Abstract: In connection with a computer-based auction system, the auction system communicatively coupled with sellers and bidders, the system having records indicative of sellers of items and records indicative of bidders for the items and identifying for each item a winning bidder in an auction, a first bidder selects a first item for which there is a winning bidder who is not the same as the first bidder. By electronic means, information is obtained indicative of identities of second bidders other than the first bidder who previously placed respective bids for the first item. Second items are found other than the first item for which bids have been placed by one or more of the second bidders. A second item is chosen by the first bidder, for which the first bidder was not aware of the second item until after the auction ended. The first bidder then attempts to discern why the first bidder was not aware of the second item until after the auction ended.

Abstract: An intellectual asset protocol for defining data exchange rules and formats for universal intellectual asset data objects, and systems, methods, and computer program products related to same. The system includes an intellectual asset protocol system that acts as an engine in the definition of data exchange rules and formats for universal intellectual asset documents. Also included is a front end system that preferably provides a graphical user interface to enable users to access the intellectual asset protocol system. In addition, an intellectual asset database is included that stores collections of intellectual asset objects (and information related to same), one or more embodiments of an intellectual asset protocol, and so forth. The intellectual asset protocol system interacts with an Intellectual Property Asset Manger (IPAM) server.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a seamless way to emulate legacy graphics processing on modern graphics hardware. In particular, in some embodiments, the present invention provides a way for modern GPUs to emulate the bitwise operations and rendering processes of previous generations of graphics hardware. The present invention utilizes a novel pixel shader program. The pixel shader program provides a texture lookup functionality that compensates for any missing bitwise functionality. When a bitwise operation is requested, the system will copy out the destination area to a temporary image. This temporary image is fed to the pixel shader program along with a precomputed texture. The texture is precomputed by the CPU for the various bitwise operations and acts as a lookup table for the requested operation. With the temporary image and precomputed texture, the shader program on the GPU can then emulate the legacy graphics operations seamlessly.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for processing data are described herein. The system maintains first databases of patents, and second databases of non-patent information of interest to a corporate entity. The system also maintains one or more groups. Each of the groups comprises any number of the patents from the first databases. The system, upon receiving appropriate operator commands, automatically processes the patents in one of the groups in conjunction with non-patent information from the second databases. Accordingly, the system performs patent-centric and group-oriented processing of data A group can also include any number of non-patent documents. The groups may be product based, person based, corporate entity based, or user-defined. Other types of groups are also covered, such as temporary groups.

Abstract: Context data processing is described herein. One or more contexts are selected. Each context includes one or more attributes, and a plurality of data objects that satisfy the attributes. A list of data objects contained in the selected contexts is displayed. At least some of the data objects in the selected contexts are processed. Such processing may involve generating claim trees, citation trees, and data object families, which may be displayed using hyperbolic trees. In an embodiment, the contexts are groups. In other embodiment, the contexts are each associated with a data object type. In this latter embodiment, the contexts include data objects of their respective data object types.

Abstract: A Brick Mason Wire Bend tool for use of adjusting the tie wire in masonry construction has the form of a bar having an intermediate bent radius section and opposite end portions which are displaced out of the plane of the intermediate section at an acute angle. The working end portion has four jaws and four slots perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The opposite end is curved and beveled and coated with a poly-carbonate coating. At the base of the central radius on opposite sides are two holes of equal distance and diameter. It is hand tooled, cold bend construction and galvanized.

Abstract: An intellectual asset protocol for defining data exchange rules and formats for universal intellectual asset data objects, and systems, methods, and computer program products related to same. The system includes an intellectual asset protocol system that acts as an engine in the definition of data exchange rules and formats for universal intellectual asset documents. Also included is a front end system that preferably provides a graphical user interface to enable users to access the intellectual asset protocol system. In addition, an intellectual asset database is included that stores collections of intellectual asset objects (and information related to same), one or more embodiments of an intellectual asset protocol, and so forth. The intellectual asset protocol system interacts with an Intellectual Property Asset Manger (IPAM) server.

Abstract: An intellectual asset protocol for defining data exchange rules and formats for universal intellectual asset data objects, and systems, methods, and computer program products related to same. The system includes an intellectual asset protocol system that acts as an engine in the definition of data exchange rules and formats for universal intellectual asset documents. Also included is a front end system that preferably provides a graphical user interface to enable users to access the intellectual asset protocol system. In addition, an intellectual asset database is included that stores collections of intellectual asset objects (and information related to same), one or more embodiments of an intellectual asset protocol, and so forth. The intellectual asset protocol system interacts with an Intellectual Property Asset Manger (IPAM) server.

Abstract: In connection with a computer-based auction system, the auction system communicatively coupled with sellers and bidders, the system having records indicative of sellers of items and records indicative of bidders for the items and identifying for each item a winning bidder in an auction, a first bidder selects a first item for which there is a winning bidder who is not the same as the first bidder. By electronic means, information is obtained indicative of identities of second bidders other than the first bidder who previously placed respective bids for the first item. Second items are found other than the first item for which bids have been placed by one or more of the second bidders. A second item is chosen by the first bidder, for which the first bidder was not aware of the second item until after the auction ended. The first bidder then attempts to discern why the first bidder was not aware of the second item until after the auction ended.

Abstract: The Brick Mason Wire Bend is a revolutionary tool designed to bend all types/styles of tie wires that are commonly used in today's construction industry. It eliminates and simplifies the complicated method of proper wire bends. This tool will prove to be indispensable in that it is the first tool of its kind to effectively address and resolve the problems (when the tie in for the wire needs bending due to the height variation of the brick or block) that plague most brick layers. With this tool the brick layer can easily bend the wire to the desired position to make of his/her tie in the wall.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for processing data are described herein. The system maintains first databases of patents, and second databases of non-patent information of interest to a corporate entity. The system also maintains one or more groups. Each of the groups comprises any number of the patents from the first databases. The system, upon receiving appropriate operator commands, automatically processes the patents in one of the groups in conjunction with non-patent information from the second databases. Accordingly, the system performs patent-centric and group-oriented processing of data. A group can also include any number of non-patent documents. The groups may be product based, person based, corporate entity based, or user-defined. Other types of groups are also covered, such as temporary groups.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for processing data are described herein. The system maintains first databases of patents, and second databases of non-patent information of interest to a corporate entity. The system also maintains one or more groups. Each of the groups comprises any number of the patents from the first databases. The system, upon receiving appropriate operator commands, automatically processes the patents in one of the groups in conjunction with non-patent information from the second databases. Accordingly, the system performs patent-centric and group-oriented processing of data. A group can also include any number of non-patent documents. The groups may be product based, person based, corporate entity based, or user-defined. Other types of groups are also covered, such as temporary groups.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for annotating documents are described herein, wherein in some embodiments the documents are immutable. The method operates by enabling a user to place an application in an annotation mode. An annotation is created, and then linked to a portion of an immutable data object. Location information is displayed proximate to the annotation mode location information indicates a location of the linked portion in the data object.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for processing data are described herein. The system maintains first databases of patents, and second databases of non-patent information of interest to a corporate entity. The system also maintains one or more groups. Each of the groups comprises any number of the patents from the first databases. The system, upon receiving appropriate operator commands, automatically processes the patents in one of the groups in conjunction with non-patent information from the second databases. Accordingly, the system performs patent-centric and group-oriented processing of data. A group can also include any number of non-patent documents. The groups may be product based, person based, corporate entity based, or user-defined. Other types of groups are also covered, such as temporary groups.

Abstract: Generating a new document from a source text document and a source image document. The new document is generated by accessing the source text document and the source image document, paginating the source text document with the source image document to produce pagination information, and generating the new document using the pagination information.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for displaying a patent document and a patent image. The method operates by preparing for display a patent document comprised of at least one patent text file, and a patent image document comprised of at least one patent image file. The patent text file is generated from at least one source text file. The patent text file includes equivalency information detailing an equivalency relationship between the patent image file and the source text file. The equivalency information comprises linking information indicative of a correspondence between at least one portion of the source text file and at least one portion of the patent image file. The patent image file is at least one data file having stored therein one or more image pages associated with a patent. Each of the image pages is an electronic image of at least a portion of a page of the patent or at least a portion of a page of a document related to the patent.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for processing data are described herein. The system maintains first databases of patents, and second databases of non-patent information of interest to a corporate entity. The system also maintains one or more groups. Each of the groups comprises any number of the patents from the first databases. The system, upon receiving appropriate operator commands, automatically processes the patents in one of the groups in conjunction with non-patent information from the second databases. Accordingly, the system performs patent-centric and group-oriented processing of data. A group can also include any number of non-patent documents. The groups may be product based, person based, corporate entity based, or user-defined. Other types of groups are also covered, such as temporary groups.

Abstract: The system synchronizes, displays, and manipulates text and image documents in electronic form for display. The text and image files are synchronized to produce Equivalent Files to create an approximate equivalence relationship between the text and the image files. The graphic user interface of the present system allows a user to selectively view an Equivalent File in a window while simultaneously or alternatively viewing an image file within one or more image windows on the display. The user may also create and manipulate notes and subnotes as annotations to document objects or document portions. The notes and subnotes may be linked to text documents, image documents, text objects, or other non-text objects or documents, such as images, audio clips, etc. The user may create new subnotes associated with selected objects or selected portions, and the user may enter information pertaining to the selected objects in the new subnote.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for annotating an electronic document. An electronic document is displayed. At least one note having at least one note segment is displayed. The note segment is linked to at least one portion of the electronic document. Location identification information is displayed that identifies a location of the portion in the electronic document that is linked to the note segment. This location identification information is displayed in the note, proximate to the note segment.

Abstract: The system synchronizes, displays, and manipulates text and image documents in electronic form for display. The text and image files are synchronized to produce Equivalent Files using heuristic algorithms to create an approximate equivalence relationship between the text and the image files. The graphic user interface of the present system allows a user to selectively view an Equivalent File in a window while simultaneously viewing an image file within one or ore image windows on the display. The user may also create and manipulate notes and subnotes as annotations to document objects or document portions. The notes and subnotes may be linked to text documents, image documents, text objects, or other non-text objects or documents, such as images, audio clips, etc. The user may create new subnotes associated with selected objects or selected portions, and the user may enter information pertaining to the selected objects in the new subnote.