Abstract: A system for interfacing predetermined services to a user at a fixed location includes a processing platform running an operating system. The system further includes a data store for storing configuration information for enabling the operating system to interface with available physical system resources through the physical system resource interface associated therewith. A communication resource for interfacing with the operating system allows communication of the operating system with a central office for downloading configuration information to selectively enable ones of the available physical system resources to interface with the operating system through associated ones of the physical system resource interfaces in accordance with the configuration information and the predetermined service selected by a user. A plurality of configurations is stored in the data store, and each is associated with a predetermined service and one or more of the available physical system resources.

Abstract: A distributed transaction system for enabling users to conduct transactions using services from third party service providers includes a central processing center with one or more communications interfaces to facilitate transactions initiated by users at a plurality of kiosks wherein each of the kiosks includes a user interface enabling a user to access a user selected service and a data store for storing configurations associated with services provided by the third party service providers, whereby a user interfaces with one or more of physical system resources of the kiosk to open a user identity session such that the kiosk is operative to facilitate at least one first user action with the physical resources to initiate a financial transaction and the central processing center is operative to execute at least a second action to facilitate the transaction and to communicate with a financial institution.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of displaying a plurality of search results from a search of at least one data source includes providing a distinct image for each of the plurality of search results and displaying at least some of the images in distinct initial groups based upon at least one common characteristic of the members of each group. Upon selection of at least one initial group, at least some of the images of the selected group(s) are displayed in distinct sub-groups based upon a common characteristic of the members of each respective sub-group.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for providing a graphical user interface for displaying search results includes displaying a graphical representation of search results and parent categories for such search results, wherein individually graphically displayed search results appear within their respective parent categories, each search result representing an item of merchandise and each parent category relating to the type of merchandise included within such parent category.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of allowing navigation of a plurality of data elements residing within a category-tree database includes providing, on a single primary “web” page, a distinct data element symbol for each data element and a distinct parent category symbol for each parent category in the category paths of the data elements. For each illustrated parent category, a distinct first level web page is provided that includes (i) a first level subcategory symbol for each first level subcategory in the category paths of the data element(s) associated with that parent category and (ii) the data element symbol for each such data element shown associated with its respective first level subcategory symbol.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for organizing and/or presenting data includes displaying a graphical representation of categories for data elements, wherein the data elements appear within their respective categories. In some embodiments, search results from a search conducted in a hierarchical data set are graphically presented in the context of at least two categories included in their respective category paths.

Abstract: A “three dimensional” graphical user interface (GUI) that enables the navigation of an unstructured list of data elements; e.g., search results of a database. The invention has the following features: (a) the data elements are classified within the leaf-nodes of a hierarchical category node tree; e.g., a library structure; (b) the engine for building the GUI requires only the following two attributes per data element: (i) a text string indicating the category path, and (ii) a URL for accessing the data element, an optional element description may also be included; (c) the invention enables implementation of an XML Application Program Interface (API) since the GUI engine operates independently of the library structure associated with the accessed database; (d) the GUI displays one hierarchical level at a time; (e) all aggregate elements are presented with paths that are implied, i.e.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of allowing navigation of a plurality of data elements residing within a category-tree database includes providing, on a single primary “web” page, a distinct data element symbol for each data element and a distinct parent category symbol for each parent category in the category paths of the data elements. For each illustrated parent category, a distinct first level web page is provided that includes (i) a first level subcategory symbol for each first level subcategory in the category paths of the data element(s) associated with that parent category and (ii) the data element symbol for each such data element shown associated with its respective first level subcategory symbol.