Abstract: In one embodiment, a method can include: (i) receiving a new contact in a contact center, where the new contact includes an expressed need; (ii) forming a resource set in response to the expressed need of the new contact, where the resource set includes one or more prospective resources; and (iii) sending a broadcast message to each of the prospective resources in the resource set.

Abstract: A Lactobacillus salivarius strain, AH102, AH103, AH105, AH109 or AH110 or mutants or variants thereof are useful in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of inflammatory activity especially undesirable gastrointestinal inflammatory activity, such as inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and data structures embodied in computer-readable media are provided for facilitating access to a service in a network. Title materials are received which include one or more of a first title object, a component of the first title object, or a reference to the first title object. The first title object is a first digital bearer instrument representing at least one right relating to the service, the first title object including a reference to the service. A second title object is identified with reference to a service registry and the reference to the service included in the first title object. The second title object is a second digital bearer instrument with which redemption of the at least one right relating to the service and represented by the first title object may be effected.

Abstract: A method of optimizing a contact management system using a computerized system including a set of titles. The method includes storing a set of user identity records in an identity management site, wherein each record of the set of user identity records can be redeemed by a pointer. The method also includes generating a contact title including the pointer for the record; storing the contact title in a first title management site; selecting the contact title; redeeming the record from the identity management site; and displaying the record.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described which enable flexible and secure processing of digital bearer instruments. An architecture is provided that enables provision of an extensible applications framework that flexibly supports a variety of features and functionality supporting title-based rights processing operations. A wide range of methods of defining and assuring rights processing operating environments extend the capabilities of rights processing operating environments in a variety of ways.

Abstract: The present invention in at least some embodiments relates to improved methods and systems for governing access to SAN data storage devices (or simply “SAN devices”) employed in SAN systems. In some embodiments, the method involves storing a list at a SAN device. The list can be an exclusion list identifying devices that are not allowed to access the SAN device. During normal operation, the SAN device automatically contacts the SAN (or a component of the SAN, such as a SAN switch) to determine the identities of new devices that have entered into communication with the SAN. The SAN device then automatically updates the exclusion list to include those new devices such that, without further instructions, the SAN device is not accessible by those new devices. The method further can relate to the setup and failure recovery of SAN devices employed in SAN systems.

Abstract: A strain of Bifidobacterium isolated from resected and washed human gastrointestinal tract is significantly immunomodulatory following oral consumption in humans. The strain is useful in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of undesirable inflammatroy activity, especially gastrointestinal inflammatory activity such as inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome. The inflammatory activity may also be due to cancer.

Abstract: A strain of Lactobacillus salivarius isolated from resected and washed human gastrointestinal tract inhibits a broad range of Gram positive and Gram negative microorganisms and secretes a product having antimicrobial activity into a cell-free supernatant. The activity is produced only by, growing cells and is destroyed by proteinase K and pronase E, the inhibitory properties of the strain and its secretory products being maintained in the presence of physiological concentrations of human bile and human gastric juice. The strain exhibits a broad-spectrum of activity against bacteria including Listeria, Staphylococcus, including methocillin resistant St. aureus (MRSA), and Bacillus, but does not inhibit many closely related lactobacilli. An antimicrobial agent is obtained from the strain which has bacteriocin-like properties.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for managing data on a storage device. In one embodiment, the apparatus is embodied in computer readable program code and comprises a management interface. The apparatus and method may identify and categorize data on the storage device. In one embodiment, the data is checked against one or more thresholds on a programmed and periodic basis. When one or more of the thresholds are satisfied, the user is alerted, and at least a portion of the data may be reallocated based on the category thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring performance of a storage device. Preferably, the apparatus is embodied in computer readable program code. The apparatus and method may intercept communications between a computer system and the storage device, wherein the communications are compared to a threshold value and/or a predicted failure of the storage device. The apparatus and method may also respond to a decline in the performance of the storage device based on the analyzed communications, and preferably prior to the predicted failure thereof.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are describe for providing access to identity information corresponding to a first entity. The identity information includes a plurality of identity components stored in a distributed manner. A first identity access title object is generated which is operable to confer rights to access first selected ones of the identity components to a presenter of the first identity access title object. The first identity access title object is transmitted to a second entity. Access to the first selected identity components is facilitated in response to presentation of the first identity access title object by the second entity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for the distribution of digital assets in title-enabled systems. More specifically, these methods and apparatus employ title objects, i.e., unique instances of digital bearer instruments, to optimize the distribution of digital assets.

Abstract: A method for applying a coating by a cathodic is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) providing a cathodic arc coater that includes a power source and utilizes a disk-shaped cathode, the cathode having an evaporative surface extending between a first end surface and a second end surface, wherein the evaporative surface has an area; b) determining a maximum acceptable power density for the evaporative surface; and c) applying a magnitude of electrical current from the power source to the cathode, wherein the electrical current magnitude divided by the area is equal to or less than the maximum acceptable power density for the evaporative surface.

Abstract: An implantable heart-monitoring device designed to distinguish two differing heart rhythms. The device comprises electrodes, a template, and first, second and third electronic mechanisms. The first electronic mechanism converts electrical representations of heartbeats from the electrodes into digital data and performs calculations including at least a partial discrete wavelet transform upon the digital data to generate a subset of discrete wavelet transform components including components for distinguishing the two differing heart rhythms and also demonstrated to be relatively low in variability from one patient to another. The template contains a corresponding subset of discrete wavelet transform components captured from at least one individual whose heart was beating in accordance with one of the two differing heart rhythms. The second electronic mechanism correlates the subset of transform components against the template components and provides a correlation value.

Abstract: A title management apparatus resident on a first computer including a memory for storing a control program and data, and a processor for executing the control program and for managing the data. The apparatus includes a title object resident in the memory including a title structure, the title structure further comprising a content element, a set of attributes, and a set of title object security indicia. The apparatus further includes an authorization structure configured to selectively redeem the content element based at least in part on the user security indicia, and further configured to use a set of protocols. The apparatus also includes a title management structure configured to associate a user with the title object based at least in part on the user data and the title attributes.

Abstract: A method of optimizing a contact management system using a computerized system including a set of titles. The method includes storing a set of user identity records in an identity management site, wherein each record of the set of user identity records can be redeemed by a pointer. The method also includes generating a contact title including the pointer for the record; storing the contact title in a first title management site; selecting the contact title; redeeming the record from the identity management site; and displaying the record.

Abstract: A title management apparatus is resident on a computer server and includes a memory for storing a control program and data, and a processor for executing the control program and for managing the data. The computer memory has user data resident including user security indicia. A plurality of title objects are resident in the memory, where each title object includes a content element, attributes, and security indicia. An authorization structure is configured to selectively grant access to users based at least in part of the user security indicia. A title management structure configured to associate a user with particular title objects based at least in part of the user data and the title attributes, and the title management structure is configured to support the exchange of title objects between users. Advantages of the invention include the ability to manage titles over a network such as the Internet.

Abstract: A method of facilitating a transaction between a merchant and a buyer using a computerized system including a set of titles. The method includes storing the set of titles in a merchant site corresponding to a set of products for sale; browsing the merchant site using a client device and selecting a product for purchase; and generating a payment slip title for the product including information relating to a payment amount and a buyer identifier. The method further includes selecting a payment structure from a set of available payment structures; modifying the payment slip title to include information corresponding to the selected payment structure; releasing the product title to the buyer; and transmitting the payment amount to the merchant.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described which enable transactions in electronic networks relating to digital assets, e.g., digital goods or services, through the use of title objects. A title object may have a number of elements and attributes which identify one or more digital assets and define access rights to the corresponding digital asset(s).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described which enable transactions in electronic networks through the use of title objects. A title object may have a number of elements and attributes which identify one or more digital assets or resources and define access rights to the corresponding digital assets or resources. An agent acting on behalf of the user enables the user to manage the titles in his rights portfolio and engage in transactions in network environments.