Intuit, Inc.

Other

Matt Eric Hart

Chris Quinn

Walter Holladay

Kira Wampler

Jason A Hunter

Jorge R Olavarrieta

Tara L Tarapata

Mark A Johnson

Holly Scatamacchia

Arno Grbac

Catherine Fisse

Janice C Moorman

Damon Levy

Jeffery D Campbell

Jerry A Beers

Mark F Keavney

David Andrew Caulkins

Collin R Esmon

Steven Aldrich

Kathleen Leacox

An optical code system for manipulating an optical code that represents an audio waveform present in an audio file, for example, includes a server, a database module, and a non-volatile storage system, all interconnected and preferably in communication with a network to remote users. The system includes two primary sub-systems: a code generating system and a code matching system. The code generating system generates an optical code based on the audio waveform, such an optical code being subsequently scanned and identified by the code matching system. As such, once the code matching system matches an optical code to a particular audio waveform, the associated audio file and associated waveform data may be delivered to the user.

Waveform generation and recognition system

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates filtering undesirable content based on anti-tags. During operation, the system receives items of content. Next, the system receives an anti-tag, wherein an anti-tag describes content that a user has elected not to receive. The system then analyzes the items of content to identify one-or-more undesirable items of content that satisfy the anti-tag. Next, the system filters the one-or-more undesirable items of content from the items of content. Finally, the system presents the filtered items of content to the user.

Method and apparatus for filtering undesirable content based on anti-tags

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that improves security during web-browsing. During operation, the system can receive a URL from a user. Next, the system can determine an IP address for the URL by querying a DNS server. The system can then determine a public-key associated with the URL. Next, the system can encrypt a string using the public-key to obtain an encrypted-string. The system can then send the encrypted-string to a remote-system which is associated with the IP address. Next, the system can receive a response from the remote-system. The system can then determine whether the DNS server has been compromised using the string and the response. If the system determines that the DNS server has been compromised, the system can alert the user, and in doing so, improve security during web-browsing.

Method and apparatus for improving security during web-browsing

A method for performing an invitation triggered search by a query engine, involving receiving an invitation message associated with a project, wherein the query engine is a recipient of the invitation message, extracting at least one attribute from the invitation message, searching a plurality of sources to identify a plurality of resources associated with the at least one attribute, and sending a reply message including a display of the plurality of resources associated with the at least one attribute to a sender of the invitation message.

Method and system for an invitation triggered automated search

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates updating a task-management system by manipulating physical objects. During operation, the system receives a notification at a computer system indicating that a physical icon (phycon) has been moved to a first physical location, wherein a phycon is a physical object that is associated with an element or an attribute of a task-management system. Next, the system identifies an element of the task-management system that is associated with the phycon. The system then identifies an attribute of the task-management system that is associated with the first physical location. Finally, the system applies the attribute to the element in the task-management system.

Updating a task-management system by manipulating physical objects

Embodiments of a system for identifying audio content are described. During operation, the system receives a data stream from an electronic device via a communication network. Then, the system distorts a set of target patterns which are used to identify the audio content based on characteristics of the electronic device and/or the communication network. Next, the system identifies the audio content in the data stream based on the set of distorted target patterns.

Identifying audio content using distorted target patterns

One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for facilitating a game that operates within a social-networking application. During operation, the system receives a request from a user to participate in a game that is running within the social-networking application, wherein the request is received at the game. Next, in response to the request, the system adds the user to the game. The system then receives a notification at the game that the user has performed an action within the social network. Next, in response to the notification, the system determines a point value assigned to the action. Finally, the system increments a score associated with the user by the point value.

Facilitating a game that operates within a social-networking application

A method and apparatus for obtaining inventory item descriptions includes a process for obtaining inventory item descriptions whereby a product description database is provided and manufacturer's descriptions of products are obtained and stored in the product description database using the manufacturer's identification data as an identifier. Data from a computing system implemented financial management system used by a seller of the product is then accessed to perform a mapping between the seller's identification data for a selected product and the manufacturer's identification data for the product. The product description database is then searched using the mapped seller's identification data for the product and, when the manufacturer's description of the product is found, the manufacturer's description of the product is transferred to the seller for use, in whole or in part, as the seller's description of the product on a seller's website and/or in the seller's computing system implemented financial management system.

Method and apparatus for obtaining and editing product descriptions

A purchasing user interface system may include a user interface configured to display various types of inventory, order and purchasing information. The user interface may display item, inventory, order, sales and/or vendor information regarding particular items, or all items, in a current inventory. The user interface may allow user to customize the manner in which the information is displayed. The system may also aid the user in making purchase orders, such as by allowing the user to select items to order as well as the quantities to order and the vendors from which to order the selected items. The system may also allow the user to generate purchase order based on the selected items, amounts and vendors. The purchasing user interface system may allow a user to display, sort, filter, update and otherwise manipulate various inventory, sales, order and vendor information to aid in making meaningful inventory ordering decisions.

System and method for purchase order management

An automated system prepares a new tax return for a user based on information associated with the user's return from a previous year. The system uses the tax return from the previous year to obtain taxpayer data and to identify sources of current data. It retrieves current year information from the sources and uses it together with data from the previous year return to prepare a new tax return with minimal user assistance. In an embodiment, the system determines the likely accuracy of a new tax return generated based on the previous year tax return, and prepares the new tax return only if the likely accuracy is above a predetermined threshold.

Proactive tax preparation

Information missing from a database record is automatically identified and retrieved. In an embodiment, after the record is initially populated, a status such as complete, incomplete, missing, or verify is assigned to each field in the record. A request for information associated with the status is automatically generated, for instance asking a client to provide missing information or verify existing information. The request is transmitted to the client and solicits the client's response in any of a number of ways, for instance by email, phone, fax, or mail. The information is used to automatically update the record.

Automated data retrieval

A system that provides location-specific information through a mobile device. During operation, the system receives coordinates for a physical location of the mobile device from a global-positioning system (GPS) receiver within the mobile device. The system then retrieves a description of a point of interest within a specified range of the coordinates received for the physical location and presents the description of the point of interest to a user through the mobile device.

Method and apparatus for providing location-specific information through a mobile device

An assembly job tracking system includes tracking devices for employees and inventory sets required for the job. As the inventory moves from assembly location to assembly location, in one embodiment, wireless stations receive data identifying the tracking device and information related to the job. Various techniques for determining the location of the tracking devices include radio frequency signal source triangulation, assembly location specific RFID tags, local wireless stations located in the assembly location, and barcode scanning stations. A system controller and an associated data storage device control the tracking process and record data associated with the assembly job, equipment utilization, and employee efficiency. Based on location determination of the tracking devices, assembly job tracking records start and end times of multiple process steps. A system controller provides data that is analyzed to provide reports, including, invoice related reports, employee wages, and equipment usage and efficiency.

Combined multi-set inventory and employee tracking using location based tracking device system

Systems and methods for using radio frequency identification ('RFID') technology in display boards such as whiteboards, corkboards, and bulletin boards are disclosed. An RFID tag is affixed to each object that is placed on the display board. Each tag uniquely identifies the object to which it is affixed. RFID readers are placed in proximity to the board so that the position and identity of the tagged objects on the board can be determined. RFID readers can quickly convey this information to a computing device. Optionally, receipt of the position and identity information at the computing device can trigger other events such as the output of notifications.

RFID whiteboard

One embodiment of the present invention provides a collaborative-search system that facilitates performing collaborative searches. During operation, the collaborative-search system receives a first search request from a first user. The collaborative-search system then identifies a group of users who sent search requests that were similar to the first search request. Next, the collaborative-search system sends a notification to the first user that identifies the group of users that sent search requests that were similar to the first search request. If the collaborative-search system receives a request from the first user to view a search history for the group of users, the collaborative-search system sends the search history to the first user.

Growing community of inventors

Lunenburg, MA, United States of America

Matt Eric Hart