Abstract: A method and system for performing a movement of a service within a distributed system. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining one or more locations where the service is to be moved. The method further comprises for each of the one or more locations, computing a metric including a cross-cell cost (C-cost) or a data locality-cost (DL-cost) of the software service if a movement of the software service to a location was to occur, prior to performing the movement of the software service; and modelling a latency and availability of the system due to the movement of the software service to the location based on the metric. The method further comprises performing the movement of the service based on the modelled latency and availability of the system.

Abstract: The present invention is a space launch system and method to propel a payload bearing craft into earth orbit. The invention has two, or preferably, three stages. The upper stage has rocket engines capable of carrying a payload to orbit and provides the capability of releasably attaching to the lower, or preferably, middle stage. Similar to the lower stage, the middle stage is a reusable booster stage that employs all air breathing engines, is recoverable, and can be turned-around in a short time between missions.

Abstract: Saloot at its core is a money transferring service designed specifically around online voluntary micro payments, aka donations, tips, and other forms of reciprocation. It allows a web browser give amounts as small as a penny towards content they appreciate. Inherent to a voluntary payment is a power by the giver to choose when to give. Saloot.com utilizes this fact to tally these tips rather than attempt transactions at the time of each tip, which eliminates overbearing transaction charge issues for micro payments. Also with the transaction being delayed for a later date these pending tallies can be adjusted up or down, creating a certain impermanence which makes it safe to tip with-out filling in passwords or log-ins at each instance.

Abstract: A method of providing a stamp unit assembly with a tracking code comprising the steps of receiving a roll of stamp unit assemblies, providing the roll to a printer, applying a tracking code to each individual stamp in the roll of stamp unit assemblies using the printer, and separating the roll of stamp unit assemblies into individual mail stamp unit assemblies. The tracking code, in combination with a database having other codes associated with stages of the distribution of the stamp allows the vendor of the stamp to be determined from an inspection of the stamp.

Abstract: A system, method and related apparatus are described for reducing channel conflict between a manufacturer's direct sales channel and an indirect sales channel of independent sellers. The method generally includes receiving customer orders from the sellers or on behalf of the sellers through the indirect sales channel and receiving customer orders directly through the direct sales channel. A defined portion of the revenue derived through the direct sales channel is allocated into a compensation pool. At the end of a distribution cycle, the compensation pool is distributed among a plurality of sellers in the indirect sales channel based on each seller's sales contribution.

Abstract: A system and method for providing controlled inventory depletion of time-sensitive inventory comprising a front-end process for identifying time-sensitive inventory to be offered for selective sale; a sell off component for offering inventory for selective sale and for handling communications with prospective buyers; and a back-end process for automatically integrating the results of the selective sale into the yield and revenue management systems at the supplier site.

Abstract: A terrain surveillance, powered aircraft is disclosed to have an on-board video camera that is not gimballed relative to the aircraft, the aircraft typically comprising multiple components; the method of the invention including: assembling the components into aircraft configuration at or near a launch site; launching the aircraft at that site with no human pilot on board same; remotely controlling the flight path of the aircraft by radio or cable link, to fly to a location for terrain surveillance; operating the on-board video camera to survey the terrain while varying yaw of the aircraft to provide sweep viewing of the terrain; and recovering the aircraft by controlling its flight to steeply descend to a landing zone.