Abstract: For tracking a target, multiple smart devices are self-organized into an ad hoc network, once a target is detected. A typical target is a motor vehicle or other moving objects. To add a device to the ad hoc network, a device within the system reaches out to a device that is not in the ad hoc network, and solicits the latter for images and data gathered in the past, as well as for future gathering of images and data. The usefulness of a device to the ad hoc network in view of target tracking is calculated, so that devices are added to or removed from the ad hoc network. The network might track multiple targets. In addition to detecting and tracking targets in “real world” scenes, targets in video games, or in virtual worlds, or in the Metaverse, are also contemplated.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses utilize multiple, independent sensing devices to collaboratively gather sensing data. A server or one of the sensing devices receives information which is used to select a target, and the device commences gathering sensing data of a target. The server or the device then solicits other devices to provide additional perspectives of the target. The other devices can solicit still other devices, in a cascading or other fashion. The concurrent, multiple perspectives thus gathered are provided to a collector, and can be mosaicked or otherwise stitched together.

Abstract: Multiple sensors are automatically recruited and coordinated to chronicle a fleeting event in a collaborative manner across time and space. An event of interest is captured and recognized by a first data capturing device. An outcome is automatically predicted, and a second data capturing device likely to have visibility of the location during occurrence of the predicted outcome is recruited to provide surveillance data of the event of interest. Surveillance data from both the first and second and subsequent data capturing devices are automatically sent to an investigation facility.

Abstract: Multiple sensors are automatically recruited and coordinated to chronicle a fleeting event in a collaborative manner across time and space. An event of interest is captured and recognized by a first data capturing device. An outcome is automatically predicted, and a second data capturing device likely to have visibility of the location during occurrence of the predicted outcome is recruited to provide surveillance data of the event of interest. Surveillance data from both the first and second and subsequent data capturing devices are automatically sent to an investigation facility.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses utilize multiple, independent sensing devices to collaboratively gather sensing data. A server or one of the sensing devices receives information which is used to select a target, and the device commences gathering sensing data of a target. The server or the device then solicits other devices to provide additional perspectives of the target. The other devices can solicit still other devices, in a cascading or other fashion. The concurrent, multiple perspectives thus gathered are provided to a collector, and can be mosaicked or otherwise stitched together.

Abstract: Systems and methods of enabling a user host device to communicate on a network. In an embodiment, a system receives a request packet from a user host device. The request packet, such as an ARP request packet, may include a target IP address that corresponds to a static IP address that is different from any IP address associated with the system. In response to receiving the request packet, the system may send a response packet, such as an ARP response packet, with a sender address that corresponds to the static IP address, and with a sender hardware address that corresponds to a hardware address of the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods of enabling a user host device to communicate on a network. In an embodiment, a system receives a request packet from a user host device. The request packet, such as an ARP request packet, may include a target IP address that corresponds to a static IP address that is different from any IP address associated with the system. In response to receiving the request packet, the system may send a response packet, such as an ARP response packet, with a sender address that corresponds to the static IP address, and with a sender hardware address that corresponds to a hardware address of the system.

Abstract: A system that facilitates publishing and consuming information that is of time sensitivity, for example, price information. Methods are employed to achieve completeness and freshness in information for a given domain. A preferred embodiment is a shopping site that is capable of comparing prices, purchasing bundled products and dealing with coupons.

Abstract: A framework for discovery and publishing among multiple sellers and multiple buyers leads to contemplated embodiments in planning online and shopping at local stores. Through the contemplated embodiments, sellers publish incentives and information to a platform, which matches, in a timely and personalized manner, buyers' purchase intentions that are often manifested as submitted and saved shopping lists or receipts.

Abstract: Systems and methods of enabling a user host device to communicate on a network. In an embodiment, a system receives a request packet from a user host device. The request packet, such as an ARP request packet, may include a target IP address that corresponds to a static IP address that is different from any IP address associated with the system. In response to receiving the request packet, the system may send a response packet, such as an ARP response packet, with a sender address that corresponds to the static IP address, and with a sender hardware address that corresponds to a hardware address of the system.

Abstract: A number of sets of methods and apparatuses applicable to online shopping are disclosed. One set, “Bin Packing Methods with Approximate Membership”, includes methods in pricing and auctioning a bundle of items, some of which could belong to another bundle. Significantly, the membership of a bundle, during pricing and auction, could change. Another set, the “Shopping Console”, puts a structure into the online shopping experience, so that through one interface various shopping activities can be facilitated, including but not limited to researching, pricing, negotiation, group buying, and tracking of purchases. Still another set, “Flash Mob Shopping”, allows sellers and a (spontaneous) group of shoppers to connect on prices without requiring shoppers' hard commitments, and with sellers revealing only necessary price information.

Abstract: A portable router for enabling a data communication terminal to be location and device transparent includes: a first module for storing a digital communication address of a user; a second module for detecting a data communication network location to which the terminal is connected; a third module for detecting communication devices that are connected to the terminal; a fourth module for establishing data communication between the terminal and the network such that the communication address of the location from the second module is automatically converted to the communication address of the user from the first module; and a fifth module for automatically selecting a communication device which was detected by the third module for use by the fourth module.

Abstract: Methods of providing promotions to consumers are presented. Query behavior of one or more consumers can be monitored to map the behavior or changes in behavior to concepts or intent. Advertisers can pay a fee in exchange for providing promotions to the consumers and relating to the concepts.

Abstract: A number of sets of methods and apparatuses applicable to online shopping are disclosed. One set, “Bin Packing Methods with Approximate Membership”, includes methods in pricing and auctioning a bundle of items, some of which could belong to another bundle. Significantly, the membership of a bundle, during pricing and auction, could change. Another set, the “Shopping Console”, puts a structure into the online shopping experience, so that through one interface various shopping activities can be facilitated, including but not limited to researching, pricing, negotiation, group buying, and tracking of purchases. Still another set, “Flash Mob Shopping”, allows sellers and a (spontaneous) group of shoppers to connect on prices without requiring shoppers' hard commitments, and with sellers revealing only necessary price information.

Abstract: A number of sets of methods and apparatuses applicable to online shopping are disclosed. One set, “Bin Packing Methods with Approximate Membership”, includes methods in pricing and auctioning a bundle of items, some of which could belong to another bundle. Significantly, the membership of a bundle, during pricing and auction, could change. Another set, the “Shopping Console”, puts a structure into the online shopping experience, so that through one interface various shopping activities can be facilitated, including but not limited to researching, pricing, negotiation, group buying, and tracking of purchases. Still another set, “Flash Mob Shopping”, allows sellers and a (spontaneous) group of shoppers to connect on prices without requiring shoppers' hard commitments, and with sellers revealing only necessary price information.

Abstract: A method and system that reduces the impact of packet loss on video data quality. Packet selection is performed by the method and system to selectively drop low priority packets so that the overall quality of the received video data may be improved. In one exemplary embodiment, the probability of higher priority layers being delivered on time is computed and a packet is transmitted only if this probability is greater than a given threshold h. In another exemplary embodiment, the system and method have the capability of backing up the process to transmit previously skipped packets, if time allows.

Abstract: A method and system that reduces the impact of packet loss on video data quality. Packet selection is performed by the method and system to selectively drop low priority packets so that the overall quality of the received video data may be improved. In one exemplary embodiment, the probability of higher priority layers being delivered on time is computed and a packet is transmitted only if this probability is greater than a given threshold h. In another exemplary embodiment, the system and method have the capability of backing up the process to transmit previously skipped packets, if time allows.

Abstract: A system that facilitates publishing and consuming information that is of time sensitivity, for example, price information. Methods are employed to achieve completeness and freshness in information for a given domain. A preferred embodiment is a shopping site that is capable of comparing prices, purchasing bundled products and dealing with coupons.

Abstract: A system that facilitates publishing and consuming information that is of time sensitivity, for example, price information. Methods are employed to achieve completeness and freshness in information for a given domain. A preferred embodiment is a shopping site that is capable of comparing prices, purchasing bundled products and dealing with coupons.

Abstract: A system and method for connecting a user device to a network where the user device settings, the network settings, or both are unknown include intercepting packets transmitted by the user device and modifying the packets to be compatible with the network. The system and method are particularly suited for use by mobile computers, such as laptop computers, which are connected to various foreign networks. Depending upon the particular application, a device may be carried with the mobile computer, or attached as a node on the network. The device automatically determines the network settings of the user device and/or the network and modifies packets appropriately so that the user device can communicate over the network without having to reconfigure the user device with appropriate settings for each network it may encounter. Communication settings such as network address, gateway, proxy address, etc. are automatically determined using various techniques.