67results about How to "Strengthen incentives" patented technology

This invention relates generally to electronic commerce (e-commerce) methods for the use of systems and media platforms, for use with both mobile and non-mobile systems, to deploy virtual advertising and promotion via the use of electronic coupons, and more particularly a method and system for creating, deploying, transferring, clearing, managing, redeeming and reporting on the use of electronic coupons or virtual electronic rebates (VeeBates) and permitting individuals and groups within one or more social communications networks to participate in and transmit information to others about their activities related to the virtual advertising, incentives, redemption and promotion.

This invention relates generally to electronic commerce (e-commerce) systems and media platforms, for use with both mobile and non-mobile systems, to deploy virtual advertising and promotion via the use of electronic coupons, and more particularly a method and system for creating, deploying, transferring, clearing, managing, redeeming and reporting on the use of electronic coupons or virtual electronic rebates (VeeBates) and permitting individuals and groups within one or more social communications networks to participate in and transmit information to others about their activities related to the virtual advertising, incentives, redemption and promotion.

A system and methods for managing a recycling program including the step of receiving waste materials from a user and the step of receiving recyclable materials from the user. Further, the step of measuring a quantity of waste materials received and the step of measuring a quantity of recyclable materials received. Further still, calculating a user-specific diversion rate based upon the ratio of recyclable materials as compared to the sum of recyclable materials and waste materials. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

This invention relates generally to electronic commerce (e-commerce) systems and media platforms, for use with both mobile and non-mobile systems, to deploy virtual advertising and promotion via the use of electronic coupons, and more particularly a method and system for aggregating and distributing carbon reduction credits in connection with the creation and / or use of electronic coupons or virtual electronic rebates (VeeBates) and permitting individuals and groups within one or more social communications networks to participate in and transmit information to others about their activities related to the virtual advertising, incentives, redemption and promotion and aggregate carbon credits in connection therewith, either as part of the incentive or aggregation by the incentive promoter as part of its activities in reducing its carbon footprint.

This invention relates generally to electronic commerce (e-commerce) systems and media platforms, for use with both mobile and non-mobile systems, to deploy virtual advertising and promotion via the use of electronic coupons, and more particularly a method and system for creating, deploying, transferring, clearing, managing, redeeming and reporting on the use of electronic coupons or virtual electronic rebates (VeeBates) and permitting individuals and groups within one or more social communications networks to participate in and transmit information to others about their activities related to the virtual advertising, incentives, redemption and promotion.

An electric storage device of an electric powered vehicle is configured to be chargeable by a charging facility. At the time of external charge by the charging facility, a management server selects advertising information based on information stored inside the electric powered vehicle to be charged and / or information of the charging facility performing the external charge to the electric powered vehicle including a mechanism capable of reproducing the advertising information from an advertising provider, and transmits the selected advertising information. The management server performs billing so that in exchange for the transmission of the advertising information, at least part of a charging power fee is caused to be borne by the advertising provider side to thereby discount an amount borne by an electric powered vehicle user.

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for pricing an insurance premium based on telematics data. The system includes a communications interface and a business logic processor in communications with the communications interface. The communications interface receives telematics data collected by a telematics acquisition device configured at a dealership for collecting telematics data of a vehicle sold by the dealership. The communications interface also receives vehicle data indicating the make and model of the vehicle sold and vehicle owner data related to the purchaser of the vehicle sold. The business logic processor determines an insurance quote for the purchaser based on the received telematics data, vehicle data, and vehicle owner data. The communications interface transmits the insurance quote for the purchaser of the vehicle. The business logic processor also manages a predetermined incentive that is provided to the purchaser in return for allowing the telematics data acquisition device to collect telematics data.

A request for information (RFI) system is provided for use in communications networks including broadcast networks and the Internet. In one implementation, a code identifying an item of media content of interest (e.g. television, newspaper, magazines, billboards, radio) is captured and input to an RFI system that includes stored media tags and a search tool for matching inputs to the stored media tags. Upon receipt of the captured code, the RFI system matches the captured code with the stored media tags and provides a response to the user based on the match. The response may include or relate to follow-on or premium information relating to the content of interest. Using this information, an RFI data center or an RFI platform may credit value to a rewards account established for the network user based on the user's verified consumption of assets and / or data requests. Further, the RFI data center or RFI platform may be used to collect consumer behavior information, including purchasing decisions made by the user after consumption of assets, and correlate the consumer behavior information with the user's verified asset consumption.

Energy-efficiency related data corresponding to dynamic energy-efficiency related operational parameters of a vehicle are collected from in-vehicle sensors and energy-efficiency parameters may be computed therefrom. The energy efficiency-related parameters and energy-efficiency parameters are then transmitted either directly of through a wireless and / or network link(s) to a station at which a transaction with a vehicle operator may be performed. An incentive based on efficiency of vehicle operation is computed and awarded to provide feedback to a vehicle operator to provide information concerning efficient vehicle operation and to encourage efficient and environmentally responsible vehicle operation. Both energy efficiency and environmental effects may be displayed at the station or substantially continuously and in substantially real time within the vehicle.

System to manage and provide dynamic personalized prices as a result of a promotion of the product by the customer on the internet, in particular through a mobile device.The present invention has application in the intersection between physical commerce and the online identity of its customers using their mobile phones and its data connections as a means for identification and communication.This invention consists in a computer system that allows customers of physical stores, using their mobile phones, to promote the store and its products and be rewarded with special deals with optimized value and customized for that particular customer, taking into account, among other things, the degree of his online social influence.Accordingly, the present invention is useful for allowing algorithmically optimization of the prices of their products, and for letting the store know automatically and in real time the identity of the customers present in their stores as well as the products they are interested.

A unique web-based advertising model permits an automated method for advertising a merchant's goods or services on-line by offering electronic prize tickets to interested participants over one or more websites in exchange for either visits by participants to the merchant's website or referrals by participants to other prospective participants via electronic communication.

A method for bundling the activation and sale of gift cards is provided whereby a plurality of gift cards is packaged together into a multi-pack that is then purchased and activated in a single transaction. In this manner, electronic transaction cards are bundled such that there is more than one card in a single package. The customer is then presented with a variety of the electronic transaction card multi-packs for consideration and purchase. Upon making their selection, the customer takes the multi-pack to a cashier to complete a traditional checkout and purchase operation. The cards are then bulk activated at an activation terminal. This allows a person purchasing a multi-pack, for example to purchase three $25.00 gift cards for their face value plus one activation fee and then distribute each of those cards to a different individual as a gift.

The embodiment of the invention discloses a method for implementing a network scalability block chain, which comprises the following steps: slicing and leadership election, consensus synchronization based on slicing leadership, reputation evaluation mechanism and global synchronization algorithm. The embodiment of the invention proposes a parallel chain structure, which separates the transaction and the consensus into two chains, so as to improve the scalability of the block chain network. The consensus part is carried out in the reputation chain. The network of reputation chain pays attentionto the security and supports the high-speed transaction of the network of transaction chain with proper speed. Based on the advantages of the reputation evaluation mechanism, the embodiment of the invention proposes a network slicing method based on the reputation evaluation mechanism. After the network slicing, the honest and excellent performance node has a greater probability to become the leader of the slicing, so as to realize the high throughput of the network without reducing the safety of the block chain network.

A brokering system and method for providing an incentive for use of more efficient internal combustion engines and hydrogen retrofit kits is disclosed. End users of retrofitted vehicles are provided with discounted fuel costs at authorized fueling stations. The vehicle owner's savings include: a) a reduction in fueling charges because of the vehicle's new reliance on 30% less fossil fuel (which is displaced by hydrogen in the engine), and b) by the purchase of methanol which can be set at a lower cost per calorific equivalent than a barrel of oil while also earning emission offsets to be sold for cash to the end users / creators of carbon credits. In this manner, retrofitted existing internal combustion engines linked to a trust for trading emission offsets will create a consumer-driven hydrogen economy which governments as well as the automotive and petroleum sectors will endorse. Hydrogen, which is substituted for fossil fuel in a retrofitted IC engine result in emission offsets (i.e., the quantum of emissions that are no longer there) which are converted by a regulated emissions trust into cash. This income, which is deposited into the vehicle owner's bank account via the telephone network by using a dedicated hydrogen fueling card and master engine sensor linked to a specific vehicle provided with an engine retrofit kit and an on board source of hydrogen gas. The present method provides a mapping and test kit that relies on OEM engine timing and control sensors to compare engine emissions produced by fossil fuel with emissions eliminated by substituting hydrogen. This method creates consumer demand for cleanly produced sources of hydrogen (beginning with green methanol) to fuel existing OEM engines, which will in turn, induce automobile manufacturers to build more efficient IC engines until, finally, they will all be fueled by 100% hydrogen.

The invention discloses a double-speed low strain method for detecting integrity of an existing pile foundation through carrying out excitation inside a pile body. The double-speed low strain method comprises the steps of location of a pile top position: finding the central position of a to-be-detected pile according to a construction drawing, and marking the central position; drilling of a foundation and a foundation pile: drilling a hole in the central marked position of the to-be-detected pile, and sampling; sensor mounting: mounting two sensors on the hole wall of the obtained drilled hole, wherein the two sensors are in different depths; vibration excitation seat mounting: mounting a vibration excitation seat below the pile top and at the upper end of the upper senor, wherein the vibration excitation seat is in close contact with the hole wall of the drilled hole and does not slide on the hole wall under the action of a vibration excitation hammer; vibration excitation of the vibration excitation hammer: selecting the vibration excitation hammer according to the pile diameter, the pile length and the defect position to perform vibration excitation for a plurality of times; and sampling and data analysis: carrying out synchronous sampling on the two sensors, and analyzing sampled signals. The double-speed low strain method has the beneficial effects that the principle is simple and clear, an acquisition device is simple, the result is more accurate and reliable, and relatively good engineering application and popularization prospect is achieved.

A system and method are provided for encouraging online shoppers to share online purchase transactions. Included are online advertisements or offers at the point of checkout. These offers indicate an incentive for sharing information about the online purchase on one or more social network platforms of the online shopper. The system may also include a pre-made or subsequently created video component featuring the product or a statement or opinion about the product. When the online shopper indicates a willingness to share in order to receive the incentive the video component featuring the product or a link thereto is displayed on the online shopper's social network platform as a posting in a newsfeed, on a profile page, or as a status update for the social network connections of the online shopper to see. The social network connections can then purchase, share, redeem and offer incentives as well.

An electric storage device of an electric powered vehicle is configured to be chargeable by a charging facility. At the time of external charge by the charging facility, a management server selects advertising information based on information stored inside the electric powered vehicle to be charged and / or information of the charging facility performing the external charge to the electric powered vehicle including a mechanism capable of reproducing the advertising information from an advertising provider, and transmits the selected advertising information. The management server performs billing so that in exchange for the transmission of the advertising information, at least part of a charging power fee is caused to be borne by the advertising provider side to thereby discount an amount borne by an electric powered vehicle user.

In a document information management system, an editable form of document information and a reference-only form of the document information are managed. Document information is offered in only the editable form to users desiring updating of document information. When this document information is utilized, a subsequent utilization state of the document information is followed.

The disclosed invention relates to detecting a flow condition in a fluid supply system. The invention is particularly useful for detecting flow in a toilet system. The flow detection device comprises a processor associated with a flow sensor. Predefined flow criteria are stored in a memory associated with said processor. When the processor detects flow through the fluid supply system, the processor uses the flow criteria to characterize the detected flow. If such flow complies with predefined flow conditions, a flow event is noted and an alert is issue. Such alert is configured according to predefined alert-criteria stored in a memory.

The invention relates to an integrated magnetic elasticity sensor, belonging to the technical field of micro electro mechanical systems. The integrated magnetic elasticity sensor comprises a glass substrate, a magnetic field excitation offset coil, a signal reception coil, a sensor support, a magnetic belt material and insulation material layers. The magnetic field excitation offset coil is located on the glass substrate; the signal reception coil is located above the magnetic field excitation offset coil; the sensor support is located above the signal reception coil; the insulation material layers are respectively located among the magnetic field excitation offset coil, the signal reception coil and the sensor support; and both ends of the magnetic belt material are fixed on the sensor support. The invention has the advantages of high processing precision and small size of the device, can eliminate background signals of the excitation signal in the reception coil by adopting an 8-shaped collection coil, realizes real-time monitoring of vibration signals and can realize the portable characteristic.

The invention describes the preparation of nutrient-rich salt from high salt-accumulating and edible oil-bearing salt tolerant plants in a way that allows simultaneous recovery of both salt and oil. The plants are routinely irrigated with seawater and occasionally with seawater enriched with salt bitterns and / or other types of wastes / by-products containing essential nutrients to raise the level of such nutrients in the plant.

The invention discloses a waveguide duplexer. The waveguide duplexer comprises a cavity, and a waveguide circulator, a first waveguide filter and a second waveguide filter are arranged in the cavity. The waveguide circulator comprises first ridge waveguide, second ridge waveguide, third ridge waveguide and a ridge. One end of the first ridge waveguide, one end of the second ridge waveguide and one end of the third ridge waveguide are all connected with the ridge, the other end of the first ridge waveguide and the other end of the second ridge waveguide are communicated with the first waveguide filter and the second waveguide filter respectively, and the other end of the third ridge waveguide forms an antenna connection port in the cavity. A ridge waveguide filter is arranged between the first ridge waveguide and the first waveguide filter, and a ridge waveguide filter is arranged between the second ridge waveguide and the second waveguide filter. The waveguide circulator and the two waveguide filters are integrated to form the waveguide duplexer, so that the structure is simple; by means of high isolation of the circulator, after the two waveguide filters are cascaded, the impact of combination of the two filters can be eliminated without extra matched design at an ANT port, and therefore system cost is reduced.

The invention describes the preparation of nutrient-rich salt from high salt-accumulating and edible oil-bearing salt tolerant plants in a way that allows simultaneous recovery of both salt and oil, the plants are routinely irrigated with seawater and occasionally with seawater enriched with salt bitterns and / or other types of wastes / by-products containing essential nutrients to raise the level of such nutrients in the plant.

A system and method to award a person to engage and complete a designated activity by setting up an escrow account with monetary funds or award items ready to reward the person immediately following the completion of the activity. The timeliness of the award can enhance the effectiveness of the motivation system.

A method is provided for developing, financing and administering an asset-protected executive benefit. An employer or Investor makes an investment in an LLC whereby the employer or Investor becomes the preferred, non-managing member and is entitled to receive a guaranteed payment plus pre-established rate of return. An Executive also makes an investment in the same LLC, becomes a non-preferred, managing member and is entitled to receive value created by the LLC in excess of the amount paid to the preferred member. The LLC invests in, owns, and is the beneficiary of two life insurance policies; a Preferred Policy designed to have a death benefit equal to the investment plus cumulative guaranteed return to the preferred member, and an Investment Policy designed to meet the long-term investment objectives of the members. The Executive may instruct the LLC to borrow against the Investment Policy from which the Executive receives a cash distribution.

A communications system is provided which can search for information about a communications device that is not registered in a network by designating time. The search system, which includes a plurality of communications devices, gateways and an entity management server, can execute a search method. The entity management server stores in a storage device the identification information of the communications device sent from the gateways with establishing correspondence with notification time. The entity management server receives from a mobile terminal the identification information of the communications device and designated time. The entity management server searches for the identification information stored in the storage device at the designated time, and identifies the location information of the gateways corresponding to the identification information included in the search request.