Abstract: A system includes a brokering arrangement for exchanging information between software modules including notifiers which detect triggering events having corresponding event classes and observers interested in receiving notification of the happenings of the triggering events. The system includes a broker, observers, and notifiers. The software modules are created in discrete addressable locations of a single computer's memory or the memories of multiple computers interconnected through a network. The broker maintains one or more look-up tables having the identities and memory or network locations of all notifier and observer software modules existing in the system, as well as the classes of events with which the modules are concerned. Upon creation of a new notifier or subscription to the broker by an observer module, the broker adds the newly-created module to the one or more look-up tables, which the broker then scans to match notifiers and observers having common event classes.

Abstract: A database having information which the consumer desires to know, a database containing attributes of the consumer, and a database of advertising messages that an interactive voice response system can deliver to a the consumer are made responsive to telephone calls placed to an interactive voice response (IVR) system. The database of consumer attributes contains information that is already known about the consumer that can be used to decide on which advertising message to play. The consumer initiates activity by calling the interactive voice response system. Software identifies the consumer via the consumer inputted identification and plays an advertising message that, preferably, has been predetermined to have likely appeal to the consumer. The interactive voice response system is then used to disseminate the information sought by the customer (such as student grades) after first disseminating the advertising message. The advertising message can include an offer to purchase a product or service.

Abstract: The socket is foreseen for fastening and connecting an electronic component with lined-up conducting pins, whereby the free end of the pins is parallel to the main plane of the component, as it is the case for the SMD components. The socket comprises a carrier of insulating material and contact elements maintained in the carrier and positioned each with its first flexible end in the face of a pin for applying a determined contact pressure on that pin when the component is mounted in the socket. The second end of the contact element can be soldered to a conductor in a circuit. The socket comprises further a comb of insulating material with teeth gliding in a guidance of the carrier.