Abstract: A patent figure drafting tool is described. The patent figure drafting tool includes a database of drawings which can be used alone, or in combination with each other or other drawings, to create patent figures. The tool may further include exemplary descriptions of the drawings, which may be automatically included in a draft patent application. The tool may further include an auto numbering program configured to auto number drawings and/or descriptions of the drawings.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a lexicon tool including a database that includes a plurality of terms which may be words, phrases, paragraphs, documents, photographs, etc, and at least one definition for each term. Each definition is associated with a subject matter identifier that aids in determining how the definitions are presented to an end user.

Abstract: A system is described wherein interested entities are able to review opinions rendered by patent examiners and provide commentary on the opinion. The commentary may be stored with the opinion for review by other parties. Moreover, the commentary may be used to refine the types and number of applications that are given to the examiner for examination.

Abstract: A database, such as a patent database, including a plurality of electronic documents, such as patents and patent applications, is described. The documents include words, phrases, and/or pictures that have been hyperlinked to advertisements or other documents. Also described are methods of indexing words and phrases in the documents and allowing advertisers, merchants, or other entities to pay for the right to hyperlink selected words, phrases, pictures that appear in the documents in the database to web-based documents of their choosing.

Abstract: A system of maintaining notes associated with documents that may be, for example in a document database, such as a patent database, is described. The notes may be submitted by the author(s) of the original document, by parties associated with the original document (such as a patent examiner), or by a third party. Access to the notes may be limited based, for example, on a party's relationship to the original document.

Abstract: A search engine configured to search a database of documents and provide search results to an end user is described. The search engine may be configured to provide the end user with a list of synonyms for terms in the search query submitted by the end user and allow the end user to identify those synonyms which should be included in the search engine. Alternatively or additionally, the search engine may be configured to provide the end user with survey questions, the answers to which, may be used to further define the search query. The database may include notes and/or advertisements that are associated with specific documents in the database.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system determines an image, selects a panel of participants, and outputs the image to each of the participants of the panel of participants. The image may be an image of a garment a shopper is considering purchasing, an image of the shopper wearing the garment, or an image of a virtual model of the shopper combined with an image of the garment. The panel of participants may be selected based on a characteristic associated with the shopper. The image may be output to the panel of participants along with a request for an opinion regarding the garment (e.g., “Buy It” or “Don't Buy It”). The responses may be collected from the participants and an indication of the results may be output to the shopper.

Abstract: Improved methods for ensuring proper protection of intellectual property are described. In one embodiment, patents are scanned and intentional alterations or mistakes are introduced.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides various novel means for outsourcing patent applications for examination. The disclosure describes various automated and non-automated means for selecting a qualified agency and examiner to perform the examination. The disclosure further discloses means for review of a patent at the request of holders of patents, licensees or other third parties who may be interested in acquiring a patent or application.

Abstract: A database, such as a patent database, including a plurality of electronic documents, such as patents and patent applications, is described. End users are able to access the database and submit prior art that they believe invalidates patent documents in the database. End users may also submit commentary explaining their reasons for submitting the prior art. The system may be configured to reward end users who have a history of submitting prior art that invalidates patent documents and/or to penalize end users who have a history of submitting prior art that does not invalidate or is not relevant to the identified application.

Abstract: Improved methods and systems for searching, retrieving, and displaying information regarding patent applications and issued patents that may be related by inventors or assignees are described. The methods and systems may similarly incorporate and display potentially related non patent literature.

Abstract: A database, such as a patent database, including a plurality of electronic documents, such as patents and patent applications, is described. The documents include words, phrases, and/or pictures that have been hyperlinked to advertisements or other documents. Also described are methods of indexing words and phrases in the documents and allowing advertisers, merchants, or other entities to pay for the right to hyperlink selected words, phrases, pictures that appear in the documents in the database to web-based documents of their choosing.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides various novel means for selecting and assigning patent applications for examination. The disclosure describes various automated and non-automated means for selecting a qualified examiner based on a number of criteria including the examiner's history, current workload and the subject matter of the filed application. The disclosure further describes means for adjusting examiners workloads and ensuring the quality of examined applications.

Abstract: Virtual environments in which players are able to select synthetic voices for their characters are described. The voices may be celebrity voices or impersonations of celebrity voices. A player may provide a spoken message to the game server, which converts the spoken message into a text message and then outputs the text message in audible form using a celebrity voice.

Abstract: Improved methods for drafting, preparing, submitting and examining a patent application are described. The system incorporates a web-based tool in which applications are drafted. The web-based tool allows further allows for the submission, association, and display of notes regarding applications. The notes may be text or hyperlinks to prior art references. The relevance of the prior art documents to the patent application may be indicated by visible indicia.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides various novel means for performing prior art searches for patent applications. The disclosure describes various automated means for performing and refining prior art searches with decreasing examiner input and generating office actions based on such searches.

Abstract: A POS terminal measures one or more criteria, such as the activity rate of the POS terminal. For example, the POS terminal may measure the number of completed transactions per time, the number of items purchased through the POS terminal per time, the number of upsells accepted by customers per time, the number of customers in a store or the number of customers in the vicinity of the POS terminal. The POS terminal in turn compares the measured criteria with a predetermined threshold. Based on the results of the comparison, the POS terminal determines whether to perform a supplementary process. For example, the POS terminal may perform the supplementary process only if the number of transactions per minute is less than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A game presentation such as a virtual slot machine is displayed by a display device associated with a point of sale (POS) terminal. The game presentation includes images of products for which product identifying codes are entered at the POS terminal. The game presentation indicates to a customer an outcome of a random process pursuant to which the customer may be awarded a benefit such as a free product, a discount on a product selected for purchase, a coupon or an upsell offer.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for determining and applying a discount to a customer's transaction. The discount is of a progressive nature, wherein the value of a customer's discount increases if the customer meets the conditions associated with the discount. The system rewards more frequent or profitable customers with benefits such as larger increases in the discount or higher maximum discount than those awarded to less frequent or profitable customers. The discount is decreased or eliminated if the customer fails to meet the conditions associated with the discount.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are described for providing a link in an electronic file being presented to a user in accordance with a set of one or more preferences, each preference providing an association between one or more data patterns and a computer network resource. According to some embodiments, one or more layers may be available and/or selectively activated (e.g., by a user) for modifying electronic files.