Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for generating a recommendation of a retail location on a network-based system. For example, a system may obtain a retail location definition associated with a geographic location. The geographic location may represent the retail location. The system then builds a scan event model from product scan messages received from a plurality of scanning devices located within the geographic location. The scan event model may include one or more scan events each being associated with a product definition and the retail location definition. Next, a recommendation query from the search device is received by the system. The recommendation query may include a product identifier and a query location. The system may generate a recommendation of the retail location based on determining that the product identifier and the query location match the one or more scan events of the scan event model.

Abstract: In a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions embodied therein that when executed cause a computer system to perform a method for sharing an ensemble of items, access to a plurality of retail items to a user is enabled, wherein an ensemble of items is created from the retail items by the user. The ensemble of items are accessed, and the ensemble of items are shared such that the ensemble of items is able to be viewed by others.

Abstract: In a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions embodied therein that when executed cause a computer system to perform a method for determining preferences of an ensemble of items. An ensemble of items is accessed, wherein the ensemble is user created, and wherein the ensemble of items is shared such that the ensemble of items is viewed by others. User activity associated with the ensemble of items is tracked. Preference information of the ensemble of items is determined based on the tracked user interaction.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention provide a garment that complements one or more figure characteristics. A garment is selected from a collection containing a number of garments each of which is categorized as being within one or more garment types. Information regarding a person's body shape is obtained. The body shape information is analyzed to identify at least one figure characteristic of the body shape. At least one garment type is identified that compliments the identified figure characteristic. Garments within the collection that are categorized as being within the identified complimentary garment type are identified. The identified garments are recommended. An input corresponding to a desired garment selected from the recommended identified garments is received.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for locating a relevant product via a computer network includes receiving, at a client terminal, a search topic from a user and one or more attributes associated with the topic and assigning a rating to at least one of the attributes. A server is used to locate, at one or more information locations, at least two separate instances of the topic and at least two information fields, each field related to one of the instances the topic. Content in each of at least two of the information fields is associated with at least one of the attributes and the content in each of the at least two information fields associated with an attribute is compared against each other. A score to the content of each compared instance of content is assigned based on the comparing. The attributes are prioritized and the located instances of the topic are ranked based on the prioritizing and the score of content associated with the topic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are herein disclosed for allowing suppliers to generate an invoice from a purchase order without requiring them to log in or pre-register with a networked application. Implementation is provided by having a first user provide a first document to a networked application. An electronic notification is dispatched to a receiver for the first document with a unique link to a data entry page within the networked application. The data entry page is sandboxed with limited functionality within the networked application, but accepts data from the receiver to be sent directly into the first user's system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a merchandise sales service device based on dynamic scene change, a merchandise sales system based on dynamic scene change, a method for selling merchandise based on dynamic scene change, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer program recorded thereon. That is, it is possible to transmit information about a commodity and image information of the commodity to user equipment by efficiently configuring images and dynamically changing the images in a commodity purchase procedure. Accordingly, a user can acquire detailed information about a commodity and carefully purchase the commodity, similar to actually purchasing the commodity at an offline store. Further, it is possible to reduce the rate of returning of purchased commodities for the seller of the commodities.

Abstract: A method and system for charging a user in real time for purchasing a product through a communications device with or without data connection is provided. The method includes receiving a purchase request from the user of a user terminal, while the user is in the midst of using an application for which the user desires to purchase the product. The method includes sending the purchase request through a call dialing a special number by the user terminal for purchasing the product. The method includes receiving an explicit confirmation from the user for the purchase requests before initiating the charge deduction for the purchase requests. Further, the method includes deducting the charge for the purchase request in coordination with a network operator of the user and allowing the user to receive the requested product.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for an on-line shopping assistant for in-store shopping. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for managing an on-line shopping assistant for in-store shopping is provided. The method includes locating an in-store shopper in a portion of a store by locating a mobile device registered in a database in association with the in-store shopper. The method also includes receiving a request for data through the mobile device pertaining to at least one item in the store and filtering the requested data based upon the location of the in-store shopper in the portion of the store. Finally, the method includes presenting the filtered data in a display of the mobile device.

Abstract: There is provided a computerized method for simulating a product or service in an interactive user interface set to be added to a browsed web document, comprising: receiving data from a web document browsed to by a browser installed at a client terminal; analyzing the received data of the web document to identify at least one visual media item; generating a simulation of at least one product or service having the identified at least one visual media item integrated therein; and presenting the simulation at the client terminal within the browsed web document.

Abstract: In a computer-implemented method for generating a dashboard associated with ensembles of retail items, user activity associated with ensembles of retail items is accessed. A dashboard for displaying the ensembles of retail items associated with the user activity is generated.

Abstract: The present invention provides user equipment, a method of controlling the user equipment, and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having a computer program recorded thereon. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an object for posting on SNS by connecting various data and contents accumulated in the entire process of purchases by a customer with the data on a receipt and then can automatically synchronize and display the object on SNS, a blog, or the like, so convenience for users can be improved.

Abstract: A computerized real estate transaction system is provided. The system allows prospective tenants to coordinate showings of apartments directly with the current tenants, eliminating the need for a real estate agent to tour the prospective tenant around, and allowing the prospective tenant to choose the apartments they view. A real estate agent may be engaged for the limited work of coordinating and executing the lease.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and system which will simultaneously display a plurality of electronic bidding fee auctions. Users may simultaneously place at least one bid on each of the displayed electronic auctions using a single action, such as a single mouse click, keyboard stroke, or the pressing of a touch screen monitor. At least one bid is then placed in each auction. Each of the displayed auctions may end at different times and, as they end and a winner is notified, each ended auction is immediately replaced by another auction such that continuous bidding is not interrupted.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is system and method for sealed bid auctions through the implementation of computer device, wherein an auction includes sealed bids, assigning random IDs for undisclosed real IDs, and obtaining double confirmation from both bidders and vendors. Vendors may choose to have a reserve price such as an open reserve price and a conditional hidden reserve price. The system generates random bidder IDs and allows the bidders to self-determine into two different bidding categories, where one bidding category pays the full winning bid amount and the other bidding category purchases a “price-protection policy” that allows the recalculation of the final winning bid amount based on the “price-protection formula”, wherein the “price-protection formula” is calculated as a sum of the “price-protection fee”, the second-highest bid amount, and the amount from a pre-determined percentage of a difference between the highest bid amount and a second-highest bid amount.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium configured to anticipate travel by payment account holders without using payment transaction data.

Abstract: A payment processing system receives one or more indications of a user's location at a time that the user initiates a transaction with a merchant system at a physical location of the merchant system, processes the transaction, and receives a merchant point of sale identifier from the issuer system associated with the financial account information selected by the user. The payment processing system creates a combined list of candidate merchant identities based on the received merchant POS identifier and the user computing device location. The payment processing system calculates a probability for each of the merchant identities in the list based on similarity to the merchant POS identifier and user location data. The payment processing system associates the merchant POS identifier with the merchant identity having the highest probability and creates an annotated transaction record to display to the user.

Abstract: A method for resetting a payment password is disclosed. The method includes: at a payment server, receiving, from a portable electronic device, a payment card password reset request corresponding to a first payment card associated with a first user account and determining if the payment server has authority to reset the payment card password for the first payment card. The method further includes, in accordance with a determination that the payment server lacks the authority to reset the payment card password for the first payment card, instructing the portable electronic device to retrieve, in lieu of password reset information for the first payment card, card information corresponding to a first alternate payment card; receiving, from the portable electronic device, a response including card information corresponding to the first alternate payment card; and determining validity of the card information corresponding to the first alternate payment card.

Abstract: A benefit-provision system is operated by an administrator to provide a benefit from a source, which may be an administrator, to a benefit-eligible recipient who is part of or associated with a sponsored applicant group for which access to the benefit-provision system is being sponsored by a sponsor. A method thereof provides a benefit by an administrator from a source to a benefit-eligible recipient who is part of or associated with a sponsored applicant group for which access to a benefit-provision system is being sponsored by a sponsor.

Abstract: A system for computing mortgage risk by defined layers and pricing each additional risk unit by layer attributes. The process includes computing risk scores that result in computing risk adjusted interest rates.

Abstract: A process/method is provided for the next generation of electricity market systems that support competitive trading of electric energy and ancillary services within day-ahead and real-time market operation frameworks. The invention comprises the systems and methods related to advances in electricity market architecture, functionality, and performance. The systems and methods of the invention ensure system operation reliability and maximize market economic efficiency of energy and ancillary services trading in competitive market environment. A process/method comprising optimal clearing and competitive price formation for a variety of market commodities that are supplied and consumed by a numerous market entities of a variety of types. The solution process is arranged and facilitated in controllable and efficient manner.

Abstract: A computerized method is presented for observing the market risk of a portfolio, which includes application of path-dependent analysis to market data and providing risk observations capturing salient characteristics of risk experienced by investors. Advantages of one or more embodiments include support for accurate estimation of probabilities associated with large losses and expected losses at given probabilities. The method is adaptable to all risk estimation functions and is compatible with nonhomogeneous data.

Abstract: In existing performance attribution, composite investments are resolved into simple assets, and the performance attribution provides results only for the resolved, net investment in the simple assets. As a result, the individual investment in the composite investment in isolation is lost, and it is impossible to determine if the investment in the composite investment in isolation helped or hurt performance. Approaches are described to determine attribution in a manner in which the attribution hierarchy is altered so that, after reporting on the performance of the full portfolio, a further level of attribution reports on a set of sub-portfolios. The first sub-portfolio represents the original investments in simple assets only while the other sub-portfolios represent investments in each composite investment. This composite-first performance attribution determines the individual contribution to performance of each composite investment, resulting in more detailed, practical, and intuitive results.

Abstract: A method of computerized monitoring of investment trading includes providing historic trading data for a specific trader, selecting a plurality of trading parameters for the specific trader and obtaining current information regarding the selected parameters, and/or providing historic trading data and applying rules to the current information and/or historic trading data to determine if a rules violation has occurred. The system may be employed to monitor whether market timing of mutual fund investments has occurred. A corresponding computerized system is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for constructing a financial mechanism in a wind power generation project investment by shifting at least a portion of the risk of the wind power generation project investment from an investor to a guarantor in a manner that allows the investor to consider the investment to be a net lease is disclosed. The method includes paying a premium amount for a wind power generation project obtaining a guaranteed total return floor amount for the wind power generation project, obtaining an amount of a fixed payment associated with the wind power generation project and an amount of a variable payment associated with the wind power generation project, obtaining a wind insurance policy, an equipment insurance policy, residual value insurance and/or a Put Option with appropriate collateral, and obtaining a service provider and an asset manager for the wind power generation project in a manner that preserves the investors position as the owner/operator.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for improving clarity of disclosure materials provided to investors, by enabling securities issuers, intermediaries and/or other entities to create and disseminate clear and concise summary-level information on individual securities to investors to enable informed investment decisions. The information may include a summary version of the full statutory prospectus (a “summary prospectus”). A summary prospectus may include a concise, “plain English” synopsis and/or representation of certain information contained in the full statutory prospectus, such as a security's investment objectives and strategies, costs, risks and/or other information.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, data associated with a plurality of potential insurance customers may be received and analyzed to identify a set of similar potential insurance customers. For the set of similar potential insurance customers, at least one customized insurance parameter may be automatically determined and a customized insurance product, including a customized insurance premium value, may be created based on the customized insurance parameter. It may then be arranged for each of the similar potential insurance customers to receive an indication of the customized insurance product.

Abstract: Methods and means for device account based protection coverage are provided which allow for account holders to share a protection plan across a shared account, thereby covering a plurality of individual devices and discreet devices. Program users are able to manage their device protection in a manner more consistent with the way they use their device and services. Users are also able to purchase rate-tailored protection plans for all (or some) of the plurality of devices tied to the account, thereby facilitating cost-sharing of service fees with other members associated with the account. Account members can also share claims benefits across the protected group.

Abstract: A communication system and servers are disclosed. The illustrative communication system is taught to include a matching system that has an attribute translation engine and a matching engine that are capable of translating estimate attributes for a work item and contractor attributes into a common format or language, thereby enabling a comparison of the estimate attributes with contractor attributes. This comparison helps to identify qualified or non-qualified contractors to work on the job or work item associated with the estimate attributes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tracking and guiding the transfer of a vehicle includes determining which documents and things are required in the title transfer process. Documents needed in the title transfer process are generated by the system. The guiding, tracking and documents are specific to each situation depending on state in which the vehicle is titled, state in which the vehicle is being sold, insurance company that insured the damaged vehicle, etc.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a tax return preparation system with interchangeable analytics modules includes providing one or more interchangeable analytics modules. Each of the interchangeable analytics modules includes one or more analytics algorithms used to select user experience elements to be included in a tax return preparation interview process presented to a user through one or more tax return preparation systems. The one or more interchangeable analytics modules are distinct and independent analytical components provided to the tax return preparation system that can be interchanged, overwritten, and interfaced with individually, and without otherwise changing and/or modifying the tax return preparation system. Consequently, a tax return preparation system can provide a tax return preparation interview process capable of dynamically evolving to meet the specific needs of a given user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for analyzing amounts of time spent in medical records. Time data may be analyzed by clinician, by specialty, by location, by patient, by activity, and the like. Such analysis will provide, among other things, an insight into how much total time is spent in medical records, how the time is spent, when the time is spent, etc. By breaking down the time data it may be possible to identify modifications to reduce the amount of time spent in medical records.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of coordinating a tour of a listed property is described herein. A first electronic multiple-listing service (MLS) database is accessed over a network. The first MLS database includes data describing the listed property. Multiple enumerated entries characterizing the availability for touring of the listed property are identified. A memory device on which are stored agent-data entries characterizing the availability for showing the listed property of multiple agents is accessed. At least one confirmed time period during which the listed property is available for touring and an agent is available to show the listed property is determined. A graphical user interface (GUI) is generated to a display device. The GUI presents user-selectable icons representing time periods during which the property is not unavailable for touring. At least one of the icons is labeled as being associated with a confirmed time period.

Abstract: Methods of estate planning with gifts and heirs' property include estimating a likelihood of an organization receiving a gift from a last will & testament, providing an heirs' property family tree software program, or combinations thereof. The step of estimating a likelihood of an organization receiving a gift from a last will & testament includes estimating a life expectancy range, and estimating a likelihood of removing the organization from the last will & testament. The step of providing an heir property family tree software program includes formulating the distributions of heirs' property, and visually displaying the distributions in a family tree display.

Abstract: The disclosed medical and rehabilitation systems and methods evaluate injured operators, medically, mentally, and occupationally. The operators are highly-trained military or law enforcement personnel that have specific tactical requirements, among other physical demands, to perform their jobs properly. The occupational evaluation of the injured operator relates to their occupational requirements and how their injuries affect their abilities to perform the tactical requirements of their jobs. The rehabilitation programs can be customized to various needs of the units, branches, or other groups to which the injured operators belong. Further, the injuries of one or more operators can be tracked and data related to operators suffering similar injuries can be used to help treat each operator and to help give commanders of the injured operators more injury data on which to base decisions about the operator and the unit or other group of operators.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for conducting a checkless cash access settlement are provided. In one embodiment, a cash advance method includes the following: a customer initiates a cash access transaction via a cash access system; the customer receives authorization or denial; the customer provides identification and the financial card to a cashier or attendant; the cashier or attendant validates the customer's identity, retrieves the transaction information, and completes the cash advance application; the application prints a non-negotiable instrument, such as a transaction receipt; the customer signs the receipt confirming the transaction with a physical receipt or electronic capture.

Abstract: A method for measuring performance of virtual desktop services offered by a server including a processor is described. A first encoded watermark is embedded into user interface display generated by a virtual desktop when initiating an operation. The first encoded watermark includes pixels identifying the operation and indicating its initiation. A second encoded watermark is embedded into the user interface upon completion of the operation indicating completion of the operation. An action performance time is then computed and stored in a memory. Multiple performance times may be compiled from multiple operations of multiple virtual desktops to assess the performance of the system as a whole.

Abstract: A signal processor of the invention includes a host processor, a command queue, a graphics decoding circuit, a video decoding circuit, a composition engine and two display buffers. The host processor generates graphics commands and sets a video flag to active based on graphics encoded data, video encoded data and mask encoded data from a network. The command queue asserts a control signal according to the graphics commands. The graphics decoding circuit generates the graphics frame and two surface mask while the video decoding circuit generates the video frame and a video mask. The composition engine transfers the graphics frame, the video frame or a content of one of two display buffers to the other display buffer according to the video mask and the two surface masks when the control signal is asserted or when the video flag is active.

Abstract: An application processor includes a first scaler including a first vertical scaler and a first horizontal scaler, and a second scaler including a second vertical scaler and a second horizontal scaler, wherein the second vertical scaler is selectively shared between the first scaler and the second scaler in response to a determination of resolution for an image being processed.

Abstract: A transparent format converter (TFC) may determine that a request by at least one processor for graphics data stored in graphics memory is indicative of a request for graphics data in a first data format. The TFC may retrieve the graphics data in a second data format from the graphics memory based at least in part on the request for the graphics data in the graphics memory. The TFC may convert the retrieved graphics data from the second data format to the first data format. The TFC may store the converted graphics data in the first data format into a memory that is accessible by the at least one processor.

Abstract: A video processing system comprises a video processor and an output buffer. When a new frame is to be written to the output buffer, the video processing system determines (12) for at least a portion of the new frame whether the portion of the new frame has a particular property. When it is determined that that the portion of the new frame has the particular property (14), when a block of data representing a particular region of the portion of the new frame is to be written to the output buffer, it is compared to at least one block of data already stored in the output buffer, and a determination is made whether or not to write the block of data to the output buffer on the basis of the comparison. When it is determined that the portion of the new frame does not have the particular property (16), the portion of the new frame is written to the output buffer.

Abstract: A method of displaying a captured image on a display device. A real image is captured by an image capture device. The image capture device uses a field-of-view lens that distorts the real image. A camera model is applied to the captured real image. The camera model maps objects in the captured real image to an image sensor plane of the image capture device to generate a virtual image. The image sensor plane is reconfigurable to virtually alter a shape of the image sensor plane to a non-planar surface. The virtual image formed on the non-planar image surface of the image sensor is projected to the display device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a number of advantageous modifications and improvements in wearable computing devices to optimize or at least more fully utilize the potential applications of such devices. These modifications include transforming the view of a second observer to be able to view what a first observer at a different location is viewing, allowing the second observer or a remote administrator to control the zoom on the device of a first observer, providing a pointer on the device of the first observer to assist in framing or viewing an object; and controlling the device to avoid overheating or to avoid transmitting redundant or hijacked information.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, mapping image pixels of media content to a first portion of display pixels of a display to create mapped pairs having a mapped image pixel and a mapped display pixel, where the display has a at least one of a greater number of horizontal or vertical pixels than the media content and where, for each mapped pair, one or more values associated with the mapped image pixel are assigned to the mapped display pixel, assigning blended mapped values to unmapped display pixels in a second portion of the display pixels, where, for each unmapped display pixel, the blended mapped value is a statistical compilation of a plurality of the one or more values assigned to the mapped display pixels that are adjacent to the unmapped display pixels, and presenting the mapped and unmapped display pixels at the display. The method includes other embodiments.

Abstract: A measurement method and apparatus to make precise measurements on a touch screen device, such as a mobile device. A measuring tool is provided that that measures a quantity associated with an image being displayed on the touch screen. In response to a user selection, the measuring tool may be activated. A magnified view is presented that shows a position associated with a touch of, e.g., a user's finger so the user may fine-tune a start position of a measurement. The user's touch may be tracked from the start position to a current position during which time a dynamically updated display of the quantity being measured is presented. An ending measurement of the quantity is displayed in accordance with a removal of the touch at an end position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technique capable of efficiently storing and retaining characteristic data (a restoration filter or the like) of an optical system used for a restoration process in a storage unit with limited storage capacity in consideration of the degree of image restoration. An image processing device includes a characteristic data storage unit 42 which is capable of storing characteristic data of a plurality of types of optical systems, and a restoration processing unit which subjects source image data to a restoration process using a restoration filter based on a point spread function of an optical system to acquire recovered image data. In case where storing new characteristic data in the characteristic data storage unit, characteristic data which is stored in the characteristic data storage unit 42 is controlled based on a restoration evaluation value which is allocated to characteristic data according to the type of optical system.

Abstract: The invention produces a higher quality image from a rendering system based on a relationship between the output of a rendering system and the parameters used to compute them. We propose a method that robustly combines color and feature buffers to denoise Monte Carlo renderings. On one hand, feature buffers, such as per pixel normals, textures, or depth, are effective in determining denoising filters because features are highly correlated with rendered images. Filters based solely on features, however, are prone to blurring image details that are not well represented by the features. On the other hand, color buffers represent all details, but they may be less effective to determine filters because they are contaminated by the noise that is supposed to be removed. We propose to obtain filters using a combination of color and feature buffers in an NL-means and cross-bilateral filtering framework. We determine a robust weighting of colors and features using a SURE-based error estimate.

Abstract: A method of processing an image is provided. The method includes performing a noise filtering operation with respect to an input image, acquiring a differential image where an image to which the noise filtering operation is performed is excluded from the input image and removing a noise in a level higher than a predetermined level from the differential image, and acquiring an output image by adding the differential image from which the noise is removed and the image to which the noise filtering operation is performed.

Abstract: A method involving: detecting in an image a first type of artefact (A1) to generate a first artefact value (GA1) and a first confidence level (CA1); detecting in the image a second type of artefact (A2) to generate a second artefact value (GA2) and a second confidence level (CA2); and performing correction of the first type of artefact (A1) in the image based on the first and second artefact values (GA1, GA2) and the relative values of the first and second confidence levels (CA1, CA2).

Abstract: Cropping boundary simplicity techniques are described. In one or more implementations, multiple candidate cropping s of a scene are generated. For each of the candidate croppings, a score is calculated that is indicative of a boundary simplicity for the candidate cropping. To calculate the boundary simplicity, complexity of the scene along a boundary of a respective candidate cropping is measured. The complexity is measured, for instance, using an average gradient, an image edge map, or entropy along the boundary. Values indicative of the complexity may be derived from the measuring. The candidate croppings may then be ranked according to those values. Based on the scores calculated to indicate the boundary simplicity, one or more of the candidate croppings may be chosen e.g., to present the chosen croppings to a user for selection.