Abstract: Digital content can be sold by an original sales entity (OSE) to an affiliate sales entity (ASE) for playing of the content by the ASE. The ASE is permitted to transfer the content to another ASE, and sales credit for the secondary transfer is split between the transferring ASE and the OSE upon synchronization of a ledger of the recipient ASE with the system database.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an automatic ultrasonic and computer-vision navigation device and a method using the same. In the method of the present invention, the user guides an automatic navigation device to learn and plan a navigation path; next, the automatic navigation device navigates independently and uses ultrasonic signals and computer vision to detect the environment; then, the automatic navigation device compares the detected environment data with the navigation path to amend the physical movement track. The present invention enables ordinary persons to interact with the automatic navigation device without operating the computer. As the present invention adopts computer vision and ultrasonic signals to realize the functions thereof, the manufacturers can save the hardware cost.

Abstract: A system and method for matching candidates and placement providers through trusted recommenders without the need for the recommenders' direct engagement. The method includes receiving input from a provider regarding a recommender of candidates and from a candidate regarding a recommendation for that candidate by the recommender. A first trust score for the recommender is calculated, in accordance with a number of providers having a trust relationship with the recommender. A second trust score is calculated for the candidate with respect to a given provider, in accordance with the first trust score for the recommender, a trust relationship between the provider and the recommender, and a trust relationship between the candidate and the recommender. An ordered list of candidates is generated for the provider, in accordance with the second trust score.

Abstract: A digital processing system supporting management of purchase orders according to chargeable subcontracting model in an outsourcing organization. In one embodiment, when a user provides an order for a desired quantity of an assembly type from an external organization, the digital processing system automatically raises a sales order, as originating from the external organization, corresponding to each of a set of components required for manufacturing the assembly type. On receiving a receipt indication indicating the successful delivery of the order, the digital processing system calculates a net payable amount to be paid to the external organization. Additional aspects of the invention facilitate setting up of chargeable contracting model with simulated (within the digital processing system) external organizations, planning of purchase orders, etc.

Abstract: A user may log into a system containing data pertaining to a jointly owned funding account of which he is a co-owner. The user may view information directed to the jointly owned funding account, such as his bills and bills associated with other co-owners. The user may pay bills or schedule payments of bills from the funding account. A co-owner of the funding account may set up an account with a biller and enable other co-owners of the funding account to use this information, thereby providing the other co-owners with the same or similar functionality when they log into the system using their own login information. The information that the co-owner may set up with a biller may be ported over to the information maintained by the system that is directed to the other co-owners.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods providing a digital scale interface in a global communications shipping management environment so that a shipping management system resident on a server computer device remote from a user client computer device, receives and recognizes a weight of a parcel from the digital scale configured with the remote user client computer device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is directed toward a networked grain aeration control system. For example, the system can provide centralized monitoring of the aeration of a number of grain storage facilities, thereby improving the management of stored grain. The networked grain aeration control system can allow the custodian of the system to offer an aeration service. Farmers, or other individuals, cooperatives, or companies can purchase the aeration service at a cost proportionate to the amount of stored grain to be aerated and the duration of storage. In this manner, the purchaser of the aeration service can avoid relatively high fixed costs that can be associated with various aeration hardware.

Abstract: A system and method for the purchase of products, where some products may eligible for special forms of payment, such as payment from a medical savings account (MSA). A POS terminal is used to obtain a product ID (from a product bar code) and an MSA account ID from an MSA account card. The product and account IDs are provided to a database where MSA eligibility and MSA account status information is accessed and retrieved. A display at the POS terminal separates and displays information on both the eligible and non-eligible products. The POS terminal may used to pay for eligible products by electronically debiting the MSA account, and to pay for non-eligible products by traditional methods, such as cash, check or credit card. Eligible products may be given price discounts, and discount information is also retrieved from the database.

Abstract: A method is provided for use in connection with build ahead configurations (BAC's), for enabling a manufacturer to quickly identify the available BAC that is most suitable for use in completing a product order. In one embodiment, directed to a method for increasing efficiency in constructing individual products of a particular product type, each individual product has an associated specification set. A number of BAC's are initially constructed, wherein each BAC comprises an at least partially complete product of the particular type, and likewise has an associated specification set. An order is received for an individual product of the particular type, wherein the order defines each specification in the specification set for the ordered product.

Abstract: In a method and system for monitoring storage resources, storage containers are monitored to identify their individual normal usage patterns over time. Based on a storage container's normal usage pattern, limits may be established for determining whether its rate of change over a predetermined amount of time (i.e., usage change rate) is normal or abnormal based on a mean and a standard deviation of historical usage rate values. The limits are periodically updated to ensure that the limits remain indicative of the storage container's current usage pattern, as usage patterns may vary over the life of a storage container.

Abstract: Various methods are disclosed for monitoring user browsing activities that indicate user interests in particular products, or other items, represented in an electronic catalog, and for using such information to identify items that are related to one another. In one embodiment, relationships between items within an electronic catalog are determined by identifying items that are frequently viewed by users within the same browsing session (e.g., items A and B are related because a significant portion of those who viewed A also viewed B). The resulting item relatedness data may be stored in a table that maps items to sets of related items. The table may be used to provide personalized item recommendations to users, and/or to supplement item detail pages of the electronic catalog with lists of related items. In one embodiment, the table is used to provide session-specific item recommendations to users.

Abstract: A method for associating a tax-line item to a user transaction in a financial management software application including obtaining the user transaction by the financial management software application, associating a first tax line item with the user transaction, where the tax line item is selected by accepting input from a user separately from categorizing the transaction, and presenting the user transaction and the first tax line item selected by the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for implementing a purchaser incentive program on a network-wide level. The system associates SKU and UPC data on a network level to provide consumers with a purchasing environment that is both convenient and cost-efficient. The association of SKU and UPC data at a network level also provides consumers with the ability to analyze their own purchase data for a variety of purposes, including analyses relating to the consumer's spending behaviors or patterns for example. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the association of UPC and SKU data by the system facilitates a network-wide search for an item that a consumer desires to purchase under terms or conditions that are selected by the consumer and are therefore perceived to be optimal by that consumer.