Abstract: Method and structure for creating an electronically transmittable document having links therein which does not affect the integrity of the document as provided. The information is formatted to have a text portion, and an endnote portion, the endnote portion being independent of the text portion. The endnote portion includes link information for linking identified portions of the text with other ancillary link information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for collecting, managing, distributing and updating geophysical data primarily for E&P companies include in one embodiment the sale of subscriptions entitling paid subscribers access to all subscribed data including both preview and full data. Initial and subsequent data providers are preferably compensated from subscriber fees and may be compensated based on relative subscriber use of data. Data subscriptions can include for subscribers the right to vote or otherwise provide input relating to desired data updates. Data updates are preferably purchased based on competitive bids. The inventive systems and methods diminish much of the risk and uncertainty associated with the collection, management, distribution and updating of geophysical data under current methodologies, making the process more efficient and cost-effective for participating parties.

Abstract: The present invention uses data from several sources to determine lines-of-sight between nodes in a FSO network. The present invention provides a three-dimensional neighborhood modeling system that uses aerial image data, Digital Elevation Models, U.S. street map data and address data to automatically map the placement of nodes within a neighborhood or other geographical area. Method for creating the 3-Dimensional, House and Tree Maps used in the line-of-sight processing are also disclosed. A House Map in the present invention identifies houses in an area of consideration, and a Tree Map in the present invention identifies trees in an area of consideration. A 3-Dimensional Map in the present invention provides an elevation for every pixel for the area under consideration, whereby the elevation is adjusted for the height of trees, houses and other objects.

Abstract: An aggregate conditional purchase offer (CPO) management system for receiving and processing CPOs from buyers for one or more goods or services is disclosed. Received CPOs are processed to determine whether the CPO should be provided to sellers individually and/or collectively as part of an aggregate CPO. If a CPO is accepted individually, or collectively as part of an aggregate CPO, the buyer is bound on behalf of the accepting seller. CPOs are administered on behalf of groups of buyers to form aggregate CPOs which are offered to sellers. Groups are preferably formed dynamically in accordance with predefined aggregation rules. The unit price associated with an aggregate CPO may be an average of the individual CPO prices for each CPO included in the aggregate CPO. Alternatively, the aggregate CPO price may be the total of the individual CPO prices for each CPO included in the aggregate CPO.

Abstract: A system and process for redeeming concealed value gift certificates with concealed value products. The gift certificates, purchasable by a buyer, represent a value stored in a database and concealed from the subsequent recipient/redeemer. Gift products are selected by the system operator and similarly stored in a database with their corresponding prices. Upon receipt of a gift certificate identifier, the corresponding value is retrieved from the database, and used to identify a selection of gifts affordable with the certificate. The gifts are then displayed to the redeemer, without revealing either the value of the certificate or the cost of the gifts. As gifts are selected for purchase by the redeemer, the concealed value of the gift certificate is reduced by the cost of the selected gifts, and new sets of affordable gifts are identified and displayed to the redeemer. Gifts may also be `returned,` and the value added back into the concealed value of the gift certificate.

Abstract: To allow viewers to easily purchase products shown in entertainment programs, the viewers call an operator terminal. The operator terminal is networked to a central controller, which is also networked to remote terminals. Remote terminal operators enter data about props used in programs, copies of which are to be offered for sale. These remote terminals transmit this data to the central controller for storage in a database. Operators at the operator terminals can access the data stored at the central controller to respond calls from viewers seeking to purchase products.

Abstract: A system and process for generating, distributing, and processing lottery tickets guaranteed to win a drawing-based prize. Tickets are appropriately priced, and are validated at point of sale by a central server in which the ticket information is stored. Subsequent to each lottery drawing, the winning lottery numbers are compared to the entries in a never-lose ticket database to determine if any of the entries match the winning numbers. Winning entries are appropriately identified and tagged as inactive, while entries that have not yet won a drawing-based prize remain active for future drawings.Ticket pricing methodology is provided for appropriately pricing never-lose tickets. A method and apparatus are further provided whereby a ticket holder may query the status of a never-lose ticket directly from the server.

Abstract: A priority call queuing system allows the called site to exercise control over the position in a phone queue of an incoming call, based upon an economic value assigned to the incoming call. When the incoming call is received, an interactive voice response unit interrogates the caller and determines information such as, identity of the caller, quantity of items to be ordered, item numbers, catalog numbers and other data from which an economic value of the call can be determined. Thereafter, the call information is used, in conjunction with pricing and other economic data, present in a database at the called site, to assign an economic value to the call. The call's position in the queue is then adjusted in manner that is hidden from the caller, in accordance with the determined economic value. The rank positions of other calls within the queue are adjusted, accordingly.

Abstract: A system for providing an open-ended subscription to commodity items normally available on a term basis includes a central agent that serves as the front-end for commodity suppliers. This central agent maintains databases containing information associated with a group of commodity items and their sales. Using these databases, the central agent produces subscription records to provide open-ended subscription services to its customers, while supporting the term-based subscriptions of the commodity suppliers.

Abstract: A method and system for remote play of a gaming device, such as a slot machine. A player enters play preferences at a remote wagering terminal. The remote wagering terminal transmits the play preferences to a slot network server that stores the play preferences. Based upon the play preferences, the slot network server identifies one or more slot machines and transmits outcome data from those slot machines to the remote wagering terminal. The outcome data may be live or historical. In one embodiment of the present invention, the slot network server generates visual representation data based on the historical data, and transmits same to the remote wagering terminal. The slot network server keeps track of the player's wins and losses based upon the outcome data.

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 process for distributing a product in accordance with a subscription purchase agreement that includes the establishment by a customer of an account with a seller of a product, the assignment of a customer identification number to the account maintained by a customer, the receipt of a credit card number corresponding to the customer, and the receipt of a request from the customer to purchase the product from the seller. The request includes a set of purchase terms and conditions related to the product. Also, the set of purchase terms and conditions are recorded for the customer. The set of purchase terms and conditions indicate a purchase price for the product. A customer's credit card or other account may be assessed a penalty in the event that the customer does not honor the purchase terms and conditions.

Abstract: A PBX/automatic call distributor (ACD) system allows callers to exercise control over their rank order within a phone queue. The ACD accesses a call database and develops offers to be made to callers, based upon a caller reaching a particular position in a queue or at a position at which the call is first placed in the queue. An interactive voice response unit (IVRU) is employed to offer a caller a chance to move up in the queue in return for a payment. If the caller wishes to accept the offer, the caller responds by using the touch tone keys of his/her telephone and entering a credit card number, an account number, or indicating some other method of payment. The ACD then changes the rank order of the caller's call within the phone queue and alters the rank position of other calls within the queue, accordingly.

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 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 and method for providing a foreign exchange insurance policy that automatically considers factors such as the type of currency, exchange rate, amount of coverage, and period of coverage, to determine a premium. Users can access the system using credit cards, ATMs, banks or other media.

Abstract: A display assembly includes a display screen having a predetermined generally planar area for displaying transmissive data. A light source is provided for generating light of predetermined intensity, and a circular Fresnel lens is disposed between the light source and the display means, the circular Fresnel lens imaging the light source through the display means and onto an opposite side of the display means. A diffuser is disposed between the light source and the display means for diffusing the light. The intensity of the light source is selected to be appropriate for direct human viewing of the transmissive data.

Abstract: The present invention broadly concerns layered structures of substantially-crystalline materials and processes for making such structures. More particularly, the invention concerns epitaxial growth of a substantially-crystalline layer of a first material on a substantially-crystalline second material different from the first material.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor structure, comprising the steps of: providing a monocrystalline semiconductor device region of a first conductivity type; forming a layer of intrinsic monocrystalline semiconductor material over the device region; forming a layer of insulating material over the layer of intrinsic monocrystalline semiconductor material; forming a conductive contact over a portion of the layer of insulating material; forming an aperture extending through the conductive contact, and the layers of insulating material and intrinsic monocrystalline semiconductor material to define an aperture exposing a selected portion of the layer of intrinsic monocrystalline semiconductor material; and forming a layer of semiconductor material of a second conductivity type including a monocrystalline portion disposed epitaxially over the device region portion and a polycrystalline portion extending onto the wall of the conductive contact within the aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus for wavelength conversion of laser light which can prevent optical destruction of a wavelength conversion element and achieve a high wavelength conversion efficiency. The apparatus for wavelength conversion of laser light has an optical focusing system for focusing the input laser light on the wavelength conversion element in an optical cavity, which optical focusing system makes the cross-sectional shape of a light beam non-circular, for example, elliptical.