1308 results about "Central database" patented technology

A method and apparatus for distributing, generating, and redeeming discount Virtual Coupons TM , rebate or gift certificates or the like which may be used on conjunction with a frequency card program or the like. Virtual Coupons TM may be distributed electronically, for example, in the form of a diskette or CD-ROM software. Software on the diskette or CD-ROM may prompt a consumer to call a 1-800 number for a validation number or code. During the phone call, telemarketing personnel may request consumer demographic and or identification information which may be entered into a centralized database. Once the software is validated, a consumer may print out a list selected Virtual Coupons TM displayed on a Graphical User Interface (GUI). When a product is purchased, the UPC code of the product may be compared electronically with a list of Virtual Coupons TM authorized for a particular consumer. An appropriate coupon discount may then be applied and the Virtual Coupon TM may be considered "redeemed". Once redeemed, consumer ID information and Virtual Coupon TM information may be retrieved electronically and used to update a central database. Accurate data may then be produced illustrating which consumers or groups of consumers are redeeming which Virtual Coupons TM . Such data may be used for marketing purposes or to generated further diskettes for distribution targeting specific consumers or groups of consumers with specific classes of Virtual Coupon TM offerings. The use of Virtual Coupons TM eliminates or reduces fraud, and allows a frequency card discount to be applied only a limited number of times.

A process which provides electronic access to pre-paid funds for cash or payment for goods and services. A card is issued to a customer with a value selectable by the customer. The card has a magnetic stripe with an encoded card number including a bank identification number (BIN) and an account number. The central card processor establishes a zero balance database including the card numbers, but with blank fields for the customer data and the value of the account. When a customer purchases a card, the sales agent transmits to the central database computer which fills in the blanks in the database, activating the account, and transmits an acknowledgement signal back to the sales agent. The customer can immediately use the card in ATM or other remote terminals to acquire cash or purchase goods and services. The customer inputs a PIN number which is provided with the card, or a customer selected alternative PIN number.

A billing system for a telecommunications network uses a monitoring software agent to monitor messages, indicative of individual calls on the network, passing between a service switching point and a service control point. Call record information is extracted and is stored in a local call record database. Information from each call record database is then passed on to a central database, using updating mobile agents, the central database being accessible to such agents and report building agents which can extract billing information as requested by an operator. By monitoring the messages as they pass, the system can provide real time billing information without needing to poll the switch at the service switching point.

An e-mail filtering method and system that categorizes received e-mail messages based on information about the origin, such as the sender sending the message or the site from where the message was sent, which is contained in the message header and the SMTP session used to send the message. This data, whether the sender is familiar to the receiver, and other information about the message is then sent by each member of an e-mail network to one or more central databases (in one embodiment, the information will also be stored at a database associated with the recipient's e-mail program and filtering software) which stores the information and compiles statistics about e-mails sent from the origin to indicate the likelihood that the e-mail is unsolicited and determine the reputation of the origin (a good reputation indicates the sender sends solicited messages while a bad reputation indicates the sender sends unsolicited e-mail messages). Information from the central database is then sent to recipients in order to determine the likelihood that a received e-mail message is spam (information may also be obtained from the local database associated with the recipient's e-mail program and filtering software).

A unified policy management system for an organization including a central policy server and remotely situated policy enforcers. A central database and policy enforcer databases storing policy settings are configured as LDAP databases adhering to a hierarchical object oriented structure. Such structure allows the policy settings to be defined in an intuitive and extensible fashion. Changes in the policy settings made at the central policy server are automatically transferred to the policy enforcers for updating their respective databases. Each policy enforcer collects and transmits health and status information in a predefined log format and transmits it to the policy server for efficient monitoring by the policy server. For further efficiencies, the policy enforcement functionalities of the policy enforcers are effectively partitioned so as to be readily implemented in hardware. The system also provides for dynamically routed VPNs where VPN membership lists are automatically created and shared with the member policy enforcers. Updates to such membership lists are also automatically transferred to remote VPN clients. The system further provides for fine grain access control of the traffic in the VPN by allowing definition of firewall rules within the VPN. In addition, policy server and policy enforcers may be configured for high availability by maintaining a backup unit in addition to a primary unit. The backup unit become active upon failure of the primary unit.

A method and system for monitoring users on one or more computer networks, disassociating personally identifiable information from the collected data, and storing it in a database so that the privacy of the users is protected. The system includes monitoring transactions at both a client and at a server, collecting network transaction data, and aggregating the data collected at the client and at the server. The system receives a user identifier and uses it to create an anonymized identifier. The anonymized identifier is then associated with one or more users' computer network transactions. The data is stored by a collection engine and then aggregated to a central database server across a computer network.

An energy tracking and reporting system can receive data inputs from multiple sources regarding one or more properties. A central database receives the information and correlates the information for numerous outputs. Information received by the central database can include, for example, property location, property size, property type and property use. Also, occupancy information, energy sources, utilities servicing the property, weather, ISO, environmental guidelines, and the traded or other standard price for the utilities can be stored. The system can calculate a number of factors from the data and return values to the central database. The system can track data trends and store additional information for budgeting, user reporting and certification compliance reporting. Modules can analyze the market rates, calculate efficiency benchmarks, analyze the data stored on the central database and provide the user with multiple tables and charts analyzing all of the factors that tie into energy usage.

A system for the collection, management, and dissemination of information relating at least to a medical procedure is disclosed. The system includes a user interface adapted to provide raw data information at least about one of a patient, the medical procedure, and a result of the medical procedure. A medical device communicates with the user interface, receives the raw data information from the user interface, and generates operational information during use. A central database communicates at least with the medical device and receives data from the medical device. The central database is used to create related entries based on the raw data information and the operational information and optionally transmits the related entry to the medical device or the medical device user. The related entry includes information that provides guidance based on previously tabulated, related medical procedures. A system for the iterative analysis of medical standards is also disclosed along with methods for the evaluation of medical procedures and standards.

A computer-implemented method for managing medical information that includes the steps of: providing a central database of information having disparate data fields containing data, and performing an action based upon the data in the disparate data fields. The method includes of sorting, providing warnings or reminders, searching, organizing, transmitting, and presenting data from the database. The medical information management system includes a central database resident on a computing system. The central database has multiple disparate data fields containing data pertaining to patient-related information. A user interface communicates with the central database for accepting user input and transmitting system output. A visual display also communicates with the user interface to display the disparate data fields in selected or selectable formats. The system can include a report generating module, a device interface, and a compliance calculation module, all of which are in communication with the central database.

A method for currency management and tracking utilizing a unique standardized cassette for the transportation of note bundles and loading of note bundles into currency processing apparatus, the cassette having an accompanying smart card on which data regarding the individual note history of each note contained therein and distributed therefrom is recorded. The invention further provides for the uploading of data stored on cassette smart cards to a central data bank, thus allowing for the management and statistical modeling of the currency pool.

A system and method is provided that can integrate a set of video processing systems for the purpose of increasing productivity and throughput. The integrated system edits video into clips, automatically adds records corresponding to these clips in a centralized database system, adds information about the content of these clips into these records, and controls the compression or conversion of these clips for distribution. The database system is used for managing the clips as well as for the searching of the clips based primarily on the content information added in the above process. Using this process, a digital production line may be built that allows video editors to edit sections from a video tape, have these sections (or clips) be dynamically added to a database system, and provide a mechanism for the editors to apply meta-information to the newly created clips at the same time the clips have been authored. Also, this system provides for the automatic processing of the edited material into alternate formats for such purposes as Internet streaming. The combination of these processes provides significant improvement productivity in the generation of clips, such as video highlights, from complete video.

The information available to a driver of a vehicle is greatly expanded using wireless communications (e.g., using Bluetooth wireless communication devices). In one embodiment, information regarding an adjacent vehicle such as a brake light, a turn light, speed, distance, direction, etc., is transmitted from one vehicle to a nearby or adjacent other vehicle. The received information is used in any appropriate manner, such as causing the receiving vehicle to change vehicle speed or brake, to turn to avoid a collision, etc. In a second embodiment, roadside wireless transceivers collect information regarding passing vehicles, and central database is compiled relating to a traffic conditions. The traffic condition information can be passed back to the passing vehicles for appropriate use, e.g., causing the driver to slow down, or even causing a navigation device in the receiving vehicle to manually prompt for or automatically recalculate a best route to an intended destination. In yet another embodiment, broadcast transmitters can be established at signs and other significant locations transmitting information to passing vehicles. The broadcast information may be as simple as indicating the existence of the sign, or depending upon the range of the particular wireless transmitter, the existence of a particular sign, bump in road, curve, etc., can be forewarned far in advance of when the driver will actually see the relevant object. Alternatively, the broadcast information may be quite detailed, e.g., containing a detailed itemization and directions to a large number of gas stations, restaurants, etc., reachable from a particular exit from a highway.

Transfers of money into a recipient account are analyzed for risk of fraud by using a fraud monitoring system to analyze characteristics of the recipient account. The recipient account characteristics are stored in a central database, which has account data (for recipient accounts) contributed from a plurality of financial institutions that maintain such accounts. When a transfer is made or attempted, the stored characteristics of the recipient account are analyzed and a risk score is assigned to the transfer based on the recipient account. If the risk score indicates a suspicious or fraudulent transaction, an alert is provided. In an alternative embodiment, the risk analysis may be supplemented by analysis of transaction data association with the transfer.

Consumer authentication information is associated with an information account stored in a central database, such that access to the information account by the consumer is conditioned upon receipt and verification of the consumer authentication information. A temporary authorization may also be associated with the information account. The temporary authorization has consumer-defined attributes that define access privileges to be granted to a person who presents the temporary authorization along with a request for further access to the information account. The temporary authorization may be transmitted to the consumer for presentation to a third-party of the consumer's choice. Alternately, the temporary authorization may be transmitted to a designated third-party or device on behalf of the consumer.

An admission control and load balancing system controls admission of packet streams or calls to a network and balances the packet traffic across the network, improving quality of service. The system includes a central database which stores information including cost data associated with individual paths and links across the network. A processor, in communication with the database, coordinates the admission control and load balancing decisions, and updates of the database cost data to reflect the dynamic network conditions, based on input from appropriate data sources. In one embodiment, referred to as the exact algorithm, the database is consulted by the admission control points or gatekeepers prior to admitting each arriving packet stream, and the database contents are updated call-by-call to reflect the allocation of resources to each admitted stream. In another embodiment, referred to as the inexact algorithm, control decision as well as database updates occur on a periodic rather than on a call-by-call basis to promote better scalability. In this embodiment, the processor periodically calculates admission decisions based on cost data in the central database. These admission decisions are then periodically forwarded to a satellite database associated with each gatekeeper, for storage and use in admission decisions until the next update epoch.

A reservation system and methodology ensures that all changes to a database in a federation are reliably and immediately communicated to all of the other databases in the federation. The system communicates information concerning hotel reservation transactions. The system comprises multiple applications each associated with one or more databases including hotel reservation data. The databases in the federation reflect transactions that are communicated to other databases and they also employ information received from other databases in determining the transactions that their associated local applications permit and the way in which they are processed. In one embodiment of the invention, communication among databases occurs through the Internet and data storage devices via secure packetized messages addressed to objects that represent the relevant databases. The system of the present invention also preferably includes a central database that functions as the primary source for verifying reservations and hotel data. Additionally, the system of the present invention also includes a yield subsystem that allows hotels to increase revenues. The yield subsystem calculates rates and availability based upon forecasted changes in supply and customer segment demand.

A logistics method is disclosed that provides logistics computer programming for controlling a plurality of transports to supply a plurality of delivery locations from one or more bases. Each of the bases and delivery locations are in communication with a central database, preferably an Internet server database, that contains updated logistics information. The central database is preferably automatically updated at selectable intervals as to transport location, destination, fuel level, speed, and heading. Manifests may be originated at the respective delivery location or at an associated base and are stored in the central database. Each material on the manifest is associated with information such as the authorized vendor, a description, storage preferences, units, hazardous designations and additional information if the material is hazardous. Given information about each transport such as load capacity, fuel level, location intelligence, and the like that is stored in the central database and information about the materials, manifest status, and other factors, potential least cost delivery routes using capable transports can be automatically produced for selection by an operator. The logistics computer programming automatically designates where each manifested material is stored on the transport. The computer programming associates a status designation with each manifest such as outstanding, staged, printed, loaded, unloaded, and cancelled. Each manifest is also associated with a priority which may range from emergency to routine. Updated logistics information concerning materials, manifests, vendors, transports, delivery locations, and operating companies is available from the central database.

An e-mail filtering method and system that categorize received e-mail messages based on information about the sender. Data about the sender is contained in the message and is used to identify the actual sender of the message using a signature combining pieces of information from the message header or derived from information in the message header. This and other information about the message is then sent by each member of an e-mail network to one or more central databases (in one embodiment, the information will also be stored at a database associated with the recipient's e-mail program and filtering software) which stores the information and compiles statistics about e-mails sent by the sender to indicate the likelihood that the e-mail is unsolicited and determine the reputation of the sender (a good reputation indicates the sender does not send unwanted messages while a bad reputation indicates the sender sends unsolicited e-mail messages). Information from the central database is then sent to recipients in order to determine the likelihood that a received e-mail message is spam (information may also be obtained from the local database associated with the recipient's e-mail program and filtering software).

The system of the present invention comprises a personal Virtual Safety Deposit Box where users are able to enroll their identification methods, financial accounts and personal information. Once authenticated, this information is transferred to a master file within a central databank. Enrollment enables the user to link each item (collectively referred to as the “stored data”) to any one of the plurality of identification methods they enter. Thereafter, the user may employ their enrolled identification methods to select a desired one of the stored data fields. A secure intermediary uses the identification method and a selection method to determine which of the stored data fields the user desires to employ by accessing a database containing each of the stored data fields and the corresponding selection method. The selected field is activated and any relevant outside agencies are notified of the transaction and the transaction is concluded.