9160results about How to "Increase income" patented technology

Disclosed is a process for an advertising bidding system in which advertisers can bid on advertising time slots or enhanced ads that can be inserted in either prerecorded or live television programming. A high degree of flexibility is provided by allowing embedded ads to be purchased and displayed in a very short time period. This allows TV broadcasters to increase revenues and allows advertisers to have more flexibility in advertising. Objects can be inserted in the display video broadcast using enhancements such as by using mark-up language overlay pages or by video combination techniques. The effect of these ads can be evaluated for advertising campaigns.

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.

The invention relates to video and music distribution systems and, more particularly, to a system that blanket transmits video / audio content such as movies (for example, via satellite downlink transmission) to each customer's recording, storage and playback system. Customers may preselect from a list of available movies or other content in advance using an interactive screen selector, and pay for the video / audio content that is actually viewed.

A digital watermark (DWM) content identifier is steganographically embedded in content. The DWM content identifier provides a link to a rights registry storing usage rights associated with the content. In some implementations the rights registry provides an association between the DWM content identifier and a digital rights management (DRM) content identifier. The DRM content identifier is used to find associated usage rights. The DWM content identifier can also be used to transfer content from a first DRM system to a second DRM system.

Certain exemplary embodiments relate to entertainment systems and, more particularly, certain exemplary embodiments relate to jukebox systems that incorporate digital downloading jukebox features along with karaoke jukebox and / or photo booth features. A combined karaoke / photo booth / jukebox may enable more integrated performance-like experiences in an in-home or out-of-home location or venue. By leveraging vast audio media libraries, trusted rights-respecting network infrastructure, and on-site image / video capturing from integrated recorders and / or remote portable devices, a more sociable experience may be created for karaoke jukebox patrons, e.g., where custom content can be generated and shared in a safe and legally appropriate manner.

A computerized method and system for evaluating customers of a financial institution using customer relationship value tags and associated customer treatment actions includes automatically analyzing information about a customer from a database of the financial institution by a customer assessment engine using a predefined statistical model to assess the value of the customer to the financial institution. At least one customer treatment action associated with the assessed value is identified by the assessment engine, and the assessment engine marks a file associated with the customer with a mark representing the assessed value and the associated customer treatment action. The marked file is then accessed by other financial systems of the financial institution, or by customer representatives of the financial institution, and the associated customer treatment action is implemented by such systems or representatives in dealing with the customer.

A loyalty reward point system that utilizes the pre-existing infrastructure of network such as a credit card network. A user makes a purchase at a merchant using a token such as a credit card. As part of the purchase transaction, the user is awarded reward points from the merchant based on the purchase, which are stored in an account associated with the merchant and the user by the acquiring bank. The reward account is maintained on the acquiring bank server on behalf of the merchant and the user, and the number of reward points in the user's account for that merchant is increased accordingly. The user may redeem the reward points earned from the transaction with the merchant at a later time, or may redeem the points with another merchant in the same marketing cluster, or may aggregate those reward points with those of other merchants into a reward point exchange account, and then redeem the aggregated reward points for goods or services from any approved merchant on the network, depending on the configuration of the system.

An method for billing a wireless subscriber for fixed location service is disclosed where the rating of a call is determined in part by the location of the subscriber as indicated using call detail record information recorded in the switch and information in a rating profile, typically stored in a billing system. The rating profile maintains a defined billing rate that is applied for calls associated with the subscriber occurring in the defined serving location as typically identified by an antenna and antenna sector.

A loyalty reward point system that utilizes the pre-existing infrastructure of network such as a credit card network. A user makes a purchase at a merchant using a token such as a credit card. As part of the purchase transaction, the user is awarded reward points from the merchant based on the purchase, which are stored in an account associated with the merchant and the user by a member bank of the credit card network, which may be an issuing bank or an acquiring bank. The reward account is maintained on the member bank server on behalf of the merchant and the user, and the number of reward points in the user's account for that merchant is increased accordingly. The user may redeem the reward points earned from the transaction with the merchant at a later time, or may redeem the points with another merchant in the same marketing cluster, or may aggregate those reward points with those of other merchants into a reward point exchange account, and then redeem the aggregated reward points for goods or services from any approved merchant on the network, depending on the configuration of the system.

The present invention is a software product that provides merchants that sell time-slot inventories tools to capitalize on the Internet revolution. The present invention enables the creation of web-sites for merchants with a built-in web-based reservation booking system. This offers customers the on-line benefits of access, selection and immediacy in making real-time reservation / appointments over the Internet. The software product also simplifies the merchant's booking process by providing a central web-based reservation / appointment management system that can be used for all bookings, regardless if made by telephone, by a walk-in customer, or by a customer via the Internet. The software product also provides the merchant with a powerful direct marketing tool. As a merchant uses the software product, user-customer profiles and demographics are captured in the database module, thus creating (in Web jargon) a “community” of customers specific to the merchant. The merchant is thus empowered, using the mail module, to directly communicate with its customer base, using customer profiles and demographics to create a highly targeted and effective marketing and promotional ad campaign. The software product also allows the merchant to auction off time-slot inventory over the Internet. Lastly, the software product enables the creation of Web “super-communities” consisting of the aggregate of all the individual merchant's customer-communities using the software product.

The digital era is creating problems with identity and content theft. The solutions require searching different databases containing similar data. The novel method demonstrates how to search these different databases for similar information via TransMetaWarp routers and / or databases. Embodiments provide different balances of security and privacy issues, such as search-only TransMetaWarp routers and master TransMetaWarp databases. The system is applicable to biometrics for identity cards, such as drivers' licenses, as well as metadata, such as content title, creator information, and tour information, or content identification for entertainment content.

A system and method for incentivizing holders of financial accounts, e.g., credit card account holders, to engage in certain activities with those accounts. Account holders may be provided an up-front incentive based on a commitment to engage in certain account activities in the future. If the account holder fails to satisfy his commitment, at least a portion of the value of the incentive may be charged to a customer account. Rewards provided to an account holder to encourage particular account activities also may include merchandise rewards, discounts and rebates or entries into a lottery type drawing for prizes.

A set top box (“STB”) apparatus configurable for handling broadcast, cable television and Internet protocol television (“IPTV”) formats by multiple operators via a single flexible operating system is provided. The set top box is enabled to receive and run different operating systems from multiple providers or operators. In another aspect, a dual mode display feature enables viewing of digital content via a first display device while enabling browsing and e-commerce functionality via an associated remote device.

A method and system of managing value from a resource such as hotel rooms by taking into account indirect value, such as gaming value, in determining recommended bid prices. Observed and / or estimated indirect value for customers is obtained. Recommended bid prices for instances of the resource, such as hotel rooms, are adjusted based on the obtained indirect value. Prices are further adjusted based on competitive market conditions.

A digital downloading jukebox system including a central server and a plurality of remote jukebox devices each provided with a local server that preferably mirrors the central server and enables selected songs to be immediately downloaded to the jukebox for reproduction. The local server and jukebox may also provide, through control of the central server, song download services to other jukebox devices. The jukebox system may also act as a monitoring / management device for other coin operated equipment present in a location where the jukebox is located, thereby enabling the jukebox device to perform updates on other equipment under control of the central server.

An automated meter reading network system to collect utility usage data from multiple utility meters having utility meter sensors, program product, and associated methods are provided. The system includes multiple meter data collectors each in communication with one or more utility meters to collect utility usage data and forming a wireless communications network. The system also includes a host computer in communication with the meter data collectors either directly or through multiple field host data collectors which can be connected to the host computer through a wide area network. The system also includes a meter data collector program product at least partially stored in the memory of the host computer to manage the communication network. The meter data collector program product is adapted to analyze signal strength between nodes and to dynamically adjust the power level settings of the individual nodes to enhance network performance.

A computer-implemented method for double auction trade-building by matching, based on feasibility and price / cost heuristics, a plurality of electronically posted bid with a plurality of electronically posted ask records. A one-pass sequential trade building method selects ask records one at a time and sequentially inserts, in one pass, as many of the bid records as possible while maintaining feasibility criteria. A two pass sequential trade building method inserts the bid records in two stages, the first terminating when the trade becomes feasible and the second when no further bids can be inserted.

A communication system (10) supports the provision of a plurality of dedicated communication resources (50–64), such as copper drops, RF links and optical fibers, to dedicated home-gateway devices (44–48) or distribution points (124). The communication resources (50–64) support broadband interconnection (104) between the dedicated home-gateway devices (44–48) or distribution points (124) and an access multiplexor (30) in a network (12). Each gateway device (44–48) or distribution point (124) generally includes a local RF transceiver (84) and associated control logic (80–82) that allows local communication (86) between gateway devices (44–48) and hence statistically multiplexed access (60–64, 89) to multiple communication resources, thereby providing increased bandwidth in uplink and / or downlink directions. With the control logic (80) operable to provide a routing and prioritisation / arbitration function, each gateway (44–48) is able to selectively engage use of supplemental, non-reserved communication resources usually associated with a dedicated ono-to-one connection between the access network (12) and at least one secondary gateway. Physical layer access to information routed via a secondary gateway within a virtual neighborhood network (90–92) comprising several gateways is restricted through an end-to-end encryption algorithm between an originating gateway and, at least, the access multilpexor (30).

Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to a portal-based, dynamically distributed application topology for cellular systems. The portal-based application topology, in one implementation, is an application architecture featuring strategic dynamic distribution of the man-machine interface (such as data acquisition and information presentation) and the backend processing aspects, of a particular application. In one implementation, all terminal interfacing aspects (such as data acquisition, data presentation) are formatted and handled by systems associated with a cellular system operator, as described below, while background processing is performed by a processing facility remote to the cellular system operator. In one implementation, the distributed application topology allows a mobile station, such as a cellular telephone, to simply act as a thin-client accessing an application server via a cellular systems operator's web portal for page-based interface screens.

An integrated parking meter system automates the issuance of parking citations. Each parking meter will be equipped with a sonar range finder, mercury type switch and a two way radio that communicates via N-PCS to a host computer back at the control center. When a meter runs out of money it checks to see if a vehicle is present in the parking space. If it is, the meter notifies the host computer that there is a car illegally parked in the space. The host computer correlates the information to identify the exact location of the violator. The host computer then sends this information via wireless network to the parking meter attendants' personal communicator. The parking attendant proceeds to the violator and issues the citation. Included within this technology is the capability to remotely change the rate structure of any or all electronic parking meters. A meter diagnostic feature alerts repair personnel to specific malfunctioning meters. The meter may also set the time remaining on the meter to zero whenever a car leaves the adjacent space.

The relevancy of ads may be increased, and opportunities to serve an ad that might otherwise be missed may be exploited by (i) accepting broad targeting information, to be used for serving an ad, from an advertiser, (ii) serving the ad using the broad targeting information, (iii) logging search query terms (or some other information, such as concepts, concept keywords, etc.) associated with the serving of the ad, and (iv) generating one or more candidate targeting keywords or phrases for the ad using the logged search query terms. At least one of the candidate targeting keywords or phrases may be provided as targeting information for the ad. Alternatively, at least one of the candidate targeting keywords or phrases may be presented to the advertiser. Advertiser input with respect to the candidate targeting keyword(s) or phrase(s) presented may then be accepted. Zero or more of the candidate targeting keyword(s) or phrase(s) may be provided as targeting information for the ad, in accordance with the accepted advertiser input. Cost information (e.g., average cost per selection, average cost per conversion, total costs, etc.) may be presented in association with the candidate targeting information.

A system and method are provided for creating a social-networking community and enabling the social-networking community to interoperate with other social-networking communities within a network of social-networking communities. The method includes creating a core profile that links a user member's identify to plurality of social-networking communities of the network. The system enables user identity information, content, and friend information to be shared across social-networking communities of the network. The system also enables community content to be shared and tracked across social-networking communities of the network.

In the present invention, electronic advertisements are transformed from objects that are shown to a passive audience of readers (or other content users, such as listeners and viewers) into objects that are subject to a high degree of control by each reader. Readers can omit individual ads or an entire block or group of ads, with each omitted ad being replaced automatically to meet the publisher's need for ad revenue and the reader's desire for ad-supported content. Readers can edit an ad's media type and layout, choose which fields or ad components are displayed, and control the format of each field. Readers can edit their profile. Cookies may be managed by an ad network so that the reader's content and format preferences are respected across otherwise unrelated Web sites. Tracking is more precise since readers have a genuine incentive to maintain the cookie. The ad network can share novel information with publishers and advertisers to help them provide content that is interesting and relevant to readers.

A system and method is provided for incentivizing players to visit a gambling location. In one aspect, a qualified person is invited to play an electronic game which has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome. In one embodiment, the qualified person may be required to redeem the outcome at the gambling location. In another embodiment, the person may be required to redeem the outcome at a redemption location. In another aspect, a method is provided for permitting a person to take one or more actions within a gambling location and in response inviting the person to play an electronic game separate from the games offered in a gambling environment at the gambling location, where the game has a plurality of outcomes, at least one of which is a winning outcome, and if the person obtains a winning outcome, requiring the person to redeem the at least one outcome at the gambling location. In one embodiment, the method includes the acts of qualifying a person. Qualification may require specific acts, for example, referring another person, and / or providing an invitation to play an electronic game to another person. Various systems and method assist in tracking and maintaining such referrals. Additionally group gaming in and amongst referrals and / or designated groups may be performed, and in some embodiment required for qualification and / or redemption. Further, another aspect relates to providing special incentives, for example for referral of a new player, for providing casino affiliation or membership information, among others.

The present invention relates to a ‘smart parking system’ comprising of 1) ‘smart parking meter’ containing a radiofrequency reader (RF reader); 2) radiofrequency tag (RF tag) containing vehicle identification information, that is mounted on vehicles; 3) a central control station communicating with a multitude of ‘smart parking meters’ to form a network; 4) the said central control station having a central computer system programmed with parking enforcement instructions. RF reader is provided with means to interrogate the RF tag of a vehicle parked in the corresponding parking stall; and transmit information obtained thereby to a central control station. The central control station has means to identify the said vehicle and determine whether or not the said vehicle is legally parked. If a parking violation is detected, the central computer system remotely instructs the corresponding ‘smart parking meter’ to issue a parking ticket. Means are also provided in the ‘smart parking system’ to determine if a vehicle parked in a parking stall has previous unpaid parking tickets. The ‘smart parking system’ also has means to determine if a vehicle wanted by law enforcement personnel is present in a parking stall within its network. According to yet another aspect, the ‘smart parking system’ has means to determine if a parking stall in its network is vacant and to reserve the said vacant stall for an authorized driver. Further, means are provided in the ‘smart parking meter’ to accept multiple forms of payment.

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.