Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention use a data processing system for capturing line item data. The method involves receiving claim identification information from a claimant, where the claim identification information comprises, at least, one line level; providing the client with an item tree of line item level data based on the line level and aggregating line item level data collected from the claimant; and storing the line item level data in an insurance host server.

Abstract: A computer-based system and method is disclosed which constructs medical histories by direct interactions between the patient and system that acquires pertinent and relevant medical information covering the complete life of a given patient. The system and method insure that a complete life long medical history is acquired from every patient interacting with the health care system. Once acquired, the facts of the patient's life long and family medical history are analyzed automatically by databases to generate a set of the most reasonable diagnostic possibilities (the differential diagnosis) for each medical problem identified and for each risk factor for disease that is uncovered in the historical database.

Abstract: A central server controls the receipt and analysis of patient medical data and patient information. The central server receives patient medical data and patient information from a remote computer. A storage system stores the received patient medical data, patient information, and the associated medical report prepared at analysis workstations at any location after analysis of the patient medical data. A processor controls access to and analysis of the patient medical data by analysis workstations and controls access to the medical report. The central server transmits the patient medical data to and receives the associated medical report from analysis workstations. The central server transmits the medical report associated with the patient medical data to the remote computer. Also, a method controls the acquisition and analysis of patient medical data over a network by a central server from a remote computer operably interconnected by the network with the central server.

Abstract: Included in the payment of a financing amount corresponding to a loan or a lease of an item, such as an automobile, is a payment representing a portion of an insurance premium amount for an insurance policy having a term co-extensive with the term of the lease or the loan. The payment may be arranged for or completed over a computer network, such as the Internet.

Abstract: A business rules system that creates a dynamic solution set between objects that have never been associated with one another prior to that particular instance of evaluation. A rule engine evaluates the associated objects and is programmed to evaluate a complex situation, come up with a solution and, as a result, not require the intervention of a human being. The rule engine enables the user to customize the behavior of business objects (e.g., access control, order management, catalogs, and membership) to meet sophisticated business requirements. The invention provides a graphical user interface that allows a user to rapidly set up and maintain Business Rules in real time—with no source code recompilation needed. Domain tables are used to define the overall set of possible values for a given attribute of an object. Each rule may have one to many classes of interacting objects.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting and analyzing demographic information for consumer preference information. The system includes a computer database system adapted to accept and store product information and demographic information, and an open participation system with access over a wide area network to collect consumer preference information for storage in the computer database system. The method includes providing a computer information database for storing product information and demographic information, storing product information in the database, providing communication access through the wide area network, collecting user identification information, storing the collected user identification information in the database, enabling user access to the product information over the wide area network, collecting user preference information relating to the product information over the wide area network, and storing the collected user preference information in the database.

Abstract: The method begins with an insured operator or third party claimant reporting a vehicle damage claim to an insurance provider of the insured operator. The damaged vehicle is delivered to a facility operated by the insurance provider. The insured operator or third party claimant is provided with a rental car at the insurance provider's facility. A repair estimate is prepared at the insurer's facility by a representative of the insurance provider. A repair facility is then selected by the representative of the insurance provider. The vehicle is then picked up by the repair facility and repaired at the repair facility. The repaired vehicle is returned by the repair facility to the insurance provider's facility. The repaired vehicle is returned to the insured operator or third party claimant at the insurance provider facility. The insured operator or third party claimant also returns the rental vehicle at the insurance provider facility at the same time the repaired vehicle is picked up.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated web ranking system which enables advertisers to dynamically adjust pay-per-click bids to control advertising costs. The system tracks search terms which are used to market an advertiser's product or services in on line marketing media (“OMM”). The system determines the search term's effectiveness by collecting and analyzing data relating to the number of impressions, the number of clicks, and the number of resulting sales generated by a search term at a given time period. Based on the data collected and parameters which the advertiser provides relating to the advertiser's economic factors, the system calculates a maximum acceptable bid for each search term. The system monitors the web for competitor's bids on an advertiser's search term and places bids which fall below the maximum acceptable bid.

Abstract: A system for remotely managing bulk product storage in a storage location includes a computer accessible by a plurality of users; a measurer for measuring the storage level of a bulk product; a data processor associated with the measurer permitting recording of the storage level; a communicator associated with the measurer permitting communication with the computer; an access interface associated with the computer; at least one communications network permitting communication by a user to the computer and permitting communication with the computer by the communicator associated with measurer; a database accessible by the computer containing a plurality of data associated with the storage location; and a plurality of functional software modules executing on the computer for enabling a plurality of users to selectively manipulate the plurality of data associated with the storage location; including an administrative software module for enrolling storage locations and administering the system, a management softwa

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein enables a collection of computers and associated communications infrastructure to offer a new communications process which allows information providers to broadcast information to a population of information consumers. The information may be targeted to those consumers who have a precisely formulated need for the information. This targeting may be based on information which is inaccessible to other communications protocols. The targeting also includes a time element. Information can be brought to the attention of the consumer precisely when it has become applicable, which may occur immediately upon receipt of the message, but may also occur long after the message arrives. The communications process may operate without intruding on consumers who do not exhibit the precisely-specified need for the information, and it may operate without compromising the security or privacy of the consumers who participate.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an architecture of multiple agents is provided for setting up and enforcing policies within each site of a virtual network. A policy server represents the global policies of the site and each agent manages its own policies. Policies are dynamically downloaded from the policy server into agents that carry the responsibility to enforce them. Agents propagate their policies to the policy server to detect any conflict that may rise between agents during dynamic mapping and resource reservation. A negotiation mechanism is provided to resolve such conflicts. An authorization-based mechanism is also provided such that agents must request authorization before performing any action, in response to which a ticket is delivered to the requesting agent for accountability and security reasons.

Abstract: A method of discouraging healthcare fraud in conjunction with providing a health care service to a patient in which the patient provides a biometric signature. An event record is created where the event record creates an association between the biometric signature, a patient identifier, and location information indicating a location at which the biometric signature is obtained. The event record is stored in a central data store and can be later retrieved to verify the patient was present at the location.