Abstract: A method for modeling cost is provided. Sales data is received. Cost data is also received. Cost per unit of product is estimated from the sales data and the cost data. In addition, an apparatus for modeling costs, useful in association with an optimization engine, is provided. Generally, an econometric engine for receiving sales data, cleaning the data and generating imputed variables is combined with a financial engine for receiving imputed variables from the econometric engine, receiving cost data, generating a cost model, and outputting the cost model to the optimization engine.

Abstract: A price optimization system computes a preferred set of prices for a plurality of products. The optimization system stores a plurality of rules. The system may also prioritize the plurality of rules, and further relax lower priority rules to allow higher priority rules to become feasible. The feasible set of rules may then be utilized to generate the preferred set of prices.

Abstract: A method for determining a preferred set of prices for a plurality of products is provided. Generally, a sales model is created. A cost model is also created. A preferred set of prices for the plurality of products based on the sales model and cost model is then generated. An apparatus for computing a preferred set of prices for a plurality of products is provided. An econometric engine for modeling sales as a function of price to create a sales model is provided. A financial model engine for modeling costs to create a cost model is provided. An optimization engine is coupled to the econometric engine and financial model engine to receive input from the econometric engine and financial model engine, wherein the optimization engine generates the preferred set of prices.

Abstract: The system of the present invention includes, briefly, a point source speaker system, comprising a processor which produces a left minus right (L?R) audio signal, a right plus left (R+L) and a right minus left (R?L) audio signal; three speakers each for audibly transmitting one of the L?R, R+L and R?L audio signals; and a point source speaker enclosure for housing the three speakers in a single enclosure.

Abstract: Standing-wave linear accelerators (linac) having a plurality of accelerating cavities and which do not have any auxiliary cavities are provided. Such linacs are useful for industrial applications such as radiography, cargo inspection and food sterilization, and also medical applications such as radiation therapy and imaging. In one embodiment, the linac includes an electron gun for generating an electron beam, and a plurality of accelerating cavities which accelerates the electron beam by applying electromagnetic fields generated by a microwave source. At least two adjacent accelerating cavities of the plurality of accelerating cavities are coupled together by at least one resonant iris. The electromagnetic fields resonate through the plurality of accelerating cavities and the at least one resonant iris.

Abstract: A method for forming a plurality of stores into a plurality of clusters is provided. Store specific information is collected. Optimized combinations for each individual store are provided based on the store specific information. Clusters are created based on the closeness of the optimal combinations.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a telephony interface, a network interface and a local area network (LAN). The telephony interface provides connectivity between one or more netphones and an external telephone network such as a PSTN telephone system. The network interface provides connectivity between one or more computers and an external computer network such as the Internet. The local area network provides interconnectivity between the netphone(s), the computer(s), the telephony interface and the network interface. In some embodiments, there may be two or more netphones which can communicate with each other internally via the LAN, in addition to communicating with the external telephone network. Similarly, there may be two or more computers that can also communicate with each other internally via the same LAN, in addition to the external computer network.

Abstract: Pricing decisions and policies in a price management system are made based on a unified database populated with correlated commitment data and transaction data. A historical database is populated with commitment data and transaction data. Each transaction data is then correlated with a commitment data. The resulting correlated data is then analyzed to make pricing decisions and policies.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preparing a price quote for a product. The product is selected from among a plurality of products. A determination is made as to whether the product is a member of a particular product collection. This determination includes evaluating a dynamic selection rule set associated with the particular product collection. When the product is determined to be a member of the particular product collection, the method includes the additional steps of (i) identifying one or more price rules associated with the particular product collection and (ii) applying these price rules to the product in order to determine the price quote for the product.

Abstract: A preferred set of prices for a plurality of products, generally demand coefficients is provided. Cost data including activity-based costs is also received. A preferred set of prices that will provided a local optimum for the preferred set of prices which maximizes profit is then determined. In one embodiment, a sales model and a cost model are created. A plurality of rules is specified. The preferred set of prices is then determined based on the sales model, the cost model, and the plurality of rules.

Abstract: A method for computing a price quote for a product using a contract. The method includes identifying the set of price rules for a plurality of products associated with the contract. Each price rule in the set of price rules is either a hard price rule or a soft price rule. Each hard price rule includes a price rule expression and a price rule type and each soft price rule comprises a price rule type. A collection of price rules is generated including, for each soft rule in the set of price rules, hard price rules that are associated with the product and that have the same price rule type as the soft price rule. Hard price rules that are associated with the contract are also added to the collection of price rules. A pricing scheme that is to be used in order to determine the price quote for the product is selected and used to resolve the hard price rules in the collection of price rules in order to determine the price quote.

Abstract: A contrast therapy system. According to one aspect of the invention, the contrast therapy system includes a hot reservoir for holding a relatively hot fluid and a cold reservoir for holding a relatively cold fluid. The system also includes a mixing valve for receiving a selected ratio of the hot and cold fluids from the hot and cold reservoirs. The mixing valve is operable to deliver a therapy fluid with a therapy temperature determined by the selected ratio. The system also includes a therapy pad for receiving the therapy fluid from the mixing valve and returning the therapy fluid to at least one of the hot reservoir and the cold reservoir.

Abstract: A fluid circuit connector system includes a quick-release connector for connecting a set of tubes to an object. The quick-release connector includes a release button, a lock arm, a lock tab and a cavity configured to receive the tubes and a set of coupler housings. The connector system includes an object fitting having lock recess may be configured to receive the lock tab. The object fitting includes a cavity. The system further includes a set of male coupler housings each including a first unitary valve and a set of female coupler housings each including a second unitary valve. Each female housing is configured to receive and engage one of the male coupler housings. The system includes a set of seals configured to seal each male coupler housing and each female coupler housing when the quick-release connector is connected to the object fitting.

Abstract: A method for updating a master product attribute catalog database for consumer response modeling is provided. Data is received from at least one source of product data. A data integrity check is preformed on the received data. A reconciliation is performed between the received data and the master product attribute catalog. The reconciled received data is placed in a master product attribute catalog.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a telephony interface, a network interface and a local area network (LAN). The telephony interface provides connectivity between one or more netphones and an external telephone network such as a PSTN telephone system. The network interface provides connectivity between one or more computers and an external computer network such as the Internet. The local area network provides interconnectivity between the netphone(s), the computer(s), the telephony interface and the network interface. In some embodiments, there may be two or more netphones which can communicate with each other internally via the LAN, in addition to communicating with the external telephone network. Similarly, there may be two or more computers that can also communicate with each other internally via the same LAN, in addition to the external computer network.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, media and systems for generating imputing econometric variables from raw econometric data. A method for generating cleansed initial dataset from corrected raw econometric data comprises inputting raw econometric data, formatting and classifying the raw econometric, conducting an initial error detection and correction, defining a store data set hierarchy, conducting a second error detection and correction, defining product attributes and demand groups, updating attribute information, defining equivalizing factors, conducting a third error detection and correction, subsetting data to facilitate increased processing speeds, conducting a fourth error detection and correction and outputting the cleansed initial dataset.

Abstract: A self-configuring telephone device interconnected by a network to other network telephone devices. The network telephone device is especially adapted to connect to other similar devices on a network, such as a local area network, without the need for a central controller or secondary wiring. A network telephone sends a broadcast over the network with a predetermined number. If there is no other telephone on the network, the network telephone assigns the predetermined number to itself and notifies the network. If there is another telephone on the network, the phone receives a message so indicating and a directory of numbers from which to choose a non-conflicting telephone number. When a non-conflicting number is found, the telephone adopts the number and informs the network. Voice mail and calls between outside lines and a network phone are supported as well.

Abstract: A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer system. The computer program displays all the information that is conventionally displayed in a plurality of pie charts in a single novel chart form. When applicable, this novel chart form can also display positively contributing components and negatively contributing components in the same chart. The chart comprises a plurality of bars and each bar in the plurality of bars comprises a plurality of linearly ordered components. For each bar in the chart, the program includes instructions for patterning each component in the bar in a way that visually differentiates it from components in the bar that border the component.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system for providing price updates is provided. Data is received by a system. The received data is filtered by the system to identify triggers in the received data. Actions related to identified triggers are performed by the system. Business rule compliance is performed according to a business rule hierarchy. Updated prices are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for safer and more effective deep trans-cervical intra-uterine artificial insemination (AI) is provided. Such a deep AI catheter causes minimal discomfort and risk of trauma, and does not require the services of a highly trained AI professional. First, a catheter is inserted into the cervical tract of the animal. A membrane, initially positioned inside a tube section of the catheter, is then extended from an opening in the tube and into the tract under pressure. The membrane extends into the tract without friction thereby reducing the discomfort and the risk of trauma or injury to the animal. When the membrane is fully extended into the tract, pressure causes the tip of the membrane to open thereby releasing the AI fluid and depositing the genetic material suspended in the fluid into the reproductive tract.