Abstract: A portable electronic device can act as a music player, gaming device and a smart phone combined. The device has multiple panels each with a display. The panels are connected in a manner to permit the device to be opened and closed such as by folding the panels. When folded the a device is compact and able to held in the palm of a hand, yet such a device can be extended into a larger form factor, such as the size of commonly available tablets. Furthermore, when in proximity to a large display device, such a device can act like a laptop or personal computer through a local connection such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other communication protocol to the display.

Abstract: A portable electronic device can act as a music player, gaming device and a smart phone combined. The device has multiple panels each with a display. The panels are connected in a manner to permit the device to be opened and closed such as by folding the panels. When folded the a device is compact and able to held in the palm of a hand, yet such a device can be extended into a larger form factor, such as the size of commonly available tablets. Furthermore, when in proximity to a large display device, such a device can act like a laptop or personal computer through a local connection such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other communication protocol to the display.

Abstract: Methods, systems and articles of manufacture for discovering relationships among data elements within a dataset are disclosed. A first relationship is identified between a first data element and a second data element by identifying a correlation between a first attribute of the first data element and the first attribute of a second data element. A second relationship indicator is generated that is indicative of a relationship between the first data element and the second data element based on the correlation between the first attribute of the first and second data elements. Various embodiments can identify implicit relationships across one or more levels of explicit relationships where the explicit relationships can be across different attributes. Such techniques can be employed in various types of application programs.

Abstract: Methods, systems and articles of manufacture for discovering relationships among data elements within a dataset are disclosed. A first relationship is identified between a first data element and a second data element by identifying a correlation between a first attribute of the first data element and the first attribute of a second data element. A second relationship indicator is generated that is indicative of a relationship between the first data element and the second data element based on the correlation between the first attribute of the first and second data elements. Various embodiments can identify implicit relationships across one or more levels of explicit relationships where the explicit relationships can be across different attributes. Such techniques can be employed in various types of application programs.

Abstract: A portable electronic device can act as a music player, gaming device and a smart phone combined. The device has multiple panels each with a display. The panels are connected in a manner to permit the device to be opened and closed such as by folding the panels. When folded the a device is compact and able to held in the palm of a hand, yet such a device can be extended into a larger form factor, such as the size of commonly available tablets. Furthermore, when in proximity to a large display device, such a device can act like a laptop or personal computer through a local connection such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other communication protocol to the display.

Abstract: An exemplary method for determining a singular impact of a base criterion includes selecting the base criterion and a trade criterion from a plurality of criteria and selecting a starting alternative and a target alternative. A series of virtual alternatives are then created, initially based on the starting alternative, by sequentially eliminating an impact of each non-selected criteria from the plurality of criteria. A final virtual alternative is compared to the target alternative and the singular impact of the base criterion is determined based on a difference between the final virtual alternative and the target alternative.

Abstract: An exemplary method for determining a singular impact of a base criterion includes selecting the base criterion and a trade criterion from a plurality of criteria and selecting a starting alternative and a target alternative. A series of virtual alternatives are then created, initially based on the starting alternative, by sequentially eliminating an impact of each non-selected criteria from the plurality of criteria. A final virtual alternative is compared to the target alternative and the singular impact of the base criterion is determined based on a difference between the final virtual alternative and the target alternative.

Abstract: The invention includes a tradeoff module having a range of values, a criteria behavior module that analyzes attributes including values of the criteria for a set of alternatives, generating a set of scores reflecting the desirability of the attributes using logic diagrams, and a scoring and ranking module that utilizes assigned values from the tradeoff module and the set of scores from the criteria behavior module to generate a ranked list of alternatives. The invention is used to facilitate a reverse auction, where suppliers submit bids to a purchaser desiring specific goods or services. The invention discloses a system for generating a ranked list of alternatives, including means for generating a homogeneous matrix of scores based on a heterogeneous matrix of attributes and alternatives, means for receiving a tradeoff value, and means for generating a ranked list of alternatives based on the homogeneous matrix of scores and the tradeoff value.

Abstract: A search engine for databases, data streams, and other data sources allows user preferences as to the relative importance of search criteria to be used to rank the output of the search engine. A weighted preference generator generates weighted preference information including at least a plurality of weights corresponding to a plurality of search criteria. A weighted preference data search engine uses the weighted preference information to search a data source and to provide an ordered result list based upon the weighted preference information. A method for weighted preference data searching further includes allowing a user to re-rank the ordered result list and determine newly updated weighted preferences based on the re-ranking process. A plurality of weights signifying the relative importance of the search criteria may also be generated by the user inputting an ordered list. This ordered list may be a single alternative or a plurality of alternatives.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a variety of engines, methods and systems for making computer-assisted choices among heterogeneous alternatives. More specifically, engines, methods, and systems for normalizing heterogeneous parameters for scoring proposals are contemplated. The present invention includes a comparison engine that generates a ranked list of alternatives such as proposals or items of consumer merchandise, in which each alternative is assigned a weighted score that reflects the importance of tradeoffs among various criteria.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a variety of engines, methods and systems for making computer-assisted choices among heterogeneous alternatives. More specifically, engines, methods, and systems for normalizing heterogeneous parameters for scoring proposals are contemplated. The present invention includes a comparison engine that generates a ranked list of alternatives such as proposals or items of consumer merchandise, in which each alternative is assigned a weighted score that reflects the importance of tradeoffs among various criteria.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a variety of engines, methods and systems for making computer-assisted choices among heterogeneous alternatives. More specifically, engines, methods, and systems for normalizing heterogeneous parameters for scoring proposals are contemplated. The present invention includes a comparison engine that generates a ranked list of alternatives such as proposals or items of consumer merchandise, in which each alternative is assigned a weighted score that reflects the importance of tradeoffs among various criteria.

Abstract: A search engine for databases, data streams, and other data sources allows user preferences as to the relative importance of search criteria to be used to rank the output of the search engine. A weighted preference generator generates weighted preference information including at least a plurality of weights corresponding to a plurality of search criteria. A weighted preference data search engines uses the weighted preference information to search a data source and to provide an ordered result list based upon the weighted preference information. A method for weighted preference data searching includes determining weighted preference information including a plurality of search criteria and a corresponding plurality of weights signifying the relative importance of the search criteria, and querying a data source and ranking the results based upon the weighted preference information.

Abstract: A search engine for databases, data streams, and other data sources allows user preferences as to the relative importance of search criteria to be used to rank the output of the search engine. A weighted preference generator generates weighted preference information including at least a plurality of weights corresponding to a plurality of search criteria. A weighted preference data search engines uses the weighted preference information to search a data source and to provide an ordered result list based upon the weighted preference information. A method for weighted preference data searching includes determining weighted preference information including a plurality of search criteria and a corresponding plurality of weights signifying the relative importance of the search criteria, and querying a data source and ranking the results based upon the weighted preference information.