Abstract: A production plan is created so as to minimize risk of demand variations. Forecasted values of amounts of requests are entered for each different item of products, markets, dates, past accuracy of demand forecasts, and order achievements at the time when the plan is created. Scenario information is created in which assumable amounts of request for each different item of the products, markets, and dates and probabilities at which the amounts of requests agree with actual amounts of requests are defined. Management indexes are found from the amount of stockout and amount of stock calculated in each different scenario, based on the scenario information, target values of the management indexes, and information on strongpoints. An amount of production that maximizes the achievement ratios of the management ratios to their targets within the ranges of supplied materials and within the range of the production capacity is calculated by an optimization algorithm.

Abstract: A method of scheduling meetings within a calendaring system can include receiving a meeting request specifying a meeting time, at least one participant, and a supplemental meeting service to be scheduled concurrently with the meeting. A determination can be made that a supplemental meeting system is not available. Accordingly, participants can be notified of the meeting time and that supplemental meeting service information has not been determined. The method also can include attempting to obtain the supplemental meeting service information from the supplemental meeting system until a predetermined time prior to the meeting time. If the supplemental meeting service information is obtained before the predetermined time prior to the meeting time, the participants can be notified of the supplemental meeting service information.

Abstract: A method for the allocation of resources. A series of products (refinements) is arranged in a product space plan (PSP) according to connectivities between the products and associated components (resources). An expected value function is derived for the plan, and converted into a closed form expression. The PSP is transformed into a working space plan (WSP) having corresponding elements for each product. A loading step is applied to the WSP wherein each element is sequentially analyzed to determine if an associated component gates production of that product. Each element is loaded, with components being unloaded from prior elements if a subsequent element is gated. A reloading step redetermines if any elements are gated by a component that might have been unloaded from the element. If the element remains gated, the elements sharing the component are merged into a sub-plan, which can be maximized as a function of a single variable.

Abstract: The present invention provides network based reporting techniques designed to meet the needs of subscription based marketers. Clients access, edit report on, and analyze their subscriber database using the Internet, for example. In a representative embodiment, a plurality of client computers connect to the Internet using a local area network (LAN), for example. The client computers pass security protocols before gaining access to web, application, and database servers. Once connected, the client computers are able to retrieve and display information using a web browser. Database contents are denormalized to provide the capability to generate reports based upon relatively large amounts of information. In addition, the data is transformed into a structure specifically to facilitate and enhance multi-channel subscription marketing activities.

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating a public sector organization includes identifying at least one outcome measure and at least one cost-effectiveness measure for a public sector organization; obtaining measurements associated with the measure; and determining a relative public performance measure of the public sector organization based on the measurements.

Abstract: A method and system for data mining is disclosed in which advertising/promotional events (e.g., the fact that a promotion was taking place when the transaction was recorded) are factored into association analysis of the data. Sales data is integrated with advertising data and a plurality of taxonomies are employed to link the merchandise data with the advertising data. This enhances the data so that the advertising status (advertised or non-advertised) can be determined and this information can be used to track the impact of advertising on product dynamics in market baskets and on sales. Further, for those articles that are advertised, detailed information about the advertising used is also available and integrated into the analysis so that, for example, the effectiveness or lack of effectiveness of a particular advertisement can be determined.

Abstract: A management device of a license management system acquires a usage request of a content from an SD card or a printer via a relay device, analyzes the acquired usage request, acquires usage environment information of the SD card or the printer from the relay device, analyzes the acquired usage environment information, generates license information including a usage rule corresponding to the analysis results of the usage request and the usage environment information, generates instruction information indicating how to handle the license information in the relay device based on the analysis result of the usage environment information, embeds the generated instruction information in the license information, and sends the license information to the relay device.

Abstract: Electronic means of payment require specific procedures concerning the use thereof as well as set security features. Disclosed is a means of payment allowing the user to add individual security features, comprising the use of specific devices that are available to the user, the purchasing procedure, and additional general conditions pertaining to purchasing goods and services. The electronic means of payment can combine existing payment systems by making the payment systems selectable and allowing individual security features to be adjusted. The popular credit card can become far more secure when purchasing goods and services by combining the credit card with devices providing increased security, for a mobile phone, and adequate general conditions. The user of the means of payment can make payments in an individual manner according to the individual merchandise or service that he/she would like to purchase.

Abstract: A TV music broadcasting program is distributed from a distribution apparatus through a ground station and a satellite, and a musical-piece program is also distributed through a plurality of audio channels. A subscriber looks for the desired musical piece from a musical-piece list displayed on the screen of a TV receiver and downloads it into a storage device. A pay-per-view method is employed in which accounting is performed in units of musical pieces. At downloading, a purchase record is stored in an IC card placed in a receiving apparatus and it is periodically sent to a customer management center. The customer management center calculates the viewing fee and issues a bill to the subscriber. A copyright management apparatus in the distribution apparatus obtains the purchase record of a musical piece from the customer management center to calculate a copyright fee to be paid to the copyright holder.

Abstract: A system, method, computer program product, and user interface for tracking multiple exchange rates for transactions in a financial software application. Historical exchange rates are applied to transactions involving currency conversions, and accurate reports are generated by retrieving appropriate historical rates according to the dates of the transactions. Exchange rates are stored by associating them with individual transactions or with date ranges. Generated reports accurately reflect historical exchange rate information where applicable.

Abstract: A method of collaboratively identifying, prioritizing, and resolving issues is provided. An issue and/or a comment corresponding to the issue are received over a computer network from a customer and/or an originating entity via respective computer devices and posted on a discussion-capable electronic media accessible to the computer devices, as well as a third computer device. The third computer device is used by a committee comprised of a customer representative and originating entity representative to access the electronic media to separate the posted issues into rejected issues and action issues, at least partially based on the posted comments. The committee prioritizes the action issues and sends resolution directions for each action issue to the customer and/or a manufacturer. Once a resolution proposal for an action issue is received, the committee directs the implementation of the resolution proposal for each action issue before closing the action issue upon completion of the resolution proposal.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a service level agreement (SLA) template are disclosed. The SLA template generated by the disclosed system enables deployment of resources to support a number of SLAs and associated VPNs. The SLA template generated by operation of the disclosed system may include a first graphical user interface (GUI) template that specifies, at least in part, a GUI for use by a customer service representative (CSR) when accepting a service request or order from a customer. The disclosed SLA template may further include a number of SLA defaults, which may consist of default values and or software program code logic. The SLA defaults enable an SLA GUI to be configured such that a relatively small amount of information can be collected and used to derive other necessary configuration data.

Abstract: A contents database 114 memorizes the discriminating information for discriminating contents and the temporal information as to the time of content duplication associated with the discriminating information. A recording program 113 acquires the discriminating information of contents to be duplicated and duplicates the contents in association with the acquired discriminating information and with the temporal information memorized in the contents database 114. This substantially prohibits duplication in large quantities without significantly impairing the interests of a user.

Abstract: A system and method for rewarding a customer's loyalty to a retail establishment and encouraging regular customer visits by offering a progressive discount on their purchases includes a point of sale (POS) controller that determines a loyal customer's discount. The value of the discount is dependent upon the customer visiting the retail establishment on a regular basis. A customer's visits are tracked, and the customer is provided with a discount that is incremented by a pre-defined value if the customer visits at least once every pre-defined period. The discount may only be incremented once in every pre-defined time period and may be negated if the customer did not visit at all during the pre-defined time period. Coupons that are representative of the discount earned by the customer may also be offered. If the coupon is redeemed within the pre-defined time period, a new coupon is issued having a higher discount value of a pre-defined value.

Abstract: Consumers may utilize computing devices to assist in the purchase and/or loyalty process, and in particular, the consumer may utilize a PDA to facilitate the purchase and/or loyalty process. During the purchase and/or loyalty process, the consumer may need to insure that any content downloaded or used in association with the PDA is secure in how it is collected, assembled, and delivered to the PDA device. This system and method secures the data from its source to when it is actually viewed or used by the authorized user. The PDA may have direct access to an Internet web site portal that offers secure personal content from a content provider, such as, for example, an on-line banking or financial institution. Using the web site portal, the content provider may offer personal or confidential data, such as financial information, to PDA users in a secure (e.g., encrypted) environment.

Abstract: Systems and methods of managing access to digital content are described. In one aspect, a novel digital content access management system enables users to register previously owned digital content and, subsequently, allows users to access the registered content using any electronic device that is connected to the system. Digital content may be pushed or pulled from any electronic system that is connected to a network—no matter where it is located—to any other electronic system that is connected to a network. A novel business model, as well as a system and a method for implementing this model, also are described. In accordance with this business model, payments are made to content providers upon registration of the previously owned digital content. In this way, the monetary interests of content providers may be protected (even when a user registers borrowed digital content, for example), while enhancing the ability of users to interact with their licensed digital content.

Abstract: A system, in which information is the primary asset and in which investments may be made in information, includes multiple data stores for storing different types of a user's information. The safe, secure and properly authorized transfer of information while preserving individual privacy is provided. The system also provides for secure backup and storage, as well as for ubiquitous and nomadic access to information while maintaining the privacy of such information. A first data store includes static identification data about a user. A second data store includes moderately dynamic personal data about the user. A third data store includes dynamic demographic information data about the user. An electronic wallet can be used with the system to download selected portions of the data for use by the user. A method of use of the data includes using the data for billing out forms, providing services to the user and allowing merchants to selectively target users for sales while maintaining user anonymity.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for determining and applying a discount to a customer's transaction. The discount is of a progressive nature, wherein the value of a customer's discount increases if the customer meets the conditions associated with the discount. The system rewards more frequent or profitable customers with benefits such as larger increases in the discount or higher maximum discount than those awarded to less frequent or profitable customers. The discount is decreased or eliminated if the customer fails to meet the conditions associated with the discount.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for presenting a reason for the rejection of a credit application from an applicant is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a factor from a credit bureau identified as a factor that influences the FICO score assigned to the application by the credit bureau. The factor identified by the credit bureau is mapped to an internal rejection code. A rejection reason is provided that corresponds to the internal rejection code to the applicant.

Abstract: In a system, method and program for bidding for a best solution process execution in a heterogeneous network, a network client provides a request to a network server for process execution. The network server simulates the process execution and provides the simulation results to network hosts in the form of bid solicitations. An embodiment of the method includes providing a payload that characterizes the requested process execution to a network server. The server simulates the requested processing, and solicits and analyzes bids from network hosts for the process execution while maintaining anonymity as to the identities of the network host and the network client. An embodiment of the system includes a network server operably coupled to the network client and the network host, wherein the network server is adapted to receive and simulate a process execution request, and solicit and analyze bids submitted by network hosts for the process execution.