Abstract: An electronic warranty unit and method. In one embodiment the electronic warranty unit includes a programmable electronic memory unit configured for removable insertion into a device and an electronic warranty stored on the electronic memory unit. A method for electronically warranting a device includes removably attaching an electronic warranty unit, capable of storing an electronic warranty for the device, to the device or removably inserting the electronic warranty unit into the device.

Abstract: When the processing of process steps of a print job that includes job definition information showing the process steps of a printing process and information relating to drawing data used in printing is executed by devices, a printing control apparatus connected to the devices determines whether the processing content of a target print job has been changed by the devices from a processing content defined by the job definition information, and, if determined that the processing content has been changed, collects the job definition information defining the changed processing content.

Abstract: A method begins by a processing module receiving a safety status request for a safety status level associated with a user device and determining whether to generate a safety status response. When generating a safety status response, the method continues with the processing module obtaining the safety status level associated with the user device and determining whether to include location information in the safety status response. When including the location information, the method continues with the processing module obtaining location coordinates corresponding to the user device, obtaining street address location information based on the location coordinates, generating the location information based on the location coordinates and the street address location information, generating the safety status response to include the safety status level and the location information, and outputting the safety status response to a requesting entity.

Abstract: A media distribution system that records media segments of performances at a live event. The system generates and stores media data files representing respective ones of the recorded segments and segment metadata associated with the respective recorded segments. The system determines if one of the recorded media segments is associated with a user based on the stored metadata and corresponding user data associated with the user, and generates alert data, representing the associated segment, for a client application in a user device associated with the user in the user data, wherein alert data generates an alert in a user interface of the user device. The system receives user response data, generated by the client application, representing a segment ID to identify the associated segment and a response from the user associated with the associated segment.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for retrieving disparate design data in connection with the design of a device, a service, or a system. A user design application enables users to store disparate data according to predefined links in a central data source. The user design application also enables users to query the central data source to retrieve relevant disparate design data based on the predefined relationships.

Abstract: Provided are computer implemented methods and systems for selling products and services using crowdsourcing. An exemplary method comprises receiving information associated with a crowdsourcing item. The crowdsourcing item is associated with an owner of the crowdsourcing item. The information includes a target amount for crowdsourcing. One or more contributions associated with the crowdsourcing item are received from one or more users. The total amount of the contributions is periodically calculated. When determined that the total amount has reached the target amount, the total amount is transferred to the owner. Additionally, the crowdsourcing item may be produced by the owner using the contributions and delivered to the users who made contributions either by one item to each of the users or by a share of the crowdsourcing item proportional to the contribution made.

Abstract: A product catalog includes information regarding products for sale online by various merchants. An analysis software module can identify brand names in the product catalog that relate to the same brand. The analysis module can compute parameters of pairs of product offers having matching product identifiers. The analysis module can group the product offer pairs into brand pair groups based on the brand names for the products subject to the product offers. The analysis module can compute parameters of each brand pair group based on product offer pairs in the brand pair group and attributes of product offers in the product catalog. The analysis module can use the computed parameters to determine whether the brand names of each brand pair are related. The analysis module can use the identified related brand names and additional attributes of product offers to identify product offers related to the same product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for developing a product. A product development environment comprises a system. The system further comprises a virtual product online world manager and a transformer. The virtual product online world manager is configured to manage elements for a product under development in a virtual product online world. The transformer is configured to exchange the elements with a number of product development systems developing the elements over a network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating and editing collaborative music compositions via a computer network, including remote uploading tracks by musicians, and for creating and joining a band, wherein the system and methods provide for at least one musician to join a virtual group of at least one other musician for the purpose of virtual collaborative creating and/or editing music tracks remotely, via an online network and interactive website therefor.

Abstract: Computing capital ratings for an online collaborative environment is described, including receiving request for a capital rating, the request comprises a user identifier; determining I3 submission data associated with the user identifier; determining online collaborative community data based on the I3 submission data; determining industry information based on the I3 submission data; and computing the capital rating based at least on the I3 submission data, the online collaborative community data, and the industry information.

Abstract: Creating and managing an online platform is described, including receiving I3 information from a user; receiving a request to create an online collaborative community (OCC); associating the I3 information with the online collaborative community; determining that an allowance is received from the user, the allowance indicates that at least one other user is allowed to join the OCC; determining that affirmation to join the OCC is received from each of the at least one other user; determining that each of the at least one other user provides an acceptance to an agreement, which gives the user control of the OCC and ownership of I3 information and grants the at least one other user access to the OCC and I3 information; and allowing the at least one other user to access the OCC and collaborate on the I3 information.

Abstract: An intelligent enterprise architecture (LEA) for an enterprise is defined. One or more IEA entry points are selected. IEA entry points represent a starting point for defining the IEA, which is an architectural development process for defining an enterprise computing architecture within a smart computing system. One or more business drivers for pain points in the enterprise are associated with a selected IEA entry point. A business value model is generated and utilized to focus a scope of the business drivers for the selected IEA entry point. An optimal IEA that satisfies the business drivers to ameliorate the pain points in the enterprise is then defined.

Abstract: A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to a service product business object.

Abstract: A network clearinghouse may be provided that brings together organizations (subjects) requiring outsourcing of a service and service providers (operators). The clearinghouse manages the bidding and awarding of contracts, by collecting and authorizing requests for proposals (RFPs), sending bid invitations to operators that meet the requirements of the subject, sending a notification that the contract has been awarded, and collecting payment from the subject and paying the operator.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for developing software. In one embodiment, a method for facilitating the distributed development of software components includes providing a skill rating for software developers, communicating specifications for a software component to a subset of the developers, receiving submissions from the developers, scoring the submissions, and selecting one submission to be included in a software repository. In another embodiment, a method for compensating a software developer includes soliciting software developers for the submission of computer software components, receiving software components in response to the solicitation from the developers, evaluating the received software components, selecting one or more of the submissions for potential distribution to the public, and allotting the proceeds from the distribution to the developers.

Abstract: Embodiments of system are disclosed in which selection strategies for a direct marketing campaign that identify consumers from a credit bureau or other consumer database can be planned, tested, and/or refined on a stable subset of the credit database. In some embodiments, once refined, consumer selection criteria may be used to execute the direct marketing campaign on the full consumer/credit database, which is preferably updated approximately twice weekly. In one preferred embodiment, the data for the test database represents a random sampling of approximately 10% of the full database and the sampling is regenerated approximately weekly in order to provide a stable set of data on which campaign developers may test their campaign. For each consumer in the sampling, the environment may allow a client to access and use both attributes calculated by the credit bureau and proprietary attributes and data owned by the client.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products may be used for controlling use of a content item. A tag may be applied to a content item. The tag may include at least a unique identifier associated with the content item. When a first indication of a selection of the content item is received, the tag may be used to identify a sharing level associated with the content item and to control use of the content item based on the sharing level associated with the content item.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques relating to collaboratively authored stories and electronic books, and the writing thereof. Techniques are provided in which a template relating to a story, and a set of rules governing collaborative writing of the story by multiple user authors, are obtained. Writing contributions, for integration into the story, may be obtained from each of the user authors. A completed story is obtained, in which forming the completed story includes integrating the writing contributions. Access to the story, such as in the form of an electronic book, is provided to users, such as for a fee.

Abstract: Accordingly some embodiments, a merchant server receives an indication of acceptance by a customer of an offer for a subsidy from a second merchant of a purchase of at least one item from a first merchant. The customer agrees to participate in an additional transaction with the second merchant in exchange for having the subsidy applied against the purchase from the first merchant. In one embodiment, after selling the at least one item to the customer, the merchant server determines that the customer did not participate in an additional transaction with the second merchant as the customer agreed to, and assesses a penalty against the customer.

Abstract: A printed material creation support apparatus is disclosed. In printed material creation support apparatus, a user interface providing part provides an input user interface to a client. A design partner selection part selects a design partner in multiple design partners based on created material information of the client. An estimation process part sends apercu created material information defining a requirement of the created material to the design partner, receives estimation result information of the design partner, and sends the estimation result information to the client. A consensus settlement support part settles consensus based on the estimation confirmation information received from the client.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modeling systems for designing consumer products and selected components for use in consumer products, consumer products and components selected by such models and the use of same. In addition, a system that minimizes the risks associated with a collaboration yet promotes the rapid advance of the subject/goal of the collaboration is disclosed.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include systems and methods for collaborative virtual product development. According to disclosed embodiments, a system includes a collaborative design associated with a virtual product, the collaborative design including a plurality of design elements representing units of data which include attributes, positions, and geometries of the virtual product. The collaborative design also references a plurality of partitions defined as a hierarchical organization of the design elements. The collaborative design also includes at least one workset comprising a subset of the design elements possessing memberships in the workset based on one or more predetermined rules. The workset is configured to enable a user to modify the collaborative design. The system includes a search application configured to search the design elements and operable to generate the subset based on the predetermined rules.

Abstract: A secure physical facility for promoting innovation development in a secure manner is provided. The facility includes separate physical areas accessible to inventors and service providers based on corresponding security policies. The facility includes an access control system that implements the security policies to control access to one of the physical areas assigned to the inventor, control access to the invention, and control access to physical areas assigned to the service providers, and restrict access to other physical areas. The facility also includes a computer network that includes servers to securely store information relating to the invention, implements the security policies to limit access to the information, and includes a security system that protects the computer network from cyber attacks originated from outside of the facility. The separate physical areas include a secure indoor or outdoor prototype demonstration and testing center for the inventor to develop and/or test a prototype.

Abstract: A multimedia collaboration system comprises client devices that include user interfaces that comprise private workspaces that can be used to display a live history of a multimedia collaboration session. The private workspaces can be configured to display information representative of media elements that can be shared within the multimedia collaboration session, but that are only viewable to a participant associated with a particular client device. The private workspaces can be used to preview information before publishing it to other participants or to view a live history of the multimedia collaboration session.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for attending a meeting. The method involves determining the presence of a meeting notice for a meeting in meeting software, where the meeting notice comprises a start time, a end time, a name of an attendee, and information to connect to the meeting. The method also involves obtaining information about the meeting from the meeting notice to populate a meeting template, determining that the meeting is a not-in-person meeting, and populating the meeting template to obtain a meeting record for the meeting. The method also involves connecting over a voice communication channel to the meeting at the start time using the information in the meeting record for the meeting and terminating the meeting at the end time of the meeting.

Abstract: A method, a system, and computer readable medium comprising instructions for interactive television offer presentation are provided. The method comprises assigning a unique marketing key to a subscriber, storing the unique marketing key and information of the subscriber in a database, detecting a request from the subscriber comprising the unique marketing key, retrieving the information from the database based on the unique marketing key, and making at least one offer of a product or service to the subscriber based on the information.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein relates to a system and a method for innovation management. The method is performed to ascertain a current innovation maturity level from a plurality of innovation maturity levels of a unit. In that respect, the system assesses inputs received from the unit to calculate a score of each of a plurality of innovation factors. The score is used to determine the factor strength of each of a plurality of innovation factors for each of the innovation maturity levels. Based on the factor strength, the current innovation maturity level is ascertained for the unit.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for developing software. In one embodiment, a method for facilitating the distributed development of software components includes providing a skill rating for software developers, communicating specifications for a software component to a subset of the developers, receiving submissions from the developers, scoring the submissions, and selecting one submission to be included in a software repository. In another embodiment, a method for compensating a software developer includes soliciting software developers for the submission of computer software components, receiving software components in response to the solicitation from the developers, evaluating the received software components, selecting one or more of the submissions for potential distribution to the public, and allotting the proceeds from the distribution to the developers.

Abstract: A system and method for method for management and deliberation of idea groups is provided. Ideas are associated with metadata and stored. The ideas are grouped into aggregated based on the associated metadata. A vote is received for at least one of the aggregates from a user. The vote is distributed among the ideas in that aggregate based on a reputation of the user providing the vote and a centrality of each idea in the aggregate.

Abstract: Data migration using communications and collaboration platform provides an efficient and flexible method for migrating data from an existing system to a new system. In particular, the method includes extracting data, cleansing the extracted data based on a master record, receiving approval for the cleansed data, and migrating the approved data into the new system.

Abstract: A label data procurement and management system comprising a server with accessibility over a network having a label input function for inputting new labels, a function for searching for a label, a function for an editor to inspect a label and propose changes, a function for at least one member of a team to review and apply the label changes, a function for at least one member of a proofing team to proof the label, and an administration function for performing administrative features of the system.

Abstract: The present disclosure introduces a technique for achieving the optimal time to launch or withdraw products on a webpage. In one aspect, a method includes: storing information to be collected from a webpage for one or more items corresponding to a first product; collecting data related to the one or more items in each time section of a plurality of time sections; calculating a respective value score for each time section of the plurality of time sections based on a respective number of occurrences of the one or more items in each time section; determining the optimal time to launch or withdraw the first product based on value scores of the first product for the plurality of time sections; and rendering launch or withdrawal of the first product on the webpage in the optimal time. Implementation of the technique will conveniently allow a merchant's product website to automatically complete a product launch or withdrawal in the optimal time.

Abstract: Computer method and apparatus managing software configuration revisions. A repository holds one or more assets. For each asset, the repository holds respective revisions of the asset. A revision manager tracks changes of state of assets of the repository. Each change of state of a given asset results in a respective revision of the given asset. The revision manager provides a project view illustrating for a set of assets (i) changes of state of assets of the set, (ii) resulting revisions of the assets and (iii) any relationships between the resulting revisions. In this way, i.e., via the project view, the present invention revision manager enables users to manage assets and revisions. The revision manager renders the project view in one mode illustrating changes made to the assets (state changes) in order of time, and in another mode illustrating changes made to the assets in order of sequence of revisions.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes generating an access record associated with a data session provided by at least one access layer element over an access network, generating an application record associated with an application provided by at least one application layer element over the access network, transmitting data representative of a correlation parameter associated with application from the at least one application layer element to the at least one access layer element via an inter-layer liaison subsystem, and inserting the correlation parameter associated with application and received from the at least one application layer element via the inter-layer liaison subsystem in the access record. In some examples, the method further includes correlating the access record and the application record based on the correlation parameter associated with the application. Other exemplary inter-layer parameter liaison methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: In an apparatus, method and computer memory for interactive problem solving on a network, a server receives from a first participant via the network a formulation of a problem to be solved. The server receives from other participants via the network suggested solutions to the problem, and distributes portions of an award to those participants who contribute suggested solutions to the problem.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided that include creating projects based in part on a number of collaborative list items and mapping information, but are not so limited. In an embodiment, a computing environment includes a project management system and a collaboration system that are used in part to manage an ideation to project creation process based in part on mappings used to map collaboration information between the collaboration system and the project management system. A method of an embodiment includes the use of mapping information and/or settings in part to create new projects from collaborative list items, wherein a project creation process includes copying over list item values according to the mapping information, storing an identifier of a collaborative list item in each created project, and/or storing an identifier of a created project as part of a corresponding list item. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to the field of requirement specification in application development. This invention provides a system for business process automation which can generate an executable optimized requirements set by capturing the requirements from the users and processing them to create prototypes. Feedback is obtained from external users on the played prototypes to correct and enhance the requirements to obtain an optimized, complete, correct and consistent requirements set. This helps in the successful development of business application with minimal errors in a very short time.

Abstract: Event data messages can be provided by an interactive voice response (IVR) system to a complex events processor (CEP). The event data messages can include a Stream_ID and a series of textual elements. The Stream_ID can uniquely identify a call session between a caller and the IVR system. The series of textual elements can represent speech input provided by the caller. The CEP can create a text string from the series of textual elements of event data messages having the same Stream_ID. The text string can inherit the Stream_ID of the event data messages. The CEP can utilize user-defined business rules to process the text string. When the CEP issues an action message, the Stream_ID of the text string can be appended to the action message sent to the IVR system. The IVR system can modify the call session associated with the Stream_ID of the action message accordingly.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for providing a monitoring service in a cloud-based computing environment. A request is received from a user to subscribe to the monitoring service. The monitor workflow may correspond to the monitoring service. A first call to a finder application is executed over a communications network to retrieve data points according to the monitor workflow. A second call to an analyzer application is executed over the communications network to identify a relevant data point in the data points. A third call to a notifier application is executed over the communications network to notify the user of the relevant data point.

Abstract: A software application executed at a user computer and/or server allows a user to select one or more multimedia files. The multimedia files may be provided at the user computer, sold at the server, or procured from a third party provider. The user can arrange the multimedia files into a presentation. A user can then specify a display device that will be used to present the multimedia presentation. The display device can be a television, portable media player, a computer, or other device. The system can translate the multimedia presentation into a format compatible with the device. Thus, the user is provided with a simple system to create multimedia presentation and receive the file in a format compatible with a device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plurality of Enterprises with a single online user interface with which the Enterprise can provide Enterprise Shippers, shipping origination users and shipping intermediary users with an automated parcel management system for a plurality of supported Carriers for a plurality of services. The present invention provides for the hierarchical definition of users, including the hierarchical definition of organizational units within each Enterprise. The present invention further provides for a distinct definition of policies, privileges, and other types of specifications for each user level, each user, and each organizational unit. The present invention applies the user and organizational policies, privileges and other specifications as they apply to each particular user to drive the interactive interface with each particular user and to provide among other things, shipping options, shipping services, shipping rates, traveler and/or shipping label preparation, and shipment tracking.

Abstract: An online quality assurance system and method for optical disc formats with enhanced interactivity features is disclosed. Specifically, the system and method provides a means for various studios, dvd player manufacturers, dvd standards specification providers, authoring facilities, and dvd standards tool developers to each provide and receive input, preferably in realtime, about research, development, and production issues, problems and solutions.

Abstract: A system and methods for management and delivery of content and rules is disclosed. An exemplary method may comprise managing, for an organization, a plurality of data and a plurality of content in separate database entities, wherein the plurality of content is associated with the plurality of data based on a plurality of rules; packaging the plurality of rules with the plurality of content in a carrier that is independent from one or more presentation channels, wherein at least part of the plurality of content is integrated with at least part of the plurality of data; delivering the plurality of data and the carrier to the one or more presentation channels; integrating, at the one or more presentation channels, the plurality of data with the plurality of content based on the plurality of rules; and distributing the integrated data and content through the one or more presentation channels.

Abstract: An e-commerce price index is constructed and maintained based on consumer actions in connection with one or more e-commerce websites. A data collector software module collects information regarding products sold or available for sale online, including a price and rate of clicks received for each product on the website(s). An index software module analyzes the collected information to construct the price index. Specifically, the index software module scrubs the collected information to remove outliers and fill in gaps and calculates a click-weighted average price by product category and day. The index module generates the price index by aggregating and normalizing the calculated click-weighted average prices. The index software module can compute the e-commerce price index on a virtually real-time basis. Thus, the e-commerce price index can provide useful information about online pricing trends far earlier than traditional indices.

Abstract: Methods and systems for encouraging and identifying new talent, as well as an incentive structure for financing creative/media projects, are described. A social network web site allows users to post their own content, and filters users to the top who have achieved a given level of popularity. Popular users can then post media proposals to a private section of the web site, through which established stars and talent review the proposals. Users, in exchange for access to the private section, grant to a proprietor of the web site an option to make one or more future productions with that user at a reduced rate should that user reach stardom. Established stars and talent, in exchange for participating in a media proposal at a reduced rate, receive an interest in one or more productions by the user if/when the proprietor of the web site exercises an option to make a future production with the user.

Abstract: A method of generating a quantitative indicator of sales for a market segment for a predetermined time period is disclosed. The market segment represents a plurality of members with one or more products. The method includes receiving sales data from the plurality of members of the market segment, calculating the quantitative indicator for each member of the market segment, calculating the quantitative indicator for the market segment by creating a composite of the quantitative indicator for each member representing the market segment, and either calculating the quantitative indicator for the member with missing data using a estimated value of units of the product sold by the member or modifying the baseline benchmark by removing the data of the member with missing data.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for submitting requests for approval relating to management of real property include presenting, on a user interface, a form for receiving data from a first user. An indication of one or more requests to be approved is received as a result of a user interaction with the form. For each request, types of data items to be provided by the first user are identified. The types of data items identified for each service are based on a type associated with the request. An indication of the identified types of data items for each request is displayed on the form. After a submission of the form, an approval of at least one, but fewer than all, of the requests can be received from a second user. In response, the first user can be notified of the approval and of requests not approved.

Abstract: In order to establish a system that maximizes the creation and benefits of human knowledge for the most people, including the wealth knowledge generates, the nature of the knowledge creation process itself must be understood and embedded in the system. The invention is the system for enabling knowledge creation and the wealth knowledge generates in which participants retain ownership to his or her knowledge and most of the wealth the knowledge generates.

Abstract: A system for automatically locating and data-typing information originating from many Web pages, and then collecting that information in a database. The database is then made available via an online data marketplace which allows users from different organizations to buy and sell related data, associated advertisements, and access to the communities of end-users who may also view advertisements and make purchases.

Abstract: There is provided a interactive IPTV broadcasting service system of user participation, the system including: a broadcast controller reserving time of IPTV broadcast channels to perform an IPTV broadcast according to the reserved time, notifying user participation to accept the user participation during the broadcasting service, and controlling so that video of the user making a request for participation in broadcasting is included in video of the broadcast in progress, and then broadcast, a plurality of clients each notifying the broadcast controller of the request of the corresponding user when the participation in broadcasting is requested according to a selection of the IPTV broadcasting user and generating video and audio traffic of the corresponding user, and a media server relaying the users' participation in broadcasting between the broadcast controller and the clients, and receiving and mixing video and audio traffic of a broadcaster and the video and audio traffic of each of the users making the req