Abstract: A system is provided for facilitating the distribution of premium tickets to spectator events. The system includes a central distribution processor to which patrons are provided access for determining the availability of premium tickets and purchasing available premium tickets at a premium price. The system also includes a plurality of remote show box offices of distinct spectator events linked to the central distribution processor, the remote show box offices including interface software compatible with the central distribution processor for facilitating the uploading of relevant ticket information to the central distribution processor. The interface software further provides a user interface through which the plurality of remote show box offices selectively enter available premium ticket information which is subsequently uploaded to the central distribution processor for access and purchase by patrons.

Abstract: There is provided a rental item return apparatus including an opening to receive returned rental items, a store area for returned items and a chute arranged to connect the opening to the store area. The apparatus further includes a device arranged within the chute to uniquely identify and log each returned rental item.

Abstract: A hardware pay-per-use system and corresponding method allow computer system operators to tailor their hardware utilization to more closely match changing customer demands. The hardware pay-per-use system includes one or more hardware products and a metering mechanism coupled to at least one of the hardware products. The metering mechanism includes a hardware device separate from the hardware products. The metering mechanism acquires metrics data from the hardware products, the metrics data related to an operation at the hardware products. The metering mechanism determines data to report on the operation of the hardware products. A usage repository coupled to the metering mechanism receives the determined data and generates usage reports related to the operation of the hardware products.

Abstract: The present invention involves spending loyalty points over a computerized network to facilitate a transaction. With this system, a loyalty program participant is able to use an existing transaction card to purchase an item over a computerized network, while at the same time offsetting the cost of that transaction by converting loyalty points to a currency value credit and having the credit applied to the participant's financial transaction account. Currency credit from converted loyalty points may also be applied to stored value cards, online digital wallet accounts and the like. Further, currency credit may also be applied to other accounts to effect a gift or donation.

Abstract: A method and system for providing fractional ownership of an aircraft. The method includes operating the aircraft under an FAA certification that permits the sale of aircraft capacity. Fractional owners of the aircraft, at least one of the fractional owners may be a syndicate having multiple members. The syndicate members may be managed on behalf of the syndicate. One FAA certification that permits the sale of aircraft capacity includes FAR Part 135. Additionally, the syndicate members may be billed usage fees on behalf of the syndicate, where the usage fees are billed proportional to use of the aircraft. Available capacity of the aircraft may be resold to other fractional owners and syndicate members.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described that enable a domain name owner (i.e., a “lessor”) to grant a third party (i.e., a “lessee”) a lease to any domain name the lessor owns. More specifically, a lessor may use a domain name service to allow a third party (i.e., a “lessee”) to lease a domain name for use or to purchase the domain name outright. More specifically, the lessor may lease a domain name to a lessee so that any user who accesses the leased domain name is directed to a network resource identified by the lessee. The lessee may also be provided the option to purchase the domain name outright from the lessor, rather than lease it. In addition, a valuation of the domain name may be generated.

Abstract: A technique for producing constructed fares that include an arbitrary added to a published fare is described. The techniques determine interior cities that appear with gateway cities in arbitraries for the airline and searches for gateway cities corresponding to the determined interior cities appearing in the arbitraries. The technique applies an arbitrary corresponding to one of the interior cities to a published fare involving one of the gateway cities to produce the constructed fare.

Abstract: A mechanism for performing business transactions, comprising an integrator service connected to a first company's intranet or an independent legal integrator service provider. Prior to execution of a transaction, a communication channel between the first company and the integrator service is established to exchange relevant information such as the source and target country of the transaction and the kind of goods to be transferred. Based on the exchanged information, the integrator service determines any relevant legal issue, in the present case a relevant import/export regulation issue and delivers a compliance statement to the first company.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for organizing patents utilizing a computer-implemented system. An identifier is initially determined, after which a notes field is displayed for receiving manually entered notes, such that the manually entered notes are stored in association with the identifier. Further, the manually selection of a file is permitted. Such manually selected file is then stored in association with the identifier. Still yet, a plurality of patents are associated with the identifier. The manually entered notes, the file, and the patents are thus accessible by subsequent selection of the identifier.

Abstract: The present invention involves spending loyalty points over a computerized network to facilitate a transaction. With this system, a loyalty program participant is able to use an existing transaction card to purchase an item over a computerized network, while at the same time offsetting the cost of that transaction by converting loyalty points to a currency value credit and having the credit applied to the participant's financial transaction account. Currency credit from converted loyalty points may also be applied to stored value cards, online digital wallet accounts and the like. Further, currency credit may also be applied to other accounts to effect a gift or donation.

Abstract: A communication system with a plurality of access points (AP1, AP2, AP3) and at least one network station (5, 6), the network station (5, 6) being arranged to communicate with one of said the plurality of access points (AP1, AP2, AP3) through a wireless communication protocol, each access point (AP1, AP2, AP3) is able to monitor its access point traffic load and transmit an access point traffic load parameter (ATT) to the network station (5, 6), and the network station (5, 6) is able to monitor its network station traffic load; store a network station traffic load parameter (AUTT); receive access point traffic load parameters (ATT) from the access points (AP1, AP2, AP3); and select a communication connection with one of the access points (AP1, AP2, AP3) using a predetermined cost function taking the access point traffic load parameters (ATT) and the network station traffic load parameters (AUTT) into account.

Abstract: Expert system supported interactive product selection and recommendation. The invention assists an agent to interact with a customer and to provide selection and recommendation of available products and/or services that offer a workable solution for the customer. The invention allows for the use of agents of varying skill levels, including relatively low skill level, without suffering deleterious performance. From certain perspectives, an expert system employed using various aspects of the invention allows the agent to provide real time interaction with a customer and to provide a real time recommended solution to that customer. Many traditional approaches dealing in complex industries require that agent's have a high degree of skill and expertise. The invention allows even a novice agent to service a customer's needs without requiring a high skill level or up-front training that is often at the expense of the provider seeking to market its products and/or services.

Abstract: A system and method of providing secure access to a plurality of law related services is provided. The litigation management component can provide secure access to a plurality of law related services. Services securely accessed by the litigation management component can be based, at least in part, upon a subscription level, a client identifier, a user identifier and/or a group identifier.

Abstract: A method of and system for providing customer-specific information involving a) obtaining customer identification information for identifying a customer to be served at the weigh station; b) storing a plurality of customer profiles for a plurality of customers wherein each customer in the plurality of customers has an associated customer profile; and, c) when the customer is in the plurality of customers, retrieving the associated customer profile for the customer using the customer identification information and providing associated customer-specific information based on the associated customer profile to a weigh station display.

Abstract: A method for computing a preferred set of prices for products in a subset of a plurality of products is provided. Generally, initial prices for a plurality of products are stored. A subset of products of the plurality of products is designated, where the number of products in the subset of products is less than the number of products in the plurality of products. Prices for the products in the subset of products are optimized, while maintaining the initial prices of products of the plurality of products that are not in the subset of products.

Abstract: A method and system are described that enables a domain name owner (i.e., a “lessor”) to grant a third party (i.e., a “lessee”) a lease to any domain name the lessor owns. More specifically, a lessor may use a domain name service to allow a third party (i.e., a “lessee”) to lease a domain name for use or to purchase the domain name outright. More specifically, the lessor may lease a domain name to the lessee so that any user who accesses the leased domain name is redirected to a network resource identified by the lessee. The lessee may also be provided the option to purchase the domain name outright from the lessor, rather than lease it.

Abstract: A multilayered apertured film wrapping element for an absorbent article is disclosed. At least one outer layer of the fluid-impervious plastic material has a continuous phase of a thermoplastic polymeric component and an immiscible, dispersed phase of a thermoplastic polymeric component having a lower melting point. The wrapping element is useful in applications involving heat sealing and similar thermal processes in absorbent articles, such as sanitary napkins, diapers, bandages, tampons, and the like.

Abstract: A kiosk configured for selling and manufacturing customized food for a pet is disclosed. The kiosk comprises a customer interface area, a biological sample analysis and handling area, a base product display area, a product additive storage area, and an ingredient mixing and customer observation area.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for searching and submitting intellectual property listings, goods and services offered for sale online. Tailored searching is provided in a convenient and efficient manner on the Internet via an Aggregation Portal. The Aggregation Portal provides a uniform and user-friendly interface, whereby intermediary services are provided to facilitate transactions utilizing the Internet. Such services include legal, valuation, insurance, escrow, brokering, consulting and other professional services. Further, a multiple-listing type of commission sharing is created between the Aggregation Portal and various Internet auctions and exchanges. In one embodiment, a software application is downloaded on a user's personal computer (or network terminal) for searching, marketing and transacting goods and services, especially intellectual property.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer implemented method for offering items for sale or rent. The method includes providing a user with the choice of renting or purchasing an item. The rental price and purchase price for the item are displayed. A user command to rent an item is received.