2347 results about "Time schedule" patented technology

A plurality of resources, typically service operatives, are allocated to a plurality of tasks by a method in which initial information relating to the tasks to be allocated and the resources available to perform the tasks is provided. An initial series of schedules is first generated allocating resources to the tasks, and then modifying the individual schedule of at least one resource in response to updated information. Changes to individual schedules may be made in response to such updated information independently of the schedule generation. The initial, series of schedules may be generated in a two-stage process in which a rule-based system allocates tasks selected as being difficult to allocate (e.g., because they are linked to other tasks). then a stochastic (non-systematic) search system compiles the rest of the schedule. Periodically, the stochastic system may be interrupted to allow a further rule-based system to analyze the schedules created thus far, and fix the best ones in the schedule, so that the stochastic system can then concentrate on improving the remaining schedules. In order to allow the system to handle rapid changes in the requirements for tasks and the resources, on a scale faster than the time required to generate the schedules, a schedule modification system is arranged to make changes in the short term in between schedule updates delivered by the schedule generation system.

Systems, methods, devices, processes, procedures, algorithms, networks, and network elements are described for time-scheduled and / or time-reserved dat networks. Invention provides capabilities for synchronizing data networks and / or data network links; for establishing time-schedules, time-reservations, time-schedule reservations, and / or reservation time-slots for packets, cells, frames, and / or datagrams; and for transferring, transmitting, switching, routing, and / or receiving time-sensitive, high-reliability, urgent, and / or other time-scheduled, time-reserved, time-allocated, and / or time-scheduled-reservation packets, cells, frames, and / or datagrams, such as real-time and high-priority messages over these networks. The invention(s) enables packet-, cell-, datagram- and / or frame-based networks to thereby efficiently, reliably, and in guaranteed real-time, to switch and / or route data such as voice, video, streaming, and other real-time, high-priority, high-reliability, and / or expedited data with guaranteed delivery and guaranteed quality of service. Networks may be fixed, point-to-point, mobile, ad-hoc, optical, electrical, and / or wireless.

Inventory maintenance is improved for a system of one or more vending machines by providing one or more vending machines with unique identifiers, and means for collecting and transmitting information concerning goods dispensed and other status to a remote location where processing means provide an efficient service schedule.

Exemplary embodiments are directed to timing and control of wireless power transfer. A wireless power charging device includes at least one transmitter and a processor in communication with the at least one transmitter. The transmitter is configured for transmitting wireless power to one or more electronic devices, and the processor is configured to deactivate the transmitter during a pre-determined time interval. The charging device may include charging modes that a user may select between from an interface of the charging device. Charging modes may be related to times of operation such as those based on a user schedule, based on energy rates, or with modes programmed by a user. A charging schedule may be created by a user through the interface of the charging device or from an external device in communication with the charging device.

Described are various mechanisms and techniques for influencing or controlling a content update schedule for a content-based software application on a mobile device. A content server issues one or more commands to the mobile device that establish a content update schedule for the mobile device. The mobile device then performs content update sessions with the content server based on that schedule. During any one or more refresh sessions, the content server delivers another command to establish a new content update schedule. This system provides the advantage of allowing the content server to regulate how frequently the mobile device retrieves new content.

A method for developing and managing workflows is disclosed. The method enables the development of workflows from workflow templates and / or preprogrammed components; associating a workflow with a schedule; modeling a workflow as a plurality of tasks and a plurality of human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction points; and persistently storing the internal state of a workflow. The method employs computer-implemented forms to control the development, packaging, installation, deployment, enablement, association, instantiation, and termination of workflows.

A television viewer uses a PIP format for display of program related information such as television program listings from a program schedule data base in the background and moving, real time images of a program selected from the displayed listings in the PIP window. All the text of the background information lies outside the PIP window. In one embodiment, as the viewer selects a particular program from the display of current television program listings by means of a cursor or a code number, the corresponding program automatically appears in the PIP window.

A multi-modal multi-lingual mobile device that facilitates intelligently automating an action. The device can automatically synchronize a user schedule based upon a user state, intention, preference and / or limitation. The device can employ sensors to automatically detect criteria by which to automatically implement an action. Moreover, the system can interrogate a user thus converging upon a user intention and / or preference. An analyzer component can intelligently evaluate the compiled criterion in order to automatically perform an action. The multi-modal multi-lingual mobile device can automatically facilitate identification of an individual. Other actions that are automatically performed can include modifying personal information manager data, translating languages into a language comprehendible to a user, etc. Implementation of these actions can be based at least in part upon an environmental factor, a conversation, a location factor and a temporal factor.

Various systems for collecting individual post-sale market data for products or services, and determining aggregate post-sale market data therefrom, are provided. In such systems, a sale of a product or service may trigger a third party, such as a payment provider, to arrange for the collection of individual post-sale market data from the consumer. Dependent upon the type of product or service involved, a schedule for continuously submitting post-sale market data for the product or service may be provided and the consumer may be encouraged to submit post-sale market data in accordance therewith through a variety of incentives. The received, individual, post-sale market data may be aggregated by one or more sources to determine aggregate post-sale market data for the product or service. The submitted individual data and / or the determined aggregate post-sale market data may then be provided to consumers in order to assist them in making purchasing decisions.

The invention relates to an apparatus for receiving programs from a plurality of channels, comprising a tuner for tuning to any of the plurality of channels, and an electronic program guide (EPG) for presenting a schedule of the programs. The apparatus comprises virtual channel means for creating a user selectable virtual channel for reproducing selected programs from various genuine channels. The virtual channel means are adapted to control the tuner to tune to a channel currently broadcasting a selected program. When a user selects the virtual channel, the apparatus takes care of automatically switching between the genuine channels broadcasting the programs viewed on the virtual channel. As a consequence, the user can view the desired programs by simply selecting the virtual channel.

A mobile telephone which can supply or post ‘pre-answer’ information which the device owner considers of relevance to a potential call recipient. This information enables a potential call recipient to be given useful information about a potential call before actually answering that call. The information is dynamic, unlike Caller ID information. Examples include: information about the subject of an intended voice call, a mood, a current activity, part or whole of a schedule of meetings or events, information about the urgency of an intended voice call, personal information, expected call duration, commercial inducements to a consumer to answer a call (special offers, loyalty points etc.), location information.

PVR functionality is enabled on a media player of a placeshifting system, which allows a user to record media programs from locations that are physically remote from a source of the media programs. The media player may receive program schedule information and present the program schedule information to the user. Based on user input, the media player identifies a media program and associated schedule information. When the media program is scheduled to play, the media player requests a media broadcasting device to receive the media program; to digitize, transcode, and / or transrate the media program, if necessary; and to transmit the media program to the media player. The media program may be recorded in a local storage of the media broadcasting device or the media player.

A method and system of aiding medication compliance, where the patient has a specific compliance schedule for each medication, the method includes providing a feedback scheme for the medication; repeatedly monitoring the patient's compliance with the specific compliance schedule for that medication; providing feedback according to the feedback scheme and in response to said monitoring; modifying the feedback scheme based, at least in part, on the patient's compliance with the specific compliance schedule for that medication and the patient's response to feedback from the feedback scheme; and repeating the step of modifying, based, at least in part, on the patient's compliance with the then-current feedback scheme.

A real-time transaction processing Consumer Products Distribution System (PDMS) reduces distribution costs, facilitates the distribution of products to consumers and makes online shopping practical. The PDMS integrates Collaborative Inventory Sharing, Order Aggregation, Consumer Predictive Purchasing, Product Transport Support Service, Display Shops, Uniform Consumer Preference Codes, Integrated Virtual Technical Support Centers, and other convenient features. Consumers purchase products through web sites of local and remotely located retailers preferably using Predictive Purchasing. The items purchased from multiple retailers are aggregated at a consumer selected Order Aggregation Site (OAS) based upon a consumer specified schedule. The consumer can pick up the aggregated orders at the selected OAS or have the aggregated orders delivered to a residence. Commercial carriers process consumer parcels at OASs where they are combined with Aggregated Orders for pickup or delivery. Consumers are given incentive discounts to promote the use of Predictive Purchasing, which significantly improves supply chain productivity.

The present invention relates to a method for workforce scheduling in which workload and workload types vary during scheduling period. The method acquires agent and skill requirements for all periods and contact types; acquires the contact center information including agent skill groups, agent work groups, tour and shift scheduling rules, agent availability, objective criterion to be optimized and its parameters; develops a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model for the scheduling environment; applied an optimization algorithm that uses the Branch and Bound algorithm with a Rounding Algorithm to improve performance; and locates a globally optimal or near optimal workforce schedule in total cost or paid time or agent satisfaction. Detailed schedules may be developed by assigning daily shifts to work patterns, and breaks scheduled to daily shifts.

A current health profile for a user is monitored at a personal health monitoring system. The current health profile includes multiple monitored physical parameters and multiple monitored environmental parameters. Multiple actions for selection by the user are received at the personal health monitoring system. The multiple actions are prioritized according to the current health profile and designated allowances for the user at the personal health monitoring system, such that the personal health monitoring system aids the user in selecting from among the multiple actions in order to balance the comprehensive health of the user. Multiple tasks for scheduling in a user's electronic schedule are scheduled according to the current health profile and designated allowances for the user at the personal health monitoring system.

A controller and a method of programming a schedule of a controller having a user interface, the schedule having a number of schedule parameters, the method including the steps of: providing one or more interview questions to a user via the user interface; accepting one or more user responses to the one or more interview questions from the user via the user interface; and modifying one or more of the schedule parameters based on the user responses provided by the user interface.

A schedule for a complex activity is obtained by a scheduling system using a method of constraint-based iterative repair. A predetermined initial schedule is iteratively repaired, repairs being made during each iteration only to portions of the schedule that produce a constraint violation, until an acceptable schedule is obtained. Since repairs are made to the schedule only to repair violated constraints, rather than to the entire schedule, schedule perturbations are minimized, thereby reducing problems with the dynamic performance of the scheduling system and minimizing disruption to the smooth operation of the activity. All constraints on the scheduling activity can be evaluated simultaneously to produce a solution that is near optimal with respect to all constraints. In particular, consumable resource constraints can be evaluated simultaneously with other constraints such as, for example, reusable resource constraints, temporal constraints, state constraints, milestone constraints and preemptive constraints. The scheduling system of the invention is much quicker than previous scheduling systems that use, for example, constructive scheduling method. The system of the invention can also be easily modified to add, delete or modify constraints. Because of the minimization of schedule perturbation, coupling of all constraints, speed of operation, and ease of modification, the scheduling system of the invention is particularly useful for scheduling applications that require frequent and rapid rescheduling.

A computer implemented method for enabling content providers to identify and customize placement opportunities is disclosed, comprising the steps of processing instructions to customize a pre-existing at least one of an audio and video datastream comprising at least one predefined time interval for content, identifying at least one time interval for a placement opportunity in the at least one of an audio and video datastream; altering at least one characteristic of the at least one time interval for a placement opportunity in accordance with tile instructions; assembling the altered at least one time interval for a placement opportunity and at least one time interval for content into a list that represents an altered at least one of an audio and video datastream; and delivering the list to a distribution system for playing the altered at least one of an audio and video datastream. The at least one time interval for a placement opportunity may distinct from or coincident with the at least one time interval for content. The placement opportunity may be at least one of content and an advertising placement opportunity. The content may be entertainment content comprising at least one of video, audio, and interactive overlays. The at least one characteristic may be the duration of or the number of the at least one time interval for a placement opportunity. The list may be one of a playlist and a schedule.

A method and system for a multi-attribute and advertisement recipient behavior-based advertising process is disclosed. The advertisement recipient behavior-based advertising process enables advertising pricing schedules to apply to a great variety of advertising recipient behaviors beyond “pay per view or impression” and “pay per click”. The advertisement recipient behavior-based advertising process may be used in conjunction with a multi-attribute advertising pricing and delivery model, and can apply to advertising delivered in conjunction with search, sponsored recommendations, or any other on-line or digital advertising approach.

Methods and systems for scheduling media content presentation across multiple devices are disclosed. A media planner application generates media event presentation schedules for one or more users based on user-scheduled media events and automatic media event recommendations. Media events can be scheduled for presentation on multiple user devices, including portable devices. Media event recommendations can be generated based at least in part on user preferences and habits, such as user media preferences, device availability, device usage, device connectivity, and user mood.

Systems and methods implementing a demand-driven workload scheduling optimization of shared resources used to execute tasks submitted to a computer system are disclosed. Some embodiments include a method for demand-driven computer system resource optimization that includes receiving a request to execute a task (said request including the task's required execution time and resource requirements), selecting a prospective execution schedule meeting the required execution time and a computer system resource meeting the resource requirement, determining (in response to the request) a task execution price for using the computer system resource according to the prospective execution schedule, and scheduling the task to execute using the computer system resource according to the prospective execution schedule if the price is accepted. The price varies as a function of availability of the computer system resource at times corresponding to the prospective execution schedule, said availability being measured at the time the price is determined.

A system and method for continuously monitoring and updating delivery schedules based on completed deliveries and customer modifications. A delivery scheduling computer stores and updates delivery schedule information, notifying the customer prior to a scheduled delivery of an estimated time of delivery. The notification is made to a customer's PC, browser-based client, hand-held computer or set-top box, or by conventional communication methods such as a telephone, pager, or cellular phone. If the customer desires to change the time or location of the delivery, the customer transmits a delivery change request and the schedule is modified accordingly. Employees use a hand-held computer or a browser-based client to receive updated delivery schedule information, as well as to transmit a delivery completion message to the delivery scheduling computer. The message includes an actual delivery time which the delivery scheduling computer uses to update the estimated delivery times of the remaining deliveries.

An interactive television program guide system with program series reminder and recording capabilities is provided. The system allows a user to set a reminder or schedule a recording for a single episode or for each episode of a program series. In addition, other options may be provided that allow the user to determine, for example, whether to schedule reminders / recordings for episodes on all channels on which the program airs or only on a selected channels, whether to schedule reminders / recordings for all episodes including reruns or only new episodes, whether to schedule reminders / recordings for network or syndicated episodes, and whether to schedule reminders / recordings for episodes on all days or only on selected days of the week. Before the scheduled broadcast time of each episode of each selected program series, the system sends a reminder message to the user that reminds the user of the program episode or sends a record command to a videocassette recorder to initiate recording of the episode. The system allows a user to view a list of all currently requested program reminders and scheduled program recordings. The user may update, change, or cancel any entry in either list or the system may automatically update the lists to match new broadcast schedule information. If the user sets a reminder or schedules a recording that conflicts with an existing reminder or recording, the system may inform the user of the conflict and allow the user to resolve the conflict or the system may resolve the conflict.

The apparatus, systems and methods herein facilitate generation of energy-related revenue for an energy customer of an electricity supplier. The apparatuses and methods herein can be used to generate operating schedules for a controller of the energy assets. When implemented, the generated operating schedules facilitates derivation of the energy-related revenue, over a time period T, associated with operation of the energy assets according to the generated operating schedule. The energy-related revenue available to the energy customer over the time period T is based at least in part on a wholesale electricity market.

Methods, articles of manufacture, and systems for determining a fee to be charged for requests processed in a grid computing environment based. In one embodiment the fee may be determined based on the time it takes to process a request and / or pricing schedules that may vary depending on a variety of pricing criteria. In another embodiment, a completion time criterion that defines a maximum acceptable time to complete a request may be specified. If the amount of time needed to perform the request is less than the maximum acceptable time specified, returning the results may be delayed to avoid providing services valued in excess of what the customer has paid for.