Abstract: A method (and system and signal-bearing medium) of optimizing office worker interactions, includes assigning weight values to worker interactions, defining distances between work space locations, and calculating a placement of workers in work spaces through the application of an optimizing process using the weight values and distances.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for auctioning in a data processing system. One or more parameters are provided for bidding on items, wherein the parameter exclude price. A set of bids is received for the items based on the one or more parameters. A winning bid is identified from the set of bids.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved system and method for managing the delivery and revenue associated with the access and delivery of educational content in a plural user operating environment such as a computer network. The invention provides a method and system which allows multiple users to access and pay for educational content in a variety of ways including in bulk, on a pay per view basis, or on a pay as you view basis. Likewise, the invention provides a method and system for reimbursing the author, owner, and supplier of the content accessed by the users as a variable function of student access to the content provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating an itinerary. User values assigned to a set of factors relating to travel from a first location to a second location are identified. These user values are compared to travel data for a route of travel from the first location to the second location to form a score.

Abstract: A system (and method) includes at least one sensor for sensing, in a vehicle, a presence of an unauthorized being, at least one system for emitting a warning based upon the output of the at least one sensor, and a device for transmitting a signal from the at least one sensor to the warning device.

Abstract: The system and method are directed to an improved calling procedure. In a preferred embodiment, instead of dialing telephone numbers, callers enter mnemonic, alphanumeric “phone addresses” (PA's). PA's may be entered using methods such as telephone keypad entry, keyboard entry, voice input, and handwriting input. A reference table, such as a database, lookup table, or the like, associates these phone addresses with actual telephone numbers. Accordingly, when caller enters a PA, the system connects the caller to the corresponding telephone number. In one embodiment, restrictions may be put into place whereby a caller must fulfill certain requirements, such as physical location or personal identity, to be connected to the corresponding telephone number. Additionally, in another embodiment, two or more parties may share the same PA. If a caller enters such a PA, the system acts in order to determine which of the parties who share that PA the caller wishes and/or is entitled to reach.

Abstract: A method and a computer program article of manufacture are disclosed for presenting an informational message to a client. This presentation occurs during a break of a media stream content. The break in the media content may be initiated by the client. This action of the client is detected and an appropriate informational message, including advertising is inserted into the media stream. An additional method is based on collecting revenues from advertisers for inserting their messages in the breaks of the media content stream.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for managing bookmarks. In response to detecting a service domain with a dynamic bookmark service, a client device sends a request containing criteria identifying a dynamic bookmark to the service domain. In these examples, the dynamic bookmark contains attributes or criteria that may be used to bind or locate regular bookmarks having similar attributes or criteria. The request is received by a server, which queries a data structure using the criteria for a bookmark, corresponding to or matching the criteria, to generate a result. This result is returned in a response to the client. The client processes any bookmarks received in the response, wherein any bookmarks returned in the request are bookmarks matching the dynamic bookmark.

Abstract: A system (and method) includes at least one sensor for sensing a presence of a vehicle occupant, and for sensing a dangerous environmental condition within a vehicle, at least one system for emitting a warning based upon the output of the at least one sensor, and a device for transmitting a signal from the at least one sensor to the warning device.

Abstract: A system (and method) includes a sound monitoring system, a detector for identifying a source of the sound, a computing system for processing the sound to trigger a notification event, and a user interface system for notifying at least one individual responsible for the sound.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting parallel marketing of an item, include forming at least one of a coating and a code on the item, interrogating the at least one of the coating and said code, and determining from the interrogating whether the item has been transferred from an authorized merchant to an unauthorized merchant.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for a remotely monitored and operated avatar is provided. The avatar is provided with one or more sensors for sensing environmental conditions of the environment in which the avatar is located. The one or more sensors send sensor data to a data processing system in the avatar which may perform processing and analysis on the sensor data to determine instructions for controlling the operation of the avatar such that the avatar interacts with an entity under observation. In addition, the avatar may transmit the sensor data to a remote assisted living server and/or remote observation center. The remote assisted living server and/or remote observation center may then perform processing and analysis of the sensor data to generate instructions which are transmitted to the avatar. In this way, the processing and analysis of the sensor data may be distributed amongst the avatar, the remote assisted living server, and the remote observation center, or any portion thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, method and computer program product for determining optimum routing of vehicles based on historical information as well as user preferences and current travel conditions. Historical data is compiled and statistically analyzed to determiner characteristics of each possible route between two points. The characteristic information is then used along with user preference information and current travel condition information to determine an optimum route between the two points. These characteristics provide an indicator to a traveler of the most probable experience they will encounter when traveling along a route under various conditions. Thus, a more complete determination of an optimum route may be determined in view of preferences of a user and experiences of other travelers, than the mere determination of shortest route or shortest travel time as in the prior art.

Abstract: A method (and system) of issuing a membership card to a user from a vending machine, includes selecting from information displayed on a vending machine according to an interest of the user, contacting entities selected by the user to set up the user's membership account, customizing a membership token with chosen membership privileges, and issuing the membership token to the user.

Abstract: A program, is stored on a computer readable medium and has a module to calculate a usage value representing resource usage for an entity under a billing plan within a cycle, calculated from measurements of at least two measurable parameters and a module to bill for excess resource usage when an expected resource usage for the entity is less than the usage value for the entity within the cycle. A method of allocating resources involves receiving a value representing an estimate of a calculated expected resource usage under a billing plan within a cycle, derived from at least two measurable resource parameters, aggregating the value with a current actual resource usage for the cycle, and adjusting a resource allocation based upon a comparing of a result of the aggregating and a current available resource amount.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for a datamining service vendor to provide subscribing power customers with electrical consumption data services. The system and method provide a mechanism by which electrical consumption is measured at the point of consumption over incremental periods of time. Customers can subscribe to a datamining service vendor which monitors and collects customer electrical consumption data at each addressed location within the customer's electrical network and provides the customer with a detailed report of power consumption statistics and trends. This allows the customer to make informed consumption choices resulting in cost savings to the customer and conservation of power generation resources.

Abstract: An improved radio frequency transponder has a reflector to increase its operative range. A system of one or more reflectors is operatively associated with a transponder and may be formed out of any sort of radio frequency reflective material. The reflector system can enhance reception or transmission of radio waves by or from the transponder. The reflector system may also be used to provide for selective coupling of the radio frequency transponder with a base station, user- or vehicle-supported reader, or the like based on relative orientation. In addition, the reflector system may be used to selectively reflect particular radio waves.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, method and computer program product for aggregating multiple marketplaces is provided. The apparatus, system, method and computer program product provide a mechanism by which users may obtain information regarding various goods and services suppliers registered with various marketplaces from a central location. The apparatus, system, method and computer program product further provide a uniform interface through which users may place orders for goods and/or services, obtain information from goods and services suppliers, and otherwise interface with goods and service suppliers. In so doing, the search time for searching for desired goods and services, transaction costs, and time and money spent on activities such as monitoring, maintaining, and coordinating bids and offers is reduced.

Abstract: A microphone bearing slider on a diagonal seatbelt member, together with a tethering tape that is positioned along the diagonal seatbelt, from a seatbelt hanger member to the buckle with attachment to the slider, in combination, operate to position the microphone at the same precise location for vocal transmission at each deployment, and to return the assembly to a storage position with no addition attention being required on the part of the communicating person.

Abstract: A system and method is directed to provide a consumer aggregation service in plural network servers. The invention is directed to a computer-executable program for use in network servers which allows a service provider to collect coupons, discounts, and other deals for its registered users to use in making purchases online. The invention has particular utility in connection with internet service providers that provide access to the World Wide Web. However, the invention is not limited to use in this context, and can be used in a variety of different networking systems where goods are sold by merchants.