Abstract: Various methods are disclosed for monitoring user browsing activities, and for using such information to provide session-specific item recommendations to users. In one embodiment, a monitoring component of a merchant's Web site maintains a record of products viewed by each user during a current browsing session—preferably based on visits to product detail pages. A recommendations component uses the resulting history of viewed products to identify additional products to recommend, preferably using a pre-existing table that maps products to related products. In one embodiment, this table is generated by periodically analyzing user browsing histories to identify correlations between purchases, viewing events, and/or other actions performed with respect to particular products. The recommended items may be displayed together with an option to individually deselect the recently viewed items on which the recommendations are based.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for merging accounting records to minimize overhead is provided. The method and apparatus accumulate accounting information for data transmissions between a wireless communication device and a host on a data network. The method and apparatus are capable of accumulating accounting information for short data bursts and for active traffic channel transmissions such that an accounting messages is sent to an accounting server only when transitions from short data burst transmission or active traffic channel transmission to another state are encountered. Thus, accounting information for a plurality of sequential short data bursts and/or active traffic channel transmissions are accumulated. This reduces the number of accounting messages sent to an accounting server and eliminates race conditions that may be encountered by sequential short data bursts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for validating pre-pay and post-pay calls using an integrated validation database. The integrated validation database receives a pre-pay query including a pre-pay account code. The integrated validation database retrieves a pre-pay validation parameter based on the pre-pay account code. The integrated validation database then transmits a pre-pay validation response including the pre-pay validation parameter. The integrated validation database receives a post-pay query including a post-pay account code. The integrated validation database retrieves a post-pay validation parameter based on the post-pay account code. The integrated validation database transmits a post-pay validation response including the post-pay validation parameter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for investment which utilize knowledge which predicts both financial instruments which are expected to outperform their markets and financial instruments which are expected to underperform their markets. By using this information as well as risk information a portfolio is assembled which contains both long and short holdings. The portfolio also uses leverage. The portfolio is managed so that loss positions are aggressively harvested while still short term and gains are held for the long term.

Abstract: A fork lift truck is provided with a lifting frame, a rear weight and a driver's cab. The driver's cab forms a load-bearing component of the fork lift truck, whereby there are two bearings for the lifting frame at some vertical distance from each other, by which the lifting frame is connected in a force-transmitting connection with the driver's cab. Each bearing for the lifting frame is suitable for the transmission of compression forces or tension forces. There is also a bearing for the rear weight, by which the rear weight is connected in a force-transmitting connection with the driver's cab. The bearing for the rear weight is suitable for the transmission of forces and moments.

Abstract: An intelligent roadway system is configured to detect and track a usage of a roadway by a vehicle by identifying a wireless device carried on the vehicle. The account of the user, associated with the wireless device, is charged for the usage of the roadway based on the detected information through the wireless device. Road services, such as directions, road conditions, weather forecast and traffic status may also be provided interactively through the wireless device while the vehicle is on the roadway.

Abstract: A method for derecognizing the commitment of a lessor in an operating lease having a lease liability including the steps of holding by a lessee an operating lease wherein the operating lease has a future value S1 and determining the present value P1 of the operating lease in accordance with the future value S1. The method also calls for buying the operating lease by a buyer entity for a value P2 greater than the present value P1, thereby providing a first net gain and holding the lease liability by the buyer entity for a period of time and discharging a lease liability of the operating lease at the end of the period of time for a value S1 that is less than a future value S2 thereby determining a second net gain. The present value P2 is determined according to the present value P1 and according to a time t years prior to the time at which the value of the lease liability reaches S1.

Abstract: A vehicle instrument panel assembly includes a substrate having a recess formed therein with a deployable air bag assembly positioned within the recess. The air bag assembly is attached to the substrate by an attachment bolt. An air bag cover is secured to the substrate by a snap-in attachment feature to enclose the air bag assembly within the recess. The air bag cover includes an integrally molded tether which is connected to the attachment bolt such that deployment of the air bag assembly causes detachment of the snap-in attachment feature to allow air bag deployment outside the recess while the tether maintains its connection with the attachment bolt.

Abstract: Weight data of articles for sale is stored and a total weight is calculated every order. Measured weight of the prepared articles in a package is compared with the calculated total weight. If the measured weight substantially disagrees with the calculated total weight, error information is provided to the operator to correctly package the articles. Comparison may be effected every order number. An addition flag may be further stored with weight data every article to indicate that the article is a target of weight measuring. A non-addition key indicating that the corresponding article is not packaged may be further provided. When the non-addition key is depressed, the weight of the corresponding article is not included in the total weight. The total weight may be printed on the receipt, so that the operator can compare the printed total weight with the measured weight. The total weight may be printed with bar codes. A balance has a bar code reader for comparison.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for fixing a piece of equipment for a motor vehicle, in particular a heat exchanger (20), on a structural element of the vehicle (10) such as a front surface module. The invention is characterised in that the device comprises at least two shoes (30) arranged on either side of the piece of equipment (20), while the structural element (10) comprises at least two substantially parallel internal edges (11a, 11b) defining an open part (15) wherein is mounted the piece of equipment (20). Each shoe is supported on one of the edges (11a, 11b) and on an external top surface (24) of the piece of equipment and made in a deformable material such that the piece of equipment (20) is force-mounted between the shoes (30).

Abstract: The containment cart has a floor, two side walls, and a rear wall between the side walls. Wheels are mounted to the floor, allowing the containment cart to be readily transportable and insertable into a drum cavity of a solvent recovery device. Caster wheels assist an operator in changing direction of the cart. A releasable and sealable door acts as a ramp once lowered. Further, while lowered, the door raises the front wheels to prevent the cart from undesired movement while drums are being placed on or removed from the cart. A channel is disposed along a front face of the side walls and floor of the cart to receive a gasket. The door has a mating protrusion extending outwardly from the door to extend into the channel and sealably engage the gasket while the door operably engages the front face.

Abstract: An interconnected rotary system with built-in suspension is provided for baby prams, intended to provide a use of only two wheels with interconnected steering. This system consists of two rotary suspension blocks (2) supporting the wheels (1) fixed to the chassis on (X) with a suspension spring (5) inside the rotary block (2) and with the rotary points (Y) on which a steering bar (3) is articulated. This new system will allow the use of larger wheels, increasing both the baby and user's comfort.

Abstract: A seller, having previously sold a product to an original purchaser subject to a buyout-provision condition, determines if the buyout-provision condition is satisfied. If the buy-out provision condition is satisfied, the seller retakes the product from the original purchaser and resells the product to a subsequent purchaser.

Abstract: An online communication schema for inquiring and tracking status of an online order for a product is provided. The communication schema comprises a consumer status request message, which includes a source identifier identifying a web site from which the consumer status request message originated, and a customer identifier identifying a customer who originated the status request message. The communication schema also comprises a consumer status reply message, which includes an order number, and order status information.

Abstract: A collating for collecting sample chips includes a framework supporting a plurality of supply bins housing sample chips and a track running adjacent the plurality of supply bins. The apparatus further includes at least one collection bin shaped and dimension for movement on the track and at least one gantry for transferring sample chips from the plurality of supply bins to the at least one collection bin when the at least one collection bin is aligned with respective supply bins.

Abstract: A device for coupling containers at a loading and unloading port with a horizontally displaceable platform for receiving the container has the object of increasing protection against faulty operation and faulty loading in a simple manner while guaranteeing technical cleanroom requirements and without limiting the clear space of the platform. An arrangement for detecting the presence of a container and for distinguishing between containers with different contents is provided for an expectancy area above the platform. The device is used for the loading and unloading at machining or processing stations of objects that are to be transported in a container, especially objects in the fabrication process for integrated circuits.

Abstract: A method of generating custom reports based on point-of-sale data transferred between multiple remote computing devices and a central computing device includes generating point-of-sale data at multiple remote locations, transferring the point-of-sale data to a central computing device from multiple computing devices at the respective multiple remote locations, defining a custom report format, the custom report format specifying at least two of the multiple remote locations and specifying a date range, the date range and the at least two multiple remote locations being freely selectable by a user, generating a custom report using the custom report format, the custom report being based on point-of-sale data related to the specified remote locations and the specified date range, and communicating the custom report to a human being.

Abstract: A computer-based service cooperative system and method for use includes a host computer or a member initiator computer and at least two member computers linkable to the host or initiator computer. The members are associated in a member group and determine rules and a point value system. In use, one of the members in the member group requests a service event via the host or initiator computer, the host distributes the service event request to other members of the group according to a criteria and one of them accepts and performs the service. A ledger is carried by the host or initiator computer for maintaining a point account for each member. The host or initiator computer calculates a point amount for each service event and adjusts accordingly the point accounts for the provider and the requester. Such a service cooperative system may be used to exchange babysitting or child care services, household chores, yard work, reusable goods, and the like.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for account settlement utilizing a network. First, a buyer is allowed to select from a group of options in order to settle an account utilizing a network. The options include settling a minimum balance, partially settling, settling a full balance, and applying for an import loan on payment due date. The selected option is then received utilizing the network. Finance interest may then be booked against the buyer for an unpaid portion of the account if the selected option includes either settling a minimum balance or partially settling. If the selected option includes settling a full balance, the account may be reconciled. On the other hand, if the selected option includes applying for an import loan on payment due date, an import loan may be booked and a credit line may be transferred to a trade loan line.

Abstract: A new parts handling apparatus is provided which can shorten the index time and increase working ability without increasing the number of components and can restrict the rise of manufacturing cost. X driving member 12 to be moved rightward and leftward in correlation to the rotation of a ball screw 2 by a servomotor 1 is provided with a pair of right and left movable members 7 mounted movably in the Z direction. Two contact hands 5 are attached to each movable member 7 through aligning mechanisms 8 respectively. Each movable member 7 is provided with a Z driving member 6 mounted slidably in the X direction. The Z driving member 6 is engaged with a ball screw 4, and the ball screw 4 is connected to a servomotor 3. When the ball screw 4 is rotated by the servomotor 3, the Z driving member 6 moves vertically in the figure, thereby also moving the movable member 7 vertically.