Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for on-line authentication of a user. The system may include an authentication device, such as a portable authentication token, in communication with an authentication server or system of a trusted party. In one aspect, authentication is based on an authentication curve or data derived from it, the authentication curve being mapped from points that are based on a combination of unique data stored or obtained by the authentication device and provided to the authentication server, and on information stored or obtained at the authentication server. In one embodiment, authentication is based at least in part on biometric data of a user to be authenticated.

Abstract: A system and method for searching information from a database using a natural language. In one embodiment, the system analyzes a natural language search request and converts the search request into one or more search words. The search words are further converted into a string of bytes, and a subset of a target database, referred to as the datasoup, is searched. If there is a match between the bytes and raw data in the datasoup, the searched data is retrieved from the target database. The searched data is then formatted and provided to a user. Optionally, the searched data can be provided to the user unformatted. In another embodiment, the system includes a system server configured to receive a natural language search request, a core engine coupled to the system server and to the target database, and a system database coupled to the core engine, where the core engine accesses the system database to analyze the search request.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing an online support service using a natural language interface. The online support system is connected to a user computer by the Internet or other communication links, and is used by a user to search and retrieve information from a database. The system provides an interface for online support services that is user friendly and accepts natural language queries. The natural language interface processes misspelled queries and queries having syntax errors. Furthermore, the natural language interface allows the system to extract information from prior sessions and upgrade its own vocabulary and knowledge database. The method comprises the steps of accessing a server computer by the user computer, entering a query in a natural language form, processing the query by the natural language interface coupled to the server computer, searching the database coupled to the server computer using the processed query, retrieving results from the database, and providing the results to the user.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing e-commerce using a natural language interface. The natural language interface allows the user to formulate a query in a natural language form, rather than in conventional search terms. The natural language interface provides the user with a “user friendly” interface. The natural language interface can process a query even if there is not an exact match between the user formulated search words and the content in the database. Furthermore, the natural language interface is capable of processing misspelled queries or queries having syntax errors.