Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for communicating data including prioritizing data by assigning a priority to the data, analyzing a network to determine a status of the network, and communicating the data based at least in part on the priority of the data and the status of the network. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for communicating data including a data prioritization component, a network analysis component, and a data communications component. The data prioritization component is adapted to prioritize data by assigning a priority to the data. The network analysis component is adapted to analyze a network to determine a status of the network. The data communications component is adapted to communicate the data based at least in part on the priority of the data and the status of the network.

Abstract: A system and method for the selection and delivery of at least one targeted advertisement over a network, wherein the targeted advertisement conforms to the preferences and criteria specified by each respective user and each respective advertiser. The targeted advertisement selections may be prioritized via correlation of a wide variety of user information and advertiser information. Such a system and method provide for delivery of highly targeted advertisements that ensures a retailer that advertisement marketing is reaching their desired demographic audience and, likewise, exposes each respective end user to highly relevant product and service advertisements. The present invention further increases network efficiency by performing advertisement selection and formatting only once at user login to eliminate continual fetching and formatting of new advertisements during the session. The system or method may employ a map of advertisements that is generated for the user a single time at login.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and a system for storing and communicating information between a consumer and proprietor, enabling the proprietor to build a database of consumer information and enabling the consumer to build a database of information from businesses participating in the system of the present invention. The invention enables the proprietor to analyze consumer habits and communicate incentives and rewards to specific consumers. Consumers utilize a handheld personal information device to store a unique personal identifier. The personal information device transmits the unique personal identifier to, and may receive information from, an information exchange unit upon entry of the consumer into a participating place of business. Consumer personal information and transaction data are recorded and stored in a secure central database.

Abstract: An interface with a point of sale (POS) system at a place of business, and more specifically, an interface that is external to the POS software and capable of interfacing disparate POS systems. A point of sale specific interface (POSSI), which functions to bidirectionally translate POS system specific data that is communicated from the existing POS system database into generic transaction/update upload bundles that are communicated to the business server software (BSS). Having bidirectional translating capability, the POSSI may provide communications between a central subsystem database of a consumer loyalty system, accessible via the BSS and an internet connection, and disparate pre-existing POS systems at various places of business. Acting as a go-between, the POSSI communicates with the BSS by means of a generic interface, while the POSSI communicates with disparate POS systems by means of a system specific interface.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for communicating data including prioritizing data by assigning a priority to the data, analyzing a network to determine a status of the network, and communicating the data based at least in part on the priority of the data and the status of the network. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for communicating data including a data prioritization component, a network analysis component, and a data communications component. The data prioritization component is adapted to prioritize data by assigning a priority to the data. The network analysis component is adapted to analyze a network to determine a status of the network. The data communications component is adapted to communicate the data based at least in part on the priority of the data and the status of the network.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for mode-driven communication management. Certain embodiments include organizing a plurality of parameters into a profile representing a mode of communication operation. The plurality of parameters define a mode for a network. The network is configured in accordance with parameters of the profile. Quality of service is provided for communication on the network according to the profile. Certain embodiments provide a network communication system providing quality of service. The system includes a communication manager controlling a flow of messages in a network. The system also includes a message management rules module applying one or more rules to affect the flow of the messages in the network. The one or more rules are configured by a mode defined in a profile.

Abstract: A method for distributing data for one or more controlled devices having defined subsystems which generate data. The method includes the steps of partitioning and labeling the data to establish a set of defined data views, so that each data view contains data for a predetermined set of the subsystems. The data is stored on a server node of a computer network and is subsequently broadcast over the network using multicast techniques. The broadcasted data contains a plurality of the data views from the server which are received by at least one client node via the network. The client node selectively processes a predetermined set of the data in accordance with the data views assigned to the client node and rejects all other data views.

Abstract: A method for receiving requested multicast data over a plurality of multicast communications channels includes the steps of determining a source communications channel for receiving requested multicast data; enabling the source communications channel; receiving the requested multicast data through the source communications channel; and, forwarding the requested multicast data to requesting processes. In the preferred embodiment, the source communications channel is overloaded with multicast data from a plurality of multicast data sources. In consequence, the method can further include both the steps of filtering from the received multicast data, unwanted multicast data; and, routing the filtered multicast data to requesting processes. In a preferred embodiment, the determining step can further include hashing an identifier corresponding to a multicast data source of the requested multicast data; and, identifying as the source communications channel, the hashed identifier.