Abstract: Historical information is stored about demand behavior associated with different sizes of styles of items of commerce. A size assortment recommendation is generated based on the stored historical information and on objectives with respect to purchase or allocation decisions about assortments of the different sizes.

Abstract: A system for facilitating interaction between businesses, independent delivery agents, and customers. The system includes a customer product order interface that receives customer product orders as input and provides a first signal in response thereto. The customer product orders are associated with a predetermined business. A look-up system for selects an independent delivery agent to deliver a product to the customer in response to the first signal and with reference to a distance between said delivery agent, the customer, and the business, and provides a second signal in response thereto. A delivery agent order delivery system for provides the selected delivery agent with a delivery order based on the customer product order in response to the second signal.

Abstract: An urban transportation system which comprises a pool of rental urban vehicles all having the same size and physical configuration and having a range of driving which is limited as compared to the range of vehicles that are powered by internal combustion engines. The system includes a computer-controlled mechanized facility for delivering, receiving, processing, servicing and storing the vehicles. Vehicles are automatically recharged while in storage. The system includes areas for on-street parking of the vehicles. There are also several features to combat theft of the vehicles. A user may obtain the most readily available vehicle from any place in the system and return the vehicle to any other place within the system.

Abstract: A method of rating employee performance includes: a) receiving a list of nominated raters from the employee, including at least one manager of the employee, a plurality of the employee's peers, and a plurality of the employee's direct reports; b) electronically soliciting and receiving manager approval of the list of nominated raters; c) electronically notifying the approved raters with instructions for rating the employee; and d) receiving employee ratings data from the approved raters, wherein the steps of electronically soliciting and electronically notifying are automated. The process also includes training all users of the system in a manner in which the ratings are calibrated by comparing case studies to specific behavioral examples to provide immediate feedback to the user in a training process which is fully automated.

Abstract: A method and system for managing sales data. One embodiment is a software application that assists in classification, review and approval of data to be stored in a database for the use of a product supplier or seller. In one embodiment, a method includes storing a plurality of data components as groups of data components in a database, wherein the plurality of data components comprises information relating to products, and information relating to customers. The method further includes assigning a subset of the plurality of users to a content review group (“CRG”), and notifying each user in the CRG to provide input regarding individual data components of a group of data components. Input may include indicating whether data components are accurate, entering comments regarding the data components, entering edits to the data components. The method further includes receiving and storing the input, notifying a content director (“CD”) to review the input.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for auditing drug usage within a medical care facility. The system comprises an automated drug delivery system for dispensing a plurality of drugs to medical care providers or users, which delivery system has a plurality of drug dispensing stations located throughout the medical care facility and a centralized archive for storing data. Each drug dispensing station includes a console for inputting information about each transaction involving at least one of the drugs and a link for transferring the inputted information to the centralized archive. The system further comprises a processing unit for receiving the transactional information from the centralized archive and for processing it so as to generate at least one report for a defined period of time which detects patterns and abnormalities in distribution and usage of selected ones of the drugs.

Abstract: A set of data is received containing values associated with respective data points, the values associated with each of the data points being characterized by a distribution. The values for each of the data points are expressed in a form that includes information about a distribution of the values for each of the data points. The distribution information is used in clustering the set of data with at least one other set of data containing values associated with data points.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microbilling system that integrates with existing billing systems and existing devices. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the devices store digital certificates with short-lived expiration dates and specifying transaction limits, preferably using a trust management system. A provisioning agent periodically (e.g., once a day) issues the certificates over a secure channel to the devices. When conducting a purchase transaction, the devices exchange certificates via a communication channel (that need not be secure) and the purchasing device issues a digitally signed electronic check which is periodically deposited over an advantageously secure channel with a clearing service. The present invention enables microbilling transactions by embedding liability in the certificates.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying irregular sales activity. The method includes the steps of extracting data related to a first predetermined criteria from at least one of a predetermined set of files based on a first guideline; generating a first criteria specific report based on the first predetermined criteria; extracting data related to a second predetermined criteria from at least one of the predetermined set of files based on a second guideline; generating a second criteria specific report based on the second predetermined criteria; and generating an intermediate report including information from the criteria specific reports and generating an irregular activity report. The first criteria specific report includes data related to the first predetermined criteria associated with one or more entities of at least one predetermined entity type. The second criteria specific report includes data related to the second predetermined criteria associated with the one or more entities.

Abstract: The method of the present invention provides for the implementation of a cardiac emergency readiness program that aids victims of sudden cardiac arrest. The program includes assistance in purchasing automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), placement and training on the use of AEDs, and development of legal and public relations support plans. The method provides a complete cardiac emergency program that covers all aspects of implementing and monitoring the program. Individuals and organizations who implement the program can offer their patrons the advantage of quick and competent response to cardiac arrest emergencies.

Abstract: A method for verifying a plurality of rules stored in a knowledge base for consistency. The method identifies rules in the knowledge base that are covered or made useless by at least one rule, two rules, or at three rules. Each rule in the database has at least one option and a corresponding range for satisfying the option. Each of the plurality of rules are compiled into a term. The terms are then arranged into a hierarchical listing with high priority terms being placed before low priority terms. Each term is removed from the hierarchical listing with the high priority terms being removed before the low priority terms. Each removed term is then added to a sum of previously removed terms. Then it is determined if the removed term is covered by the terms in the sum of previously removed terms. Coverage is determined by using an interval consensus procedure which uses an absorption rule, a partial absorption rule, a continuation rule, a simplification rule, and consensus rule.