Abstract: A system for inducing a physical state in a user. The system includes a sensor associated with the user, an audio output device, and a computer. The computer obtains, from a database, an identification of a type of music associated with a first phase of sleep, and determines, based on data from the sensor, that a user is in a second phase of sleep. Music of the type associated with the first phase of sleep is selected, and the selected music is output to the user through the audio output device.

Abstract: A method comprises making a set of personal profiles available, from at least one buy-side user to at least one sell-side user, each personal profile in the set of personal profiles including a first set of first values for a plurality of information fields, the plurality of information fields relating to commercial transactions. Based upon the at least part of the set of personal profiles, the method receives a request to enter into a trusted relationship from the at least one sell-side user at the at least one buy-side user, and receives a set of trusted relationship information from the at least one sell-side user at the at least one buy-side user. The method sends the set of trusted relationship information, from the at least one buy-side user to the at least one sell-side user.

Abstract: A predictive method may include determining the strength of a relationship between a user's health state and the user's consumption of media content having one or more features, based on health data and media consumption data corresponding to user consumption of media content items having the feature(s), and predicting an effect of consuming a media content item on the user's health. The prediction may be based on a determination that the strength of the relationship between the health state and the consumption of media content having the one or more features exceeds a threshold strength. A diagnostic method may include determining whether a media consumption signature associated with a health condition matches media consumption data for a population, and diagnosing the population with the health condition based on a determination that the media consumption signature associated with the health condition matches the media consumption data for the population.

Abstract: A predictive method may include determining the strength of a relationship between a user's health state and the user's consumption of media content having one or more features, based on health data and media consumption data corresponding to user consumption of media content items having the feature(s), and predicting an effect of consuming a media content item on the user's health. The prediction may be based on a determination that the strength of the relationship between the health state and the consumption of media content having the one or more features exceeds a threshold strength. A diagnostic method may include determining whether a media consumption signature associated with a health condition matches media consumption data for a population, and diagnosing the population with the health condition based on a determination that the media consumption signature associated with the health condition matches the media consumption data for the population.

Abstract: A networked commercial interaction management method assembles information into bundles that include a data element reference and meta data describing the data element. The method distributes the meta data and the data element reference from the bundles through the network, and distributes copies of the data elements in the bundles from the network node of their respective data owners to the network nodes of accessors using the meta data and the data element reference distributed through the network. In at least one embodiment, the method periodically issues bundle version identifying signals to different nodes of the network. The bundle version identifying signals indicate changes to the data elements to the network nodes of accessors.

Abstract: A networked system for managing commercial interactions is providing. In some embodiments, the system includes: a bundle-passing interface between a plurality of networked users including distribution logic including a distribution control input responsive to machine-readable information in the bundles; and a statistics collection engine including a control input responsive to machine-readable information in the bundles.

Abstract: A networked system for managing commercial interactions is providing. In some embodiments, the system includes: a bundle-passing interface between a plurality of networked users including distribution logic including a distribution control input responsive to machine-readable information in the bundles; and a statistics collection engine including a control input responsive to machine-readable information in the bundles.

Abstract: A method comprises making a set of personal profiles available, from at least one buy-side user to at least one sell-side user, each personal profile in the set of personal profiles including a first set of first values for a plurality of information fields, the plurality of information fields relating to commercial transactions. Based upon the at least part of the set of personal profiles, the method receives a request to enter into a trusted relationship from the at least one sell-side user at the at least one buy-side user, and receives a set of trusted relationship information from the at least one sell-side user at the at least one buy-side user. The method sends the set of trusted relationship information, from the at least one buy-side user to the at least one sell-side user.

Abstract: A method comprises making a set of personal profiles available, from at least one buy-side user to at least one sell-side user, each personal profile in the set of personal profiles including a first set of first values for a plurality of information fields, the plurality of information fields relating to commercial transactions. Based upon the at least part of the set of personal profiles, the method receives a request to enter into a trusted relationship from the at least one sell-side user at the at least one buy-side user, and receives a set of trusted relationship information from the at least one sell-side user at the at least one buy-side user. The method sends the set of trusted relationship information, from the at least one buy-side user to the at least one sell-side user.

Abstract: A networked system for managing commercial interactions is providing. In some embodiments, the system includes: a bundle-passing interface between a plurality of networked users including distribution logic including a distribution control input responsive to machine-readable information in the bundles; and a statistics collection engine including a control input responsive to machine-readable information in the bundles.

Abstract: A networked commercial interaction management method assembles information into bundles that include a data element reference and meta data describing the data element. The method distributes the meta data and the data element reference from the bundles through the network, and distributes copies of the data elements in the bundles from the network node of their respective data owners to the network nodes of accessors using the meta data and the data element reference distributed through the network. In at least one embodiment, the method periodically issues bundle version identifying signals to different nodes of the network. The bundle version identifying signals indicate changes to the data elements to the network nodes of accessors.

Abstract: A networked commercial interaction management method assembles information into bundles that include a data element reference and meta data describing the data element. The method distributes the meta data and the data element reference from the bundles through the network, and distributes copies of the data elements in the bundles from the network node of their respective data owners to the network nodes of accessors using the meta data and the data element reference distributed through the network. In at least one embodiment, the method periodically issues bundle version identifying signals to different nodes of the network. The bundle version identifying signals indicate changes to the data elements to the network nodes of accessors.

Abstract: A method comprises making a set of personal profiles available, from at least one buy-side user to at least one sell-side user, each personal profile in the set of personal profiles including a first set of first values for a plurality of information fields, the plurality of information fields relating to commercial transactions. Based upon the at least part of the set of personal profiles, the method receives a request to enter into a trusted relationship from the at least one sell-side user at the at least one buy-side user, and receives a set of trusted relationship information from the at least one sell-side user at the at least one buy-side user. The method sends the set of trusted relationship information, from the at least one buy-side user to the at least one sell-side user.

Abstract: A networked system for managing commercial interactions is providing. In some embodiments, the system includes: a bundle-passing interface between a plurality of networked users including distribution logic including a distribution control input responsive to machine-readable information in the bundles; and a statistics collection engine including a control input responsive to machine-readable information in the bundles.

Abstract: A networked commercial interaction management method assembles information into bundles that include a data element reference and meta data describing the data element. The method distributes the meta data and the data element reference from the bundles through the network, and distributes copies of the data elements in the bundles from the network node of their respective data owners to the network nodes of accessors using the meta data and the data element reference distributed through the network. In at least one embodiment, the method periodically issues bundle version identifying signals to different nodes of the network. The bundle version identifying signals indicate changes to the data elements to the network nodes of accessors.

Abstract: A computer-implemented networked commercial interaction management method distributes information bundles that include values for a plurality of content attribute descriptors and information fields characterizing commercial interactions. The content attribute descriptors include business language definition descriptors that specify the descriptive metadata of each of the information bundles, having at least one keyword having at least one value. The method monitors the distribution, response and manages the commercial interactions between networked users. Based on the keyword and the business language definition descriptors, the method derives traffic statistics based on the distribution and the response from the networked users via a statistics engine.

Abstract: A method comprises making a set of personal profiles available, from at least one buy-side user to at least one sell-side user, each personal profile in the set of personal profiles including a first set of first values for a plurality of information fields, the plurality of information fields relating to commercial transactions. Based upon the at least part of the set of personal profiles, the method receives a request to enter into a trusted relationship from the at least one sell-side user at the at least one buy-side user, and receives a set of trusted relationship information from the at least one sell-side user at the at least one buy-side user. The method sends the set of trusted relationship information, from the at least one buy-side user to the at least one sell-side user.

Abstract: A networked commercial interaction management method assembles information into bundles that include a data element reference and meta data describing the data element. The method distributes the meta data and the data element reference from the bundles through the network, and distributes copies of the data elements in the bundles from the network node of their respective data owners to the network nodes of accessors using the meta data and the data element reference distributed through the network. In at least one embodiment, the method periodically issues bundle version identifying signals to different nodes of the network. The bundle version identifying signals indicate changes to the data elements to the network nodes of accessors.

Abstract: A real-time messaging system and method for a plurality of users that obviates the need to install specialized, dedicated software on user computers, and renders the need to become a subscriber of the system unnecessary. The real-time messaging system is a rules-based system that applies a set of rules and user attributes to the availability status of the users to facilitate effective real-time communications between the users. The system allows each user to indicate his or her on-line presence via a hyperlink embedded in and displayable on a web page, an e-mail message, or other hyperlink-supporting document. Each hyperlink is associated with a URL that points to a document such as a web page configured to initiate an on-line meeting or teleconference. A user who wishes to participate in an on-line meeting or teleconference selects a hyperlink corresponding to a particular user or user group, thereby initiating the desired on-line meeting or teleconference.