Abstract: A method includes generating a payor channel capacity model by modeling a channel capacity between a resource management system and a payor; generating a transaction request model by modeling transaction requests destined for the payor; defining a plurality of Quality of Service (QoS) bands based on the payor channel capacity model and the transaction request model, respective ones of the plurality of QoS bands being indicative of a measure of relative opportunity to establish a connection on the channel between the resource management system and the payor; receiving a current transaction request for the payor at the resource management system; assigning the current transaction request to one of the QoS bands; and establishing a current connection on the channel between the resource management system and the payor to communicate the current transaction request from the resource management system to the payor based on the QoS band assigned to the current transaction request.

Abstract: A secure, closed virtual payment system comprising registered buyers and sellers for ordering and paying for goods, services, and content over an internetwork is disclosed. A buyer becomes registered by applying for a virtual payment account. A seller becomes registered by applying for a seller account. A credit processing component (53) immediately evaluates the buyer's application and assigns a credit limit to the account. Once an account is established, a digital certificate is stored on the registered participant's computer. The buyer can then order goods, services, or content from a seller and charge it to the virtual payment account. When the product is shipped, the seller notifies a commerce gateway component (52), which, in turn, notifies the credit processing server, which applies the charges to the buyer's virtual payment account.

Abstract: A system for engaging in secure transactions over an internetwork, involving, a consumer, a merchant and a Transaction Authority as parties to a transaction. To initiate the transaction the consumer makes an inquiry with the merchant who then returns a signed offer. The consumer then accepts the offer by also signing the offer. The doubly signed offer is then forwarded to the Transaction Authority. The Transaction Authority validates the transaction by checking both the authority and identity of the merchant and the consumer. The Transaction Authority then signs the offer to create a triply signed offer. The Transaction Authority returns the triply signed offer to the merchant. Once the merchant has a validated offer they are then able to request settlement of the transaction from the Transaction Authority, either immediately, or at some future date by sending a settlement request to the Transaction Authority.

Abstract: A virtual payment system for ordering and paying for goods, services and content over an internetwork is disclosed. The virtual payment system comprises a commerce gateway component (52) and a credit processing server component (53). The virtual payment system is a secure, closed system comprising registered sellers and buyers. A buyer becomes a registered participant by applying for a virtual payment account. Likewise, a seller becomes registered by applying for a seller account. A buyer can instantly open an account on-line. That is, the credit processing component (53) immediately evaluates the buyer's virtual payment card application and assigns a credit limit to the account. Once an account is established, a digital certificate is stored on the registered participant's computer. The buyer can then order a product, i.e., goods, services or content from a seller and charge it to the virtual payment account.

Abstract: A virtual payment system for ordering and paying for goods, services and content over an internetwork is disclosed. The virtual payment system comprises a commerce gateway component (52) and a credit processing server component (53). The virtual payment system is a secure, closed system comprising registered sellers and buyers. A buyer becomes a registered participant by applying for a virtual payment account. Likewise, a seller becomes registered by applying for a seller account. A buyer can instantly open an account on-line. That is, the credit processing component (53) immediately evaluates the buyer's virtual payment card application and assigns a credit limit to the account. Once an account is established, a digital certificate is stored on the registered participant's computer. The buyer can then order a product, i.e., goods, services or content from a seller and charge it to the virtual payment account.

Abstract: A virtual payment system for ordering and paying for goods, services and content over an internetwork is disclosed. The virtual payment system comprises a commerce gateway component (52) and a credit processing server component (53). The virtual payment system is a secure, closed system comprising registered sellers and buyers. A buyer becomes a registered participant by applying for a virtual payment account. Likewise, a seller becomes registered by applying for a seller account. A buyer can instantly open an account on-line. That is, the credit processing component (53) immediately evaluates the buyer's virtual payment card application and assigns a credit limit to the account. Once an account is established, a digital certificate is stored on the registered participant's computer. The buyer can then order a product, i.e., goods, services or content from a seller and charge it to the virtual payment account.

Abstract: The invention provides a bed (10) for relieving pressure exerted on a user. The bed includes a first support means (12) for supporting the user, a second support means (14) which is co-operable with the first support means (12), and a displacement means (32) for displacing the user between a first position wherein the user is supported by the first support means (12) and a second position wherein the user is supported by the first and second support means. Typically the user is an aged person, an infirm person, an incapacitated person, a patient, or the like.

Abstract: A method and system for recovering transparently from a network interface failure. The method is to be run in a computing device on a network with multiple peer computing devices, having redundant network interfaces connected with redundant cables. The method transparently recovers from network failures by first establishing an address list of the peer computing devices on the subnet. The computing device then periodically tests the communication link with one or more of the peer computing devices until at least one peer device responds thereby sending its network address. The computing device then uses the peer network address to retest the communication link with the peer device until the peer device does not respond. If there is no response, the computing device reassigns the network address of the computing device from the primary network interface to the redundant network interface.

Abstract: The invention provides a bed (10) for relieving pressure exerted on a user. The bed includes a first support means (12) for supporting the user, a second support means (14) which is co-operable with the first support means (12), and a displacement means (32) for displacing the user between a first position wherein the user is supported by the first support means (12) and a second position wherein the user is supported by the first and second support means. Typically the user is an aged person, an infirm person, an incapacitated person, a patient, or the like.