Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for allowing E-coupons to be generated by a customer based, at least in part, by actions taken by the customer. In one embodiment, a pyramid arrangement is disclosed in which the customer obtains E-coupons based primarily on activities performed by someone else in the pyramid. In another embodiment, the customer may make a purchase and credits for that purchase may be applied to another customer's account in the form of an E-coupon.

Abstract: Systems and methods are established for data that is obtained auxiliary to but concurrent with a given transaction to be coordinated and stored in association with the transaction account data to which the transaction pertains. In one embodiment, the stored auxiliary data is provided to the user at the time the user views his/her account transactions. In another embodiment, the auxiliary information is provided to the user at the time of the transaction for authorization purposes. In a still further embodiment, the obtained auxiliary data is matched against prestored data to resolve questionable transactions. The provided data can be delivered via a phone call, email or over an Internet connection to the user.

Abstract: Users may identify on an interactive network merchandise that they desire and merchandise providers may access the identified merchandise from time to time so as to provide merchandise that matches the identified merchandise. In one embodiment, merchandise providers may access merchandise requests from time to time and provide the requested merchandise, even if the merchandise had not been available at the time the request was initially posted. Prior to delivery of the merchandise the parties, if desired, may negotiate when and how delivery will occur, what the cost of the merchandise is and the responsibilities of each of the parties pertaining to the merchandise. The requests may be stored local to the user or at one or more central sites.

Abstract: Users may identify on an interactive network merchandise that they desire and merchandise providers may access the identified merchandise from time to time so as to provide merchandise that matches the identified merchandise. In one embodiment, merchandise providers may access merchandise requests from time to time and provide the requested merchandise, even if the merchandise had not been available at the time the request was initially posted. Prior to delivery of the merchandise the parties, if desired, may negotiate when and how delivery will occur, what the cost of the merchandise is and the responsibilities of each of the parties pertaining to the merchandise. The requests may be stored local to the user or at one or more central sites.

Abstract: A method of searching and purchasing items comprises receiving, via an electronic device having a processor, one or more search queries associated with a user-specified item, and causing a search engine, in communication with the processor, to search one or more databases for the user-specified item using the one or more search queries, thereby generating a search result indicating whether the user-specified item is available or unavailable for purchase. In response to the search result indicating that the user-specified item is unavailable for purchase, the search engine repeatedly searches, the one or more databases at specified time intervals until the search result indicates that the user-specified item is available for purchase. In response to the search result indicating the user-specified item is available for purchase, the method communicates to a user, via the electronic device, that the item is available for purchase.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed which allow a person to pre-set preferred calling times for receiving incoming calls. During these pre-set times (which could vary from day to day) calls that arrive are interrupted such that ringing tone is not applied to at least some of the telephones at the user's premises. The caller is informed that the user prefers not to receive calls until the pre-set time. In one embodiment, the caller is given the option of leaving a message or, if the caller desires, completing the call. The system can be implemented by a call answer machine at the customer's premises while in another embodiment the interrupt occurs at a central switching point.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method in which advantage is taken of the fact that a great percentage of the general public have on their person some form of communication device. When such communication devices are within certain pre-defined physical locations their relative position can serve to allow communications to be directed to the device simply by using the location of that device as a network address. In one embodiment, the defined space is a public conveyance, such as an airplane, train or bus, having defined seating. In such a situation, the network address for a device is the seat location of the device.

Abstract: There is disclosed systems and methods for controlling communication of navigation positioning information from a source of said information to another device for tracking purposes. In one embodiment, a master portable device is grouped with a plurality of other portable devices and the master device maintains and displays the geographic positions of all of the devices in the group.

Abstract: Television users may record abstracts of programs that they desire and program providers may access the recorded program abstracts from time to time so as to provide the program content that matches the requested program. In one embodiment, the user may select a TV program (or movie) that is not currently available and then at a time subsequent thereto that program is made available to the user, either privately, or over the public network. In another embodiment, users of the system may record program requests. Program providers may then access these requests from time to time and provide the requested program, even if the program had not been available at the time the request was initially posted.

Abstract: There is disclosed systems and methods for controlling communication of navigation positioning information from a source of said information to another device for tracking purposes. In one embodiment, a user having a communicating device that maintains a record of its present location establishes a communication link to one or more selected targets and then grants permission to his/her device to continually send updates of his/her device's position to said selected other devices. These updated communications can be on a data channel of a voice communication device if desired. In one embodiment, said receiving device can deliver said coordinates (translated into street locations if desired) in an audio fashion, or said receiving device can visually display (perhaps on a grid overlay) said position of said sending device or environmental data from said sending device.

Abstract: Television users may record abstracts of programs that they desire and program providers may access the recorded program abstracts from time to time so as to provide the program content that matches the requested program. In one embodiment, the user may select a TV program (or movie) that is not currently available and then at a time subsequent thereto that program is made available to the user, either privately, or over the public network. In another embodiment, users of the system may record program requests. Program providers may then access these requests from time to time and provide the requested program, even if the program had not been available at the time the request was initially posted.

Abstract: Television users may record abstracts of programs that they desire and program providers may access the recorded program abstracts from time to time so as to provide the program content that matches the requested program. In one embodiment, the user may select a TV program (or movie) that is not currently available and then at a time subsequent thereto that program is made available to the user, either privately, or over the public network. In another embodiment, users of the system may record program requests. Program providers may then access these requests from time to time and provide the requested program, even if the program had not been available at the time the request was initially posted.

Abstract: Television users may record abstracts of programs that they desire and program providers may access the recorded program abstracts from time to time so as to provide the program content that matches the requested program. In one embodiment, the user may select a TV program (or movie) that is not currently available and then at a time subsequent thereto that program is made available to the user, either privately, or over the public network. In another embodiment, users of the system may record program requests. Program providers may then access these requests from time to time and provide the requested program, even if the program had not been available at the time the request was initially posted.

Abstract: There is disclosed systems and methods for controlling the communication of navigation positioning information from a source of the information to another device for tracking purposes. In one embodiment, a user having a communicating device that maintains a record of its present location establishes a communication link to one or more selected targets and then grants permission to his/her device to continually send updates of his/her device's position to the selected other devices. When the devices are converging, the receiving device can display the FTA of the sending device. These updated communications can be on a data channel of a voice communication device if desired.

Abstract: In one embodiment there is disclosed an application program in which a document is created containing complex rendering codes which codes identify locations within the document where material other than the basic medium is to be inserted or where special treatment is required. These rendering codes control, for example, the insertion of tabs, special attributes of the tabs, such as color, printing, etc, the type of binding the document is to have, the type of printing, the type of assembly, the downloading of material from other sources, the tailoring of portions of the document to the end user, etc. During the rendering process the rendering codes are used to insure that the finished product is rendered exactly as contemplated by the document creator even when the document is rendered without assistance from the creator and without the need for communicated directions outside of the created document.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of supporting a financial transaction involving an owner of IP rights. A potential guarantor evaluates the IP rights to determine a guarantee value thereof. The guarantor then provides a pledge to pay to a named party the determined guarantee value in exchange for the guarantor receiving ownership of the IP rights in the event of a default of the financial transaction. In one embodiment, a third party provides payment even prior to any such default occurring.

Abstract: Users may record abstracts of information that they desire and information providers may access the recorded information abstracts from time to time so as to provide the information content that matches the requested information. In one embodiment, the user may select a TV program (or movie) that is not currently available and then at a time subsequent thereto that program is made available to the user, either privately, or over the public network. In another embodiment, users of the Internet may record information requests. Information providers may then access these requests from time to time and provide the requested information, even if the information had not been available at the time the request was initially posted. Prior to delivery of the information content the parties, if desired, may negotiate when and how delivery will occur, how much information will be provided, the cost of the information and the responsibilities of each of the parties pertaining to that information.

Abstract: Television users may record abstracts of programs that they desire and program providers may access the recorded program abstracts from time to time so as to provide the program content that matches the requested program. In one embodiment, the user may select a TV program (or movie) that is not currently available and then at a time subsequent thereto that program is made available to the user, either privately, or over the public network. In another embodiment, users of the system may record program requests. Program providers may then access these requests from time to time and provide the requested program, even if the program had not been available at the time the request was initially posted. Prior to delivery of the program content the parties, if desired, may negotiate when and how delivery will occur, how much of the program will be provided, the cost of the program and the responsibilities of each of the parties pertaining to that program.

Abstract: There is disclosed an in-line free-form sensor for controlling power flow to a utilization device. The in-line sensor is contained within a housing attached along a power cord and the housing contains no externally-visible moving parts. The sensor can be trained to respond to certain stimuli, such as light, sound, temperature, human presence, and/or motion. The sensor can control the power directly by operation of a switch or can provide signals for use by a device external to said housing.

Abstract: There is disclosed an in-line free-form sensor for controlling power flow to a utilization device. The in-line sensor is contained within a housing attached along a power cord and the housing contains no externally-visible moving parts. The sensor can be trained to respond to certain stimuli, such as light, sound, temperature, human presence, and/or motion. The sensor can control the power directly by operation of a switch or can provide signals for use by a device external to said housing.