Abstract: Processes and systems are disclosed for enabling a user to purchase a digital product from a first computer system (e.g., a merchant web site), and to then initiate electronic delivery of the digital product from a second computer system without revealing personal information to the second computer system or its operator. In one embodiment, the user initiates the anonymous delivery from the second computer system using a link received from the first computer system. The first and second computer systems communicate with each other to track fulfillment/delivery statuses of orders, and to limit the number of times the user can download the purchased digital product from the second computer system.

Abstract: A computing environment or system is disclosed for use by a homeowner for real-time, on-line scheduling of a visit by technician or repairman to diagnose and, if authorized by the user, repair a home appliance such as a refrigerator or washing machine. The system is desirably accessible over the Internet by a customer using a Web browser wherein an interactive screen prompts the user and suggests product information and a nature of the problem. The system desirably obtains and provides to the user a schedule of available appointments for a manufacturer's factory service based on the product and customer information and location of the product. Where factory service is not available in the locality of the user, the system obtains and provides one or more local manufacturer authorized service providers. After selection of a service provider by the user, available appointments are provided. The user selects and confirms one of the appointments.

Abstract: A method for extracting an implied value of a component associated with a plurality of product packages is disclosed. One embodiment of the method includes receiving data associated with a plurality of product packages. It is noted that the data comprises product package price data associated with the plurality of product packages. The data is processed utilizing a mathematical optimization to produce first output data. The first output data is processed with a statistical regression to produce second output data. The second output data includes an estimated value and its standard error of a component associated with the plurality of product packages.

Abstract: The present invention involves an analytical method of providing change management statistics in an organization which includes a plurality of individuals. The method involves the steps of: creating a survey including a plurality of questions relating to the subjects of Planning, Execution of the planning, and Persons responsible for the execution of the planning; obtaining responses to the plurality of questions from the individuals in the organization; and calculating at least one index relating to at least two of the subjects. The step of creating a survey includes creating questions on Planning which relate to vision, strategy and desired results; questions on Execution which relate to readiness, ambition, knowledge, ability and momentum; and questions on Persons which relate to least one of conditioning, fear, trust and inductivity. The step of obtaining responses includes a step of dividing the individuals in the organization into groups having one or more group members.

Abstract: An interactive survey and data management method and apparatus for collecting and processing survey information in which a questioning series of core item questions is asked of a sample participant and only when a core item response is within a predetermined range a second questioning series of drill-down questions that enable a more focused survey is then asked of the sample participate, otherwise the survey continues with the core item questions. The second questioning series may also contain open-ended questions called verbatims where the survey participant may give a detailed response to further explain an answer.

Abstract: A server or Internet service provider computer selects a soliciting merchant and an outputting merchant based on various factors. In one embodiment, the soliciting merchant is selected is its activity rate (e.g. sales rate) is low. The outputting merchant provides offers for bonuses to customers on behalf of the soliciting merchant. The bonus is provided to the customer in exchange for consummating a transaction with the soliciting merchant. Thus, the soliciting merchant benefits from the increased patronage such offers encourage.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically printing a hard copy of transaction information relating to a transaction conducted electronically between a user-side and a supplier side. A control apparatus performs an operation of identifying a selected aspect of information regarding the electronic transaction to thereby generate a print apparatus which is sent to a printing apparatus which prints transaction information in response to said print request. In addition, a printer for use with the method and system is provided.

Abstract: In accordance with one described embodiment, methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for determining a progressive discount for a customer. In one example, a customer is provided with a discount that is incremented if the customer visits at least once in a pre-defined period.

Abstract: A broadcast receiving method comprises storing first control information in a storage device, the first control information containing information unique to a receiver and required for the receiver to select broadcasted and encrypted contents information, and receiving second control information with a receiver via a bi-directional communications channel, the second control information being for updating at least some contents of the first control information, updating the first control information in the storage device on the basis of the second control information, receiving broadcasted key information independent from the receiver and required to decrypt the contents information, and selecting and decrypting the encrypted contents information based on the key information and updated first control information.

Abstract: A method, system, server architecture and/or tangible medium upgrade and award admittance of events to an event customer, preferably via a data communication network. The method includes, for example, receiving a communication from the event customer, the communication including a request to obtain admittance to at least one event, the communication also including an identifier associated with the event customer, admitting the event customer at the point of sale system after verification of the request, and updating a database indicating that the request was processed. The method also includes determining first predetermined criteria associated with the event indicative of at least one other event customer not attending the event, releasing an allocation associated with the at least one other event customer, and notifying at least another of the event customers to perform the upgrade and/or reallocation.

Abstract: A system for facilitating electronic transactions among participants to a transaction is afforded that comprises a server having a software application stored thereon, one or more databases associated with the server for storing transactional data and documents relating to the transactions, and one or ignore client computer systems connected with the server for remotely accessing the transactional data and documents pertaining to the transactions and for performing particular tasks relating to the transactions. The software application is logically segmented into particular sites for controlling the functionality of the electronic transactions, and each site has a set of associated templates for managing information about the transactions. The templates control the business rules and functionality of the transactions. Preferably, the templates are grouped according to particular categories, such as transaction types, data forms, transaction data, participants rules, services rules, and documents.

Abstract: A wide-area emergency information management system includes a broadcasting entity (10) and delivers content to authorized receiver clients (20), such as PC's, laptops, wireless devices, etc. The specific content (26), which can include voice, text, video or any other information content related to a planned response to a given crisis or emergency such as enemy attack or natural disaster, is prepared in advance (28), tailored to the class of recipient receiver client and/or user (44), securely downloaded (32,36) and stored locally in a secure cache (21). In response to a small control file from a centralized emergency management authority, the receiver client system accesses the cache (21), decrypts the content (26), and delivers it to the end user.

Abstract: A digital data file encryption apparatus and method, where a digital data server identifies the user and supplies an encrypted digital data file to the user in accordance with the identified result. A personal computer decrypts the encrypted digital data file supplied from the digital data server and reproduces the decrypted digital data file or re-encrypts it using an encryption key. The encryption key is generated on the basis of an identification number of a data storage medium or digital data playing device. A digital data playing device stores the re-encrypted digital data file downloaded from the personal computer in the data storage medium and decrypts the stored digital data file using the encryption key to reproduce it. A first internal key is added to the identification number to convert the identification number into the encryption key, which is then encrypted according to an encryption algorithm based on a second internal key.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling commands in several application files, whereby an access condition corresponding to said command is associated with each command in each application file, each command in each application file is executed if a user orders the execution thereof and if the access condition corresponding to said command is stored. According to the invention, the access conditions are stored jointly for all application files.

Abstract: Content revocation is achieved by disabling licenses issued to a computing device for the content. A content revocation is delivered within a license to the computing device. Upon license storage the content revocation is recognized, validated, and stored in a secure state store under the public key of the content server (PU-CS) that issued the content. Each license has a (PU-CS) therein, and each license evaluation considers each content revocation stored in the state store and having the same (PU-CS). The license is disabled or otherwise affected based on the considered content revocation. A content revocation is one form of a license modification that may be delivered within a license.

Abstract: Personalized transaction identification information is provided by a user to supplement the generic transaction banking information received from the user's electronic banking service. The personalized transaction identification information is maintained by the user or the user's Internet Service Provider (ISP) or host. At the time of the transaction or later, details about the transaction are entered by the user into a personal digital assistant (PDA) or online. Subsequently, when the user downloads his banking information, the downloaded banking material is matched with the stored personalized transaction identification information. As a result, the information provided to the user about a transaction is more comprehensive since information beyond check number and amount are provided.

Abstract: Purchase of information items from a merchant over the Internet or other network is implemented so as to ensure that the merchant is unable to identify the particular information item(s) purchased by a user. The user when considering purchase of a given information item is permitted to access a corresponding signed ciphertext of that item. The signed ciphertext in an illustrative embodiment includes a first ciphertext portion in the form of a symmetric key encrypted using a public key associated with the merchant, a second ciphertext portion corresponding to the information item encrypted using the symmetric key, an unencrypted description of the information item, and a tag corresponding to a signature. The user requests purchase of the information item by sending a blinded version of the first ciphertext portion to a payment server along with an appropriate payment. The payment server decrypts the blinded version of the first ciphertext portion and returns the resulting symmetric key to the user.