Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for deconstructing or “reverse engineering” one or more documents into a workflow process by identifying various phases, steps, and questions that arise from the document. Using an editing tool, a user selects text portions of a document and specifies one or more workflow parameters associated with the text, such as a question that will be generated to elicit information corresponding to the selected text. The document is tagged and used to generate a data structure used to execute the workflow process at a later time. The data structure can be modified to change the workflow structure.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically identifying customers with potential for completing a transaction and facilitating the transaction is provided herein. Visitors to a website or listing posted thereon may be identified and characterized according to publicly available information and/or other information provided by the visitor. Attributes of a visitor may be compared to one or more predefined evaluation variables and criteria. The evaluation variables and criteria are used to determine a probability that the visitor will complete a transaction. Points may be assigned for matching variables. Visitors may be categorized according to a determining probability. If a visitor has a sufficiently high probability, a counterparty to the transaction may be contacted. A transaction system may further be used to facilitate the transaction between the visitor and the counterparty. The variables and algorithms used to evaluate visitors may further be refined based on information from completion of past transactions.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method that facilitates a structured contract negotiation between two parties, such as parties to a real estate transaction. A series of predefined milestone negotiation steps are executed on a computer that couples two parties through a network, such as the Internet. The negotiators answer predefined questions regarding a proposed transaction in such a manner that certain aspects of the transaction can be agreed upon early during the negotiation process while others are deferred to later phases. In each phase, each party selects from a predefined list of actions associated with a particular aspect of the negotiation (e.g., sale price). Third-party service providers such as brokers and architects can be automatically pulled into the negotiations using computer-issued requests for services.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method that facilitates a structured lease negotiation between two parties to a real estate transaction, and subsequent steps to occupy the leased premises and evaluate the transaction process. A series of predefined milestone negotiation steps are executed on a computer that couples two parties through a network, such as the Internet. The negotiators use a web browser to answer predefined questions regarding a proposed transaction in such a manner that certain aspects of the transaction can be agreed upon early during the negotiation process while others are deferred to later phases. In each phase, each party must select from a predefined list of actions (e.g., agree, defer, identify, mediate, etc.) associated with a particular aspect of the negotiation (e.g., rent to be charged, term of the lease, etc.). Tools are provided to facilitate transnational aspects of the negotiation (e.g., conversion between currencies, metrics, or languages).

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for handling a solution. The apparatus comprises a housing and a vial assembly positioned within an enclosure of the housing. The vial assembly maintains at least one vial within the enclosure of the housing. A valve manifold extends within the enclosure of the housing for connection to the vial. A rotation mechanism, also extending within the enclosure of the housing, is operatively connected to the vial assembly for rotating the vial assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for providing best practice reports including information related to completed real estate transactions and services provided by third party vendors used to complete real estate transactions. A party to a real estate transaction provides information regarding the transaction over a computer network. The information is used to generate reports that include user comments and evaluations of services provided by one or more local service providers. The reports are stored in a database connected to the web site. Third-party users can retrieve reports based on various criteria. Local service providers can also access information stored in the database, and can provide comments relating to the reports, which are linked to the reports.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method that facilitates a structured contract negotiation between two parties, such as parties to a real estate transaction. A series of predefined milestone negotiation steps are executed on a computer that couples two parties through a network, such as the Internet. The negotiators answer predefined questions regarding a proposed transaction in such a manner that certain aspects of the transaction can be agreed upon early during the negotiation process while others are deferred to later phases. In each phase, each party selects from a predefined list of actions associated with a particular aspect of the negotiation (e.g., sale price). Third-party service providers such as brokers and architects can be automatically pulled into the negotiations using computer-issued requests for services.

Abstract: In a FLIR/laser based targeting and imaging system, the ability to recognize, detect, locate, and/or track targets in an area of interest is significantly improved by reducing the fixed and dynamic alignment errors between the IR LOS and the laser LOS. Fixed alignment errors are reduced with an improved internal boresight module and corresponding boresight method. Dynamic alignment errors are reduced with an opto-electric subsystem that employs a single pitch bearing and a common pitch/yaw afocal for both the laser energy and the IR energy. A segmented window in the system housing includes a circular EMI grid pattern which significantly reduces the amount of off-axis EMI entering the optical pathways, and improved signal processing techniques are employed to enhance the quality of the IR image after the image has been digitized.