Abstract: A method of automatically selecting a securities portfolio from a plurality of securities includes selecting investment characteristics and investment limits considered important for investment objectives; selecting a safety level for the portfolio; constructing a matrix having entries corresponding to (a) the selected characteristics and limits, and (b) the candidate securities; establishing an objective function corresponding to the constructed matrix; and determining the securities portfolio based on the matrix and the objective function. The investment characteristics may include dividends, rate of growth of earnings, financial strength, safety, predictability of earnings, and performance rankings provided by an advisory service. The safety level may be provided as a number of stocks to include in the portfolio. The selected investment limits may relate to limitations on the amount of investment in each candidate security.

Abstract: A market research database includes first and second information sets. The first information set contains first market research information, and the second information set contains second market research information. The market research database also includes a set of dynamic rules. At least one rule of the set of dynamic rules is arranged to respond to first data being entered into the first information set by entering second, different data into the second information set.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a transaction network that facilitates and simplifies purchase transactions between any number of customers and any number of merchants. The transaction network is primarily utilized in the sale and purchase of digital content via a network such as the Internet. The transaction network registers and authenticates customer purchase activities and maintains customer account data including payment information. Once registered, a customer will generally not register again for further purchase activities at participating merchant sites. Additionally, the transaction network provides a single, central authentication mechanism for all participating merchant sites using a single customer identifier and password. Further, the transaction network accumulates purchase information across all of the merchant sites and the ultimate payment processing of those purchase transactions.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of managing a mutual fund brokerage wherein subscribers, intending to purchase mutual fund portions in at least one mutual fund, enter into a service contract with the mutual fund brokerage. Each subscriber pays to the brokerage a subscription charge and the brokerage maintains a separate portfolio of mutual fund portions for each subscriber and a separate subscriber account balance including payments of subscription charges received from each subscriber. The brokerage executes a number of mutual fund portion purchase/sell transactions on behalf of a trading subscriber with a target mutual fund selected by the trading subscriber. The improvement relates to not charging front-end or back-end loaded commissions, together with the rebating of trailer fees from no-load funds where all service fees received by the brokerage from each paying mutual fund are apportioned pro rata for each portion of said paying mutual fund in each subscribers portfolio.

Abstract: An information management system includes an indexing subsystem and a document management subsystem. The system layers an object-oriented architecture over a relational database to manage folders and files from a variety of file systems. Managed files are incrementally indexed by the indexing subsystem and can be retrieved by a user by knowing content of a managed file. Folders and documents are also logically organized for presentation to the user.

Abstract: A system that permits commercial transactions over a network of computers is described. In one example, the network of computers supports communications between business relation data structures. The business relation data structures reflect credit relationships between two or more businesses. To perform a commercial transaction, a consumer accesses a vendor's Web site. The consumer selects an item to purchase from that Web site. The vendor computer then generates a proposal. The proposal includes an item identifier and a price. That proposal is then propagated to all of the business relation data structures with which the vendor's business relation data structure can communicate. At each one of the recipient business relation data structures, the proposal is modified and forwarded on to other business relation data structures. The modifications are based upon the credit relations between businesses.

Abstract: A computer implemented system awards promotional incentives. A participant in the awards system calls or connects to an interactive platform for registering and/or redeeming credits preferably described in uniquely identified certificates. In a telephone environment, the interactive platform is connected to a toll free telephone number where a participant's call is handled by a computer controlled voice response unit. In a computer network environment, a computer user connects to the interactive platform over the network. The participant receives awards credits based on the unique identification of certificates. Award credits for a participant are accumulated in a stored record associated with the participant until redeemed. Award credits can also be acquired as an instant winner based on a random or algorithmic selection of callers to receive such credits. Awards include electronic prizes such as free long distance telephone time, electronic cash and/or service credits.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for use in intraoperative and percutaneous procedures for supplying long-term retrograde perfusion of the myocardium via one or more conduits disposed between the left ventricle and the coronary venous vasculature. The conduits are of a selected size and number, and portions of the venous vasculature or coronary ostium are partially or completely occluded, to maintain a parameter related to the pressure attained in the venous vasculature to a value less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A document transfer system enabling a consumer to obtain a document from an owner upon payment using a cryptographic protocol involving the consumer, the owner, a document source, such as printer, and a mediator, according to which protocol the consumer requests a document, the owner provides the source with first and third portions of the key and provides the mediator with a fourth portion of the key, which fourth portion can combine with said first portion to generate the complete key, the consumer provides the owner with the payment and the owner provides the source with a second portion of the key which can combine with said first portion to generate the complete key.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for subsidizing Internet access through advertising using a “portal provider” that supplies a “mini-portal” to the users of selected Internet service providers (ISPs). The mini-portal includes communications hardware, for connecting to the Internet, and display software, for displaying advertisements or other messages from local non-volatile storage during idle time, such as when the user's computer is connecting to the Internet. Advertisers are sold access to display their advertisements through the display software, and the revenue thus generated may be used to subsidize providing the mini-portal and Internet access fees. A validation mechanism is provided wherein a validation server operated by the portal provider sends data to the mini-portal that helps keep the advertisements current, and gives the portal provider an ongoing role in providing advertisements to mini-portal users.

Abstract: Methods and systems are offered to create, eliminate and/or modify trade channels. These can utilize a variety of communication media, including computer networks and the network of interconnected machines known as the Internet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for managing a request queue for a jukebox system. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is disclosed for managing a queue of a jukebox. The method includes the step of arranging a set of service identifiers in a queue based upon a time of receipt corresponding to each service identifier. The method also includes the step of receiving a request to expedite an identified service corresponding to one service identifier in the queue. According to the method, payment is then received for the request to expedite the identified service. The method further includes the steps of rearranging the plurality of service identifiers in the queue, thereby causing the identified service to be expedited, and performing the service.

Abstract: A medication management system which includes three components to assist a patient control, monitor and manage administration of prescribed medications. The system comprises a patient component having a retrievable patient database of patient medical history, prior prescribed medications and current prescribed medications, and it includes a data transfer interface, e.g., a hardwired interface, such as an RS232 interface or infrared data transfer port. The system also includes a physician component having a retrievable physician's database of medication information and an input/output device enabling a prescribing physician to enter prescription information into the physician component. The physician's database is capable of receiving and storing patient data transferred from the patient component through said data transfer interface. The system finally also includes a pharmacist component resident on a pharmacist's computer.

Abstract: A system of work progress tracking and management in which customer orders may be received and entered into the system. Upon the entry of customer orders the system automatically schedules the orders for completion and optimizes the schedule based on several factors. These factors include work force utilization, customer priority, due date and task dependencies. Further, the system takes into consideration geographical constraints and automatically reschedules and re-optimizes the schedule when changes occur due to unforeseen events.

Abstract: An Internet billing method comprises establishing an agreement between an Internet access provider and a customer, and an agreement between the Internet access provider and a vendor, wherein the Internet access provider agrees with the customer and the vendor to bill the customer and remit to the vendor for products and services purchased over the Internet by the customer from the vendor. The provider creates access to the Internet for the customer. When the customer orders a product or service over the Internet from a vendor, transactional information transmitted between the customer and the vendor is also transmitted to the provider. The provider then bills the transaction amount to the customer and remits a portion of the transaction amount to the vendor, keeping the differential as a fee for providing the service. As a result of this method, there is no need for any customer account numbers or vendor account numbers to be transmitted over the Internet, thereby maintaining the security of that information.

Abstract: A method implemented with a machine, the machine, and method for using the machine, and products produced thereby, the method including a digital electrical computer having a processor programmed for electrically processing input data into output data, the computer electrically connected to an input device and to an output device, for illustrating a replacement of a benefit plan. The method the includes the steps of: entering information defining a benefit plan that is viable at one location but not viable at the replacement plan location, to convert the information into a portion of the input data that is electrically conveyed to the digital electrical computer for processing; engaging the digital electrical computer for the processing of the input data into the output data, the output data corresponding to characteristics for a replacement of the benefit plan, the replacement being viable at a location for the replacement; and generating an illustration of the replacement at the output device.

Abstract: A method and system for conducting electronic auctions is described. A dynamic lot closing extension feature avoids collisions in closing times of multiple lots by dynamically extending the closing time of a subsequent lot if a preceding lot's closing time is extended to be too close to the subsequent lot's then-currently scheduled closing time. Scheduled closing times can be extended with a flexible overtime feature, in which the properties of the event triggering the extension and the duration of the overtime period(s) can be tailored to a particular auction, particular lots of products within an auction, and to the particular time within an auction process. The bidding status of a lot can be set to a “pending” status after the nominal closing time for submission of bids to allow bidders to alert the auction coordinator of technical problems in submission of bids. This allows the possibility for a lot to be return to open status for further bidding by all bidders.

Abstract: The system provides an automated, centralized back-end payroll service with a full-featured web-based payroll system. Both aspects of the system have access to a central database, which includes, for example: profile information on employers and employees; timesheet, salary and hourly wage data; overtime data; employee benefit data; and information regarding third-party providers and miscellaneous payees. The full-featured payroll system functionality is implemented in a manner that provides employers and employees (to the extent security policies permit) with a robust, data-driven user interface via a standard web browser. The central database provides the system's back-end (server-side) payroll service functionality with constant access to the data.

Abstract: A veterinary medication management system which includes two or three separate components to assist a handler/owner control, monitor and manage administration of prescribed medications to an animal patient. The system comprises a handler/owner component having a retrievable animal and handler/owner database of animal medical history, prior prescribed medications and current prescribed medications, and it includes a data transfer interface, e.g., a hardwired interface, such as an RS232 interface or infrared data transfer port. The system also includes a veterinarian component having a retrievable veterinarian's database of medication information and an input/output device enabling a prescribing veterinarian to enter prescription information into the veterinarian component. The veterinarian's database is capable of receiving and storing handler/owner data transferred from the handler/owner component through said data transfer interface.

Abstract: In connection with display of advertising within Web pages, an applet is downloaded to the user's Web browser to track the user's interactions with the Web page. Tracked user interactions include mouse cursor position, time displayed on page, time of mouse cursor hovering over the advertisement, and so on. At an appropriate time, such as when the display of the Web page is terminated, the applet forwards logged interaction information from the client to a remote server, the remote server being typically controlled by an advertiser, rating service or the like. As a result, the advertiser may track consumer response to advertising impressions on a Web page without requiring the user to download other pages. This allows advertisers to track user response to specific elements of the Web page as well as to better infer information about the user's interests in an effort to qualify the user prior to presenting subsequent advertising.