Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a system and method for providing digital messaging services received from multiple sources over a communications network. The system includes a client system, including a display screen coupled to a communications link; a workstation including a web browser, a memory, and a processor, said workstation coupled to said communications link; a hosting system, including a graphics server, a content server, and a scheduling server, each in communication with each other via a communications link; and a workstation and data storage device coupled to the communications link; and a data storage device for storing data utilized by said hosting system. The client system requests and receives digital messaging services from said hosting system under a subscription agreement.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method, system, and storage medium for providing variable consumer information at a retail display location. The system comprises a host system further including a server; a commercial display services application including a user interface executing on the server; and a data storage device coupled to the server. The data storage device stores databases of diverse media formats including: a linked advertisement database operably configured to store audio-video advertising content and audio-video advertisement records; a static advertisement database operably configured to store static advertising content and static advertisement records; an audio clip database operably configured to store audio clip content and audio clip records; and a file database storing registration information; and a link to at least one retail entity.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically generating a naturally reading narrative product summary including assertions about a selected product. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of determining at least one attribute associated with the selected product, selecting an alternative product, retrieving assertion models to describe the product and to recommend an alternative product in a natural manner, and generating a naturally reading narrative by combining the attribute and the selected alternative product with the retrieved assertion models such that the generated narrative includes a recommendation of the selected alternative product. A system is provided for implementing the described method.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tagging websites with recent asset information and storing the tagged recent asset information in a database that includes tagged existing asset information, identifying relationships between the recent asset information and the existing asset information, identifying a technical experience for a user by matching user data with the tagged asset information using a technical experience definition and delivering the technical experience to the user are described.

Abstract: An adaptable method for facilitating user interaction with digital media objects. Representations of substantially-reduced data size of each of the digital media objects are transferred before the transfer of copies of the original data size of each of the digital media objects so as to enable earlier user interaction. The user interaction includes, for example, requesting modifications to the object. The method provides feedback of any requested action from the user interaction with the substantially-reduced data size representations and in response thereto, determines as a function of the requested action whether to reprioritize transfer of untransferred original data size copies of the corresponding digital media object. The method provides for modification of copies that are to be transferred according to modifications requested by the user with respect to the transferred substantially-reduced data size representations. The method can be used for audio, video, image, and other digital media objects.

Abstract: A dynamic classification dictionary is built for use in profiling and targeting users for additional relevant content. Behavioral data is gathered from user activity, and user documents and actions are categorized. Author-generated document classification information is analyzed and assigned a first taxonomic noun to characterize the document. User-generated tags characterizing a portion of the document are assigned a second taxonomic noun. Search terms that resulted in the user accessing the document are identified and assigned a third taxonomic noun. Attributes related to the manner in which the document was accessed are evaluated and assigned a fourth taxonomic noun. The document is processed using pattern rules to extract a fifth taxonomic noun. The taxonomic nouns are aggregated into a composite set of taxonomic nouns, and the dynamic classification dictionary is build by storing the composite set of taxonomic nouns.

Abstract: Methods are provided, including a method of associating descriptive content with a set of assets. The method includes determining an asset metadata object, determining descriptive content related to the asset metadata object, and associating the descriptive content with the asset metadata object.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automatically creating large numbers of aggregate creative forms, in accordance with corresponding definitions, each aggregate creative form containing one or more groupings of zero or more subcreatives. The aggregate creative definition may comprise a template, software program or data file. Rotation is provided at two levels: the subcreatives may change within the aggregate creative forms and the aggregate creative as a whole may share a page location with other advertisements. Constraints may be applied to control which subcreatives appear concurrently. Aggregate creative definitions are reusable, subcreatives may be targeted narrowly or generally, and formatting considerations are applied. Methods and systems are provided for serving aggregate creatives over the Internet which take advantage of the benefits and features of the Internet to deliver those creatives in accordance with the capabilities of a standard advertising system.

Abstract: An adaptable method for facilitating user interaction with digital media objects. Representations of substantially-reduced data size of each of the digital media objects are transferred before the transfer of copies of the original data size of each of the digital media objects so as to enable earlier user interaction. The user interaction includes, for example, requesting modifications to the object. The method provides feedback of any requested action from the user interaction with the substantially-reduced data size representations and in response thereto, determines as a function of the requested action whether to reprioritize transfer of untransferred original data size copies of the corresponding digital media object. The method provides for modification of copies that are to be transferred according to modifications requested by the user with respect to the transferred substantially-reduced data size representations. The method can be used for audio, video, image, and other digital media objects.

Abstract: A method of presenting data regarding products. Feature categories are assigned to each product category based on available data. A weighted importance is assigned to each feature category of each product category based on the available data. The items in the product category are ranked according to the weighted importance of the feature categories of each item, and the evaluation metrics of each feature category.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include tools for extracting data of interest from the world wide web (WWW). The extraction is accomplished using descriptions of data of interest. The descriptions of data of interest can include computer programs comprising a sequence of instructions and extractor patterns. The extractor patterns can be developed interactively using a web browser integrated into the graphical development environment for creating the descriptions of data of interest. The instructions can be selected from a predetermined list of instructions designed for extracting information from the WWW. The descriptions of data of interest can be grouped into categories sharing common query elements. Multiple descriptions of data of interest in the same category can executed simultaneously using the same query. The descriptions of data of interest can be accessed by a client computer using a web browser to initiate a query.

Abstract: Unstructured electronic documents are classified for profiling and targeting users for additional relevant content. Behavioral data is gathered from user activity, and user documents and actions are categorized. Profile information is combined with collaborative and editorial data to provide users with credible information regarding products. Author-generated document classification information is analyzed and assigned a first taxonomic noun to characterize the document. User-generated tags characterizing a portion of the document are assigned a second taxonomic noun. Search terms that resulted in the user accessing the document are identified and assigned a third taxonomic noun. Attributes related to how the document was accessed are evaluated and assigned a fourth taxonomic noun. The document is processed using pattern rules to extract a fifth taxonomic noun.

Abstract: An intelligent commerce module is described that provides a contextual based commerce experience by: (1) determining the context under which a user wishes to acquire an asset; (2) determining the context under which the asset is being offered; and, (3) delivering a buying experience appropriate for the user and the context under which the asset is being offered.

Abstract: A system and method for rating of each of plural products comprising identifying a plurality of attributes associated with a category of product, applying a scalar structure for each attribute to provide a scalar value for each attribute of each of the plural products, determining an incremental competitive index for each attribute of each product based on the scalar value of each attribute and a number of products having the scalar value, and rating each product based on the determined competitive index.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include tools for extracting data of interest from the World Wide Web (WWW) using descriptions of data of interest. The descriptions of data of interest can include computer programs comprising a sequence of instructions and extractor patterns. The extractor patterns can be developed interactively using a web browser integrated into the graphical development environment for creating the descriptions. The instructions can be selected from a predetermined list of instructions designed for extracting information from the WWW. The descriptions of data of interest can be grouped into categories sharing common query elements. Multiple descriptions in the same category can be executed simultaneously using the same query. The descriptions can be accessed by a client computer using a web browser to initiate a query. In some embodiments, the descriptions of data of interest are used to provide information about products available for sale over the WWW.

Abstract: A product placement engine and method for automatically identifying products for association with a document, the engine including a parser, an analysis module adapted to determine word scores and to adjust the word scores of the words by predetermined weightings, a keyword constructor module adapted to construct a keyword query search string using words having the highest word scores, a search engine adapted to search a products database having product records to identify products satisfying the keyword query search string and assign product scores, and a post processing module adapted to identify word matches in each of the product records and the document and update the product score.

Abstract: A product catalog management system and method is provided for managing product data associated with a plurality of products. In one embodiment, the system comprises a processor, a product information database for storing product data associated with a plurality of products therein, a workflow design module for allowing creation of a workflow diagram for processing product data for storage in the product information database. The product catalog management system also includes a task management module that facilitates generation of a plurality of tasks for processing product data according to the workflow diagram, and a task assignment module adapted to assign the generated task for processing product data for completion.

Abstract: A product placement engine and method for automatically identifying products for association with a document, the engine including a parser, an analysis module adapted to determine word scores and to adjust the word scores of the words by predetermined weightings, a keyword constructor module adapted to construct a keyword query search string using words having the highest word scores, a search engine adapted to search a products database having product records to identify products satisfying the keyword query search string and assign product scores, and a post processing module adapted to identify word matches in each of the product records and the document and update the product score.

Abstract: A collar stay device includes a stay body having a tapered first end and an expandable second end. The stay body includes first and second legs, which are integrally formed at the tapered first end and diverge toward the expandable second end. At least one of the legs includes a plurality of protrusions on an outer surface of a free end thereof. When the collar stay device is inserted into a prefabricated pocket in the collar of a shirt, the expandable second end of the stay body is contracted to place tension on the pocket and prevent movement of the collar stay device in the pocket.

Abstract: A person who is elderly, requires care, or an inpatient who is under the care by his or her family members, a nursing care worker, or a nurse in a hospital or medical institution must be monitored constantly, however the caregiver cannot be in attendance on the patient all the time. A biosignal intensity measuring method is provided to solve the above problem According to the measuring method, output signals from a noninvasive sensor, which detects biosignals from a lying subject, are amplified and noises other than the biosignals are attenuated via a signal amplifying/shaping unit, and the amplified signals are controlled by an automatic gain control (AGC) unit to have sizes within a prescribed range, then parameters acquired by signal gains in a control circuit upon carrying out automatic gain control are output as the output signal intensity of the biosignals to calculate biosignal intensity. A bedding state monitoring method is also provided.