Abstract: Managing merchant coverage areas is complex. Different merchants may have different coverage areas, with some products only available in some regions, and so forth. When a user is searching for an available product, the user expects search results quickly. These search results may take into consideration which merchants offer which products at a user's physical location, or other location-dependent considerations. A system provides customizable region sets arranged in a hierarchy, where individual regions are indicative of a geographic area. The customized regions are usable by merchants to identify products or services available in different regions. The customized regions are also used to describe a user's physical location. The system may use the hierarchy of regions to quickly and efficiently determine which products or services are available to a user.

Abstract: A smartphone that includes a communications interface to communicate via one or more Internet communications channels is provided. The smartphone also includes a service engine that communicates with a global server via an Internet channel using the communications interface to provide identification data to the global server. In response to providing the identification data, the service engine receives configuration data to configure the service engine with a selectable set of downloadable executables. The selectable set of downloadable executables include a selection of downloadable executables that is made at least in part by the global server using the identification data. A display presents at least some of the selectable set of downloadable executables on the smartphone, and an input device selects a downloadable executable from the selectable set. The service engine initiates a download of the selected downloadable executable using the communications interface.

Abstract: A client stores a first set of workspace data, and is coupled via a computer network to a global server. The client may be configured to synchronize portions of the first set of workspace data with the global server, which stores independently modifiable copies of the portions. The global server may also store workspace data which is not downloaded from the client, and thus stores a second set of workspace data. The global server may be configured to identify and authenticate a user seeking global server access from a remote terminal, and is configured to provide access to the first set or to the second set. Further, services may be stored anywhere in the computer network. The global server may be configured to provide the user with access to the services. The system may further include a synchronization-start module at the client site (which may be protected by a firewall) that initiates interconnection and synchronization with the global server when predetermined criteria have been satisfied.

Abstract: A client stores a first set of workspace data, and is coupled via a computer network to a global server. The client may be configured to synchronize portions of the first set of workspace data with the global server, which stores independently modifiable copies of the portions. The global server may also store workspace data which is not downloaded from the client, and thus stores a second set of workspace data. The global server may be configured to identify and authenticate a user seeking global server access from a remote terminal, and is configured to provide access to the first set or to the second set. Further, services may be stored anywhere in the computer network. The global server may be configured to provide the user with access to the services. The system may further include a synchronization-start module at the client site (which may be protected by a firewall) that initiates interconnection and synchronization with the global server when predetermined criteria have been satisfied.

Abstract: A client stores a first set of workspace data, and is coupled via a computer network to a global server. The client may be configured to synchronize portions of the first set of workspace data with the global server, which stores independently modifiable copies of the portions. The global server may also store workspace data which is not downloaded from the client, and thus stores a second set of workspace data. The global server may be configured to identify and authenticate a user seeking global server access from a remote terminal, and is configured to provide access to the first set or to the second set. Further, services may be stored anywhere in the computer network. The global server may be configured to provide the user with access to the services. The system may further include a synchronization-start module at the client site (which may be protected by a firewall) that initiates interconnection and synchronization with the global server when predetermined criteria have been satisfied.

Abstract: A smartphone that includes a communications interface to communicate via one or more Internet communications channels is provided. The smartphone also includes a service engine that communicates with a global server via an Internet channel using the communications interface to provide identification data to the global server. In response to providing the identification data, the service engine receives configuration data to configure the service engine with a selectable set of downloadable executables. The selectable set of downloadable executables include a selection of downloadable executables that is made at least in part by the global server using the identification data. A display presents at least some of the selectable set of downloadable executables on the smartphone, and an input device selects a downloadable executable from the selectable set. The service engine initiates a download of the selected downloadable executable using the communications interface.

Abstract: A client stores a first set of workspace data, and is coupled via a computer network to a global server. The client may be configured to synchronize portions of the first set of workspace data with the global server, which stores independently modifiable copies of the portions. The global server may also store workspace data which is not downloaded from the client, and thus stores a second set of workspace data. The global server may be configured to identify and authenticate a user seeking global server access from a remote terminal, and is configured to provide access to the first set or to the second set. Further, services may be stored anywhere in the computer network. The global server may be configured to provide the user with access to the services. The system may further include a synchronization-start module at the client site (which may be protected by a firewall) that initiates interconnection and synchronization with the global server when predetermined criteria have been satisfied.

Abstract: A system transmits new workspace elements or new workspace element changes at a first memory store via an electronic network to a second memory store. The system includes a first memory store for storing workspace elements, a second memory store coupled via an electronic network to the first memory store for storing workspace element copies, an interface for receiving new workspace elements at the first memory store, and a general synchronization module for electronically transmitting copies of the new workspace elements via the electronic network to the second memory store.

Abstract: A client stores a first set of workspace data, and is coupled via a computer network to a global server. The client may be configured to synchronize portions of the first set of workspace data with the global server, which stores independently modifiable copies of the portions. The global server may also store workspace data which is not downloaded from the client, and thus stores a second set of workspace data. The global server may be configured to identify and authenticate a user seeking global server access from a remote terminal, and is configured to provide access to the first set or to the second set. Further, services may be stored anywhere in the computer network. The global server may be configured to provide the user with access to the services. The system may further include a synchronization-start module at the client site (which may be protected by a firewall) that initiates interconnection and synchronization with the global server when predetermined criteria have been satisfied.

Abstract: A client stores a first set of workspace data, and is coupled via a computer network to a global server. The client may be configured to synchronize portions of the first set of workspace data with the global server, which stores independently modifiable copies of the portions. The global server may also store workspace data which is not downloaded from the client, and thus stores a second set of workspace data. The global server may be configured to identify and authenticate a user seeking global server access from a remote terminal, and is configured to provide access to the first set or to the second set. Further, services may be stored anywhere in the computer network. The global server may be configured to provide the user with access to the services. The system may further include a synchronization-start module at the client site (which may be protected by a firewall) that initiates interconnection and synchronization with the global server when predetermined criteria have been satisfied.

Abstract: A client stores a first set of workspace data, and is coupled via a computer network to a global server. The client may be configured to synchronize portions of the first set of workspace data with the global server, which stores independently modifiable copies of the portions. The global server may also store workspace data which is not downloaded from the client, and thus stores a second set of workspace data. The global server may be configured to identify and authenticate a user seeking global server access from a remote terminal, and is configured to provide access to the first set or to the second set. Further, services may be stored anywhere in the computer network. The global server may be configured to provide the user with access to the services. The system may further include a synchronization-start module at the client site (which may be protected by a firewall) that initiates interconnection and synchronization with the global server when predetermined criteria have been satisfied.

Abstract: A system and method distribute the task of decryption between a server and a client. To encrypt data, the client generates an encryption/decryption key. Namely, a user interface obtains a password, generally from a user. A hint generator generates a hint. A key generator generates the key based on the password and the hint. In one embodiment, the key generator hashes the password to generate a first secret, hashes the first secret to generate a second secret, hashes the first secret with the hint to generate an intermediate index, and hashes the second secret and the intermediate index to generate the key. An encryption engine can then use the key to encrypt data. The client then sends the encrypted data and possibly the hint for storage on the server. To decrypt the data, the key must be determined. Accordingly, the server knows some information and the user knows some information for decrypting the data.

Abstract: A global server includes a communications engine for establishing a communications link with a client; security means coupled to the communications engine for determining client privileges; a servlet host engine coupled to the security means for providing to the client, based on the client privileges, an applet which enables I/O with a secured service; and a keysafe for storing a key which enables access to the secured service. The global server may be coupled to multiple sites, wherein each site provides multiple services. Each site may be protected by a firewall. Accordingly, the global server stores the keys for enabling communication via the firewalls with the services.

Abstract: A system transmits new workspace elements or new workspace element changes at a first memory store via an electronic network to a second memory store. The system includes a first memory store for storing workspace elements; a second memory store coupled via an electronic network to the first memory store for storing workspace element copies; an interface for receiving new workspace elements at the first memory store; and a general synchronization module for electronically transmitting copies of the new workspace elements via the electronic network to the second memory store.

Abstract: A client stores a first set of workspace data, and is coupled via a computer network to a global server. The client may be configured to synchronize portions of the first set of workspace data with the global server, which stores independently modifiable copies of the portions. The global server may also store workspace data which is not downloaded from the client, and thus stores a second set of workspace data. The global server may be configured to identify and authenticate a user seeking global server access from a remote terminal, and is configured to provide access to the first set or to the second set. Further, services may be stored anywhere in the computer network. The global server may be configured to provide the user with access to the services. The system may further include a synchronization-start module at the client site (which may be protected by a firewall) that initiates interconnection and synchronization with the global server when predetermined criteria have been satisfied.

Abstract: The system includes a server coupled via a computer network to a client. Upon receiving a request for access, the server sends an authentication applet to the client. The authentication applet includes a user identification (ID) module for obtaining a user ID and a password module for obtaining a client password. The authentication applet also includes a response generator coupled to the password module for using the client password as a variable in an algorithm to compute a client response. The authentication applet further includes a communications module coupled to the response generator and to the user ID module for sending the client response and the user ID back to the server for verifying the response and authenticating the user. The client uses an applet engine to execute the applet. The server uses the user ID to retrieve user information, and uses the user information as a variable in an algorithm to generate a verification response.

Abstract: A client stores a first set of workspace data, and is coupled via a computer network to a global server. The client may be configured to synchronize portions of the first set of workspace data with the global server, which stores independently modifiable copies of the portions. The global server may also store workspace data which is not downloaded from the client, and thus stores a second set of workspace data. The global server may be configured to identify and authenticate a user seeking global server access from a remote terminal, and is configured to provide access to the first set or to the second set. Further, services may be stored anywhere in the computer network. The global server may be configured to provide the user with access to the services. The system may further include a synchronization-start module at the client site (which may be protected by a firewall) that initiates interconnection and synchronization with the global server when predetermined criteria have been satisfied.

Abstract: A client stores a first set of workspace data, and is coupled via a computer network to a global server. The client may be configured to synchronize portions of the first set of workspace data with the global server, which stores independently modifiable copies of the portions. The global server may also store workspace data which is not downloaded from the client, and thus stores a second set of workspace data. The global server may be configured to identify and authenticate a user seeking global server access from a remote terminal, and is configured to provide access to the first set or to the second set. Further, services may be stored anywhere in the computer network. The global server may be configured to provide the user with access to the services. The system may further include a synchronization-start module at the client site (which may be protected by a firewall) that initiates interconnection and synchronization with the global server when predetermined criteria have been satisfied.

Abstract: A system uses a global translator to automatically synchronize multiple copies of a workspace element across different formats between multiple sites in a secure network environment, independent of whether the sites are protected by site firewalls. The secure network environment includes a global server connected to multiple clients. The system includes a first store for storing a first workspace element in a first format, a second store for storing a second workspace element which is an independently-modifiable copy of the first workspace element in a second format, a communications channel coupling the first store to the second store, synchronization means for synchronizing the first workspace element and the second workspace element, and a translator for translating between the first format and the second format.

Abstract: A system installs and enables the use of a temporary certificate at a remote site. The system comprises a global server site, a temporary client site and a web site. The global server site includes a security module that identifies and authenticates the user at the temporary client site, and a web server engine that downloads a key generation downloadable and a certificate request engine downloadable upon user authentication to the client site. The client site includes a web engine that executes the key generation downloadable to generate a public key and a private key, and executes the certificate request engine downloadable to send the a temporary certificate request (including the public key) to the global server site. A temporary certificate generator at the global server site generates a temporary certificate having the public key and a validity period.