499 results about "Computer database" patented technology

A method and apparatus for determining the position and orientation of a remote object relative to a reference coordinate frame includes a plurality of field-generating elements for generating electromagnetic fields, a drive for applying, to the generating elements, signals that generate a plurality of electromagnetic fields that are distinguishable from one another, a remote sensor having one or more field-sensing elements for sensing the fields generated and a processor for processing the outputs of the sensing element(s) into remote object position and orientation relative to the generating element reference coordinate frame. The position and orientation solution is based on the exact formulation of the magnetic field coupling as opposed to approximations used elsewhere. The system can be used for locating the end of a catheter or endoscope, digitizing objects for computer databases, virtual reality and motion tracking. The methods presented here can also be applied to other magnetic tracking technologies as a final "polishing" stage to improve the accuracy of their P&O solution.

Counterfeit financial card fraud is detected based on the premise that the fraudulent activity will reflect itself in clustered groups of suspicious transactions. A system for detecting financial card fraud uses a computer database comprising financial card transaction data reported from a plurality of financial institutions. The transactions are scored by assigning weights to individual transactions to identify suspicious transactions. The geographic region where the transactions took place as well as the time of the transactions are recorded. An event building process then identifies cards involved in suspicious transactions in a same geographic region during a common time period to determine clustered groups of suspicious activity suggesting an organized counterfeit card operation which would otherwise be impossible for the individual financial institutions to detect.

A system for generating and transmitting summary transaction data includes a computer database from which information is compiled and forwarded to a requesting party automatically, i.e., without the need to interface with a human operator. A party having access to a prepaid transaction account number may access the host computer from a remote location and interactively request transaction information pertaining to the account using virtually any communication modality. The computer is suitably configured to communicate with one or more of the foregoing communication modalities and to automatically compile and transmit the summary data to a requested destination, for example, to a PC. The computer may further be configured to allow the requesting party to select among various formats to configure the form of the summary data. Summary transaction data may be generated and transmitted for virtually any type of prepaid transaction card, including phone cards, travel, credit cards, stored value (e.g., smart cards) cards, and the like.

In a process for creating media content, media submissions are requested and electronically received from end users and stored in a computer database. The submissions are searched for material to be included in the media content, and cross-checked against the other submissions for originality and timeliness. After the material is selected from one or more submissions, the content is developed and released to an audience for review. The end users whose submission material was included in the released content are rewarded. In one embodiment, third parties are permitted to access and search the submissions on an open exchange. The third parties can bid for rights in submissions on the open exchange. After receiving these bids, they are forwarded to the particular submission's end user for acceptance or rejection. Appropriate billing and payment processes are used to bill and pay the parties involved.

A notification method in a computer database system includes receiving a notification instruction from an owner associated with a search listing stored in the computer database system, monitoring conditions specified by the notification instruction for the search listing, and sending a notification to the owner upon detection of a changed condition of the search listing.

A method, system, and computer program product for implementing a marketing application using a store card as a Reward Card, Rebate Card, Pre-paid Script Program Card, Incentive Card, and/or Gift Card, as well as a Frequent Shopper Card. A card provided in association with an initial credit is also associated with an identification and account stored in a computer database memory, and the identification in the card enables the retailer to subsequently allow the consumer to use the card for additional computer based marketing, debit, and credit activity.

The present invention relates to a method of and system for managing sensor data in a computer database environment. An exemplary method of the invention is described, comprising the steps of: defining a Sensor Network environment in terms of zones, each zone being defined by its entrance or exit condition, and having a distinct and consistent property associated with it; collecting sensor data regarding the state of objects within the Sensor Network environment; analyzing the collected sensor data in the context of said Sensor Network environment and the zones; and storing the analyzed sensor data as records in a database, in an application agnostic form, and in terms of the zones. A corresponding system is also described.

A method for morphing a surgical object for a surgical navigation system is provided. The method comprises providing a tracking system and a surgical tool detectable by the tracking system. Dimensional data is collected and analyzed on the surgical object by contacting the surgical tool with the surgical object at more than one point while tracking the surgical tool with the tracking system, and the collected and analyzed dimensional data is associated with a reference model from a computer database of the tracking system. The reference model is selected and information for performing the surgery based upon the selected reference model is generated.

A computerized system for monitoring and maintaining the health of a person comprising the steps of (a) obtaining parameter data from the patient and inputting the parameter data into a computer database; (b) analyzing the parameter data using a computerized statistical modeling technique module and a computerized adaptive expert system shell for the prediction of a health event in the lifetime of the patient; (c) using the analyzed data to developed a health maintenance schedule for the patient, and (d) embedding and/or linking such data onto a microprocessor powered smart card.

A computer implemented method of processing data containing information about relationships between contacts and a community of contact owners, comprises: collecting data including contact information, contact owner information and one or more values related to strength of a relationship between the contact and the contact owner; evaluating the strength of the relationship based on the one or more values; and storing the collected data and evaluated strength in a computer database. A method of keying a database, comprises: building a database of records, each containing information about an entity, and each of which include a domain name field; and setting the domain name field as a key field; whereby a record for an entity is found by reference to a domain name. A method of keying a database, comprises: building a database of records, each containing information about an entity, and each of which include an email address field; and setting the email address field as a key field; whereby a record for an entity is found by reference to an email address. A method of keying a database, comprising: building a database of records, each containing information about an entity, and each of which includes a field holding an identifier uniquely associated with an entity by a convention of computer networking; and setting the field holding the identifier as a key field; whereby a record for an entity is found by reference to an identifier. A method of sharing relationship information, comprising: maintaining a database of relationship information records; selecting contact information according to a selection criterion; and returning selected relationship information also complying with restrictions set in a set of hierarchical privacy policies.

A computerized "smart card" which has a read/write memory and formatted data storage blocks is used to track the life history of one or more associated machine(s) (e.g., vehicles, medical instrumentation and apparatus, business and copying machines, etc.). The smart card can store a variety of information including machine identification, hardware/software specifications, debit/credit, regulated performance, warranty/insurance, maintenance/service and operational transactions that might impact the hardware, software or the intended operation or performance of the machine. The smart card will be equipped to interact with any of a plurality of autonomous reader/writer smart card units and computer-based reader/writer smart card units that may be equipped to interact with any of the plurality of computer databases through the utilization of land or wireless communications links. Preferably, each smart card will be associated with one or more specific machines at the time of sale of the machines, and will be periodically updated at each transaction (e.g., repair, scheduled maintenance, transfer of title, etc.) using reader/writer units operated by service technicians, repair shops, insurance agents, or the like. The stored life history can be used for valuation, maintenance scheduling, problem trouble shooting, and other applications.

A software module referred to as a content manager is provided for loading and maintaining a variety of data and associated metadata in a computer database. The data may be loaded in the form of individual documents that support business preparation or sales presentations where only one copy of each document is stored in the database. The metadata may be loaded in the form of attributes of the documents. A table of users may also be loaded in the database including a geographic or business division for each user. A role is assigned to the user, thereby granting access privileges to certain views of the database. An online user interface software module is also provided for remote access to the documents. Searches may be conducted by a variety of attributes. Documents may be associated into visual presentations or multiple presentations merged into one presentation. Three types of presentations private, shared, and global are supported. The user may also print, view, or download, email, post to website, or fax the documents and presentations.

A method and apparatus is described for multiple-party data attribute management system and interface structure which permits different categories of users to contribute and control different types of source data, while adding informational value to data contributed by other users. The system provides a secure repository for verified and authenticated data, and provides a system of controlled access to the repository. The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a data verification and certification system which in a principal embodiment is useful to create a data bank to match job seekers with potential employers based on verified resume data and employer specified search criteria. The interface structure The system of the invention preferably includes computer databases and interactive Internet based server systems.

A medical information system receives patient data and information from various sources and displays such information in a variety of formats for use by members of a medical team in a hospital, clinic, or office. The system receives patient information from doctors, pharmacists, patient monitoring equipment, testing laboratories, and/or computer databases. Access to selected subsets of patient information is provided by user selection of specific data sets identified by job function selection icons. A member of the medical team can record observations about a patient using key words and phrases which can be supplemented with additional text for customized notation. Multiple types of patient data are selectively displayed simultaneously, and to multiple remote users. The system can access stored data according to user-specified formulae to compute a score or metric which reflects a relationship between various factors, each factor being weighted appropriately according to its significance as defined in the formula. A user can selectively display data in graphic form by “clicking” on a row of tabular data in a tabular region of the display and “dragging and dropping” that row to a graphic display region of the display.

The dynamic, predictive information system and method assigns shipping assets (drivers-tractors-trailers) from carriers to transport orders by shippers. Computer databases hold shipping asset data. Specific transport orders are electronically joined to specific driver-tractor-trailer combinations. A search and sort routine produces resulting records based upon proximity, trailer type, proximity of the joined driver-trailer combination, carrier service region and pick-up and delivery date constraints. The sort is by price or performance indicators which are pre-selected shipper ranges matched to historical shipping data from carriers. The system books the carrier, the driver-tractor-trailer combination and the shipper to transport order with an electronic communications phase. In a truck lane scenario, the system joins a specific driver and a specific tractor and a non-specific trailer to a specific transport order. GPS data and electronic shipping document data from PDAs with the drivers is logged into the system and is viewable by the participants.

A biometric access control and time and attendance system comprises an integrated network including one or more remote access devices in electronic communication with a computer database. Each remote access device comprises a silicon chip based system and preferably includes a biometric input device, a liquid crystal display (LCD), computer processing capabilities based on embedded system architecture with configurable system-on-chip (CSOC) technology, and an electrical output for controlling a door lock or the like. The use of CSOC architecture in lieu of conventional personal computer technology (e.g. mother boards, hard drives, video controllers and the like) allows for a more compact and cost efficient design. A plurality of remote access devices is configured for communication with a primary computer database wherein data corresponding to biometric samples for all authorized users is stored. In an embodiment wherein the biometric input devices comprise fingerprint scanners, the devices are configured to facilitate fingerprint identification by incorporating an auto-targeting capability that enables the user to simply place his or her finger on the fingerprint scanner whereafter the system adjusts the scanned image by automatically shifting the scanned image data to a properly targeted position thereby enabling the system compare the scanned print to the biometric samples in the system's data storage memory. Auto-targeting capability eliminates the requirement for manual targeting present in systems of the background art thereby improving system performance and minimizing reliance on human interaction. The present invention contemplates the use of auto-targeting with other biometric systems, such as facial recognition and/or retinal scanning systems, or any other biometric identification technology.

A method for intercepting and forwarding email messages in transit from one email address to another email address as specified by a user, who owns accounts at both the old and new email addresses. The method includes specifying the old and the new email addresses; logging the old and new email addresses into a computer database; intercepting email addressed to specific unique identifier TCP/IP address; locating unique identifier in the computer database for the old email address and unique identifier for the new email address; and rerouting the email from the old email address to the new email address.

A method of optimizing direct marketing campaigns to a pool of potential donors, comprising defining a plurality of segments, wherein each potential donor is a member of no more than one respective segment, defining and associating a respective package with each segment wherein each package is indicative of the material to be sent to members of the respective segment, activating or fixing in time a first segmentation comprised of one or more of the segments, sending the respective package to members of the respective segments, thereafter associating responses with respective segments in a computer database, calculating a response rate and an average gift amount for each respective segment, and creating a new, optimized segmentation based on the responses obtained from the first segmentation. Another method includes means for ranking segments in a hierarchical fashion and optimizing projected return on investment based on an optimized segment hierarchy.