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<title>freepatentsonline.com: Data processing: financial, business practice, management, or cost/price determination</title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/result.html?query_txt=ccl/705%20and%20isd/11/10/2009&amp;uspat=on</link>
<description>USPTO Class 705 Data processing: financial, business practice, management, or cost/price determination</description>
<language>en-us</language>
<lastBuildDate>Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:32:06 EST</lastBuildDate>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Health care reimbursement]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617114.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[In general, variations that occur when health care resources are allocated based on dated information may be corrected by receiving a report of a health care transaction to be processed by a health care intermediary administering a health savings account, determining that the health care transaction creates a variation when the health care transaction was initiated based on an indicated status that is different from the actual status of the health savings account, and resolving the variation by interfacing with the health resource provider to correct the variation.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[System and method for risk-adjusting indicators of access and utilization based on metrics of distance and time]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617115.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method and system suitable for automated adjustment of information represented in the transaction order records from clinical information systems of hospitals, clinics, and emergency rooms, in such a manner as to accurately reflect differences in access to care. Techniques from statistical processing are combined in a method that allows for optimization of the parameters such that statistical hypothesis testing using conventional parametric tests are valid and feasible, on account of close approximation to Gaussian normal distribution. The method and system is designed so as to be robust against wide variations in population density and transportation infrastructure, as reflects remote, rural, suburban, and metropolitan environments. Once optimized, the method and system can achieve reliable performance with regard to longitudinal measurement of health access indicators, which are used in planning and managing health services. The performance of this method and system is superior to predicate methods known to those skilled in the art.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Practice management and billing automation system]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617116.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A medical practice management system can be used to manage a medical practice. A medical practice management server communicates with a medical practice client user interface over a first network and communicates with a payor server over a second network. The medical practice management server receives information associated with a visit by a patient to the medical practice. Prior to using the information to create a claim, the medical practice management server automatically and repeatedly interacts with the information to ensure correct information by either applying one or more rules to the information or by performing one or more transactions with the payor server. The medical practice management server performs a correcting action in response to finding an error in the information and subsequently uses the information to create an insurance claim.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[System and method for storage and retrieval of information subject to authorization by a data controller]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617125.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A system and method for storage and retrieval of information subject to authorization by a data controller that allows information for purchasing and other information exchange to occur only for authorized parties. A data subject place information about the data subject into a data repository controlled by a data controller. The data controller authorizes a data recipient to obtain that data subject data when authorized by a data subject. Such transactions as purchases of goods and services and applying for college admission are the types of trans actions contemplated. The data repository places client software on the computer of the data recipient thereby signifying that the data recipient is authorized. Thereafter, the data recipient can receive information about the data subject when the data subject accepts and offer from the data recipient.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Information presenting system for performing data processing in accordance with order from user]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617126.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[This invention provides an information providing system which can easily update a price in accordance with data processing, an information providing apparatus, an information presenting method, a control program, and a storage medium. To accomplish this, a user accesses a Web server ( 121 ) in a photosite ( 105 ) by using a browser ( 120 ) of a user PC ( 102 ), browses images, and selects an image which he/she wants to print out (S 2 , S 3 ). A printsite ( 109 ) receives input data indicating a print form, print count, and the like for each selected image (S 6 ), calculates an estimated price by using a print information database ( 119 ) in which print unit prices are stored and the price calculation module ( 110 ), and transfers the estimated price to the photosite ( 105 ) (S 7 ). The photosite ( 105 ) calculates a price while factoring personal information into the estimated price by using a personal information database ( 118 ) and a price calculation module ( 108 ), and presents the price to the user (S 8 ).]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Approach for estimating user ratings of items]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617127.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[According to another embodiment of the invention, an approach is provided for estimating how a particular user would rate a particular item from a plurality of items. The approach is applicable to any type of items, including rental items such as movies, music and games, and the invention is not limited to any particular type of item. One or more items from the plurality of items that have ratings similar to the particular item are identified. Then, one or more other users are identified that have given ratings to the one or more items that are substantially similar to ratings given by the particular user to the one or more items. Finally, an estimation is made of how the particular user would rate the particular item based upon ratings for the particular item given by the one or more other users.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Online transaction hosting apparatus and system]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617128.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[An invention is disclosed relating to an apparatus and method for hosting transactions over a network such as the Internet. Sellers post offers to sell under a listing belonging to an organized database of listings. Likewise, buyers post offers to buy. A matching module selects offers to sell and matches them to offers to buy based on a predefined criteria. Before posting offers to sell or buy, buyers and sellers may be presented with data concerning the market for the product that is the subject of the offer. A sale is consummated between the buyer and seller of the matched offer to buy and offer to sell. Consummation may include assessing the risk of fraud posed by the matched buyer and matched seller. Fees may be charged to the matched buyer, the matched seller, or both as insurance against fraud. Payment may be made by the buyer directly to the seller or to a host hosting the apparatus and method for conducting the transaction. Payment is forwarded to the seller by the host upon confirmation by the buyer that a product has been received in good order. An automated, or partially automated, dispute resolution process may resolve disputed transactions.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Method and system for information exchange between users of different web pages]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617130.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method and system for allowing users of different web pages to exchange information. The information exchange system identifies groups of related web pages and maintains a database of user-supplied information for each group of related web pages. When a user accesses a web page the information exchange often displays in a separate area the information associated with the group of related web pages. Also the information exchange system allows the user to enter information that will be displayed to other users who access related web pages.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Web-based marketing system]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617131.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A computerized marketing system and method for use with a client device configured to execute a browser and display a web page downloaded from a third party server via a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) are provided. The method typically includes receiving at a catalog server the URL of a recently downloaded web page from a client device, and serving a catalog clip associated with the URL from the catalog server to the client device.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[RFID system and method for ensuring food safety]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617132.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method and system are provided to aid consumers having food allergies, or other dietary concerns. An RFID system is used to provide consumers with food product information. The food products are provided with smart tags. The tags containing information regarding the food product that is of interest to consumers with allergies or dietary concerns. A smart tag scanner is used to retrieve the food product information from the smart tags. The consumers scan a potential food product with the scanner and, based on the retrieved food product information, make an informed decision as to whether to purchase or consume the food product.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[System and method for providing a certified photograph in a network environment]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617134.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method for providing a certified photograph in a network environment is offered that includes interfacing with one or more end users and managing information related to one or more of the end users. The method further includes displaying one or more photos of the end users and providing a label on the photos that certifies the photos as being substantially accurate.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[System and method for capturing, storing and analyzing revenue management information for the travel and transportation industries]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617136.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A revenue management system for a travel provider, such as airline, a car rental agency, a cruise line, a lodging provider; a travel agency; a bus line or a passenger rail service provider. The revenue management system comprises a database for storing revenue, product and service, and customer information; a logical data model comprising a plurality of entities and relationships defining the manner in which the revenue, product and service, and customer information is stored and organized within the database; and a revenue management application for analyzing the revenue, product and service, and customer information contained within the database to manage inventory, pricing and demand forecasting for the travel provider. Analysis of Passenger Name Record (PNR), booking, ticketing, inventory, schedule, authorization adjustment and flown/ticket lift data maintained within the database enables a travel provider to identify fraudulent and improper booking and ticketing activity, or an airline to determine optimal passenger and revenue mix for airline flights.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Estimating financial valuation of benefit plans]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617138.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Intra-year benefit plan financial valuation for a client's post-retirement benefit plan comprises collecting intra-year capital market data during a time period between a first actuarial valuation and a second actuarial valuation, converting the intra-year capital market data to intra-year client-specific data based on client assumptions, and calculating an updated financial valuation for the benefit plan based on the intra-year client-specific data, benefit plan data, and the client assumptions. The updated financial valuation can comprise an updated forecast financial valuation based on the intra-year client-specific data and future client assumptions. The updated financial valuation can be calibrated based on actual client-specific data reflecting experience between the time of the first actuarial valuation and the updated financial valuation. The intra-year client-specific data can provide a basis for a hypothetical forecast analysis based on hypothetical data provided by the client.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Factoring system and method]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617146.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A computerized system and method for facilitating proposed factoring transactions between a funding source and a client in which the funding source advances funds to the client based on accounts receivable to the client by one or more customers on one or more invoices includes a computer program that receives instructions from a client to submit one or more invoices to a funding source for an advance of funds on accounts receivable on the chosen invoices and that provides access to invoice data to a funding source for determining whether the funding source will advance funds on the chosen invoices.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Alternative player tracking techniques]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617151.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Methods and apparatus are described for registering a player with a player tracking system on a gaming network. A player tracking account is created for the player using player information derived from an account card associated with the player. The account card corresponds to a remote account unrelated to the player tracking system.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Ensuring the accurateness and currentness of information provided by the submitter of an electronic invoice throughout the life of a matter]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617154.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A facility for insuring information currentness is described. The facility receives from a party a request to submit an invoice. In response to receiving a request, the facility tests the currentness of information to be provided by the party. The facility permits the party to submit an invoice in connection with the request only if the testing determines that the information to be provided by the party is current.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Price optimization with rule relaxation]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617119.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A price optimization system computes a preferred set of prices for a plurality of products. The optimization system stores a plurality of rules. The system may also prioritize the plurality of rules, and further relax lower priority rules to allow higher priority rules to become feasible. The feasible set of rules may then be utilized to generate the preferred set of prices.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Dynamic determination of item returns during transit]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617133.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Techniques are described for automatically and dynamically determining how to handle items being returned from customers while the items are in transit. Various factors may be considered to determine appropriate item return handling, including by assessing current conditions at the time of the determination. In addition, the dynamic item return handling may include selecting one of various potential return destinations for each item being returned and one of various types of return routing for the return. In some situations, the item return handling is performed for an item being returned from a customer while the item is at an intermediate shipping location, such as a selected location to which the customer was directed to send the item. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Systems and method for improving investment performance]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617140.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Methods for a data processor implemented system monitor for enabling persons to turn over the allocation of their investment assets, and/or receive assistance concerning how to receive disbursements from investments, in a manner that is free from or ameliorates the traditional conflicts of interest in previous systems. The systems and methods are adapted to ameliorate the tension between other functions where the compensation may be affected by asset allocation. The systems and methods collect, monitor, and direct information from persons who hold indicative data, e.g., employers, to provide professional asset allocation services, including automatic allocation, rebalancing, and reallocation of investment assets, on a regular basis; as well as assistance in determining how much to save or how to receive disbursements in a manner that ameliorates conflicts of interest, which, in the case of employee benefit plans, is consistent with the regulatory restraints of ERISA.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Auction market with price improvement mechanism]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617144.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A system for auctioning financial products over a distributed, networked computer system includes a plurality of workstations for entering orders for financial products into the distributed, networked computer system. The orders specify a price for the financial product, a quantity of the financial product and exposure time which the order can remain active. The system also includes a plurality of workstations for entering predefined relative indication and responses to orders for the product. The predefined relative indications specify a willingness to trade. The responses specify a price and quantity. The system includes a server computer coupled to the workstations for entering the orders, predefined relative indications, and the responses, with the server computer executing a server process that for a first one of said orders, determines a match to said first order with the predefined relative indications, responses and contra-side orders during an interval determined by the exposure time specified by said first order.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Adaptive bidding increments in an online auction system]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617145.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A system and method is disclosed for the conduct of an online auction in which bidders are able to place bids on lots in the auction by selecting from a plurality of predetermined bid increments provided by the system. The predetermined bid increments provided by the system are adjusted during the auction of a specific lot to adapt to sale conditions and maximize the price obtained at auction.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Methods and apparatus relating to the formulation and trading of investment contracts]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617147.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A data processing system to enable the formulation of multi-party investments contracts is disclosed. The system comprises input means by which an ordering party can input contract data relating to at least one phenomenon, the phenomenon having a range of future outcomes and a future time of maturity. The contract data further includes a set of probabilities of occurrence for each outcome in the range and a consideration due to a counterparty at or after the time of maturity. One or more counterparties can input registering data including a set of probabilities of occurrence for each outcome in the range. The system further includes a data processor that is operable to price and match a contract from the contract data and the registering data.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Postal system, method and device]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617112.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A disclosed shipping method allows a sender to send a physical letter or package through a regular postal mail service, said letter or package being addressed simply to an e-mail address (such as “anyone@example.com”). Licensing information may be obtained through http://www.inventerprise.com.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Using a complexity matrix for estimation]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617117.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Mechanisms are provided for estimating requirements for completion of a project. These mechanisms, which may be implemented by a data processing system, define general project factors for a general kind of project as well as analysis rules for this general kind of project. A complexity matrix that defines a plurality of complexity measures for a plurality of project factors for a specific project is provided. The analysis rules are applied to the project factors of the complexity matrix to generate a single complexity measure for the specific project. This complexity measure is used by an estimation mechanism to generate an estimate of requirements for completing the project. Exceptional combinations of project factors may be defined to force the single complexity measure to a maximum value when the conditions of the exceptional combinations are met by the complexity measures of the complexity matrix for a specific project.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Facilitating error checking of service elements]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617118.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A service element is defined and represented by a data structure. It includes one or more components and/or one or more other service elements. A service element providing a complete function is a service offering. Management of service elements and/or service offerings is facilitated by a Service Development Tool. In different aspects, the management includes various tasks associated with creating, modifying and deleting service elements, establishing relationships, error checking and optimization. In a further aspect, service elements are packaged and distributed to enable customers to deliver the service elements. Additionally, the hosting of software packages is facilitated.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Apparatus and method for hyperlinking specific words in content to turn the words into advertisements]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617121.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[The present invention is a method for taking content in text, HTML, or related format from Web pages or documents and searching it for words or phrases that advertisers have contracted to have hyperlinked to their Web pages or documents. These words and phrases are then hyperlinked in HTML format to the advertiser's Web site, in a preferred embodiment involving routing through a tracking URL to track the number of times the hyperlink is clicked on. In a browser-based embodiment, the content is then published on the Internet and readers seeing the content have the option of clicking on the hyperlink and visiting the contracted advertiser's Web site. The hyperlinking of words can be implemented by (i) an ad server overwriting existing content HTML files, (ii) a script overwriting existing files, (iii) coding in existing HTML files referencing the ad server to determine hyperlinked words, or (iv) redirecting users to an ad server page with appropriately altered HTML files.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Targeted online marketing]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617122.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Selecting one or more marketing messages for optimal display at marketing locations in a marketing environment is performed on the basis of information relating to a user to whom the messages are to be displayed, the marketing messages, and the marketing locations. Dynamic selection and display of marketing messages in this manner can be advantageously performed for online environments for which relevant information is readily accessed and used as a basis for selection and display of marketing messages.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Network system, portable data entry terminal, program, and data output terminal control method]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617129.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A network system that uses a low cost, general purpose data input terminal reduces the control processing burden of the data input terminal. The network system has data input terminals used for data entry, mobile printers, each of which is paired in a predetermined 1:1 relationship to a specific data input terminal, and a data processing server. Each mobile printer prints data based on information input to the corresponding data input terminal. The data processing server communicates over a network with each of the data input terminal/mobile printer devices, and centrally controls the devices including their output terminals. The data processing server controls all data output by the mobile printers, such that data output by a given mobile printer is based on data from the paired data input terminal.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Investment transaction structure in which one party may substitute one investment for another]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617139.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[In one general aspect, the present invention is directed to methods that may comprise the step of a first party entering into at least one derivative contract with a second party. The derivative contract may provide the second party with a short position on a derivative portfolio including one or more securities. Also, the derivative contract may grant a transferable right to substitute individual securities included in the derivative portfolio. This right may be granted to either the first party or the second party, and the right to substitute may transfer between the first party and the second party under certain conditions. In various embodiments, however, only one of the first party and the second party may have the right to substitute at any one time.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Method and system to solve dynamic multi-factor models in finance]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617142.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Methods and systems for estimating time-varying factor exposures of either an individual financial instrument or a portfolio of such instruments, through the solution of a constrained multi-criteria dynamic optimization problem, providing an estimation error function and one or more transition error functions to be minimized over a period of time. The factor exposures relay the influence of the factors on the return of the instrument or portfolio. The estimation error function provides the estimation error at each time interval between the return of the asset collection and a sum of products of each factor exposure and its respective factor. Each transition error function provides a transition error of each factor exposure between time intervals. In one embodiment, the constraints can include a budget constraint and non-negativity bounds applying to some or all of the factor exposures. In other embodiments, the method and system can be applied to estimating any time-varying weight that is used in a model, to relay the influence of one or more independent variables on a dependent financial or economic variable, through the solution of a constrained multi-criteria dynamic problem, minimizing estimation error and transition error terms. In other embodiments, the solution of a multi-criteria dynamic problem can be used as part of a method and system to determine structural breakpoints for each factor, and also as part of a method and system for determining optimal parameters to weight the transition error functions and selecting the factors included in the model.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Global risk demand index]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617143.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Methods for generating risk demand indices are provided. In various embodiments, the methods may include selecting a plurality of sub-index modules, wherein generation of each sub-index module involves comparing at least one financial index representative of at least one risky asset to at least one other financial index representative of at least one non-risky asset. The methods may further include combining the selected sub-index modules to calculate the risk demand indices.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[System and method for basket trades and trade allocation]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617148.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A system and method where a client creates a basket of intended stock orders, slices the basket into one or more waves of orders, sends trade orders to a broker/dealer for execution, and allocates stocks to one or more client accounts. A backend server receives basket or wave orders, breaks each basket or wave order into individual stock orders, and queues the individual stock orders for submission to an order management system for execution of the order. A market data feed to the client continuously updates the information displayed to the client. The client may strike a basket or wave or individual stock by entering strike information into a client database residing on a client computer. The system also provides for allocation of executed trades to client-specified accounts.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Method and system for electronically inputting, monitoring and trading spreads]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617149.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method and system for providing dynamic display of electronic trading information for trading spreads. The method and system allow pre-determined and trader defined spreads to be input and one or more trades for the spreads to be automatically executed on one or more trading exchanges. The method and system also allows monitoring of the spreads from one or more graphical windows on a graphical user interface.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Method and system for providing aggregation of trading on multiple alternative trading systems]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617150.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method for performing financial trading amongst a plurality of alternative trading systems using a common financial computer platform. The method including the steps of receiving at the common financial computer platform a buy-order for a prescribed number shares at a prescribed price. Electronic communication is then established between the common financial computer platform and each of the plurality of alternative trading systems. At least a portion of the buy-order is then submitted from the common financial computer platform to each of the plurality of alternative trading systems. The common financial common platform then monitors each of the plurality of alternative trading systems to determine if at least a portion of the buy-order was executed by one of the plurality of alternative trading systems. And if yes, then that indicated execution for one of the plurality of alternative trading systems is automatically accepted and automatically canceled are the remaining buy orders that were submitted to the other alternative trading system which were not yet executed.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Bankcard transaction exchange system]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617152.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A novel bankcard transaction exchange system, which is also an exchange network and a settlement network of various bankcard transactions at the same time, comprising: a processing center, at least one backup center, and a plurality of member institutions connected to the processing center via a network, characterized in that: the processing center is configured with a switching subsystem and a batch processing subsystem, and it can achieve interoperability effectively. The system of the invention is a bankcard transaction processing platform which can realize “centralized exchange and unified settlement”, wherein advanced switching technologies are employed, various network access interfaces may be compatible; transaction exchange and settlement of various currencies and various cards are supported; parameterized function configuration is supported; it may be adapted to the changes of the market, and easy for function expansion; it is convenient for users; it is secure and reliable; and the peak transaction capacity can meet the requirements of the development of future bankcard service.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Global procurement bypass shutdown process and method]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617153.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[The present invention provides a bypass shutdown process and method to implement change across an organization to help ensure that the procurement of goods and services is done through specifically approved suppliers, and according to appropriate procurement procedures. In a preferred embodiment, the bypass shutdown process and method comprises the steps of determining whether an invoice is from an approved supplier; determining whether the invoice relates to a targeted commodity; determining whether the related purchase was transacted prior to commodity roll-out; determining whether the transaction is exempt from penalty assessment; determining whether the purchaser previously submitted a bypass invoice; recording said invoice in a selected database; determining whether the purchaser has exceeded a penalty threshold level of non-compliance; generating a warning communication regarding an organization bypass process initiative and sending the warning communication to the purchaser; and assessing a penalty to the purchaser, or purchaser's business unit, cost center, department, division, or any other sub-unit of an organization, upon exceeding the penalty threshold.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Method for minimizing overdraft charge-off]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617156.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method for minimizing overdraft charge-off in a bank account includes:
 
     (a) identifying a plurality of factors that can result in a bank account charge-off; (b) building a case history database of bank account holder information based upon a plurality of data elements associated with each of the plurality of factors; (c) creating numeric and/or categorical representations of the bank account holder information for each of the bank accounts in the case history database; (d) tabulating the numeric and/or categorical representations and the data elements for the bank accounts in the case history database; (e) combining certain ones of the numeric and/or categorical representations to separate the bank accounts in the case history database into a plurality of risk groups, each risk group having an associated probability of charge-off; and (f) optimizing, for each of the plurality of risk groups, a bank profit, by setting overdraft limits.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Method for receiving electronically transferred funds using an automated teller machine]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617157.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method for performing a money transfer receive transaction involving a desired amount of money to be transferred from a sender to a recipient includes receiving transaction identifying information provided by the recipient; comparing the transaction identifying information with transaction data stored on a host computer system; providing a confirmation code, to be issued to the recipient, if the transaction identifying information matches the transaction data stored on the host computer system; storing the confirmation code on the host computer system; receiving at the host computer system input corresponding to the confirmation code from a dispensing terminal in communication with the host computer system; comparing the input to the stored confirmation code; and allowing funds, corresponding to at least a portion of the desired amount of money, to be dispensed by the dispensing terminal if the input matches the stored confirmation code.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[System and method for interactive messaging and/or allocating and/or upgrading and/or rewarding tickets, other event admittance means, goods and/or services]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617159.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method, system, server architecture and/or tangible medium upgrade and award admittance of events to an event customer, preferably via a data communication network. The method includes, for example, receiving a communication from the event customer, the communication including a request to obtain admittance to at least one event, the communication also including an identifier associated with the event customer, admitting the event customer at the point of sale system after verification of the request, and updating a database indicating that the request was processed. The method also includes determining first predetermined criteria associated with the event indicative of at least one other event customer not attending the event, releasing an allocation associated with the at least one other event customer, and notifying at least another of the event customers to perform the upgrade and/or reallocation.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Choice-based relationship system (CRS)]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617160.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method and apparatus for building relationship opportunities for event participants with similar interests before, during and after the event are disclosed. The method includes creating a profile of a first user registered for an event, the profile includes terms indicative of preferences and characteristics of the first user. The method also includes receiving an inquiry from the first user for at least one match based on at least one keyword and providing a list of matches to the user in response to the inquiry, wherein the match is a second user sharing similar interests with the first user.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[System and method for immediate issuance of transaction cards]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7614549.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A system and method for substantially immediate issuance of transaction cards includes at least one unassigned transaction card including a storage medium having a card number encoded thereupon. The system also includes a computing system configured to receive application information from an applicant that has been provided said unassigned transaction card, and to activate the unassigned transaction card so that access to monetary funds is extended to the applicant through said unassigned transaction card, upon an evaluation of said application information indicating that the applicant has been approved for access to the monetary funds. The unassigned transaction card bears no visible marking presenting information concerning the applicant and encodes no information concerning said applicant upon the storage medium of said unassigned transaction card.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[System and method for digital rights management of electronic content]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617158.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Digital rights management is described involving a device, a content issuer, and a rights issuer. A content encryption key (CEK) is encrypted using a public key associated with the device to produce an encrypted CEK. The encrypted CEK is encrypted using an issuer encryption key to produce a twice encrypted CEK. The twice encrypted CEK is encrypted using the public key to produce a ciphertext included in a rights object. The rights object is available to the device for decrypting digital content associated with the content issuer. The device can then decrypt the rights object ciphertext using its private key to produce a decrypted rights object ciphertext and decrypt the decrypted rights object ciphertext using an issuer decryption key received from the content issuer to produce an encrypted CEK. The encrypted CEK is decrypted using the private key to obtain the CEK, which is then available for decrypting digital content.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Real time push notification in an event driven network]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617162.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Disclosed herein is a method and system for matching attributes across an event driven network of user applications at the instance of a change in the attribute profiles of a user application. Each user application in the network has a set of one or more updatable attributes. Once a change is made to one or more attributes in the user application, information about the changed attribute is broadcasted to other user applications in the event driven network. A notification manager coordinates the trigger for notification and the matching of the attributes.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Component based task handling during claim processing]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617240.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A computer program for handling insurance-related tasks includes a data component that stores, retrieves and manipulates data utilizing a plurality of functions, a client component that includes: (1) an adapter component that transmits and receives data to/from the data component; (2) a business component that serves as a data cache and includes logic for manipulating the data; and (3) a controller component that is adapted to handle events generated by a user utilizing the business component to cache data and the component to ultimately persist data to a data repository. In use, the client component allows a user to define tasks during execution phase of the program that achieve a goal upon completion. The user is able to input rules which dictate which tasks should be selected based on a set of predetermined events. Tasks are generated based on received events.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Order confirmation system using clip and method thereof, and on-line accomplishment authentication method of transaction accomplishment using the same]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7616744.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[The present invention relates to improvements of member management and business efficiency so that order information received through a customer's wired or wireless telephone can be used to write an order slip and then output through a print output unit while being displayed on a LCD screen window.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Computer system for rule-based clothing matching and filtering considering fit rules and fashion rules]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617016.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A computer implemented method presents garments to a consumer using a computer by reading a database of garments, wherein the database of garments includes parameters for at least some of the garments represented by records in the database of garments, the parameters including at least a garment type, reading data representing a plurality of garment types, the data including, for each type of the plurality of garment types, a set of tolerance ranges for that garment type, obtaining consumer measurements from the consumer or a source derived from the consumer, obtaining garment measurements for garments in the database of garments, comparing customer measurements to garment measurements, scoring garments from the database of garments based on garment measurements, customer measurements and the set of tolerance ranges for each garment based on its garment type, and presenting the consumer with a computer generated filtered listed of garments from the database of garments ordered, at least approximately, according to garment scores.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Software application portfolio management for a client]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617141.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[An information technology services providing company manages a portfolio of software applications for a client company. A plurality of the applications are preselected along with a recommendation for each. The recommendations have value drivers with parameters. Values for the parameters are received from the client as responses to questions or through collaboration with the client. A business value is then determined for the value drivers using the parameter values. Total cash flow, return on investment, net present value, internal rate of return, or other financial measures may be calculated. The client decides to proceed with the recommendations and the services providing company delivers services and software according to the recommendations.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Vehicle appraisal assisting robot and vehicle appraisal system using the robot]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617161.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A vehicle appraisal assisting robot ( 1 ) includes an information acquisition unit ( 12 ) for acquiring basic information required for appraisal of a client vehicle ( 7 ), an image taking unit ( 13 ) for taking an image of a portion of the vehicle required to evaluate a state of the vehicles, an action generator ( 17 ) for generating an action required for the image taking unit to take an image of the portion of the vehicle, a communication unit ( 15 ) for sending the basic information and the image information to an apparatus ( 2 ) on an appraiser side, which generates appraisal results information based on the information sent from the communication unit. The communication unit also receives the appraisal results information from the apparatus on the appraiser side, and an information output unit ( 15, 16 ) outputs the appraisal results information received by the communication unit to present the appraisal results information to the client.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Unauthorized device detection device, unauthorized device detection system, unauthorized device detection method, program, recording medium, and device information update method]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617536.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[An unauthorized apparatus detection device detecting clones of a playback device. In a management server, a reception processing unit acquires a user terminal identifier and a first random number of a user terminal, judges whether a second management server random number, which is stored in a storage unit in correspondence with the user terminal identifier, matches the first user terminal random number. If the two fail to match, a display unit displays a message indicating that a clone exists. If the two match, a terminal information generation unit generates a new random number, and writes the generated random number as the second random number in the storage unit. A transmission processing unit transmits the generated random number to the user terminal via a transmission/reception unit and the user terminal updates the first user terminal random number to the generated random number.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Patient data mining]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617078.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[The present invention provides a data mining framework for mining high-quality structured clinical information. The data mining framework includes a data miner that mines medical information from a computerized patient record (CPR) based on domain-specific knowledge contained in a knowledge base. The data miner includes components for extracting information from the CPR, combining all available evidence in a principled fashion over time, and drawing inferences from this combination process. The mined medical information is stored in a structured CPR which can be a data warehouse.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[System and method for processing gasoline price data in a networked environment]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617111.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A system and method for processing gasoline price data in a networked environment are provided. A traffic data processing server obtains gasoline price data indicative of user purchases. The gasoline price data is associated with a service provider location and product identifier. A gasoline price processing server processes the incoming gasoline price data to generate geographic-based gasoline price statistical information. Upon obtain a client computer request for a geographic area, the gasoline price processing server transmits display information including the geographic-based statistical gasoline price information.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Using percentile data in business analysis of time series data]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617172.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A real time data processing system, method and program product for processing a stream of data events. A system is provided that includes: a running profile processing system for updating a running profile each time a new data event value is inputted, wherein the running profile includes percentile data; and an analysis system for analyzing the running profile, wherein the analysis system performs a composite analysis that utilizes: (a) results obtained from comparing a new data event value to the percentile data, and (b) stored results obtained from previous compare operations.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Workflow definition and management system]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617245.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A workflow can be managed by presenting one or more questions to a user, wherein the questions are associated with a present status of an entity being processed through a workflow; receiving input from the user corresponding to the presented questions; evaluating the received input to determine whether one or more tasks associated with the present status have been completed; determining to advance the entity to a subsequent status in the workflow if each of the tasks associated with the present status has been completed; and executing an action mapping to advance the entity. Further, it can be determined not to advance the entity to the subsequent status in the workflow if each of the one or more tasks associated with the present status has not been completed. Thus, the entity can be retained in the present status or transferred to a previous status in the workflow.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Information providing device, method, program and recording medium, and user authentication device, method, program and recording medium]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617399.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[In an information providing device and method, a plurality of information providers, including first and second information providers, are made to be associated with each other. The first information provider is caused to receive a first user information item, stored in a first information management unit, in response to a user information receiving request. The second information provider is caused to receive a second user information item, correlated with the first user information item and stored in a second information management unit, in response to a predetermined identification data. A unified information item is created by combining the first user information item and the second user information item based on the predetermined identification data is outputted.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Multiple client field device data acquisition and storage]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617120.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A system is provided for acquiring and storing field information, comprising field devices operable to gather field information and receive updated file information. The field devices may be placed in cradles, which facilitate the transfer of the field and file information. A network is provided for receiving the field information from the field devices and transferring the field information to field devices located in the cradles. The system also provides a server operable to receive the field information from the network, store the field information in data tables assigned to at least one client, and transmit updated field information to the network.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Apparatus and method for secure downloading of files]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617124.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A download processor for secure downloading of a digital product file when ordered by a user. The order includes a file identifier related to the file and an order identifier related to the order. The download processor performs security checks related to the file, the order, and the user. The file identifier and order identifier are verified based upon information related to the file and the order, and information related to the user is also verified. Based upon the verifications, the download processor selectively permits or denies download of the file to a user machine.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Stored-value card assembly with a plurality of stored-value cards]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7614548.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A stored-value card assembly includes a plurality of stored-value cards and a package. The plurality of stored-value cards each include an account identifier linking the respective stored-value card to a different financial account or record. The package is configured to maintain the plurality of stored-value cards such that the account identifier of each of two of the plurality of stored-value cards is visible for scanning. Other stored-value card assemblies and associated methods are also disclosed.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Marketplace system that supports user-to-user sales via a definitive product catalog]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7614552.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[An electronic marketplace system embodies various inventions for assisting users in listing products for sale, locating the listings for a product, and performing related actions. A user wishing to sell a product can browse to an existing description of the product in an electronic catalog and then select an option to create a corresponding listing. To create the listing for the selected product, the user preferably specifies the product's condition and a selling price. The pending listings for a product are preferably displayed or summarized on the product's detail page in the catalog. When no such listings exist, an option to preorder the product from an unspecified seller may be provided. In one embodiment, the electronic catalog also serves as a retail sales catalog of a merchant.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Mark forming apparatus, method of forming laser mark on optical disk, reproducing apparatus, optical disk and method of producing optical disk]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/RE40969.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[An object of the present invention is to provide a marking forming apparatus, a method of forming a laser marking on an optical disk, a reproduction apparatus, an optical disk, and a method of manufacturing an optical disk, capable of providing a greatly improved copy prevention capability as compared to prior known construction. To achieve this object, in the optical disk of the invention, for example, a marking is formed by a laser on a reflective film of a disk holding data written thereon and at least position information of the marking or information concerning the position information is written on the disk in an encrypted form or with a digital signature appended thereto.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Managing and unifying structured representations of product information]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617014.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to defining, sharing, unifying, and managing multiple structured representations of product information in the context of business activities. In certain aspects a data structure is provided that enables, among other things, unambiguous specification of subelements. In other aspects, a method is provided which may be used to, among other things, unambiguously specify subelements. Other aspects are described in the specification.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Ecards from multiple users]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617276.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Techniques described herein allow multiple users to sign the same ecard. For example, a first user signs onto an ecard website, and selects an ecard template. After personalizing the ecard, the first user selects an option to invite other users to sign the card. Invitation messages are sent to the invited users. If an invited user accepts the invitation to sign the ecard, the invited user is prompted to login to the ecard website and sign the ecard. Once all the invited users have responded to the invitation, the first user is notified that the ecard is ready to be sent. Before sending the ecard, the first user may preview and modify the ecard. Once the first user is content with the ecard, the first user submits the ecard to the ecard web server to be sent to the intended recipient.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Enhancing touch and feel on the internet]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617135.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A system for enabling touch and feel over the internet provides a three-dimensional representation of a good being sold, that three-dimensional representation being viewable from a number of different directions. In one embodiment, the good being sold is in a package and the package is displayed from the number of different directions. Another embodiment has the good being a book, and the inside and outside covers of the book are displayed and specified pages of the book can be displayed. The user can read from either the label or the covers just like as if the were actually handling the good.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Medical image review workstation with integrated content-based resource retrieval]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7616793.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A review workstation for facilitating interpretation of a medical image by a user is described. The review workstation comprises a display device displaying the medical image to the user, and an input device receiving a graphical identification of a region of interest (ROI) in the medical image that is interesting to the user. Responsive to the identification of the ROI, a content-based image comparison is performed between the ROI and a resource database, the resource database comprising a collection of resource images previously analyzed by human interpreters and textual information associated with those previous analyses. The content-based image comparison comprises identifying a subset of the resource images similar to the ROI with respect to a preselected set of computed features. The display device subsequently displays to the user at least one of the identified subset of resource images and its associated textual information simultaneously with the ROI.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Generating planning-level time and capacity requirement formulas for manufacturing processes]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617015.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Methods, computer program products and systems are disclosed for generating a planned time duration for a manufacturing process operation defined for planning purposes that includes an aggregation of multiple defined execution operations. Electronic information is received that specifies a production demand that requires use of the manufacturing process for fulfillment. A linear approximation is electronically generated of an overall time duration measure for the defined manufacturing process planning operation. The overall time duration measure is a sum of time components comprising at least a calculated measure for a variable time component for the longest of the multiple execution operations for the received production demand, and a fixed time duration measure for one send-ahead quantity for each of the multiple execution operations that is not the longest. The generated overall time duration measure is then returned.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Billing system, mobile terminal, and billing method]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617155.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[To provide a billing system capable of simplifying user's operation and quickly performing a billing process even in the case where there exist a plurality of terminals for billing. A billing system  1  according to the present invention is a billing system for implementing billing by transmitting billing information transmitted from a billing information transmitting terminal  30  to a cellular phone  10 , to a billing server  60  on a mobile communication network, in which a service code of a service for which a billing process is allowed is preliminarily stored in the cellular phone  10  and in which, when the billing information is transmitted from the billing information transmitting terminal  30 , whether a service code included in the billing information is a service code for which the cellular phone  10  is allowed to perform the process is determined on the basis of whether it agrees with any service code preliminarily stored. When it is then determined that the cellular phone  10  is allowed to perform the billing process, the cellular phone transmits the billing information to the billing server  60  and performs the billing process.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Method and system for automatic service composition]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617174.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method and system for automatic service composition is disclosed, wherein a service registry stores a plurality of service specifications received from at least one service provider in a service repository, and receives service requests from service requestors. A composition engine of the service registry can automatically generate a series of actions from service specifications stored in the service repository according to the service request, and then passes those actions to the service requestor for being processed. In order to facilitate the preceding procedure of automatic composition, the composition engine pre-processes service requests and service specifications, and declares suitable new objects. The composition engine also post-processes the planning resolution generated by the planning module for translating the format of the planning resolution into a processing language, and finally passes the resolution to a processing engine of the service requestor for being processed.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Porting security application preferences from one system to another]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617214.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Configuring a security application includes determining whether user preferences for the security application are pre-loaded in an information handling system (IHS) received by a user. If the user preferences have not been pre-loaded a request to receive the user preferences corresponding to the user and the security application is sent to a provider of the security application. The request includes a unique identifier for accessing the user preferences for the security application. The user preferences, which have been previously configured by the user for another IHS, are stored in a predefined format and are accessible to any requester providing the unique identifier. The provider provides the user preferences corresponding to the unique identifier.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Architecture for a centralized management system]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617307.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A mechanism is provided for integrating a user resource into a managed computing resource system. If a level of data privacy indicating a first level of dedicated computing resources, a user resource is integrated into a first logical design. Responsive to the level of data privacy indicating a second level of dedicated computing resources, the user resource is integrated into a second logical design. If there is no indication of the level of data privacy and the user resource has at least one associated unique IP address, a capacity of a point of deployment (POD) device is determined. If there is no indication of the level of data privacy and no unique IP address, the user resource is integrated into the first logical design. If the user resource utilizes a predefined percentage of the capacity, the user resource is integrated into a third logical design.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Mobile collection application]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7616947.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A mobile collection application is disclosed that is capable of providing collection data to a field agent on a wireless pocket PC. A collection case inventory module is used to generate a list of collection cases on the wireless pocket PC. The field agent may view a detailed report of collection cases that are contained in the list of collection cases. A payment plan component is also provided that allows the field agent to work out a payment plan with the debtor. The mobile collection application is also capable of allowing field agents to register transient taxpayers for the purpose of collecting sales and use taxes.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Method for managing download of duplicate contents]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617540.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method for managing downloads of contents. This method provides for a replay memory that stores a globally unique right object identifier (GUID) and a right issuer timestamp (RITS). A duplication memory is used to store a right object (RO) in downloading a duplicate of content that is already stored in the replay memory. When a right issuer timestamp (RITS) included in the right object (RO) of the currently received content is less than the current time plus the set threshold value, and the globally unique right object identifier (GUID) and the right issuer timestamp (RITS) of the received right object (RO) are already stored in the replay memory, the received right object (RO) is separately stored in the duplication memory in association with the globally unique right object identifier (GUID).]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Computer-readable medium and data structure for communicating technical architecture standards to vendors]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617244.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A computer-readable medium and a data structure for communicating information regarding the current and future components of a technical architecture standard to vendors are provided. The computer-readable medium includes a data structure having a data field containing data identifying a particular component of an information technology architecture for an organization, a data field containing data identifying a current standard for the component, and a data field containing data identifying a future standard for the component. The data structure includes one or more architectural component tags indicative of one component of an information technology architecture for an organization, one or more current standard tags corresponding to each architecture component tag indicative of a current standard for the component of the information technology architecture identified by the architecture component tag, and one or more future direction tags corresponding to each architecture component tag indicative of a future standard for the component of the information technology architecture identified by the architecture component tag.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Electronic lottery system with promotion prize distribution]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7614956.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method includes communicating a distribution group of lottery game play records to a data storage device accessible to an assignment component included in a lottery gaming system. This assignment component may comprise a player station in the gaming system, a central computer system, or some intermediate component between the central computer system and player station. The method also includes communicating one or more promotion records to the data storage device accessible to the assignment component. The assignment component assigns game play records from the distribution group in response to lottery game play requests entered at a player station in the gaming system. However, in response to some lottery game play requests entered through the player stations, the assignment component assigns a promotion record in addition to, or in lieu of, a game play record. In these cases the player may be awarded a promotion prize associated with the assigned promotion record.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Medium, apparatus, and method related to encryption resultant information]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/RE40957.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A disk-shaped recording medium includes a transparent substrate, and an optical recording layer formed on the transparent substrate. A light source emits light. An optical head is operative for applying the light to the optical recording layer from the light source via the transparent substrate, for focusing the light on the optical recording layer, and for reproducing information from the optical recording layer. A position detecting device is operative for detecting at least one of a pit depth and a physical position of information which has a first given relation with a specified address and which is recorded on the recording medium, and for generating first positional information representing at least one of the pit depth and the physical position. A previously-recorded secret code is reproduced from the recording medium. The secret code represents second positional information. The secret code is decoded into the second positional information. The second positional information represents at least one of a predetermined reference pit depth and a predetermined reference physical position. The first positional information and the second positional information are collated, and a check is made as to whether or not the first positional information and the second positional information are in a second given relation. When the first positional information and the second positional information are not in the second given relation, one of outputting of a reproduced signal of the recording medium, operation of a program stored in the recording medium, and decoding of the secret code is stopped.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Medium, apparatus, and method related to encryption resultant information]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/RE40958.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A disk-shaped recording medium includes a transparent substrate, and an optical recording layer formed on the transparent substrate. A light source emits light. An optical head is operative for applying the light to the optical recording layer from the light source via the transparent substrate, for focusing the light on the optical recording layer, and for reproducing information from the optical recording layer. A position detecting device is operative for detecting at least one of a pit depth and a physical position of information which has a first given relation with a specified address and which is recorded on the recording medium, and for generating first positional information representing at least one of the pit depth and the physical position. A previously-recorded secret code is reproduced from the recording medium. The secret code represents second positional information. The secret code is decoded into the second positional information. The second positional information represents at least one of a predetermined reference pit depth and a predetermined reference physical position. The first positional information and the second positional information are collated, and a check is made as to whether or not the first positional information and the second positional information are in a second given relation. When the first positional information and the second positional information are not in the second given relation, one of outputting of a reproduced signal of the recording medium, operation of a program stored in the recording medium, and decoding of the secret code is stopped.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Surgical suite radio frequency identification methods and systems]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617137.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for tracking surgical items. A sensor reads RFID tags and confirms the type of surgical procedure to be performed on a patient's body. An allowable zone is determined in the patient's body that corresponds to the type of surgical procedure to be performed. When movement of a surgical item is detected outside the allowable zone in the patient's body, then an alarm is triggered to indicate the surgical item is moving towards a zone in the patient's body in which the surgical item may not be used.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Medical waste sorting method]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617113.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A system for disposing of medical waste is generally configured to sort waste items into a plurality of disposable containers according to applicable rules and regulations governing the handling and/or disposal of such items. In some embodiments, a system comprises sorting stations, each of which houses a number of disposable containers. Each station can identify an item of waste, determine the most appropriate container for the item, and facilitate disposal of the item in the appropriate container.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Authoring speech grammars]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617093.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[A method and apparatus are provided for automatically forming a grammar. Example text strings are received and N-grams are formed based on the text strings. A rule in the grammar is then generated automatically based in part on the n-grams.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[Systems and method for optimizing access provisioning and capacity planning in IP networks]]></title>
<link>http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7617303.html</link>
<description><![CDATA[The present invention provides a method for avoiding demand forecast errors in a network topology model having a plurality of nodes, by monitoring and controlling the quantity of a selected port type at a node. The method comprises determining the actual quantity of a selected port type at a node, setting a forecast of the quantity of the port required, setting a forecast period for the ports, wherein the forecast period is a function of the time required to change the quantity of the ports, and setting a threshold value to generate alerts, wherein the threshold value is a function of the forecast period; monitoring the node for a forecast change, if a forecast change is found then computing the difference between the actual quantity and the forecast quantity, wherein if the difference is greater than the threshold value, then generating an alert and forwarding the alert to a user.]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
</item>

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