Abstract: A bag comprising a lockable pouch and a lockable handle is disclosed. The bag comprises a locking mechanism that secures the contents of the bag by securing a sliding fastener in place. In one embodiment, the handle and sliding fastener are both secured via a common key-operated mechanism. A handle that is removal at one end allows the handle to be placed around a stationary object as to secure the bag to that object while unattended. A single control is provided conveniently to release both the sliding fastener and the handle. The handle is comprised of a flexible yet strong material, such as a metal cable.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus for selecting a queue from a plurality of queues. The apparatus includes a hierarchal queue occupancy device to indicate an occupancy status of the plurality of queues, a next queue selector to select a queue based on said hierarchal queue occupancy device and a most recently serviced queue, and a queue identification register to identify a most recently serviced queue.

Abstract: An Ad Management System (AMS) for managing sales and insertion of targeted advertisements into advertising opportunities (“avails”). The AMS provides advertisers an ability to describe their advertisements (ad characteristics) in terms of target market demographics, required ad bandwidth, ad duration, and other ad specific parameters. The AMS receives the ad characteristics and matches the ads to the avails. The AMS tracks different avails including duration and bandwidth of the avail, and uses a number of schemes to determine if the ad can be placed in the avail. The AMS targets advertisements by correlating subscriber characteristics to the ad characteristics. The subscriber characteristics may be associated with groups of subscribers (e.g. nodes in cable television environments) or to individual subscribers.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use with capacitive presence detection systems. The apparatus includes a sensor (10) in the form of a tape which may be adhesively affixed to an object such as a parking gate (4) arm. Additionally, spaces for use in mounting the sensors (40) are disclosed which increase the depth of field of the sensor. The tape is a sandwich having a plastic film top layer, a metallic foil middle layer, and a plastic bottom layer having an adhesive material.

Abstract: A subscriber identification system is presented in which EPG related data including scrolling rates, paging rates, information screen viewing times, and manner and frequency of EPG activation are used to identify a subscriber from a group of subscribers. In one instance, the subscriber viewing data is recorded and a signal processing algorithm, such as a Fourier transform, is used to produce a processed version of the EPG related data. The processed version of the EPG related data can be correlated with stored common identifiers of subscriber profiles to determine which subscriber from the group is presently viewing the programming. A neural network or fuzzy logic can be used as the mechanism for identifying the subscriber from clusters of information, which are associated with individual subscribers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the insertion and transport of advertisements in a digital environment, including methods for directing advertisements (ads) at subscribers and substituting advertisements in a program stream with targeted advertisements. The insertion methods are based on synchronous, plesiochronous, or asynchronous techniques. These methods may operate at constant bit rates or at available bit rates. An ad manager is used to select targeted advertisements, and dynamic ad linking is used to substitute an advertisement in a program stream with an alternative targeted advertisement.

Abstract: A subscriber identification system is presented in which subscriber selection data including channel changes, volume changes, and time-of-day viewing information is used to identify a subscriber from a group of subscribers. In one instance, the subscriber viewing data is recorded and a signal processing algorithm such as a Fourier transform is used to produce a processed version of the subscriber selection data. The processed version of the subscriber selection data can be correlated with stored common identifiers of subscriber profiles to determine which subscriber from the group is presently viewing the programming. A neural network or fuzzy logic can be used as the mechanism for identifying the subscriber from clusters of information which are associated with individual subscribers.

Abstract: A targeted advertising system based on subgroups. Different subgroups are formed based on one or more subscriber characteristics, and different targeted advertisements transmitted to the different subgroups. In the Internet-environment, the subgroups are formed by utilizing multicast addresses. In cable-based and satellite-based systems, the subgroups are formed by node configurations. The targeted advertisements may be transmitted simultaneously with programming and inserted locally. An apparatus is presented which receives m program streams, n advertisements, and creates p presentation streams containing targeted advertisements, where p is greater than m.

Abstract: An advertisement selection system is presented in which vectors describing an actual or hypothetical market for a product or desired viewing audience can be determined. An ad characterization vector is transmitted along with a consumer ID. The consumer ID is used to retrieve a consumer characterization vector which is correlated with the ad characterization vector to determine the suitability of the advertisement to the consumer. The consumer characterization vector describes statistical information regarding the demographics and product purchase preferences of a consumer, and is developed from previous purchases or viewing habits. A price for displaying the advertisement can be determined based on the results of the correlation of the ad characterization vector with the consumer characterization vector.

Abstract: A subscriber characterization system is presented in which the subscriber's requests are transmitted to a server which fulfills those requests and performs monitoring of the subscriber requests for subsequent characterization of the subscriber. Monitoring includes maintaining records of the time duration programming is watched, the volume at which the programming is listened to, and any available information regarding the type of programming, including category and sub-category of the programming. The characterization system works across a network to extract textual information related to the programming from closed captioning data, electronic program guides, or other text sources associated with the programming. The extracted information is used to form program characteristics vectors. The programming characteristics vectors can be used in combination with the subscriber selection data to form a subscriber profile.

Abstract: An advertisement auction system is presented in which content/opportunity providers announce to advertisers that they have an opportunity to present an advertisement to a consumer. The advertiser transmits ad characterization information which is correlated with the consumer profile. Based on the results of the correlation, the advertisers place bids for the advertisement opportunity. Upon acceptance of a bid the advertisement is delivered to the consumer. The system can be applied to a variety of media including Internet advertisements, advertisements delivered over cable television systems, and printed materials such as magazines and periodicals. The system allows consumers to receive more targeted advertisements which match their lifestyle and interests, insures advertisers that their ads will be received by the appropriate audience, and allows the content/opportunity provider the ability to maximize revenue for the advertising opportunity.

Abstract: A consumer profiling system is presented in which consumer profiles are formed and updated based on their purchases. The consumer profiles contain both demographic data and product preferences. Purchase records are transmitted to the consumer profiling system which updates the consumer profiles based on product characterizations which include demographic profiles of the typical purchaser of that product as well as the product brand and size. The consumer profiles can be access by advertisers who transmit information characterizing their ads. The ad information is correlated with the consumer profile to produce a measure of the applicability of the ad to that consumer. The system allows the creation of consumer profiles describing demographic and product preference information. An advantage of the system is the ability to maintain the privacy of the information while still allowing it to be accessed to match advertisements and offers to consumers.

Abstract: An advertisement selection system is presented in which vectors describing an actual or hypothetical market for a product or desired viewing audience can be determined. An ad characterization vector is transmitted along with a consumer ID. The consumer ID is used to retrieve a consumer characterization vector which is correlated with the ad characterization vector to determine the suitability of the advertisement to the consumer. The consumer characterization vector describes statistical information regarding the demographics and product purchase preferences of a consumer, and is developed from previous purchases or viewing habits. A price for displaying the advertisement can be determined based on the results of the correlation of the ad characterization vector with the consumer characterization vector.