Abstract: An improved seller automated engine architecture methodology particularly (though not exclusively) for use in automated real-time iterative reverse auctions over the Internet and the like for purchase and sale of goods and services, providing a choice of architectural implementations while enabling price optimization on market share-directed considerations, specific sales target-directed implementations, seller utility derivative-following implementations, model optimizer implementations and explorations, mathematical optimization-oriented and rules-based implementations.

Abstract: An improved seller automated engine architecture methodology particularly (though not exclusively) for use in automated real-time iterative reverse auctions and/or price quotations over the Internet and the like for purchase and sale of goods and services, providing a choice of architectural implementations while enabling price optimization on market share-directed considerations, specific sales target-directed implementations, seller utility derivative-following implementations, model optimizer implementations and explorations, mathematical optimization-oriented and rules-based implementations.

Abstract: The invention includes an exercise mat that provides intuitive tactile feedback allowing a user to determine body placement using the sense of touch. The invention enables visually impaired users to determine location and/or direction on the mat. The invention includes devices to assist a user in correct foot and hand placements during a yoga posture sequence, an exercise program, a dance routine, and so forth. Tactile markers for hand and foot placement enable discerning a reference marker as either intended for hand or foot, right side or left side, and forward or backward. The invention makes yoga more accessible to the visually impaired and enables a user to participate in mainstream yoga communities. The invention can be used for the practice of yoga in a class setting in schools for the blind, in public or private studios, or at home. The mat can be used in a yoga class to follow instructions with more ease and independence.

Abstract: A method and system of assessing the quality of a work through a quality review engine. The quality review system efficiently builds a ranked list of works. Competing and collaborating creators review each other's works through a variable, relative-measurement technique. Subject matter creators rate the quality of individual pieces of material, while concurrently being reviewed themselves to assess the level of expertise of each reviewer, and thus, the degree of weight that should be given to the commentary of each reviewer. Each review may itself be reviewed to assess a usefulness of the review to determine the weight the review should be given in the ranking process. Assigned reviews, monitored control works, and other fraud detection devices assure accurate rankings at a low cost.

Abstract: The invention is a method of testing a storage network that includes a method of handling data at the port and bus level. The method includes emulating targets in computer memory, receiving data from initiators, and passing to computer memory only a portion of the data received. Bandwidth of internal memory and paths to memory are de-coupled from devices under test attached to ports, such that full bandwidth testing is possible at all test clients simultaneously. Data passed on a wire is returned or discarded at the port or bus level. The invention is useful for testing networks that have high bandwidths, and for testing large storage area networks.

Abstract: The invention includes an exercise mat that provides intuitive tactile feedback allowing a user to determine body placement using the sense of touch. The invention enables visually impaired users to determine location and/or direction on the mat. The invention includes devices to assist a user in correct foot and hand placements during a yoga posture sequence, an exercise program, a dance routine, and so forth. Tactile markers for hand and foot placement enable discerning a reference marker as either intended for hand or foot, right side or left side, and forward or backward. The invention makes yoga more accessible to the visually impaired and enables a user to participate in mainstream yoga communities. The invention can be used for the practice of yoga in a class setting in schools for the blind, in public or private studios, or at home. The mat can be used in a yoga class to follow instructions with more ease and independence.

Abstract: An improved seller automated engine architecture methodology particularly (though not exclusively) for use in automated real-time iterative reverse auctions over the Internet and the like for purchase and sale of goods and services, providing a choice of architectural implementations while enabling price optimization on market share-directed considerations, specific sales target-directed implementations, seller utility derivative-following implementations, model optimizer implementations and explorations, mathematical optimization-oriented and rules-based implementations.

Abstract: An improved seller automated engine architecture methodology particularly (though not exclusively) for use in automated real-time iterative reverse auctions over the Internet and the like for the purchase and sale of goods and services, providing a choice of architectural implementations while enabling price optimization on market share-directed considerations, specific sales target-directed implementations, seller utility derivative-following implementations, model optimizer implementations and explorations, mathematical optimization-oriented and rules-based implementations.

Abstract: A system and method for emulating disk drives in a storage area network, including providing a system with one or more ports for connecting to a storage area network, emulating one or more targets for each port of the system, and emulating one or more LUNs for each emulated target of the system.

Abstract: The invention includes a system for providing an online entertainment network for user-contributed entertainment content. The system quickly and accurately identifies quality content from a vast pool of user-contributed content. User-contributed content is rated by those who contribute and those who view content. Fraud detection devices automatically detect and remove fraudulent ratings. Contests and prizes associated with specific categories of content provide incentives for contributors to provide quality content and rate many pairs of items. Contests may be localized by geography, organization, social network, and other relationships. Identified top-rated content is made available individually, or as a continuous stream of user-contributed entertainment content.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for recording, generating and presenting hedge strategy stock market forecasts based upon the collective input of individuals in an investment community. Input gathered from individuals in the investment community is aggregated and processed into consensus hedge strategy forecasts. A randomly generated pair of stock tickers is presented to a user. The user casts a vote by selecting the stock that the user thinks will outperform the other one over a specified period of time. The system records the resulting hedge strategy forecast, which is comprised of a long stock position for the stock chosen and a short stock position for the stock not chosen. The system tabulates input from multiple individuals to calculate consensus forecasts.

Abstract: A night light has an hook for interchangeably receiving artistic stained glass ornaments to be displayed in front of a light source. The night light improves the aesthetic benefits of stained glass using night lights.

Abstract: A system for and method of enhancing web page delivery. The invention provides the ability to control redirection of Web traffic of humans and search engine spiders. It can differentiate between these types of visitors to a Web page, track their movements, log critical information, and analyze the Web traffic in order to judge the success in driving quality traffic to some known goal on a Web site, such as a sale. The system may generate dynamically optimized web pages targeted to specific search engines, in order to optimize the search engine ranking and visibility of a Web site, such as an online marketer's Web site.

Abstract: A method and system and computer program product for automatically creating computer simulations or analyses of signal transfers of a circuit or system design are disclosed. A description of a physical design of a circuit or system is provided. The physical design has physical components and at least one of the physical components may transfer a signal to at least one other physical component. The physical design description includes an identification of the physical components and information descriptive of physical inter-connectivity among the physical components. A signal transfer description is provided for at least one signal transfer. The signal transfer description includes a set of source nodes and a set of receiver nodes. The set of source nodes provide the signal to be transferred and the receiver nodes receive the signal transferred from the corresponding set of source nodes. Each node is described by information associated with physical components.

Abstract: A system and method of generating index information for electronic documents. The system includes a client and one or more information retrieval (IR) engines, such as a search engine, which are each in communication with each other via a network.

Abstract: A system and method of generating index information for electronic documents. The system includes a client, one or more information retrieval (IR) engines, such as a search engine, which are each in communication with each other via a network. In one embodiment of the invention, the server maintains a plurality or data objects that are protected by digital rights management (DRM) software. Upon receiving a network request from one of the IR systems, the server dynamically generates an electronic document that provides index information that is associated with one of the data objects. In one embodiment of the invention, the server dynamically generates the contents of the electronic document based upon the indexing characteristics of the IR system. Furthermore, upon receiving a network request from one of the client, the server determines whether the client is authorized to access the data object that is associated with the network request.

Abstract: A variable diameter cylinder made from a sheet having first and second edges that are opposite to each other and that slideably connect with each other to form a helical joint of a cylinder such that sliding the edges of the sheet along the joint varies a diameter and length of the cylinder. When marked with a scale, the cylinder acts as a measuring device that is both highly accurate and easy to use. A helical-based scale can be used alone, or a linear scale can be used in combination with a Vernier scale.

Abstract: The invention provides a Software Development Program having a compiled programming language, Compiler for that language, and a built-in text Editor. The programming language has a block structure and simple syntax. The Software Development Program is distributed free to developers, but programs created with the Software Development Program must be licensed. In addition to machine-readable Object Code, Executable Files created with the Compiler include the embedded Source Code (including independent function libraries that help form an Executable Shell) from which they were created. Separate Source Code and Object Code files are not required. The Compiler edits the Executable Files directly, thereby eliminating the need for source code control.