Abstract: Software for use on a client device that is configured for communications via a communications network instantiates a communications function that effects an advertisement download communication link between the client device and an advertisement distribution server system via the communications network, at selected advertisement download times, an advertisement download function that downloads advertisements identified in a playlist(s) generated by at least one playlist server, via the advertisement download communication link, at the selected advertisement download times, an advertisement storage function for storing the downloaded advertisements on a storage medium associated with the client device, and an advertisement display function that effects display of at least selected ones of the stored advertisements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optimizing a large-scale industrial facility, especially a power plant, consisting of m subassemblies (BGj), wherein j=1(1)m) and wherein the following steps are successively carried out: comparing the parameters (KGj) of all subassemblies (BG1 to BGj) with predetermined reference values (RWj); detecting the subassemblies (Bgi) with i=1(1)m, whose parameters (KG1) are worse than the reference values (RWi) and optimizing the subassemblies (BG1) whose parameters (KGi) are worse than the reference values (RW1).

Abstract: A computer system processes asset financing transactions. An applicant provides loan information related to financing of an asset. A single lender is selected to receive a loan package based on the loan information and knowledge and prior experience attributed to the single lender. A plurality of data entry screens are configured to requirements of the single lender. The loan information is entered into fields of the data entry screens. The loan information is validated upon entry. The loan package from the loan information is compiled for submission to the single lender. The loan package may be pre-approved by the dealer prior to submission to the single lender. The system further provides for status request of loan applications based on search criteria, requesting credit reports of applicant, and electronic messaging with the single lender.

Abstract: Software for use on a client device that is configured for communications via a communications network instantiates a communications function that effects an advertisement download communication link between the client device and an advertisement distribution server system via the communications network, at selected advertisement download times, an advertisement download function that downloads advertisements identified in a playlist(s) generated by at least one playlist server, via the advertisement download communication link, at the selected advertisement download times, an advertisement storage function for storing the downloaded advertisements on a storage medium associated with the client device, and an advertisement display function that effects display of at least selected ones of the stored advertisements.

Abstract: Software for use on a client device that is configured for communications via a communications network instantiates a communications function that effects an advertisement download communication link between the client device and an advertisement distribution server system via the communications network, at selected advertisement download times, an advertisement download function that downloads advertisements identified in a playlist(s) generated by at least one playlist server, via the advertisement download communication link, at the selected advertisement download times, an advertisement storage function for storing the downloaded advertisements on a storage medium associated with the client device, and an advertisement display function that effects display of at least selected ones of the stored advertisements.

Abstract: Software for use on a client device that is configured for communications via a communications network instantiates a communications function that effects an advertisement download communication link between the client device and an advertisement distribution server system via the communications network, at selected advertisement download times, an advertisement download function that downloads advertisements identified in a playlist(s) generated by at least one playlist server, via the advertisement download communication link, at the selected advertisement download times, an advertisement storage function for storing the downloaded advertisements on a storage medium associated with the client device, and an advertisement display function that effects display of at least selected ones of the stored advertisements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optimizing a large-scale industrial facility, especially a power plant, consisting of m subassemblies (BGj), wherein j=1(1)m) and wherein the following steps are successively carried out: comparing the parameters (KGj) of all subassemblies (BG1 to BGj) with predetermined reference values (RWj); detecting the subassemblies (Bgi) with i=1(1)m, whose parameters (KG1) are worse than the reference values (RWi) and optimizing the subassemblies (BG1) whose parameters (KGi) are worse than the reference values (RW1).

Abstract: Software for use on a client device that is configured for communications with at least one remote source of advertisements via a communications network instantiates an advertisement download function that downloads advertisements from the at least one remote source, during one or more advertisement download sessions, an advertisement storage function that stores the downloaded advertisements on a storage medium associated with the client device, an advertisement display function that effects display of at least selected ones of the stored advertisements on a display associated with the client device, an obscured ad monitor function that determines whether an obscured ad condition has occurred, whereby the obscured ad condition occurs when an advertisement currently being displayed on the display associated with the client device is being obscured by one or more other items currently being displayed on the display, and an obscured ad nag function that generates an obscured ad nag display in response to detect

Abstract: A method of producing flat glass in which foam which appears on the surface of molten glass melted using oxy-fuel burners is dispersed by directing a diffuse, luminescent flame onto the surface of the glass carrying the foam.

Abstract: Software, for use on a client device that is configured for communications with at least one remote source of advertisements via a communications network, instantiates an advertisement download function that downloads advertisements from the at least one remote source, during one or more advertisement download sessions, an advertisement storage function that stores the downloaded advertisements on a storage medium associated with the client device, an advertisement display function that effects display of at least selected ones of the stored advertisements on a display associated with the client device, an audit function that compiles ad-related statistical data relating to the downloaded advertisements, wherein the ad-related statistical data includes display event-related data regarding advertisements that were displayed during a prescribed audit interval, and an audit data transmit function that transmits the ad-related statistical data to a prescribed server system.

Abstract: Software, for use on a client device that is configured for communications with at least one remote source of advertisements via a communications network, instantiates an advertisement download function that downloads advertisements from the at least one remote source, during one or more advertisement download sessions, an advertisement storage function that stores the downloaded advertisements on a storage medium associated with the client device, an advertisement display function that effects display of at least selected ones of the stored advertisements on a display associated with the client device, an audit function that compiles ad-related statistical data relating to the downloaded advertisements, wherein the ad-related statistical data includes display event-related data regarding advertisements that were displayed during a prescribed audit interval, and an audit data transmit function that transmits the ad-related statistical data to a prescribed server system.

Abstract: Software, for use on a client device that is configured for communications with at least one remote source of advertisements via a communications network, instantiates an advertisement download function that downloads advertisements from the at least one remote source, during one or more advertisement download sessions, an advertisement storage function that stores the downloaded advertisements on a storage medium associated with the client device, an advertisement display function that effects display of at least selected ones of the stored advertisements on a display associated with the client device, an audit function that compiles ad-related statistical data relating to the downloaded advertisements, wherein the ad-related statistical data includes display event-related data regarding advertisements that were displayed during a prescribed audit interval, and an audit data transmit function that transmits the ad-related statistical data to a prescribed server system.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a system for distributing advertisements to a multiplicity of client devices each of which is configured for communications via a communications network, which system includes an advertisement distribution facility that communicates with each of the client devices over the communications network, via a respective advertisement download communication link. Preferably, each of the client devices downloads advertisements from the advertisement distribution facility via the respective advertisement download communication link, and each of the client devices communicates with a data communications service provider over the communications network via a respective data communications link that is separate from the respective advertisement download communication link.

Abstract: Software for use on a client device, which is configured for communications with a multiplicity of other client devices via a communications network, provides an installer function for installing the software on the client device, a communications function that effects a send e-mail communication link between the client device and an e-mail service provider server system via the communications network whenever the user desires to send e-mail messages a receive e-mail communication link between the client device and the e-mail service provider system whenever the user desires to check for received e-mail messages; and an advertisement download communication link between the client device and an advertisement distribution server system via the communications system, at selected advertisement download times.

Abstract: A method of producing flat glass in which foam which appears on the surface of molten glass melted using oxy-fuel burners is dispersed by directing a diffuse, luminescent flame onto the surface of the glass carrying the foam.

Abstract: A method of processing an automotive finance transaction online by a portal participant including the steps of inputting business rules and rates for financial institutions into a database; entering criteria of chosen vehicle into a finance quotation generator; selecting a financial institution; generating a comparative quote scheme for the chosen vehicle according to the business rules and rates; and selecting a set of terms from the comparative quote scheme. The method may further include transmitting the selected set of terms to the financial institution; providing credit information to the financial institution; the financial institution evaluating the credit information and providing approval; and preparing financing documentation incorporating the vehicle information, terms and credit information. Furthermore, a system for processing an automotive financing transaction by a dealer or manufacturer is provided.

Abstract: A playlist server system for supplying a playlist response to a client device which exchanges information with an information server system and which receives ads from an ad server over a communications network, including a playlist response generating device for generating a playlist response identifying a plurality of selected ads to be presented by the client device, and a first communications device for establishing a playlist response send communications link with the client device via the communications network over which the playlist response is transmitted to the client device, wherein the information server system and the playlist server are independently controlled.

Abstract: A method of and system for monitoring and displaying to a user a variety of email usage statistics provides a relatively simple user interface that provides entertaining and useful information that may affect the users' e-mail usage practices and habits.

Abstract: An advertisement distribution system for distributing advertisements to a multiplicity of client devices via a communications network includes at least one ad server that stores the advertisements to be distributed to the client devices, each advertisement being stored in a storage location designated by a source address, and at least one playlist server that receives a playlist request from each of the client devices, and that transmits a playlist response in response to each received playlist request. Moreover, the playlist response transmitted to each client device includes at least one playlist that identifies advertisements to be downloaded by that client device.

Abstract: A system for distributing advertisements to a multiplicity of client devices each of which is configured for communications via a communications network preferably includes an advertisement distribution facility that communicates with each of the client devices over the communications network. Most preferably, each of the client devices downloads advertisements from the advertisement distribution facility, and displays at least selected ones of the downloaded advertisements. The advertisement distribution facility includes an auditing function that transmits a send audit data request to a subset of the client devices at prescribed client audit intervals, which send audit data request includes a request that the receiving client device transmit ad-related statistical data to the advertisement distribution facility.