avatar, hereinafter PCSR avatar. Through the PCSR avatar, the CA communicates a need or requests for personal service assistance from a business or organization. The communication of the received request is processed to identify an appropriate business, organization or vendor that meets the need or request. The identified business, organization or vendor is contacted for a representative from the business to accede to the request from the CA. The representative from the business is allowed to assume control of the PCSR avatar to conduct the session necessary for rendering the assistance or transaction. Upon completion of the session, control of the PCSR avatar is reverted to that prior to the session.

Abstract: A system and method for providing to an individual certain information which is relevant to that individual's health status. More specifically, the invention relates to a system and method for providing information relevant to an individual's health status and wherein the information provided is chosen on the basis of not only the individual's health status but also complex psychosocial behavioral factors related to that individual's motivational structure and likely impact.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program for programming a medical device to administer a medication to a patient includes the medical device, a scanner that may be associated with a point of care (POC) system, and a medication management unit (MMU). A computer in the POC system can directly program the medical device with the permission of the MMU after a full “five rights” check or the “right patient” check can be delayed until after the pump program is downloaded. Other workflows are disclosed for programming the medical device in manual, semi-automatic and automatic modes, with safety checks incorporated at various points.

Abstract: Provided are methods of providing productivity measure for a complex workflow process, be determining at least one Productivity Workflow Index (PWI) based on data regarding human computer actions and workflow-related variables. Also provided are systems, apparatuses, machine-readable medium, and computer readable program products relating to such methods.

Abstract: An apparatus which configures a mobile healthcare network for monitoring a being includes a sender for sending the composition of the mobile healthcare network to a home healthcare network for monitoring the being and a receiver for receiving a configuration recommendation. The configuration recommendation corresponds to the composition of the mobile healthcare monitoring network and a medical history database of the home healthcare monitoring network An arranger arranges parameters of the mobile healthcare network according to the configuration recommendation.

Abstract: An intelligent care provider medical practice system which learns the care provider's preferences and historical diagnosis for predicting and treating patients based on provided information. The system makes use of one or more medical knowledge bases and utilizes artificial intelligence and reasoning to learn the provider's preferences and tendencies. The system also automatically generates the provider's notes, treatment plans, and other medical practice actions for treating, billing, and processing the patient after an exam or visit.

Abstract: Methods, computer systems, and computer readable media for reducing disruptions to a clinician during medication administration are provided. An input is received indicating that the medication-administration process has been initiated by the clinician. The medication-administration process is associated with one patient in a clinical care room. Incident to receiving this input, the clinician is prevented from receiving messages concerning patients and other matters not related to the one patient in the clinical care room. In addition, one or more visual indicators are provided to alert other clinicians, patients, and visitors that the clinician has begun the medication-administration process.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, system, and/or computer program product creates a suggested diagnostic test selection. A description of a current patient includes a current medical complaint, medical history, and physical examination result for the current patient. A cohort for the current patient is made up of persons who have a substantially similar medical complaint, medical history, and physical examination result as the current patient. Past diagnostic test sets used to make correct medical diagnoses for persons in the cohort are identified and stored in a cohort diagnostic test database. The past diagnostic test sets are sorted based on increasing levels of detrimental effects posed by each of the past diagnostic test sets. The sorted diagnostic test sets are then presented to a health care provider for the current patient.

Abstract: A system and method may generate a report to help decide among a plurality of treatment options for a medical condition. The system and method receive patient information and to generate a plurality of potential treatment options for the medical condition. The system and method also receive the patient's preference(s) for potential treatment outcomes of the treatment options, used to produce a preference value. The system and method also analyze indexed study data relating to the plurality of treatment options to produce based on the analysis a study score for each of the treatment options. For each treatment option, the system and method produce a treatment score based on at least the preference value and the study score, thus permitting generation of a report listing the treatment options and a) the treatment scores or b) the information derived from the treatment scores.

Abstract: A contents estimating system and method for providing an estimate of the cost of settling an insurance claim which includes a server having an embedded program compiled on the server and embedded in a web page, a client having a browser removably connected to the server, an inventory data acquirer for acquiring inventory data of each of the items that are the subject of the insurance claim and insert them into the web page, a price data acquirer for acquiring prices of the items of inventory data that are the subject of the insurance claim and insert them into the web page, and a liability limits data acquirer for acquiring liability limits data for the insurance claim and insert them into the web page, in which, upon receipt of a claim of loss from the insured, the web page is displayed on the screen of the client, the embedded program is executed within a client process with substantially unrestricted access to the client's system resources, and an estimate of the cost of settling a claim is produced by map

Abstract: A method for operating a return generation system comprises several steps. In a first step, a group of a plurality of individuals is determined. In a further step, at least one asset is gathered from each of said individuals. Said at least one asset is subsequently transferred to a pool of assets. Upon death of one of the individuals, a rate to be distributed to the surviving individuals is automatically calculated. Subsequently, the assets are distributed among the surviving individuals.

Abstract: The system is an advanced, web-enabled, clearinghouse that facilitates efficient and effective claim routing, monitoring and report retrieval. A claim status summary is displayed that links directly to a rejected claim listing, wherein each rejected claim listed is a link to associated detailed claim information. The detailed claim information display has fields to edit the associated detailed claim information. During the editing process, a rules verification is performed against the edited claim information to ensure the edit comply with the known rules for the associated payer. Upon successfully completing the rules verification, the edited claim is submitted to a payer.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a workers' compensation insurance premium may be calculated for a workers' compensation insurance policy covering a group of employees employed by an employer. Moreover, supplemental bundled insurance premiums may be calculated for each employee to provide individual, supplemental bundled insurance policies. The supplemental bundled insurance premiums may be contingent upon the employer's agreement to pay the workers' compensation insurance premium. By way of examples, the supplemental bundled insurance policies might be associated with one or more of short term disability insurance, long term disability insurance, accidental death insurance, accidental disability insurance and/or hospital accident insurance.

Abstract: A quantitative system and method that employs data sources external to an insurance company to generate a statistical model that may be used to predict commercial insurance profitability. The system and method are able to predict individual commercial insurance policyholder profitability on a prospective basis regardless of the internal data and business practices of a particular insurance company.

Abstract: The health care payment techniques include a method. The method includes receiving, by a payment services manager computer system, from a plurality of computer systems of a plurality of health care providers via a communication network, notification of a plurality of claims for a plurality of health care services provided to a patient by the plurality of health care service providers. At least a portion of the claims are being payable by a participant in a benefits plan and at least a portion of the claims are being payable by a third party payor. The method further comprises remitting, by a payment services system logic implemented by the payment services manager computer system, for each claim in the plurality of claims, payment of the entire claim within a predetermined time period of receiving the notification of the claim.

Abstract: A method, system and program product, the method comprising accessing, databases, comprising: aggregated account information for FDIC accounts; client account information for each of the respective client accounts, wherein the client account represents funds of the respective client held in the one or more aggregated deposit accounts holding funds of the respective client, the client account information; capacity caps; and obtaining, high, second and lowest stratification balances held in respective depository institutions; calculating for depository institutions a respective total balance in the program; calculating respective excess capacities for respective depository institutions; modifying, parameters selected from the group of a number of client accounts, additional client account funds, a total number of the depository institutions participating in the program, and the capacity caps for one or more of the depository institutions.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a computer system and method for integrating insurance policy underwriting. In one aspect it integrates the older legacy insurance policy generating systems to on line systems where users access the system through browsers. The computer system to perform the process of underwriting, rating, quoting, binding, and booking an insurance policy includes browsers, data bases, processors and a dispatcher that parses the information to select an insurance process. Suitable software programs review messages received from users to determine if certain messages are less than a prescribed limit. If a message is greater than the limit, then the message is parsed into a header information and one or more data fields whereby the header information is provided to a legacy processor and to policy generation software for further creation of policy related information and documentation.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products display invites on a mobile device calendar. An invitation is received that identifies an event having a start time and a duration. The invitation is presented to a user of a mobile device, where the mobile device includes two or more calendars. The invitation is associated with at least one of the two or more calendars, and the event is displayed in at least one calendar associated with the invitation.

Abstract: Method and system for network-enabled means to book a venue. Via a network, a bidding sub-system is deployed for providing information related to a venue to a subscriber and receiving a bid from the subscriber to book the venue for a future event. Information related to a received bid is posted via electronic means and provided to a venue representative who represents the venue and desires to receive a bid via the network for booking the venue. Through a venue representative control sub-system, the venue representative is able to select a bid to book the venue for a future event hosted by a subscriber who placed the selected bid via the bidding mechanism.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for automating travel related features based on location information of a mobile device associated with a user. For example, in one embodiment, a computer executed method is disclosed for configuring an out of office auto-reply email message. The method comprises receiving an out of area message from a mobile device associated with a user; identifying a user associated with the mobile device; accessing an email account associated with the user; and configuring an out of office auto-reply email message based on configurations prespecified by the user.

Abstract: A movie theatre shows a barcode on an electronic screen separate from the projection screen, on a side wall of the movie room. The barcode lets a patron buy tickets to movies shown in trailers on the projection screen. The patron uses a mobile device, like a cellphone, to image the barcode and decode an URL to a web page. The electronic screen also shows a table of ticket purchases, with thresholds allowing for discounted prices. The purchases are mostly from patrons in the theatre, but could also include from patrons at other theatres seeing the same trailers. This allows dynamic group purchasing of tickets in an interactive feedback loop.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for generating an expanded user segment based on a target segment of users associated with a specified target feature. In one implementation, a method is provided that includes receiving information about online activity by a set of users, the information including a unique user ID associated with each of the set of users; extracting from the received information, data about the set of users who are associated with the specified target feature; specifying one or more independent features relevant to a user association with the specified target feature; building a model that represents the probability of any user being associated with the specified target feature, based on the extracted data and the independent features; and using the model to score a network population of users relative to the specified feature, based on information received about online activity by the network population of users.

Abstract: A system includes a structure information obtaining unit which obtains structure information containing information on components of a development target in a project and on dependency relationships between the components, the structure information described, e.g., in SysML, a work item determining unit which determines work items and a work execution order based on the structure information obtained by the structure information obtaining unit; a detailed item determining unit; a date scheduling unit and a WBS storage which manages the determined work items and work execution order as work schedule definition information. The work item determining unit determines a work item related to a leaf component, which is a component not including any other component, and determines, in a case where all of the multiple components included in a single predetermined component are leaf components, a work item related to a coupling relationship between the leaf components.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product are provided for generating an allocation table in a computerized procurement system. The method comprises receiving first data from a purchase order regarding a plurality of articles to be allocated, and receiving second data from an assortment regarding the plurality of articles and a plurality of stores identified for receiving the articles at specified times. The method further comprises determining a fixed quantity of each article to be allocated to each store based on at least one of the first and second data, wherein the fixed quantity of each article is the same for all stores. The method also comprises determining a variable quantity of each article to be allocated to each store, wherein the variable quantity of each article is individually set for each store, and wherein the variable quantity of each article is determined based on analysis of historical data.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automated method and system for forming and implementing a performance-based logistic contract through managing the maintenance an item of equipment in accordance with a maintenance plan. Embodiments of the present invention include a method and system for maintaining an item of equipment supports the provision of predictive maintenance in a manner which eliminates or reduces downtime of the equipment. The method includes tracking performance data on the equipment or a particular component of the equipment. At least one required maintenance activity is predicted based upon the performance data with respect to a defined performance standard. Performance of the required maintenance activity is scheduled at a defined respective time based upon the prediction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying overdue patients using standard billing or other office management data, so that patients can be contacted and invited to make an appointment. The invention begins by querying the diagnosis codes for each visit from the billing or other encounter tables, and matching these with a set of target medical conditions requiring regular care. Procedure codes and encounter dates for past visits are queried for these patients, to determine when each patient was last seen, and what was done. These procedure codes are matched against a set of exam codes to determine last medical examination dates, and against a set of procedures known to resolve each medical condition. Each condition requiring regular care is matched against any resolving procedures, leaving a set of untreated conditions requiring regular care. Based on the date of the last exam or treatment and accepted standards of care or office policies, a due date is calculated for each patient.

Abstract: A method and system for grouping events is provided in which a plurality of base groups (303) each define a set of event points. Combined groups (304) have a set of event points defined by the combination of the event points in combining groups. The combination may be by a union of groups or an exclusion of groups and may combine base groups (303) and/or combined groups (304) together. The method and system activate or deactivate groups to enable or disable the generation of events defined by the event points in a group. The generation of events may record event instances (306) of the event points for analysis, to provide an alert for an event instance of predetermined value, to trigger a further event or activity, or to publish the event instances for the event points.

Abstract: Instant messaging (IM) entities may be invited to an electronic calendar event using an instant message. Selecting the IM entities as invitees to the event may include dragging and dropping names of the IM entities from a buddy list of an IM application to an event from an electronic calendar application, or vice versa. A method of inviting an entity to a calendar event includes providing a calendar event from a calendar application and recognizing, by the calendar application, an IM entity as an invitee to the event.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiment relates to a method for optimizing end-to-end response times distribution across a plurality of components in a performance engineering process. The method preferably comprises determining first, second, and third end-to-end response times for a plurality of components in the process, and determining an optimal end-to-end response time for the components in the process, wherein the optimal end-to-end response time distribution is based on an average of the first end-to-end response time, the second end-to-end response time, and the third end-to-end response time for each component. The disclosed embodiment also relates to a system and computer-readable code that can be used to implement the exemplary methods.

Abstract: Embodiments of task-based, decreasing-price markets enable dynamic discounting of items for sale. In one example, users shop for products (e.g., clothing, electronics, or cars) or services (e.g., hotel rooms, plane tickets, or car rentals) using a computing device or mobile device. As the users shop, they view advertisements or perform other tasks, like answering questions, and the system discounts an item's price based on the number or complexity of the performed tasks. Each user who performs a task gets a chance to buy the item at its discounted price. The other users also get a chance to buy the item at the discounted price. If someone buys the item, the item's price returns to its starting value. If nobody buys the item, the system discounts the item's price further as the users perform more tasks until someone buys the item or the item's price reaches a minimum value.

Abstract: A technique for performing commercial venture analysis involves establishing an empirically-derived structure and evaluating companies using analytical techniques within that structure. The technique may involve defining jobs, or goals a customer is attempting to reach, with dozens or even hundreds of outcomes. Ideally, the structure and tools facilitate analysis that would not be possible otherwise. Moreover, the nature of the system enables real-time input for changing conditions and the ability to calculate returns for new markets in which products or services do not exist.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatus to optimize a supply plan through a hybrid meta-heuristic approach based on genetic algorithms to optimize inventory and generate a supply plan. The apparatuses include a supply chain planner that interacts with the processes of a supply chain network. To provide a complete optimization for the type of platform being deployed in theater a heuristic algorithm is devised to decompose the supply plan problem into a production center schedule and an asset routing problem, which will be tackled one after the other. The decomposed supply plan problem is solved with different heuristic algorithms. Namely, genetic algorithms are used to optimize the supply plans based on ever changing set of operational demands from in theater and the priority of those demands to the assigned depots, while efficient constructive heuristics are used to deal with footprint and timing constraints.

Abstract: A system and method of implementing an end-of-life purchase of an item used in manufacturing. A method includes comparing a supply of an article to a demand for the article. The method also includes securing an amount of the article when the supply does not exceed the demand by a predetermined threshold, and waiting a predetermined period of time before repeating the comparing when the supply exceeds the demand by the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for delivering products according to propagated changes in a demand planning hierarchy. Demand planning data is received in addition to a change to the product quantity or a disaggregation factor at a node of the hierarchy. The product quantity is updated at other nodes based upon the received change. Updating the product quantity at other nodes includes solving a set of simultaneous equations to generate an updated demand planning hierarchy. The simultaneous equations include a sum of the product quantity at a node and a augmenting flow at the node equals a sum of the product quantities of children nodes of the nodes and a relieving flow at the node, and disaggregation factors at the node and other nodes are implemented. Solving the set of simultaneous equations includes minimizing the sum of the augmenting flows of the node and other nodes.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining and using market areas associated with one or more branches of a business. Market areas are determined using a combination of deterministic and probabilistic techniques. Distances are calculated between customers and associated branches and a convex hull formed containing the closest 60%. A block and a tightened block is formed of dissemination areas contained within the convex hull. Where blocks are shared between branches, dissemination areas are weighted according to the portion of customers associated with each branch.

Abstract: Process Brokering Services (PBS) are implemented though the concept of Adaptive Documents to facilitate electronic commerce (e-commerce). PBS provides a single point of process control over the various fragmented execution flows and brings together the elements for process integration (views, content, flows) in a unified, scalable architecture on an industry standard platform. The two principal functions of the PBS are brokering of multiple business processes encapsulated in various back-end systems including workflow engines and business applications, and aggregating content from multiple enterprise information systems in the business context and managing the shared access to this based on the roles of the participants. The dynamic services provided by PBS are accessible to clients through the PBS Interface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a public sector technology expenditure benefits realization framework that offers an unparalleled approach for addressing the very specific needs of public sector organizations combining the development of the business case with technology implementation program and integrating a sustainable long-term benefits realizations program. Specifically, in one embodiment, the methodology of the present invention integrates three steps: (1) the visioning phase for creating the vision for the planned benefits; (2) the integration phase comprising the integrating the planned benefits from the technology expenditure; and (3) the realization phase during which the public entity incorporates a sustainable benefits realization and monitoring program.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for linking enterprise resource planning data to business capabilities. Embodiments provide a linkage between schematized ERP data (e.g., financial data) and schematized business capabilities. The linkage provides the ability to report in a visual way that permits the linkage of such things as business value, performance, maturity, interconnectedness, process standardization, compliance, etc. As such, businesses capabilities can be linked to specific spend amounts in ERP data.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for implementing an identity management system for an organization includes developing a process flow diagram, the process flow diagram including one or more icons representing at least one process step for each of the events included in an event group and one or more icons representing at least one process step for each of the functional entities in an entity group, and implementing at least one of the process steps represented in the process flow diagram. The event group includes a status change for a system user, a request for an audit report, and an implementation of a new software application. The entity group includes a human resources department, an information technologies department, and a facilities department.

Abstract: Techniques for help desk management are provided. A user's experience with a resource is captured via a rating. The rating is recorded along with other metrics associated with a processing environment of the user and proactive action taken in response to configuration or performance problems with the user.

Abstract: A system that enables a user to indicate time zones in their electronic calendar for corresponding time periods in the future, and that makes the future time zone information it collects available for scheduling purposes, so that free time can be correctly determined even for frequently traveling users. The disclosed system further automatically provides indications to the user when input future free time information creates local times for previously scheduled calendar events that are outside of the user's regular working hours.

Abstract: A system and method provide content review, distribution, ranking and access and automate creation and performance of contests among sets of content-based contestants. The system and method provide customizable interactive, ongoing, multi-level, multi-round contests with expert review of and filtered submission of content-based contestants. Among other advantages, providers may use the system and method to obtain expert and consumer review and ranking of their content.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for creating and delivering integrated advertisements. An integrated advertisement may include a markup language portion for defining various formatting and properties of an advertisement and an image portion containing a plurality of images. Each of the images in the image portion may be designed to correspond with a particular screen size. The integrated advertisement provides scalability for delivering the advertisement to a number of different devices in accordance with multiple targeting criteria. The integrated advertisement also enables efficient management and reporting of advertising campaigns. An advertisement server selects and delivers an integrated advertisement and dynamically binds the markup language portion with one of the plurality of images based on the screen size of the device requesting the advertisement.

Abstract: A system and method for generating and sending reward messages to users accomplishing goals related to a personalized health behavior plan. Rewards may be issued for reasons such as achieving an ultimate goal, reaching an intermediate goal, or completing a suggested activity such as eating a suggested meal or performing a suggested physical activity. A reward may be a coupon for use at an establishment such as a restaurant, a clothing store, or a fitness center. Rewards may also be checks sent through postal mail or coupons for printing on a personal printer. Reward messages are generated by an expert system based on a user's personalized diet, exercise, or other health plan, goals associated with the plan, and specified preferences. Reward messages are sent to user's portable devices. Current location information may be used to send a user a reward for use at a nearby establishment.

Abstract: A system for monetization of content includes a storage device for storage and retrieval of data, and a library of content and advertisements stored within the storage device. The library comprises an organizational structure for facilitating the storage and retrieval. The system also includes a monetization engine for identifying within the library a first content item having a first monetizable feature. The system is configured for selecting a second content item from several content items within the library, and associating the second content item to the first content item by using the first monetizable feature for presentation of the second content item in conjunction with the first content item. Further embodiments include various additional systems, methods, and computer readable media for implementation of the foregoing.

Abstract: A purchase objective is received from a customer. A merchant is notified of the purchase objective. One or more queries for personal information associated with the customer are received from the merchant. Ones of the received queries that are associated with the purchase objective are validated. For each of the validated queries, information matching the query is retrieved from personal data relating to the customer subject to data access restrictions specified by a privacy policy established by the customer, and the retrieved information is transmitted to the merchant. An offer that satisfies the purchase objective is received from the merchant. The offer is presented to the customer.