329 results about "Online method" patented technology

The methods and systems described herein relate to online methods of collaboration in community environments. The methods and systems are related to an online apparel modeling system that allows users to have three-dimensional models of their physical profile created. Users may purchase various goods and / or services and collaborate with other users in the online environment.

The invention comprises online methods, systems, and software for improving the processing of payments from financial accounts, particularly credit and debit card payments made from consumers to merchants in online transactions. The preferred embodiment of the invention involves inserting a trusted third party online service into the payment authorization process. The trusted third party authenticates the consumer and authorizes the proposed payment in a single integrated process conducted without the involvement of the merchant. The authentication of the consumer is accomplished over a persistent communication channel established with the consumer before a purchase is made. The authentication is done by verifying that the persistent channel is open when authorization is requested. Use of the third party services allows the consumer to avoid revealing his identity and credit card number to the merchant over a public network such as the Internet, while maintaining control of the transaction during the authorization process.

The invention comprises online methods, systems, and software for improving the processing of payments from financial accounts, particularly credit and debit card payments made from consumers to merchants in online transactions. The preferred embodiment of the invention involves inserting a trusted third party online service into the payment authorization process. The trusted third party authenticates the consumer and authorizes the proposed payment in a single integrated process conducted without the involvement of the merchant. The authentication of the consumer is accomplished over a persistent communication channel established with the consumer before a purchase is made. The authentication is done by verifying that the persistent channel is open when authorization is requested. Use of the third party services allows the consumer to avoid revealing his identity and credit card number to the merchant over a public network such as the Internet, while maintaining control of the transaction during the authorization process.

Neural networks for optimal estimation (including prediction) and / or control involve an execution step and a learning step, and are characterized by the learning step being performed by neural computations. The set of learning rules cause the circuit's connection strengths to learn to approximate the optimal estimation and / or control function that minimizes estimation error and / or a measure of control cost. The classical Kalman filter and the classical Kalman optimal controller are important examples of such an optimal estimation and / or control function. The circuit uses only a stream of noisy measurements to infer relevant properties of the external dynamical system, learn the optimal estimation and / or control function, and apply its learning of this optimal function to input data streams in an online manner. In this way, the circuit simultaneously learns and generates estimates and / or control output signals that are optimal, given the network's current state of learning.

An online system for permitting users in a data network to manage inventories of their collectibles (including antiques) includes a database of collectibles, user inventory files, user information files, a database of needed items and items available for sale, and a server-based task for managing and searching the database of needed items and items available for sale. The database of collectibles includes object classes indexed by primary classes and subclasses, and user inventory files storing inventories of instances of the object classes, including instances that each user has, instances that each user would like to sell, and instances that each user would like to buy. Users may access their respective inventories by inspecting, editing, and adding the instances to the user inventories; obtaining valuations of instances in their inventories; and insuring instances in their inventories. The server-based task finds buy-sell opportunities between the users when one user has an instance of at least one object class that said one user would like to buy and another user has an instance of said at least one object class that said another user would like to sell.

The invention discloses a human face detection method and a detection device based on multi-task cascade-connection convolution neural network, wherein the method comprises: establishing a cascade-connection multi-level convolution neural network; using the human face front samples, the human face back samples, some parts of the human face and the human face's key point samples as the training samples to train the multi-level convolution neural network to learn the tasks of human face categorizing, human face area position regression and human face's key point positioning; and utilizing the well trained multi-level convolution neural network to make human face detection from the to-be-detected image wherein in the training stage, both the online manner and the offline manner are combined to extract the human face back samples as the training samples. According to the invention, based on the cascade-connection multi-level convolution neural network, it is possible to learn the characteristics with stronger robustness, and at the same time, through the combination of the online manner and the offline manner to extract the back samples, the categorizing capability of the network is enhanced, so that the detection capability and the accuracy of the network are increased, and that the running speed of the method in an actual product is ensured.

An online method and apparatus for determining state of charge (SoC) and state of health (SoH) of batteries on platforms that present dynamic charge and discharge environments is disclosed. A rested open circuit voltage (OCV) may be estimated online using a battery dynamic model along with measured terminal voltage, current and temperature. The SoC and SoH can then be determined from this estimated OCV. The apparatus and methods may estimate SoC and SoH of a battery in a real-time fashion without the need to a) disconnect the battery system from service; b) wait for a predefined rest time; or c) depolarize the battery.

Dynamic policy systems and methods for implementing network management of a network include pre-calculating management policies for the network, in an off-line manner, based on past observed network load taking into consideration seasonality of network load, forecasts of the network load, and planned events on the network load; selecting a policy from the pre-calculated management policies, to manage the network in an on-line manner, wherein the selecting is either time-based or performance-based; and performing network management functions in the network utilizing the selected policy.

A web-based hosted solution through which application developers create, manage and monitor application usage analytics in an online manner. Preferably, an application under test is one of: application software, a script-enabled web application, or a rich Internet application (RIA). During the development process, a usage monitoring API is integrated into the application and the application is deployed. As users interact with the application, a log file is generated, typically in one of two ways. If the application is able to write to a local file system (in the user's machine), usage information is gathered in a log file local to the deployed application and then dispatched to an upload server for processing in a batch manner. If the application is not able to write to the user machine's local file system, the usage information is sent to a remote logging server, preferably on a just-in-time basis, and then the log file is generated on the logging server. In either case, preferably the usage information that is tracked comprises “features,”“faults” and “failures” of the application, independent of platform, location, and number of deployed application instances.

A online method and system by which a sender can order and have delivered to a recipient a printed greeting message having a negotiable payment instrument included therewith or attached thereto is disclosed. The method enables the sender to pre-select the basic format of the greeting message based on the occasion for sending the greeting message and payment instrument. Based on the occasion, the system suggests a graphic and message that can be included in the greeting message. The sender can accept the suggested graphic and message or customize one or both. The sender also selects the amount of the payment instrument and pays for the cost of the payment instrument and other related fees and charges using online methods. Once payment authorization has been received, the greeting message and payment instrument are printed using known printing techniques, inserted into an envelope, and mailed to the recipient.

Neural networks for optimal estimation (including prediction) and / or control involve an execution step and a learning step, and are characterized by the learning step being performed by neural computations. The set of learning rules cause the circuit's connection strengths to learn to approximate the optimal estimation and / or control function that minimizes estimation error and / or a measure of control cost. The classical Kalman filter and the classical Kalman optimal controller are important examples of such an optimal estimation and / or control function. The circuit uses only a stream of noisy measurements to infer relevant properties of the external dynamical system, learn the optimal estimation and / or control function, and apply its learning of this optimal function to input data streams in an online manner. In this way, the circuit simultaneously learns and generates estimates and / or control output signals that are optimal, given the network's current state of learning.

The invention relates to an online device and an online method for detecting surface defects of cables and optical cables particularly. The online detection device comprises a fixed support, a camera with a shooting angle covering the periphery of the outer surface of a detected cable is arranged on the fixed support, light sources or a light source are / is arranged in the side direction of and / or above the camera, and the control and output end of the camera is connected with a computer. When running through a shooting region, the detected cable is subjected to continuous shooting in sections, the shooting rate is 20-200 pictures per second, a cable running length and time recorder is also configured, and pictures are analyzed by a picture analysis program so as to judge the type of the surface defect of the cable. The online device can automatically and efficiently detect the surface defects of the cables so as to provide basis for further analysis, treatment and repair of the surface defects of the cables, is simple in structure and reasonable in arrangement, can be directly installed on complete cable production equipment to be in linkage with an equipment control system, is convenient to operate, and can efficiently detect the surface quality of the cables subjected to continuous production.

An online method, system, and computer-readable code for remotely monitoring radiant energy emitted from a turbine blade (106), which may be undergoing an incipient degradation, such as a crack, in a relatively low-temperature, and saturated steam environment of the low pressure stage of a steam turbine. The method and system provide sufficient temporal and spatial resolution to obtain high quality infrared images of the blade areas of interest enabling the system to identify the crack at any of those areas of the blade prior to such a crack growing to a critical length.

A method of fulfilling needs acquired as a result of property and other similar losses, the method involving the steps of directing a person or entity with a need resulting from a loss to a site on a global computer network, interviewing the person or entity at the site to obtain information about the person or entity and the need they have, and analyzing and processing the information to provide the person or entity automatic access at the site to at least one service that will go toward fulfilling the need of the person or entity. In addition to the method, a system for fulfilling needs acquired as a result of property and other similar losses, the system including a site on a global computer network for fulfilling needs of persons or entities acquired from property and other similar losses, the site having an interviewing component for obtaining information about the person or entity and the need they have, and a data analyzing and processing component for analyzing the information provided by the person or entity and providing the person or entity automatic access at the site to at least one service that will go toward fulfilling the need of the person or entity.

The online method for managing scheduling of, payment for and accounting of a medical management transaction available over a global system for a patient and a health care provider, includes providing a database server, providing an application server on which the medical management system resides, providing payment processing services, exchanging regulated data with a medical services government agency, accessing electronic medical records services by the patient, including uploading existing medical records by the health care provider and the patient, commenting on accessed records by the patient to provide patient comments, storing the patient comments in the system and providing the patient comments to the health care provider along with records requested by the health care provider.

An online method and system permits entities to arrange for the movement of a good from a first location to a second location, particularly for a good that has physical characteristics that do not permit economical shipment by overnight mail. An example of such an item is a used and / or new vehicle that must be shipped from one location to another location.

A web-based hosted solution through which application developers create, manage and monitor application usage analytics in an online manner. Preferably, an application under test is one of: application software, a script-enabled web application, or a rich Internet application (RIA). During the development process, a usage monitoring API is integrated into the application and the application is deployed. As users interact with the application, a log file is generated, typically in one of two ways. If the application is able to write to a local file system (in the user's machine), usage information is gathered in a log file local to the deployed application and then dispatched to an upload server for processing in a batch manner. If the application is not able to write to the user machine's local file system, the usage information is sent to a remote logging server, preferably on a just-in-time basis, and then the log file is generated on the logging server. In either case, preferably the usage information that is tracked comprises “features,”“faults” and “failures” of the application, independent of platform, location, and number of deployed application instances.

Methods and systems for monitoring an online account opening service. One system can include an account management system that performs an online account opening service and includes a management console application. The online account opening service electronically receives account application information and funding information specifying at least one funding source, processes the account application to assess a risk to a financial institution of opening an account for a customer, processes the funding source information to assess a risk to the financial institution of transferring funds from the at least one funding source to the account, and electronically transfers funds from the at least one funding source to the account based on the risk to the financial institution of opening the account for the customer and the risk to the financial institution of transferring funds from the at least one funding source to the account. The management console application provides substantially real-time status of the online account opening service. The system can also include at least one network, and at least one remote device connected to the account management system via the at least one network. The at least one remote device accesses the management console application to obtain the substantially real-time status of the online account opening service.

An online method and apparatus for determining state of charge (SoC) and state of health (SoH) of energy storage components in a microgrid environment is disclosed. The apparatus and methods may estimate SoC and SoH of an energy storage device in a real-time fashion. The SoC may be used to preserve / extend the life of the energy storage components, while the SoH may be used for trend analysis and energy storage component prognostics.

An ad orchestration server selects and sequences the delivery of ads based on multiple offline and online conditions. The ad orchestration server takes into account messages a user might have seen from the advertiser online which the ad server knows about through its tracking cookie, as well as other data about the user that is obtained using offline and other online methods.

Methods of systems of opening an account with a financial institution. One method can include electronically receiving account application information over at least one network. The account application information includes personal information associated with a customer requesting to open an account. The method also includes processing the account application information to assess a first risk to the financial institution of opening the account for the customer and electronically receiving funding source information. The funding source information specifies at least one of an existing credit card account and an existing debit card account. In addition, the method includes processing the funding source information to assess a second risk to the financial institution of transferring funds from at least one of the existing credit card account and the existing debit card account. The method further includes electronically transferring funds to the account from at least one of the existing credit card account and the existing debit card account based on at least one of the first risk and the second risk.

The present invention relates to a toy bank that includes a toy or toy housing, a money bank, and a computer interface in communication with the money bank. The money bank has a storage compartment; one or more unidirectional slots for receiving coins, dollar bills, or both; a compartment door at the storage compartment; and a processor to calculate an amount of coins, dollar bills, or both. The present invention also pertains to a toy bank that includes a pet carrier and a money bank, wherein the money bank is removably attached to the pet carrier. The present invention further relates to a toy bank that includes a toy and a money bank integrated with the toy. The present invention also includes systems and methods that incorporate the toy bank.

An online method for vehicle retail sales, distribution, and post-sales maintenance includes a series of computer processor implemented steps. The method includes steps of providing vehicle-related information to a customer, receiving vehicle-related selections from the customer specifying a vehicle that the customer is to purchase, communicating relevant selections to business partners, receiving an order submission from the customer, and processing the order submission. One or more of the vehicle-related selections at least partially require products or services from a business partner. The method of the present embodiment further comprises receiving a bridge vehicle request from the customer. A computer system implementing the method is also provided.

A method for assembling stream processing graphs in a stream processing system, includes: performing, in an offline manner, translating a plurality of processing element and data source descriptions into a planning language and performing reasoning on the plurality of processing element and data source descriptions during the translation; and performing, in an online manner, receiving a processing request that specifies a desired processing outcome; translating the processing request into a planning goal; and assembling a plurality of stream processing graphs, each of the processing graphs including a plurality of the translated and reasoned processing elements or data sources that satisfy the desired processing outcome.

An online system for permitting users in a data network to manage inventories of their collectibles (including antiques) includes a database of collectibles, user inventory files, user information files, a database of needed items and items available for sale, and a server-based task for managing and searching the database of needed items and items available for sale. The database of collectibles includes object classes indexed by primary classes and subclasses, and user inventory files storing inventories of instances of the object classes, including instances that each user has, instances that each user would like to sell, and instances that each user would like to buy. Users may access their respective inventories by inspecting, editing, and adding the instances to the user inventories; obtaining valuations of instances in their inventories; and insuring instances in their inventories. The server-based task finds buy-sell opportunities between the users.

The invention discloses an intelligent substation and regulation and control center coordinative modeling method, comprising: standardizing the function of a system configuration tool of a substation automatic system; standardizing and expanding device and signal descriptions in an SCD (Substation Configuration Description) file; expanding a measurement model in a CIM / E (Common Information Model / E language) file; making mapping rules of IEC 61850 and IEC 61970 models; by reference to requirements of relay protection information standards and monitor system information standards, performing classified management on the information; automatically exporting the CIM / E file required by a regulation and control center on the side of an intelligent substation by using the system configuration tool, and performing checking; and providing the CIM / E model file for the regulation and control center in an offline or online manner and executing model splicing and storage processing. According to the method, the mapping and conversion from the 61850 model to the 61970 model are finished, the model and information sharing is realized, the model maintenance workload of the regulation and control center is reduced, and the working efficiency is improved.

Methods and systems for opening an account with a financial institution. One method can include electronically storing at least one rule for opening an account with a financial institution. The method can also include electronically receiving account application information from a remote device over at least one network, wherein the account application information includes personal information of a customer requesting to open an account. In addition, the method can include generating at least one risk score based on the account application information and applying the at least one rule to the at least one risk score in order to determine a decision regarding the account application information and to determine at least one funding constraint associated with the account.