Business Or Economics Patents (Class 434/107)
  • Publication number: 20140220514
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and program product are provided for games for learning regulatory best practices. A display module presents a virtual learning environment for an organization associated with an industry sector. A gaming module presents a game within the virtual learning environment that is designed to train and/or test a user on regulations associated with the industry sector. A management module provides a manager, who is different than the user, access to the game. The manager accesses one or more game settings to customize the game according to the skill level of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Gamxing Inc.
    Inventors: Katherine Waldron, Pavan Kumar Ravula Lakshminarayan
  • Publication number: 20140220515
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and program product are provided for games for learning regulatory best practices. A display module presents a virtual learning environment for an organization associated with an industry sector. A gaming module presents a game within the virtual learning environment that is designed to train and/or test a user on regulations associated with the industry sector. A help module connects the user with a remote user in response to the user interacting with a help selection mechanism. The remote user provides the user with information regarding one or more regulations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Gamxing Inc.
    Inventors: Katherine Waldron, Pavan Kumar Ravula Lakshminarayan
  • Patent number: 8794971
    Abstract: A method and system for applying a task to a crowdsourcing platform for processing are disclosed. For example, a method forwards the task having a question to the crowdsourcing platform, and receives a plurality of answers to the question, wherein the plurality of answers is provided by a plurality of workers associated with the crowdsourcing platform. The method analyzes the plurality of answers on a per-worker basis to determine an adjustment, and applies the adjustment to the plurality of answers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Yellowpages.com LLC
    Inventors: Donghui Feng, Sveva Besana, Clarke Retzer, Micah Winkelspecht, Remi Zajac
  • Publication number: 20140162220
    Abstract: A system combines project management, learning management, and content management in an augmented reality game. Significant business objectives correspond to “Quests” where a Quest includes Missions and Tasks. In the augmented reality game, individual employees are scored for individual Tasks in a game in which individuals can compare their point standing with other players.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: QUEST 2 EXCEL, INC.
    Inventors: Mahesh C. RAO, Andrew Jay HOFFMAN, Marcello Rufus Hunter, David E. Shough
  • Patent number: 8740617
    Abstract: A method of teaching personal financial skills to a student includes providing a balance of simulated funds within a simulated bank account. Simulated bills are transmitted to a student on a periodic basis via at least one of a courier and an electronic transmission, wherein at least some of the simulated bills are transmitted on different dates and impose different due dates. Simulated payments are received from a student corresponding to the simulated bills via at least one of a courier and an electronic transmission. The simulated payments are processed upon receipt and the balance of the simulated funds is reconciled within the simulated bank account to reflect the simulated payments. A computer usable media having encoded thereon a computer implemented method for simulating financial transactions is also provided. System and kits are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: ProperLiving, LLC
    Inventor: David R. Buten
  • Patent number: 8670968
    Abstract: A method for training a ranking application. The method includes ranking the help postings to create an initial ranking using initial parameter values, and storing user interactions with the help postings to obtain stored interactions. Simulations are performed using the stored interactions to generate revised parameter values for the ranking application. Performing the simulations includes calculating relevance values from the stored interactions, creating a test posting, assigning, to the test posting, an initial score and a relevance value randomly selected from the relevance values to generate a test ranking, and simulating user interactions with the test ranking to generate simulated rankings. The simulated rankings are analyzed to obtain revised parameter values. The method further includes ranking, using the revised parameter values, the help postings to generate a revised ranking, and displaying the help postings in the forum according to the revised ranking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: Igor A. Podgorny, Floyd J. Morgan, Derek Szydlowski
  • Patent number: 8636514
    Abstract: A web-based stock market simulation educational tool provides a dynamic, interactive, stock market simulation educational tool. Participants create companies, research each other's companies, and manage their own portfolio as they perform bank transactions (loans and Certificates of Deposits) and buy and sell shares which influence the price of each company. Teachers also known as instructors and students also known as participants or investors participate in the educational process. The currant invention will include an investment option for students that mirrors or indexes the entire market within the overall simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Inventor: Derek Luebbe
  • Publication number: 20140023997
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for engaging and dedicating sales partners is provided. In exemplary embodiments, the method may comprise, transmitting educational material to a user, the educational material comprising information related to at least one of a product and a service of an administrator; transmitting a test to the user and receiving test answers from the user; comparing the test answers with a predetermined set of correct answers, calculating a user proficiency, and determining if the user proficiency meets a predetermined standard; generating an alert notifying the administrator whether the user proficiency meets the predetermined standard and transmitting the alert to the administrator; transmitting secondary educational material to a user if the user proficiency does not meet the predetermined standard; and allocating a proficiency designation to the user if the user proficiency meets the predetermined standard and storing the proficiency designation in a database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: MAARTI DEFONCE
  • Patent number: 8628331
    Abstract: A system and method, a machine, and an article of manufacture of an occupational performance system and method for achieving occupational performance of competency based education and work force standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventor: Beth Ann Wright
  • Patent number: 8628371
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a toy bank that includes a toy or toy housing, a money bank, and a computer interface in communication with the money bank. The money bank has a storage compartment; one or more unidirectional slots for receiving coins, dollar bills, or both; a compartment door at the storage compartment; and a processor to calculate an amount of coins, dollar bills, or both. The present invention also pertains to a toy bank that includes a pet carrier and a money bank, wherein the money bank is removably attached to the pet carrier. The present invention further relates to a toy bank that includes a toy and a money bank integrated with the toy. The present invention also includes systems and methods that incorporate the toy bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventors: Jeanne D'Alleva, Sheila Moylan
  • Patent number: 8585408
    Abstract: A method, comprising the steps of (a) representing users within a virtual environment, the virtual environment residing on one or more computers, comprising the steps of (b) collecting data pertaining to one or more of the users' activities not associated with the virtual environment relating to each of the users' performance on business-related tasks, (c) awarding incentives including points, badges, levels, prizes, etc. to a plurality of users in the virtual environment based on the collected data pertaining to the users, (d) providing information regarding a first user's incentives to at least a second user involved in activities related to the business-related tasks performed by the first user, and (e) updating the collected data in the virtual environment as the data pertaining to the performance of users changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventor: Vince Scott Margiotta
  • Publication number: 20130273505
    Abstract: In a computer implemented method for facilitating proscribed business operations, software operable with a computer having a display associated therewith includes a training module and an instruction module, each accessible by a user. The training module includes at least one training session selectable by the user, and the instruction module includes at least one instruction set selectable by the user. Upon selection of one of the training sessions step-by-step training instructions are displayed for performing one or more tasks. The software is operable to record and store information relevant to the selected training sessions in a database. Upon selection of one of the instruction sets, the software is operable to display step-by-step instructions for performing one or more tasks. The software is remotely changeable and remotely updatable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Edible Arrangements, LLC
    Inventor: Tariq Farid
  • Patent number: 8547199
    Abstract: A computer-implemented, transaction-making, municipal bond trading system having a capability to conduct a private electronic auction of bid wanteds between a central brokers' broker and multiple prospective remote bidders and to maintain a reference database of accurate individual bond lot descriptions and identifications, including CUSIP (trademark) numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: BGC Partners, Inc.
    Inventor: David Lawrence
  • Patent number: 8512042
    Abstract: An educational interactive game of the invention includes a system for teaching financial skills to players, and in particular, children in the context of an interactive electronic game. Each player is initially provided a predetermined amount of periodic earned income, periodic expenses and a predetermined amount of cash on hand. These items are represented by corresponding indicia on an electronic display. An object of the game is for a player to generate passive income greater than the player's expenses by encountering game events that provide a player the opportunity to make financial choices to affect the desired outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Cashflow Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip A. Rogan, David A. Gipp, Douglas W. Herman
  • Patent number: 8510806
    Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes a computer-implemented method comprising storing authorization data on a first client computer system, accessing virtual computing software from the first client computer system, accessing a virtual object in the virtual computing software in response to instructions received from the first client computer system, sending the authorization data from the first client computer system to a second computer system, wherein the authorization data specifies access rights on the second computer system, and accessing the second computer system using the authorization data and determining access rights on the second computer system based on said authorization data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventors: Tobias Queck, Sebastian Steinhauer
  • Patent number: 8475169
    Abstract: A teaching apparatus for enterprise input-output includes a base, said base defining a market system; a first block body defining a management module; a plurality of bands defining a production system and a product development system module, and a business system module, each band being sandwiched between two adjacent cuboids of the first block body; a vertical column defining a planning system module; a second block body defining a strategy module; a reverse quadrangle cone defining an information processing module; a cuboid vertical column disposed at a top of the reverse quadrangle cone; and a core solid column defining an internal information system, the core solid column penetrating through a center of the first block body, the bands, the vertical column, the second block body, the reverse quadrangle cone, and the cuboid vertical column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Guoqiang Wang
  • Publication number: 20130164716
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided which enable students to participate in a simulated, electronic trading environment. The concept is one where the eSpeed rules based system and GUI may be used to educate students on the trading of financial products. The system may be “live” using real-time information and held either in a private virtual community (i.e. intra-school) or a wider community (i.e. inter-school). Fixed rules may be pre-programmed into the system or modified/customized by the participants. Participants may access the simulation via the Internet or any applicable method of communicating information among more than one computer. The products traded in the simulation may include any simulated fixed income financial product. However, the simulation may not involve trading real financial products where there would be real financial risks. Simulated trading may be compared to real-world trading to create new financial products that may be tested and traded in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: CANTOR FITZGERALD, LP
    Inventors: June Colaio, Howard W. Lutnick
  • Publication number: 20130130207
    Abstract: Using an observation platform for training, monitoring, and mining structured communications. A signal is received from a first communication device at a second communication device associated with a computer system, wherein a first characteristic of the signal corresponds to an audible source and a second characteristic of the signal corresponds to information indicative of a geographic position of the first communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: THEATROLABS, INC.
    Inventor: TheatroLabs, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8444418
    Abstract: A method of teaching personal financial skills to a student includes providing a balance of simulated funds within a simulated bank account. Simulated bills are transmitted to a student on a periodic basis via at least one of a courier and an electronic transmission, wherein at least some of the simulated bills are transmitted on different dates and impose different due dates. Simulated payments are received from a student corresponding to the simulated bills via at least one of a courier and an electronic transmission. The simulated payments are processed upon receipt and the balance of the simulated funds is reconciled within the simulated bank account to reflect the simulated payments. A computer usable media having encoded thereon a computer implemented method for simulating financial transactions is also provided. System and kits are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: ProperLiving, LLC
    Inventor: David R. Buten
  • Publication number: 20130122472
    Abstract: A method, comprising the steps of (a) representing users within a virtual environment, the virtual environment residing on one or more computers, comprising the steps of (b) collecting data pertaining to one or more of the users' activities not associated with the virtual environment relating to each of the users' performance on business-related tasks, (c) awarding incentives including points, badges, levels, prizes, etc. to a plurality of users in the virtual environment based on the collected data pertaining to the users, (d) providing information regarding a first user's incentives to at least a second user involved in activities related to the business-related tasks performed by the first user, and (e) updating the collected data in the virtual environment as the data pertaining to the performance of users changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventor: Vince Scott Margiotta
  • Patent number: 8417581
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing learning as a service in a learning network. At least certain embodiments connect users with providers of learning content using an online learning marketplace in a web-based user interface that allows users to control content and pace of learning. The learning can be self-directed, through self-paced online courses, as well as live online courses. The platform is configured to fulfill user requests for learning content without regard to location of the content or time of access. The learning content can be decomposed into monetized components, which can be accessed by users on a per-use or per-session basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Lensoo Inc.
    Inventors: Gopala Ajjarapu, Pratap Chillakanti, Maksim Ustinov, Kevin Smit
  • Patent number: 8398406
    Abstract: Methods and associated systems for automated auditing of agreements. Questions relevant to qualitative and quantitative measures of an agreement relative to selected criteria are retrieved from an audit template along with associated answer options. The questions and answer options are presented to a user and user input received to provide answers to the questions. An audit score is generated to measure a degree of compliance of the agreement with the selected criteria. Scores may be presented for individual questions, or may be aggregated for groups or categories of questions. Scores may be compared to desired threshold values and suggestions to improve the score may be provided. Summary presentations of questions and answers or categories of questions and answers may be presented to monitor compliance over a number of such audits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Joel Kim Prather, David Russell Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8353704
    Abstract: A training simulator may be used to present a number of different scenarios to a user, and to evaluate the user's response to the scenarios. In some implementations, the training simulator may include a simulation timer that advances at a rate that is different than real-time, such as a real-time minute equaling an hour of simulated time. For each of the scenarios presented during a training episode, the user may respond by selecting one or more possible decision options, each relating to a different way to address the situation presented in the scenario. The user's response may be scored, according to certain implementations, by adjusting the value of multiple scoring metrics, each of which relates to a different user performance indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrienne Kortas, Jamie Furey, Jennifer Stone, Manoj Pampady
  • Patent number: 8342845
    Abstract: A method, comprising the steps of (a) representing users within a virtual environment, the virtual environment residing on one or more computers, comprising the steps of (b) collecting data pertaining to one or more of the users' activities not associated with the virtual environment relating to each of the users' performance on business-related tasks, (c) awarding incentives including points, badges, levels, prizes, etc. to a plurality of users in the virtual environment based on the collected data pertaining to the users, (d) providing information regarding a first user's incentives to at least a second user involved in activities related to the business-related tasks performed by the first user, and (e) updating the collected data in the virtual environment as the data pertaining to the performance of users changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventor: Vince Scott Margiotta
  • Patent number: 8328643
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for creating a crew to participate in a mission challenge in an online game are provided. The method identifies quests to complete the mission challenge. Each quest includes a plurality of tasks and each task includes a plurality of subtasks. A request feed is sent to members of a social graph requesting the members to join the crew and to participate in the completion of the subtasks of the mission challenge. The members in the social graph have a social relation with a user initiating the online game wherein the user is a mission leader managing the mission challenge. A distinct subtask is assigned to each member of the crew that responds to the request feed. Each crew member's progression in completing the mission challenge is monitored and status of the mission challenge is updated based on the progression made by each crew member of the crew.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Zynga Inc.
    Inventors: John Osvald, Michael Waite, Kyle Sauger, Lauren Duncan, Erik Nilsson
  • Publication number: 20120308966
    Abstract: An integrated method for managing employee and/or personal development through an individual's, 3rd party interested respondent's, or team member's evaluation, including pre- and post-learning testing, which then provides the specific linkages for recommendations, eLearning, coaching, and reevaluation in a continuous cycle. All data is provided in a web-based environment through real time and instantaneous distribution of appropriate recommendations. Testing and assessing the difference between the current level of skill and/or behavioral competency and desired level is completed by respondents and their counterparts (if desired). Responses to the documents are accepted on the web site. After the responses have been accepted, these are processed into a report with online learning (eLearning), coaching, and training recommendations tied to the results of the learning and behavioral gaps determined through the evaluation process as appropriate. This report is returned to an interested party.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: Hellen Davis
  • Patent number: 8311792
    Abstract: A method for training a ranking application. The method includes ranking the help postings to create an initial ranking using initial parameter values, and storing user interactions with the help postings to obtain stored interactions. Simulations are performed using the stored interactions to generate revised parameter values for the ranking application. Performing the simulations includes calculating relevance values from the stored interactions, creating a test posting, assigning, to the test posting, an initial score and a relevance value randomly selected from the relevance values to generate a test ranking, and simulating user interactions with the test ranking to generate simulated rankings. The simulated rankings are analyzed to obtain revised parameter values. The method further includes ranking, using the revised parameter values, the help postings to generate a revised ranking, and displaying the help postings in the forum according to the revised ranking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: Igor A. Podgorny, Floyd J. Morgan, Derek Szydlowski
  • Publication number: 20120282576
    Abstract: A system and method for facilitating mentoring in an enterprise. An example method includes establishing a set of candidate mentors and a set of candidate mentees; providing a first user option to match a candidate mentor with a candidate mentee from the set of candidate mentors and the set of candidate mentees, respectively, yielding a mentor and an associated mentee in response thereto; selectively tracking a first performance parameter of the mentee over an interval during which a mentoring relationship exists between the mentor and the mentee and providing an indication of a change in the first performance parameter over time; and providing a second user option to initiate an action in response to the indication. The action may include initiating an adjustment in compensation for the mentee or mentor when the indication indicates a particular improvement in one or more performance parameter(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Kathi Lynn Chenoweth, Marcelyn Van Houten, Louise Diana Barnfield, Klaus Borho
  • Publication number: 20120264089
    Abstract: An educational money management game comprises a host platform provider, a remote interface device in communication with the host platform provider and a moneybox in communication with the interface device. The interface device displays interactive game scenes produced by the host platform provider to a user. The moneybox includes a reader for reading the monetary value of coins inserted therein. When the user inserts coins in the moneybox, the monetary value thereof is communicated to the host platform provider and displayed by the interface device to be viewed by the user. The game includes an interactive interface for providing for the user to allot at least a portion of the displayed monetary value to one or more of said allocation options. A network is provided for a plurality of users via the internt using remote interfaces at each user's location. The game scenes produced include a common image displayed by each remote interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Nguyen Hoan Hoang, Jérôme Bousquet, Philippe Racine
  • Publication number: 20120244500
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for detecting leadership in a socio-technical environment based on the chronologic distribution of artifacts. The system and method captures and makes use of chronologic information as a predictor of causality in the dissemination of artifacts. A measure of leadership is based in part on the amount of relevant artifacts generated as a result, and temporal causality is used to detect this. The system method and computer program product further determines the patterns of behavior that govern a socio-technical context. By defining a set of patterns and comparing them with the interactions observed within a socio-technical network issues are discoverable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Maria-Cristina V. Marinescu, Vadakkedathu T. Rajan, Mark N. Wegman
  • Patent number: 8239294
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for providing a variety of end product build plans based on multiple business scenarios for exhausting excess inventory. Raw financial data and variable scaling factors are input into a scenario engine component along with a business objective that contains logic. The scaling factor may be embedded within the logic of the business objective, or it may be selected by a user to indicate the user's preferences. The scenario engine then applies the financial data and variable scaling factor inputs to the business objective logic to generate modified financial data. The logic of the business objective may also be manipulated to provide modified logic. The modified financial data, and optionally the modified logic, are then input into an optimizer component for determining multiple portfolios for end products that, if built, would consume excess inventory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Vikas Agrawal, Thomas R. Ervolina, Yunhee Jang
  • Publication number: 20120082961
    Abstract: A method, comprising the steps of (a) representing users within a virtual environment, the virtual environment residing on one or more computers, comprising the steps of (b) collecting data pertaining to one or more of the users' activities not associated with the virtual environment relating to each of the users' performance on business-related tasks, (c) awarding incentives including points, badges, levels, prizes, etc. to a plurality of users in the virtual environment based on the collected data pertaining to the users, (d) providing information regarding a first user's incentives to at least a second user involved in activities related to the business-related tasks performed by the first user, and (e) updating the collected data in the virtual environment as the data pertaining to the performance of users changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventor: Vince Scott Margiotta
  • Patent number: 8118598
    Abstract: An educational interactive game of the invention includes a system for teaching financial skills to players, and in particular, children in the context of an interactive electronic game. Each player is initially provided a predetermined amount of periodic earned income, periodic expenses and a predetermined amount of cash on hand. These items are represented by corresponding indicia on an electronic display. An object of the game is for a player to generate passive income greater than the player's expenses by encountering game events that provide a player the opportunity to make financial choices to affect the desired outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Cashflow Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip A. Rogan, David A. Gipp, Douglas W. Herman
  • Publication number: 20120003613
    Abstract: A system is disclosed that provides a goal based learning system utilizing a rule based expert training system to provide a cognitive educational experience. The system provides the user with a simulated environment that presents a business opportunity to understand and solve optimally. Mistakes are noted and remedial educational material presented dynamically to build the necessary skills that a user requires for success in the business endeavor. The system utilizes an artificial intelligence engine driving individualized and dynamic feedback with synchronized video and graphics used to simulate real-world environment and interactions. A robust business model provides support for realistic activities and allows a user to experience real world consequences for their actions and decisions and entails realtime decision-making and synthesis of the educational material. The system is architectured around a table of components to manage and control the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Accenture Global Services GmbH
    Inventors: Eren Tolga Rosenfeld, Ekpedeme Mfon Bassey, Beth Elyse Zadik, Martha Torrey O'Connor, Alexander Han Leung Poon, Eric Jeffrey Lannert, Tracey Andrea Solomon, Jonathan Christian Conant, Alexander Zorba, Carl Michael Puccio, Timothy John Gobran, James Andrew Gilchrist, Mark Stewart Nichols, Brandon Denning Fleisher, Craig William Friedman, Adebisi Detoro Lipede, Matthew Allen Bailey
  • Publication number: 20110318716
    Abstract: The invention generally describes learning solutions and related methods for managing the learning and training needs of an organization in a manner that is responsive to dynamic business timelines, goals and strategic objectives. Business goals are determined through examination of existing business data sources, so as to tailor learning solutions to business impacts. Accurate computations of return on training investment are provided to allow accurate assessment of the effectiveness of training programs. Also disclosed are networks of learning platforms that together implement the learning solution by providing electronic tools and information sharing capabilities needed by a learning solution services provider to efficiently implement and manage learning efforts according to the business desires of a complex learner organization, while receiving organization performance data in order to compute and report performance measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: John G. Higgins, Carole A. Meade, Andrew Swiston, Cathy Lester, John R. Hubbell, T. Kenneth Stovall
  • Patent number: 8069067
    Abstract: A computer-based system and a computer-implemented method for estimating costs of a business line included in a multi-line treaty, which can determine the estimated costs for covering the insured losses of a line of business included in a multi-line treaty having an aggregate deductible and an aggregate limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Swiss Reinsurance Company
    Inventors: Gregor Schmidlin, Stefan Bernegger, Adrian Kolly
  • Patent number: 8047848
    Abstract: A method carried out by identifying acts related to enterprise performance; generating a competitive training environment, the environment including situations that model work situations requiring the acts; presenting the environment to a participant; and receiving interaction of the participant with the environment by the participant perceiving the situations and making inputs to the environment that model the acts in order to assess or improve participant skills related to enterprise performance. A system including a data component that stores data indicative of a work environment and data indicative of acts related to enterprise performance; a competitive environment generation component assimilates the data into a competitive environment that models work situations and; an interface component that presents the competitive environment to a participant and permits a participant to respond to the model work situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: Vince Scott Margiotta
  • Publication number: 20110229860
    Abstract: A system and a method for interactive entrepreneurial activities in a virtual environment through a computer network, such as the Internet for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Avshalom Leventhal, Ran Levy
  • Patent number: 8021156
    Abstract: A method and system for arranging, displaying, conveying, learning, and communicating project management intelligence utilizes a device formed of a plurality of 3-dimensional geometric polytopes movably connected together and movable relative to one another. The polytopes represent the domain of project knowledge, the domain of project process groups, and the domain of project management competency, respectively and each polytope has surfaces or sections bearing indicia representing clusters of functional information and aspects of project management relative to the respective project management intelligence domain. The polytopes are manipulated individually to align selected surfaces or sections of each polytope relative to one another so as to collectively visually display selected combinations of interrelated and conjoined functional information and aspects of project management intelligence within the domains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20110207092
    Abstract: A teaching apparatus for enterprise input-output includes a base, said base defining a market system; a first block body defining a management module; a plurality of bands defining a production system and a product development system module, and a business system module, each band being sandwiched between two adjacent cuboids of the first block body; a vertical column defining a planning system module; a second block body defining a strategy module; a reverse quadrangle cone defining an information processing module; a cuboid vertical column disposed at a top of the reverse quadrangle cone; and a core solid column defining an internal information system, the core solid column penetrating through a center of the first block body, the bands, the vertical column, the second block body, the reverse quadrangle cone, and the cuboid vertical column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: XIYING WANG
    Inventor: Guoqiang Wang
  • Publication number: 20110189638
    Abstract: A system for learning assessment comprising, in one example embodiment, comprises a simulator interface to provide to a learner information concerning a continuing education activity and to present a case scenario related to the continuing education activity, a communication module to receive actions performed by the learner at the simulator interface, the actions intended to manage the case scenario, a tracking module to track and record the actions performed by the learner, and an evaluation module to evaluate the actions in view of a predetermined expected action outcome and, based on the evaluation, to produce a score indicative of an ability of the learner to apply the information concerning the continuing education activity. In one example embodiment, the continuing education activity is related to an electronic health record (EHR), the simulator interface is a skin of the EHR, and the learner is a medical provider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: ImplementHIT
    Inventors: ANDRES JIMENEZ, Jeanne Armstrong
  • Publication number: 20110183302
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method of providing interactive situational awareness training. In one embodiment, the present invention displays training data comprising situational, variable, and response data relating to a particular training session upon a graphic user interface for review by a trainee. In one embodiment, the training data may be accessed and amended electronically by trainer personnel. Images, graphics and/or animations may be presented to the user in conjunction with the training data to enhance the effectiveness of the interactive training experience. The trainee may be prompted to enter a response indicating his or her choice of the proper response to the displayed training data. The entered response may be stored for future use and compared to feedback data indicating which of the displayed response choices are correct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventor: Robert W. Harlow
  • Publication number: 20110123963
    Abstract: A game is disclosed which teaches a comprehensive understanding of fundamental aspects of personal (family) finances—including insurance, working with debt, investing and securing financial objectives, and which enables players to understand principles upon which significant wealth may be accumulated, and also teaches financial advisors how to organize finances of their clients. The game teaches skills concerning personal finances, including insurance, working with debt and investing, and securing financial objectives. The game also teaches the fundamental aspects of working with the cash flow one has, and it teaches players to understand principles upon which significant wealth may be accumulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: Karel Koreny
  • Publication number: 20110104645
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are financial calculator teaching material and a financial education simulation method. The financial calculator teaching material for teaching usage of a financial calculator, including a financial situation presentation section provided in story form, a fund calculation process presentation section for presenting a fund calculation procedure, including one or more calculation processes, in order to enable fund calculation to be performed for a financial situation presented by the financial situation presentation section, a fund calculation performance result display section for providing result values of the fund calculation for the financial situation in image form and/or in chart form, and a financial calculator usage presentation section for providing usage of a preset type of financial calculator in order to enable fund calculation to be performed for the financial situation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Dae Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 7922493
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are integrated training and sales methods and systems for training sales representatives in making an online sales call to customers and for conducting the online sales call. The system includes a Web co-browsing tool, a voice channel between the customer and the sales representatives and a training and sales Web site that is simultaneously accessible, viewable and controllable by both the customer and the sales representative through the Web co-browsing tool. The training and sales Web site is structured so as to guide the sales representative and the customer through each step of the online sales call. The system may further include scripted talking points visible only to the sales representative, the scripted talking points prompting the sales representative to communicate information to the customer as the sales representative and the customer navigate through the training and sales Web site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Norman Gennaro, John Kowtko, Paul Moran
  • Patent number: 7914286
    Abstract: A game that teaches principles of dynamic business management by advancing tokens (20) along a work flow path (22) on a playing surface (24) to simulate multiple processes of a fictitious business enterprise over time. The work flow path (22) includes at least three distinct and progressive processing areas (30, 32, 34, 36), each representing a different value-added function of the fictitious business. A constraint zone (38) having a specified token (20) capacity is established in each processing area (30, 32, 34, 36), and all tokens (20) must pass through each constraint zone (38) during the play of the game. The token (20) capacity of at least one of the constraint zones (38) may be changed by the players by adding or subtracting work capacity squares (50, 52) during a round to provoke variations in the rate of token (20) advance along the work flow path (22) to thereby simulate a management decision on a dynamic system over time so that its effects can be observed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventor: Herbert John Newton Lees
  • Patent number: 7908156
    Abstract: A method of calculating a premium payable by an insured person on a life insurance policy uses the amount of claims made from a health insurance plan of the insured person and information regarding the general well-being and/or lifestyle of the insured person to calculate the premium payable. The premium is calculated using a base percentage amount which is then either increased or decreased. If the insured person has made few claims to the health insurance plan and they have taken positive steps to look after their health, they will be rewarded by a relatively lower premium on their life insurance policy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Discovery Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Adrian Gore, Herschel Phillip Mayers
  • Publication number: 20110057389
    Abstract: A financial board game for use with a targeted population subset, typically including at least one child, is disclosed. The board game includes a board indicating at least one path including a plurality of spaces, wherein each space represents a single playing piece step, wherein each space corresponds to at least one color of a plurality of colors, a plurality of cards, wherein each card specifies at least one financially related question, each of the plurality of cards corresponding to at least one color of the plurality of colors, a plurality of pieces, wherein each pieces represents a player or a plurality of players, each of the plurality of pieces corresponding to at least one color of the plurality of colors, each of the plurality of pieces corresponding to the color of the start position, and a dice or die to generate random criteria for advancing each of the plurality of pieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: Indiana State University
    Inventor: Elizabeth Coit
  • Patent number: 7895102
    Abstract: A comprehensive set of data pertaining to a user is gathered from various sources and analyzed. A financial plan is generated and provided to the user. The user may set financial goals and monitor progress towards achieving the goals, and may set and monitor probabilities of success of achieving the goals. The financial plan may take into account the financial goals and probabilities of success, and may be revised to reflect changes in the financial goals and probabilities of success. In an implementation, a user may be provided with information pertaining to how their finances, financial plan, goals, and probabilities of success compare to a selected population group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventors: Bruce Wesley Wilks, Robert Morales, Rennie Garcia, Robert Anthony Pacheco
  • Publication number: 20110014590
    Abstract: A system for project management comprises a guidebook and a series of templates that accept input data from a user and calculate results based on the data. The resultant data is used to operate the system, which comprises the following components: a guidebook comprises the instructions for operating the method and all templates used during the method; standardized templates that are to be used for any project regardless of subject matter; weekly audits of project managers; a project manager certificate program; an auditor training program; a series of performance evaluations for project managers and auditors, and a series of performance analytics designed to correlate hours worked with performance quality to establish optimum task allocation for participants in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: Jason Scott