Abstract: A wireless hoist system including a first hoist device having a first motor and a first wireless transceiver and a second hoist device having a second motor and a second wireless transceiver. The wireless hoist system includes a controller in wireless communication with the first wireless transceiver and the second wireless. The controller is configured to receive a user input and determine a first operation parameter and a second operation parameter based on the user input. The controller is also configured to provide, wirelessly, a first control signal indicative of the first operation parameter to the first hoist device and provide, wirelessly, a second control signal indicative of the second operation parameter to the second hoist device. The first hoist device operates based on the first control signal and the second hoist device operates based on the second control signal.

Abstract: A first message from a client device, received at a server, can include a request to provide at least one media item matching at least one audience parameter. In response to the first message, the server can access a database storing media item information associated with multiple media items to be retrieved using servers other than the server receiving the first message. The media item information can include, a media item identifier, a media item location identifier, and description information. Media items are selected based on a comparison of the audience parameter with the description information and the server sends a reply to the first message, including a list of media items and their location identifiers.

Abstract: Garments are presented to a consumer using a computer by reading a database of garments, wherein the database of garments includes parameters for at least some of the garments represented by records in the database of garments, the parameters including at least a garment type, reading data representing a plurality of garment types, the data including, for each type of the plurality of garment types, obtaining consumer measurements from the consumer or a source derived from the consumer, obtaining garment measurements for garments in the database of garments, comparing customer measurements to garment measurements, scoring garments from the database of garments based on garment measurements and customer measurements, and presenting the consumer or consumer representative with a computer generated filtered listed of garments from the database of garments ordered, at least approximately, according to garment scores, based on context.

Abstract: A first message from a client device, received at a server, can include a request to provide at least one media item matching at least one audience parameter. In response to the first message, the server can access a database storing media item information associated with multiple media items to be retrieved using servers other than the server receiving the first message. The media item information can include, a media item identifier, a media item location identifier, and description information. Media items are selected based on a comparison of the audience parameter with the description information and the server sends a reply to the first message, including a list of media items and their location identifiers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing targeted information. In one embodiment of the present invention, an encrypted request for targeted information is received from a user. The encrypted request has a logon authorization element and a parameter requirement element. When the logon authorization element is satisfied, an encrypted list of data items is transmitted to the user. Each data item satisfies the parameter requirement element. In one embodiment, the data item is an advertisement. The above-described invention has utility for providing the user with advertisement options that satisfy the user's parameter requirements.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing information. According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least two data segments are collected. Each data segment is collected from a media stream, and each media stream is located at a different media source. Then, a composite media stream is generated by joining together each of the collected data segments. In another embodiment, the data segment is an audio data segment. The above-described invention has utility for allowing a user/listener to search for an Internet radio station by listening to a composite media stream.

Abstract: A system and method is described herein for pulling information from numerous areas from manufacturers to end users to generate a total market map of the creation, use, and disposition of all products in a market. The system allows a customer to look at items, and suggest or request modifications from a manufacturer. This system may use known data, such as body measurements and body shape, to determine which products may meet the needs of a large subset of consumers. This also includes gathering profile information about users, such as fashion style and lifestyle preferences, shopping and spending habits, site browsing and usage history, and other demographic and psychographic data to discover market segments and the types of items most likely to be desired or purchased by consumers in each segment.

Abstract: An improved online shopping system is described herein, wherein a shopper is provided with a differentiated display of items, thereby allowing the user to discern which items match a “personal shop” criteria, among items that might not match that “personal shop” criteria.

Abstract: A computer implemented method presents garments to a consumer using a computer by reading a garment database. The database includes garments from a plurality of retail, manufacturing, and media partners. Media and retail partners combine inventories on data servers and allow each partner to show a particular offering of garments at their website. A given partner may tailor the particular garment offering to subscribers based on a profile relating to the garment parameters contained within the database inventory. Applications within the system produce outfits composed of garment selections based on particular user profile information. Outfits selections are presented to the user through a web browser where shopping and purchasing of various garments may be conducted. The computer implemented method is facilitated through databases, database servers, application servers and networks to interrelate inventory offerings between the partners.

Abstract: A computer implemented method presents garments to a consumer using a computer by reading a garment database. The database includes garments from a plurality of retail, manufacturing, and media partners. Media and retail partners combine inventories on data servers and allow each partner to show a particular offering of garments at their website. A given partner may tailor the particular garment offering to subscribers based on a profile relating to the garment parameters contained within the database inventory. Applications within the system produce outfits composed of garment selections based on particular user profile information. Outfits selections are presented to the user through a web browser where shopping and purchasing of various garments may be conducted. The computer implemented method is facilitated through databases, database servers, application servers and networks to interrelate inventory offerings between the partners.

Abstract: A computer implemented method presents garments to a consumer using a computer by reading a database of garments, wherein the database of garments includes parameters for at least some of the garments represented by records in the database of garments, the parameters including at least a garment type, reading data representing a plurality of garment types, the data including, for each type of the plurality of garment types, a set of tolerance ranges for that garment type, obtaining consumer measurements from the consumer or a source derived from the consumer, obtaining garment measurements for garments in the database of garments, comparing customer measurements to garment measurements, scoring garments from the database of garments based on garment measurements, customer measurements and the set of tolerance ranges for each garment based on its garment type, and presenting the consumer with a computer generated filtered listed of garments from the database of garments ordered, at least approximately, accordi

Abstract: An online garment selection and acquisition system comprises at least a server computer system that receives requests from client computer systems and/or client devices and responds to those requests, wherein the server computer system is configured to be able to access a database system for reading data therefrom in order to provide matching of garments and consumers according to a set of computer-readable rules and an application that applies those rules. The application can execute in a distributed manner, such as where the garment data is embedded in images or objects that are presented to the consumer (or consumer representative), such as being shown as web pages, and the application executes at a computer presenting the web page and/or the consumer computer.

Abstract: A computer implemented method presents garments to a consumer using a computer by reading a database of garments, wherein the database of garments includes parameters for at least some of the garments represented by records in the database of garments, the parameters including at least a garment type, reading data representing a plurality of garment types, the data including, for each type of the plurality of garment types, a set of tolerance ranges for that garment type, obtaining consumer measurements from the consumer or a source derived from the consumer, obtaining garment measurements for garments in the database of garments, comparing customer measurements to garment measurements, scoring garments from the database of garments based on garment measurements, customer measurements and the set of tolerance ranges for each garment based on its garment type, and presenting the consumer with a computer generated filtered listed of garments from the database of garments ordered, at least approximately, accordi

Abstract: Garments are presented to a consumer using a computer by reading a database of garments, wherein the database of garments includes parameters for at least some of the garments represented by records in the database of garments, the parameters including at least a garment type, reading data representing a plurality of garment types, the data including, for each type of the plurality of garment types, obtaining consumer measurements from the consumer or a source derived from the consumer, obtaining garment measurements for garments in the database of garments, comparing customer measurements to garment measurements, scoring garments from the database of garments based on garment measurements and customer measurements, and presenting the consumer or consumer representative with a computer generated filtered listed of garments from the database of garments ordered, at least approximately, according to garment scores, based on context.

Abstract: A method and system for specifying the fit of garments and matching the fit of individual garments to individual consumers is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes categorizing human body shapes based on dimensional and demographic body measurement data sampled from the human population, and statistically analyzing the measurement data to determine the appropriate number of discrete body shapes, as well as the range of measurement values characteristic of each body shape. The method includes assigning to each body shape a shape code, which is a unique name and/or symbol and/or curve representing that shape. In one embodiment, a recommendation engine is employed to specify and match the fit of individual garments to individual consumers.

Abstract: A method and system for specifying the fit of garments and matching the fit of individual garments to individual consumers is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes categorizing human body shapes based on dimensional and demographic body measurement data sampled from the human population, and statistically analyzing the measurement data to determine the appropriate number of discrete body shapes, as well as the range of measurement values characteristic of each body shape. The method includes assigning to each body shape a shape code, which is a unique name and/or symbol and/or curve representing that shape. In one embodiment, a recommendation engine is employed to specify and match the fit of individual garments to individual consumers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing targeted information. In one embodiment of the present invention, an encrypted request for targeted information is received from a user. The encrypted request has a logon authorization element and a parameter requirement element. When the logon authorization element is satisfied, an encrypted list of data items is transmitted to the user. Each data item satisfies the parameter requirement element. In one embodiment, the data item is an advertisement. The above-described invention has utility for providing the user with advertisement options that satisfy the user's parameter requirements.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing information. According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least two data segments are collected. Each data segment is collected from a media stream, and each media stream is located at a different media source. Then, a composite media stream is generated by joining together each of the collected data segments. In another embodiment, the data segment is an audio data segment. The above-described invention has utility for allowing a user/listener to search for an Internet radio station by listening to a composite media stream.