Abstract: A method of network-based query formulation on a plurality of computers networked together, the method comprising: obtaining a request from an end user, the request requiring predetermined information for fulfillment; obtaining seed information regarding said request in a primary search from an information source associated with said end user; using said seed information to build at least one query for said predetermined information; applying said at least one query to at least one additional information source to obtain secondary information relating to said request; and amalgamating said seed and secondary information to fulfill said request.

Abstract: A user at a geographical location may submit a search query and receive results responsive to the search query. The search results provided to the user may be based on the user's geographical location. The search results may also be based on one or more attributes of alter ego. The alter ego may be an individual user or another type of entity, such as a group or a business. A user at a geographical location submitting an alter-ego search query may see the results that would be presented to the alter ego if the alter ego were at the geographical location. Each user's interests may be selected through an interest-selection interface, automatically generated as the user interacts with search results, dynamically generated as a user follows or likes search results, or otherwise determined.

Abstract: A user at a geographical location may submit a search query and receive results responsive to the search query. The search results provided to the user may be based on the user's geographical location. The search results may also be based on one or more attributes of the user or an alter ego. The alter ego may be an individual user or another type of entity, such as a group or a business. A user at a geographical location submitting an alter-ego search query may see the results that would be presented to the alter ego if the alter ego were at the geographical location. Each user's interests may be selected through an interest-selection interface, automatically generated as the user interacts with search results, dynamically generated as a user follows or likes search results, or otherwise determined.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for electronic interaction between remote parties regarding a book of business over a network, the book containing elements such as insurance policies. A book exchange platform contains a first user input allow a first remote user to input said book including said plurality of elements, a user interaction interface to allow said first remote user to evaluate said book and said plurality of elements, a buyer interaction interface to allow any one of a plurality of remotely located potential buyers to evaluate said book and said plurality of elements, and a user offer input to receive an electronic signal to allow said first remote user to make an offer for sale of said book. Finally, a buy input allows potential buyers to make a selection of one or more elements of a book and to offer to buy the selected elements or entire book.

Abstract: A server machine manages and presents a user interface. The user interface presents search results, and the server machine receives a cursor input that corresponds to a particular search result. The particular search result references an item available for purchase, and the item is described by descriptors. Responsive to the cursor input, the user interface presents a preview window that contains a descriptor not shown in the particular search result. The server machine receives a further cursor input that indicates the item is to be included in a list of items. Responsive to the further cursor input, the user interface presents a list of items as including an icon that references the item. The icon indicates that the item is included in the list of items.

Abstract: A method of network-based query formulation on a plurality of computers networked together, the method comprising: obtaining a request from an end user, the request requiring predetermined information for fulfillment; obtaining seed information regarding said request in a primary search from an information source associated with said end user; using said seed information to build at least one query for said predetermined information; applying said at least one query to at least one additional information source to obtain secondary information relating to said request; and amalgamating said seed and secondary information to fulfill said request.

Abstract: A user at a geographical location may submit a search query and receive results responsive to the search query. The search results provided to the user may be based on the user's geographical location. The search results may also be based on one or more attributes of the user or an alter ego. The alter ego may be an individual user or another type of entity, such as a group or a business. A user at a geographical location submitting an alter-ego search query may see the results that would be presented to the alter ego if the alter ego were at the geographical location. Each user's interests may be selected through an interest-selection interface, automatically generated as the user interacts with search results, dynamically generated as a user follows or likes search results, or otherwise determined.

Abstract: A proxy for location on a network between one or more client applications and a server application, comprises an input unit for receiving input data from a first client application and from a server application; a modifying unit for modifying server data by insertion of client data; and a handling unit for submitting the modified content data to the client to allow the client to review and further modify the client data within the server data and submit the modified data back to the proxy for subsequent submission to the server. The proxy thus uses client data to prefill web forms, using mapping and the like, which the client can then review and modify before submission to the server, thus avoiding substantial rekeying.

Abstract: A server machine manages a user interface displayed at a client device. The user interface has a graphical layout that includes one or more search icons that respectively represent queries in a history of searches. In response to a cursor event corresponding to one of the search icons, the server machine presents a graphical window that shows information describing a previously executed query. In response to another cursor event corresponding to the search icon, the server machine causes the graphical layout to present search results returned by the previously executed query. Furthermore, in response to a request to delete a particular search icon from the graphical layout, the server machine deletes or ignores a search record corresponding to the particular search icon.

Abstract: A server machine manages and presents a user interface. The user interface presents search results, and the server machine receives a cursor input that corresponds to a particular search result. The particular search result references an item available for purchase, and the item is described by descriptors. Responsive to the cursor input, the user interface presents a preview window that contains a descriptor not shown in the particular search result. The server machine receives a further cursor input that indicates the item is to be included in a list of items. Responsive to the further cursor input, the user interface presents a list of items as including an icon that references the item. The icon indicates that the item is included in the list of items.

Abstract: A bridging platform bridges between one or more source computer systems, each having respective source data formats and one or more target computer systems. The platform includes a print file input for receiving data input as a form at the source system as a print file comprising layout information for printing. An indexing unit indexes between data within the layout information and a unified index, and recognizes the source format of the currently received data to select the correct index. A mapping unit maps data in the data form layout between the unified index and the target data format to place the data into a form usable by the target system. There is additionally provided a method of providing data to a first computer system which was input to a second computer system via a data form. The data form is not itself compatible with the first computer system. In the method a virtual print file is obtained of the data form.

Abstract: A proxy for location on a network between one or more client applications and a server application, comprises an input unit for receiving input data from a first client application and from a server application; a modifying unit for modifying server data by insertion of client data; and a handling unit for submitting the modified content data to the client to allow the client to review and further modify the client data within the server data and submit the modified data back to the proxy for subsequent submission to the server. The proxy thus uses client data to prefill web forms, using mapping and the like, which the client can then review and modify before submission to the server, thus avoiding substantial rekeying.

Abstract: A development environment develops a data transfer interface, which converts message traffic between a first data system and a second data system. The systems have a first and a second data structure respectively. The development environment consists of two structure modelers, one for each data system, and a matcher. The first structure modeler provides a model of the first data structure. The model is developed for each message type of a predetermined group of message types. The first structure modeler input consists of at least one sample message of each of the message types. The second structure modeler develops, from second system responses to test data, a second data structure model for each of the message types. The matcher supports matching of elements of the first structure model to corresponding elements of the second structure model, thereby forming a message type mapping.

Abstract: A development environment develops a data transfer interface, which converts message traffic between a first data system and a second data system. The systems have a first and a second data structure respectively. The development environment consists of two structure modelers, one for each data system, and a matcher. The first structure modeler provides a model of the first data structure. The model is developed for each message type of a predetermined group of message types. The first structure modeler input consists of at least one sample message of each of the message types. The second structure modeler develops, from second system responses to test data, a second data structure model for each of the message types. The matcher supports matching of elements of the first structure model to corresponding elements of the second structure model, thereby forming a message type mapping.