10099 results about "Engineering management" patented technology

The present invention generally relates to an inventive automated system, and method for its use, including a computer having a computer program defining three development phases including project proposal development, business proposition development, and implementation for market introduction. The project proposal development phase includes a unique idea verification feature by automated reference to an internal knowledge repository and database. The computer is coupled for intercommunication to a plurality of stations or clients from which respective authorized users each have a browser-based interface with the computer.

A system and methods for implementing education online by providing institutions with the means for allowing the creation of courses to be taken by students online, the courses including assignments, announcements, course materials, chat and whiteboard facilities, and the like, all of which are available to the students over a network such as the Internet. Various levels of functionality are provided through a three-tiered licensing program that suits the needs of the institution offering the program. In addition, an open platform system is provided such that anyone with access to the Internet can create, manage, and offer a course to anyone else with access to the Internet without the need for an affiliation with an institution, thus enabling the virtual classroom to extend worldwide.

Improved approaches to providing on-line appointments over a network are disclosed. The network is, for example, a global computer network such as the Internet. One of the improved approaches provides various notifications to requestors pertaining to appointments with individuals or businesses (e.g., service providers). In one implementation, the notifications can be provided by electronic mail. Another of the improved approaches allows notifications pertaining to requested appointments to be provided to service providers that have not previously registered to receive on-line appointments.

A method and system for providing incentive programs over a computer network is provided in which a host may provide sponsoring companies with the capability to buy prepackaged or self-built incentive programs, offer such incentive programs to consumers, provide sponsoring companies and retailers with the capability to associate prizes with incentive programs, provide sponsoring companies, retailers and consumers with convenient fulfillment of prizes, and store and manipulate databases regarding all of the foregoing.

An interactive marketing communication and transaction services platform for managing personalized customer relationships. The platform facilitates communication and transactions between consumers, retailers and manufacturers, by helping suppliers customize product / service offerings, presentations and advertising messages to reflect individual consumers' needs, while providing portals with premium advertising messages for personal interactive info / news / entertainment services. The core of the platform consists of i) a central database system with ‘product / retail information’ and ‘holistic purchase-behavior specific consumer profiles’, generated by registering on-line product / retail information retrieved by consumers, as well as purchases made both on-line and in-store, using a loyalty card; ii) software applications, that create ‘market intelligence’ on manufacturer / retailer offers, consumer purchase needs, market performance of products / retailers and impact of brand / retailer presentations and ads on consumer purchase behavior; and iii) standard performance indicators, that make it possible to benchmark individual consumer communication programs against each other.

In one example embodiment, an apparatus includes a policy repository for storing a policy for application interaction. The policy defines, for a subscriber, a priority associated with a set of specific application identifiers. The priority further defines establishment priority and retention priority for an application identified by a selected application identifier. Another example embodiment includes an apparatus including a processor operable to evaluate a policy for application interaction. The policy defines, for a subscriber, a priority associated with a set of specific application identifiers. The priority further defines establishment priority and retention priority for an application identified by a selected application identifier. The processor is further operable to execute a decision for the subscriber based on the evaluation of the policy.

A communication method allows members of an affinity group to obtain up-to-date information concerning the status of other members of the affinity group. Each member of the affinity group is provided with a communication device for communicating with other members. The communication device includes a memory for storing member status information. When the status of one member in the affinity group changes, a status update message is sent from the member whose status has changed to other members of the affinity group. When a status update message is receiving from other members, the status information data contained in the message is used to update the member status information stored in memory.

A high performance capability assessment model helps a utility industry business meet the challenges of the global marketplace. As a result, the utility industry business can achieve the clarity, consistency, and well-defined execution of core processes that reduce inefficiencies and waste that result from unnecessary process complexity and exceptions. In addition, the high performance capability assessment model helps the utility industry business to identify specific areas in which improvements may be made and understand how to make the improvements, and establishes levels of capability along the way to reaching an ultimate capability goal.

Translation of role-based authoring models for managing RBAC “roles” to resource authorization policy (RAP), such as ACL-based applications, is provided. A generic RBAC system is defined from which mappings to other authorization enforcement mechanism make possible the translation of RBAC “roles” to resource authorization policies applied to resources managed by a resource manager, e.g., a file system resource manager. An implementation is described that uses Windows Authorization Manager as a storage mechanism and object model to manage object types and relationships translated from an RBAC system.

A method and apparatus are provided for matching ready-to-act consumers and pre-qualified service providers. According to one aspect of the present invention, the Internet is used to attempt to solve communications problems and to achieve efficiency in Consumer-to-Business commerce transactions. Initially, a database of pre-qualified service providers is established. Then, a description of the consumer's needs may be extracted from a consumer using decision trees appropriate for the desired task. Subsequently, the consumer needs are packaged and presented to multiple service providers that meet a set of predetermined qualifications. The consumer needs may be presented, for example, by way of a set of heterogeneous communication devices depending upon preferences supplied by the service providers. For example, the set of heterogeneous communication devices may include facsimile, pager, mobile phone, home phone, office phone, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) unit, email, etc. The service providers may choose to submit a response for the consumer's needs or reject the task. After a sufficient number of responses have been received from the pre-qualified service providers, they are presented to the consumer. The consumer may then select from the pre-qualified service providers based upon one or more objective and / or subjective factors associated with the pre-qualified service providers. For example, objective service provider qualification information may be presented to the consumer along with the service provider responses. In addition, a database of consumer-generated service provider ratings and / or reviews may be maintained and made available for consumer queries.

A consumer-centric service for matching local consumers with local service providers. A matching is performed between consumer needs and local vendor capabilities and the results are presented back to the consumer so that the choice of which vendors to be contacted is left to the consumer. Mechanisms are provided for immediately and automatically contacting the chosen vendor in one or more of a plurality of communication media and offering the chosen vendor the details of the consumer's request, including the preferred method of contact information, for a fee. Also, the system immediately informs the consumer about the status of the vendor contacts, including whether or not the vendor has accepted the lead. Once a chosen vendor accepts the lead, the consumer is contacted by the vendor, in the manner requested by the consumer. Thus, the invention enables consumers to maintain control over the selection and contact process with matched vendors. The system of the invention is particularly advantageous for providing community based services such as babysitting, cleaning, painting, software support, typing, and in obtaining professional services from professionals such as electricians, carpenters, gardeners, accountants, lawyers, and the like.

A universal electronic transaction card (“UET card”) is capable of serving as a number of different credit cards, bank cards, identification cards, employee cards, medical cards and the like. The UET card includes storage elements, an input interface, a processor, a display, and a communications interface. In a preferred embodiment, the UET card stores transactional information to eliminate paper receipts and includes security features to prevent unauthorized use. The UET card may also be used to replace conventional currency and traveler's checks, and may be configured to store and display promotional information, such as advertising and incentives. A communications interface unit (“CIU”) may be provided to interface between the UET card and a personal computer, automatic banking terminal (commonly referred to as ATM machines) and / or an institutional mainframe computer. CIU devices may include electrical contact for recharging a UET card. A system of utilizing the UET card is also provided which includes UET cards and CIU devices which enable the transmission of information between point of sales (or point of transactions) computers and the UET cards. The system further includes point of sales computers configured to communicate with the UET card and with service institution computers. The invention also includes a health care management system utilizing UET cards. In the health care management system, all medical information for a patient may be stored in the UET card so that when a patient receives services from a health care provider, that health care provider connects the patient's UET card to the health care provider's computer system and can then obtain all pertinent medical information concerning the patient, including the patient's medical history, insurance information and the like. In addition, the treatment or services provided by the health care provider are stored in the patient's UET card. The invention also includes methods of issuing an account authorization to a UET card, a method of transferring transactional and account information between a UET card and a personal computer or a mainframe computer, a method of using the UET card as a remote terminal for a mainframe computer, and a method of conducting an electronic transaction.

The present invention is directed to a method of removing a user's personal information from a document via activation of a “privacy option.” The privacy option, when activated, removes personal information from a document and, in some case, replaces the user information with generic information. The present invention is also directed to a computing system with an application module, which contains a privacy option for removing one or more pieces of personal information from a document created by a software application usable on the computing system. The present invention is further directed to a computer readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of modifying one or more pieces of personal information associated with a document via a privacy option.

A computer system is provided that is connected to the Internet and enables a plurality of network connected devices to access a novel and innovative resource management platform. The computer system includes an Internet enabled computer platform that implements a multi-tenant architecture that enables multiple platform clients to populate the platform with various information regarding their maintenance service requirements. The computer system includes one or more tools that (i) track activities of consumers in connection with their appliances or other consumer resource, (ii) extracts insights from such activities, and / or (iii) enables service businesses or manufacturers to upload information or documents related to maintenance services, such tools enabling the automated suggestion of maintenance actions and / or product or service requirements of consumers. A range of different intelligent features are provided. The computer system may include a CMMS with intelligent features. A number of related computer implemented methods for managing maintenance in an intelligent way is also provided.

A centralized health screening and data mangement system is provided. Specifically, the invention includes a method, system, and computer program for maintaining a centralized health screening and data mangement system in communication with a plurality of screening facilities, such screening facilities including mobile units for dispatch. The screening facilities (and mobile units) provide for collecting health data and conducting tests. The data and test results are transmitted to the centralized health screening and data mangement system for analysis and storage in a manner that is accessible for report generation and aggregate information analysis.

A system for facilitating client and advisor communications which may include a port to an aggregate database of a client's holdings and profile. When servicing or analyzing a client's financial needs, a financial advisor at a call center or other facility may be presented with a screen displaying some or all of the client's accounts, profile or analysis tools, collected via Internet or other sources. Other parties, including the client, may be offered access to the same, similar or related data and the financial advisor's analysis via a Web browser or other interface.

A system and related method has a database that stores information indicative of a plurality of assets that are used in a building or system. A user interface of the system enables identifying a group of such assets and associating a portion of the assets with the identified group of assets. The assets included in the identified group of assets may collectively be located in different rooms of a building in which the assets are located and / or on different floors of a building in which the assets are located.

A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for a first business entity to provide a network-based supply chain framework for collaborative order management between at least a second and a third independent business entity, such as a service provider, vendor, reseller, manufacturer and the like. A request for an order is received over a network with an automated system, from at least a second business entity. The order is transmitted over a network, with an automated system, to at least the third business entity. Information is received from the third business entity relating to a status of completion of the order by the third business entity using a network. The progress in completing the order is tracked based on the information received from the third business entity. Progress reports from the tracking are generated periodically; and transmitted to the second business entity using the network.

A system is disclosed that includes components and features for enabling enterprise users to securely access enterprise resources (documents, data, application servers, etc.) using their mobile devices. An enterprise can use some or all components of the system to, for example, securely but flexibly implement a BYOD (bring your own device) policy in which users can run both personal applications and secure enterprise applications on their mobile devices. The system may, for example, implement policies for controlling mobile device accesses to enterprise resources based on device attributes (e.g., what mobile applications are installed), user attributes (e.g., the user's position or department), behavioral attributes, and other criteria. Client-side code installed on the mobile devices may further enhance security by, for example, creating a secure container for locally storing enterprise data, creating a secure execution environment for running enterprise applications, and / or creating secure application tunnels for communicating with the enterprise system.

A service provider's system components such as but not limited to a billing system and facilities maintenance system are sent a message that identifies contaminated telephone numbers contained within a block of numbers released to a service provider from a number pooling authority. The message also identifies the (location routing number) LRN associated with the switch of the uncontaminated numbers.

The present invention is directed to a system and method for managing domain policy for interconnected communication networks. The present invention governs communication service policy for interconnection among remote communication services to allow users to communicate with other users in remote domains. Exemplary embodiments allow the local communication services to guarantee certain service aspects even when remote domains are involved. For example, the local service enablers can assert their local service policy across domains. A local service enabler can choose other service enablers in remote domains based on specific criteria that meets the local service enabler's settings and user preferences. The local service enabler can protect itself from connection to other service enablers that may contradict its local settings. Thus, the present invention can manage communication services across remote domains, while each domain can continue to be managed locally according to the needs and preferences of the local users.

Methods and systems are provided for promoting and managing communications among a social support network. According to one embodiment, a communication system includes a closed communication service platform and a hardcopy-based communication appliance. The communication service platform provides a caregroup virtual private network (VPN) through which only registered members of the caregroup, authorized personnel of the communication service platform, processes associated with the communication service platform, and a target of the caregroup are permitted to exchange communications. The hardcopy-based communication appliance is associated with the caregroup VPN and used by the target and is operable to be communicatively coupled to the communication service platform to print inbound communications received from registered members of the caregroup, and to upload to the communication service platform outbound digital representations of annotated pages defining communications to be delivered to one or more members of the caregroup.

A business model, system, and method for a business entity to distribute branding, advertising, marketing, and service (BAMS) data to consumer-users is described. The business entity establishes and maintains a venture server that transmits BAMS data to client applications installed on the electronic devices of consumer-users and controls usage and display of the BAMS data at the electronic devices. The client application, which is prepared and assigned a unique identifier by the business entity, performs a useful function that requires a graphical user interface (GUI) to be displayed in the display of the user's electronic device. After receiving the BAMS data, the client application stores it, and displays it in the GUI. The client application can be written so that no user information is transmitted from the electronic device to the venture server.

A comprehensive, web-enabled computer system and method is provided for facilitating and managing all aspects of project work, while synchronizing communications, data and transaction processing across multiple user platforms. To implement the computer system and method, a bid item list is utilized to create configurable and scalable customized bid templates premised on the specific type of project work required. Bid requests are generated from the customized bid templates for solicitation of vendor bid responses to the selected bid items provided by the bid template. One or more bid items within the vendor bid responses can be selected for vendor grading purposes, and comparison of the vendor bid responses can be conducted using the graded bid item responses. In addition, project tracking parameters can be entered into the computer system for tracking the performance of the project.

The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing complete electronic commerce (“E-Commerce”) transactions and solutions for a marketing company's products via the World Wide Web, including facilities for signing up new customers and recruiting, training and supporting new Independent Business Owners through an interactive online process. In another aspect, the present invention relates to the combination of a marketing business with a membership buying opportunity using both electronic commerce and face-to-face transactions. The present invention is also directed to a system and method for combining a marketing business with a membership buying opportunity, so that Independent Business Owners participating in the marketing plan can introduce customers to a membership buying opportunity and earn bonuses or commissions based on the purchases by those members, while Members in the buying opportunity can consume products or, at their option, qualify to become Independent Business Owners.

Techniques for switching a financial institution account for a debit account holder are provided. A request to convert a financial institution account is received from a customer. Information is obtained from the customer and used to identify a list of possible financial institution candidates. The list of possible financial institution candidates includes financial institutions that have an on-going relationship with an existing payment association and are interested in offering a new financial institution account to the customer. A new financial institution account is then established with a financial institution selected from a list of possible financial institution candidates. Then, the new financial institution account is linked to one or more additional accounts. The one or more additional accounts may be an account with the customer's existing payment association or accounts associated with any recurring transactions.

A method and system for comprehensively managing real estate transactions through a network from inception of a sale or purchase through listing, purchasing, closing and post-closing activity. Participants or potential participants in a real estate transaction can access, generate, modify, distribute and sign real estate-related documents, information, and reports through a network while communicating with each other electronically. Participants or potential participants can also track the development of a real estate transaction and receive automatic notification of changes in the development. Access to the system's various features can also be restricted to certain transaction participants or potential participants.

A system, method, computer program product, and propagated signal of this collaborative system are adapted to track metadata relating to an online digital asset that captures each user's or group's interest in the asset and thus, in the aggregate, defines a collective interest in the asset and self-selects a relevant market based upon the nature of the asset, the distribution, and the collective group. Further, the system, method, computer program product, and propagated signal implement a rights manager to provide for digital rights management in collaborative systems. The system includes a plurality of communication clients, inter-communicated by a network, each for initiating a collaborative concurrent processing of a resource file; and a rights manager, coupled to each the plurality of communications clients, for authorizing the processing of the resource file responsive to a rights management tag associated with the resource file, the rights manager securing the rights management tag with the resource file to produce a digital resource and the rights manager decrypting the digital resource to produce the resource file and the rights management tag. The method includes initiating a collaborative concurrent processing of a resource file by a particular one communication client of a plurality of communication clients, inter-communicated by a network; and authorizing the processing of the resource file by a rights manager, the authorizing responsive to a rights management tag associated with the resource file, the rights manager securing the rights management tag with the resource file to produce a digital resource and the rights manager decrypting the digital resource to produce the resource file and the rights management tag.