Abstract: A method for readers of articles in magazines, newspapers, or similar media to purchase supplemental information on portions of information in the articles from publishers that print the articles, operators of electronic databases containing the supplemental information, or third party intermediaries handling requests for supplemental information. Embedded in the midst of an article is a code that is physically positioned to identify a limited portion of information in the article. A reader may use the code to indicate further interest in supplemental information located in an electronic database, and to select a method of delivery whereby the supplemental information in the database can be delivered the reader.

Abstract: A system and method for processing buyer offers of products, to diminish the occurrence of similar, repetitive offers whereby buyers “ping” to determine a confidential floor price for the products. In one embodiment, a first offer is received from a buyer, the first offer including a plurality of offer terms each having a respective first value. A second offer is later received from the same party, the second offer including generally the same plurality of offer terms each having a respective second value. The invention operates to determine for each of the plurality of offer terms a corresponding unacceptable similarity range, and to compare the respective first values with the respective second values for each of the offer terms. If the respective first and second values for at least one of the plurality of offer terms fall within the unacceptable similarity range, a first selected process is performed on the second offer.

Abstract: A dynamic quality control conditional purchase offer (CPO) management system is disclosed for processing CPOs received from one or more buyers for a product. The dynamic quality control CPO management system processes each received CPO to determine whether one or more sellers are willing to accept a given CPO. The dynamic quality control CPO management system initially evaluates received CPOs to identify CPOs which are not statistically likely to be accepted by sellers. If a received CPO is statistically likely to be accepted, the dynamic quality control CPO management system can submit the CPO for further consideration by sellers to determine if any seller actually accepts the CPO, or provisionally accept the CPO.

Abstract: An unspecified-time airline ticket representing a purchased seat on a flight to be selected later, by the airlines, for a traveler-specified itinerary (e.g., NY to LA on March 3) is disclosed. Various methods and systems for matching an unspecified-time ticket with a flight are also disclosed. An exemplary method includes: (1) making available an unspecified-time ticket; (2) examining a plurality of flights which would fulfill the terms of the unspecified-time ticket to determine which flight to select; and (3) providing notification of the selected flight prior to departure. The disclosed embodiments provide travelers with reduced airfare in return for flight-time flexibility and, in turn, permits airlines to fill seats that would have otherwise gone unbooked.

Abstract: An unspecified-time airline ticket representing a purchased seat on a flight to be selected later, by the airlines, for a traveler-specified itinerary (e.g., NY to LA on March 3rd) is disclosed. Various methods and systems for matching an unspecified-time ticket with a flight are also disclosed. An exemplary method includes: (1) making available an unspecified-time ticket; (2) examining a plurality of flights which would fulfill the terms of the unspecified-time ticket to determine which flight to select; and (3) providing notification of the selected flight prior to departure. The disclosed embodiments provide travelers with reduced airfare in return for flight-time flexibility and, in turn, permits airlines to fill seats that would have otherwise gone unbooked.

Abstract: A method for readers of standard-length articles in magazines, newspapers, or similar printed media to purchase supplemental information on portions of information in the articles from publishers that print the articles, operators of electronic databases containing the supplemental information, or third party intermediaries handling requests for supplemental information. Embedded in the midst of the printed articles is a code that is physically positioned to identify a limited portion of information in the printed article. A reader may use the code to indicate further interest in supplemental information located in an electronic database, and to select a method of delivery whereby the supplemental information in the database can be delivered the reader.

Abstract: A system and method for issuing traveler's checks at a user's home or business using the purchaser's own computer system to allow the user to obtain traveler's checks at any time, in any denominations and without having to travel to an issuer location. User information, including a user identifier and a quantity and face value of bearer notes to be issued, are received from a user at an issuer central controller. The issuer central controller generates at least one code for generating the bearer notes and transmits the code to the user. Bearer notes including the code are then generated. Preferably, the user has registered with the note issuer prior to issuance of the notes. During registration, information relating to the user, such as identifying information and an account identifier are received from the user and stored in a database. A user identifier is transmitted to the user.

Abstract: A system and method for issuing travelers checks at a user's home or business using the purchaser's own computer system to allow the user to obtain travelers checks at any time, in any denominations and without having to travel to an issuer location. User information, including a user identifier and a quantity and face value of bearer notes to be issued, are received from a user at an issuer central controller. The issuer central controller generates at least one code for generating the bearer notes and transmits the code to the user. Bearer notes including the code are then generated. Preferably, the user has registered with the note issuer prior to issuance of the notes. During registration, information relating to the user, such as identifying information and an account identifier are received from the user and stored in a database. A user identifier is transmitted to the user.

Abstract: A system for establishing, anonymous communications includes a plurality of party terminals, a plurality of requestor terminals, and a central controller. The system receives and stores party data about respective parties. Upon receiving criteria for parties of interest from a requestor terminal and authorization from respective parties, the central controller releases to the requestor party associated with the parties. The system also establishes communications channels between parties and the requestor, while maintaining their anonymity.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems for connecting a caller to a content provider who provides a service to the caller over the telephone system. In accordance with the invention, a caller establishes a prepaid account with an intermediary, termed a transaction processor. When the caller wishes to access a content provider, the caller makes a telephone call to the transaction processor providing access to a plurality of content providers via a common access number. The caller identifies his prepaid account and the desired content provider. The transaction processor connects the caller to the content provider, monitors the connection between the caller and the content provider, and debits the caller's prepaid account according to the service provided by the content provider.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems for connecting a caller to a content provider who provides a service to the caller over the telephone system. In accordance with the invention, a caller establishes a prepaid account with an intermediary, termed a transaction processor. When the caller wishes to access a content provider, the caller makes a telephone call to the transaction processor providing access to a plurality of content providers via a common access number. The caller identifies his prepaid account and the desired content provider. The transaction processor connects the caller to the content provider, monitors the connection between the caller and the content provider, and debits the caller's prepaid account according to the service provided by the content provider.

Abstract: A conditional purchase offer (CPO) management system is disclosed for receiving CPOs from one or more customers, such as cruise and airline passengers, and for evaluating the received CPOs against a number of CPO rules defined by a plurality of sellers, such as cruise operators and airlines, to determine whether any seller is willing to accept a given CPO. A CPO is a binding offer containing one or more conditions submitted by a customer for purchase of an item, such as airline travel, at a customer-defined price. A CPO rule is a set of restrictions defined by a given seller, such as a cruise operator or an airline, to define a combination of restrictions for which the seller is willing to accept a predefined price. The CPO rules may be securely stored by one or more servers. The CPO management system permits a seller to correct for forecasting errors, if necessary, or other competitive forces which have produced excess capacity, by providing inventory for sale to CPO customers.

Abstract: A conditional purchase offer (CPO) management system is disclosed for receiving CPOs from one or more customers, such as airline passengers, and for evaluating the received CPOs against a number of CPO rules defined by a plurality of sellers, such as airlines, to determine whether any seller is willing to accept a given CPO. A CPO is a binding offer containing one or more conditions submitted by a customer for purchase of an item, such as airline travel, at a customer-definied price. A CPO rule is a set of restrictions defined by a given seller, such as an airline, to define a combination of restrictions for which the seller is willing to accept a predefined price. The CPO rules may be securely stored by one or more servers. The CPO management system permits a seller to correct for forecasting errors, if necessary, or other competitive forces which have produced excess capacity, by providing inventory for sale to CPO customers.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for encouraging buyers to submit CPOs to a CPO management system for a desired product. The CPO management system processes each received CPO to determine whether one or more sellers are willing to accept a given CPO. The disclosed CPO management system compensates buyers if the buyer's conditional purchase offer is rejected, or expires before an acceptance is received. If a CPO is rejected by the sellers, or has expired before an acceptance is received, the CPO management system evaluates one or more stored compensation offers to determine if the buyer is eligible for rejection compensation. The compensation offers may optionally require that the conditional purchase offer satisfies one or more additional predefined eligibility criteria. If the predefined criteria is met, the rejection compensation is provided to the buyer.

Abstract: A method for readers of standard-length articles in magazines, newspapers, or similar printed media to purchase supplemental information on portions of information in the articles from publishers that print the articles, operators of electronic databases containing the supplemental information, or third party intermediaries handling requests for supplemental information. Embedded in the midst of the printed articles is a code that is physically positioned to identify a limited portion of information in the printed article. A reader may use the code to indicate further interest in supplemental information located in an electronic database, and to select a method of delivery whereby the supplemental information in the database can be delivered the reader.

Abstract: An unspecified-time airline ticket representing a purchased seat on a flight to be selected later, by the airlines, for a traveler-specified itinerary (e.g., NY to LA on March 3rd) is disclosed. Various methods and systems for matching an unspecified-time ticket with a flight are also disclosed. An exemplary method includes: (1) making available an unspecified-time ticket; (2) examining a plurality of flights which would fulfill the terms of the unspecified-time ticket to determine which flight to select; and (3) providing notification of the selected flight prior to departure. The disclosed embodiments provide travelers with reduced airfare in return for flight-time flexibility and, in turn, permits airlines to fill seats that would have otherwise gone unbooked.

Abstract: A system for establishing anonymous communications includes a plurality of party terminals, a plurality of requester terminals, and a central controller. The system receives and stores party data about respective parties. Upon receiving criteria for parties of interest from a requestor terminal and authorization from respective parties, the central controller releases to the requester party associated with the parties. The system also establishes communications channels between parties and the requester, while maintaining their anonymity.

Abstract: A system for facilitating employment searches using anonymous communications includes a plurality of party terminals, a plurality of requestor terminals, and a central controller. The system receives and stores employment data about prospective employment candidates. Upon receiving criteria for candidates of interest from an employer and authorization from the candidates, the central controller releases to the employer the employment data associated with the candidates. The system also establishes communications channels between the employer and the candidates, while maintaining their anonymity.

Abstract: A system and method for issuing and clearing traveler's checks that are paid for by credit card. A quantity of traveler's checks having a total value are sold to a buyer. An account identifier is received from the buyer. A lock is placed against the identified account for a lock value of at least a portion of the total value. Preferably, the identified account is a credit card account. The lock value and the credit card account number are communicated to a credit card clearing house and an authorization that a lock equal to the lock value has been placed against the credit card account is then received from the credit card clearing house. Information identifying the credit card account of the buyer of each traveler's check that is sold is communicated to the traveler's check issuer, which stores the information in a database. When the buyer cashes a traveler's check, the traveler's check issuer obtains payment on the check.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and program for determining a price of an option to purchase an airline ticket, and for facilitating the sale and exercise of those options. By purchasing an option, a customer can lock in a specified airfare without tying up his money and without risking the loss of the ticket price if his travel plans change. Pricing of the options may be based on departure location criteria, destination location criteria, and travel criteria.