Abstract: A method of reviewing a product or service includes receiving user input from a first device, the input comprising a review of the product or service, storing the user input, and causing execution of a script on a second device. The script is configured to retrieve the user input and store it in a clipboard of the second device. A system for carrying out the method may present the survey to the patient on a kiosk, or on a desktop, laptop or tablet computer.

Abstract: A method of controlling consumption of a commodity, particularly an addictive commodity, includes issuing a license, in advance of any purchase, to a purchaser of the commodity. The license allows purchase of a specified quantity of the commodity within a specified time period. The license is issued for a license fee that is set according to a schedule that divides the specified quantity into ranges, and charges different per unit base fees for purchases in different ones of those ranges. When a purchase is made, the license is checked to see if the purchase is allowed, and then updated to reflect the quantity purchased. Excessive consumption may be penalized by charging a higher rate for a new license in the same period, while surrender of one's license may be rewarded with incentives. The license fee may include the purchase price of the licensed quantity of the commodity.

Abstract: A plan of countersuit insurance provided to professionals, possibly as part of or along with their professional liability insurance, deters frivolous professional malpractice claims. The plan of insurance pays legal costs of countersuits for improper prosecution when a frivolous claim has been made and, preferably, tried to a judgment for the accused professional, and an objective review concludes that the claim was frivolous. The objective review may include initiating a disciplinary proceeding against any expert witness before a professional society to which the witness belongs, for violation of the code of conduct imposed by the society on its members. Ordinarily, such a proceeding would not be initiated unless an initial review indicated at least a possibility of frivolousness, and therefore of success in the proceeding. The outcome of the proceeding could be treated as conclusive proof of frivolousness, or could be treated as just another factor in a frivolousness determination.

Abstract: A method of controlling consumption of a commodity, particularly an addictive commodity, includes issuing a license, in advance of any purchase, to a purchaser of the commodity. The license allows purchase of a specified quantity of the commodity within a specified time period. The license is issued for a license fee that is set according to a schedule that divides the specified quantity into ranges, and charges different per unit base fees for purchases in different ones of those ranges. When a purchase is made, the license is checked to see if the purchase is allowed, and then updated to reflect the quantity purchased. Excessive consumption may be penalized by charging a higher rate for a new license in the same period, while surrender of one's license may be rewarded with incentives. The license fee may include the purchase price of the licensed quantity of the commodity.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described that implement evidence-based schemata in a health care system that embody practice guidelines and/or a standard of care. Physicians in the health care system agree to adhere to the practice guidelines. An insured patient transfers the right to sue a physician malpractice to a neutral third party and receives medical care in compliance with the practice guidelines. The insured patient may be subject to incentives and disincentives to encourage compliance with the transfer agreement. Shielding the physician from lawsuits will give the physician an incentive to abandon the practice of “defensive medicine.” This will significantly reduce the number of diagnostic tests and procedures and associated risks and expenses. Such a system can promote cost-efficiency, increase safety and provide fair remedies to patients who are injured, regardless of the cause.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described that implement evidence-based schemata in a health care system that embody practice guidelines and/or a standard of care. Physicians in the health care system agree to adhere to the practice guidelines. An insured patient assigns/subrogates the right to sue a physician malpractice to the health insurance carrier and receives medical care in compliance with the practice guidelines. The insured patient may be subject to incentives and disincentives to encourage compliance with the assignment/subrogation agreement. Shielding the physician from lawsuits will give the physician an incentive to abandon the practice of “defensive medicine.” This will significantly reduce the number of diagnostic tests and procedures and associated risks and expenses. Such a system can promote cost-efficiency, increase safety and provide fair remedies to patients who are injured, regardless of the cause.

Abstract: A plan of countersuit insurance provided to professionals, possibly as part of or along with their professional liability insurance, deters frivolous professional malpractice claims. The plan of insurance pays legal costs of countersuits for improper prosecution when a frivolous claim has been made and, preferably, tried to a judgment for the accused professional, and an objective review concludes that the claim was frivolous. The objective review may include initiating a disciplinary proceeding against any expert witness before a professional society to which the witness belongs, for violation of the code of conduct imposed by the society on its members. Ordinarily, such a proceeding would not be initiated unless an initial review indicated at least a possibility of frivolousness, and therefore of success in the proceeding. The outcome of the proceeding could be treated as conclusive proof of frivolousness, or could be treated as just another factor in a frivolousness determination.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article for auctioning over a communications network are provided. The method includes receiving from a buyer over the communications network a maximum price that the buyer is willing to pay for at least one of a good and a service; receiving from a plurality of potential sellers over the communications network progressively lower competing bids for the at least one of the good or the service, the competing bids corresponding to compensation amounts that potential sellers are willing to accept for providing the at least one of the good and the service; and generating at least one signal corresponding to an identity of a winning seller.

Abstract: A plan of countersuit insurance provided to professionals, possibly as part of or along with their professional liability insurance, deters frivolous professional malpractice claims. The plan of insurance pays legal costs of countersuits for improper prosecution when a frivolous claim has been made and, preferably, tried to a judgment for the accused professional, and an objective review concludes that the claim was frivolous. As part of the insurance plan, the names of covered professionals are posted on a publicly accessible database. If a potential plaintiff or his or her attorney finds a potential defendant's name on the database, it may be a deterrent to filing weaker claims that might be viewed as frivolous.