Abstract: A playlist server application is provided on a server at a first network node. A playlist local application is provided for a remote device. An indication of a change to a playlist on one of the server and the remote device is obtained from a corresponding one of the playlist server application and the playlist local application. The change is synchronized to another one of the server and the remote device.

Abstract: A playlist server application is provided on a server at a first network node. A playlist local application is provided for a remote device. An indication of a change to a playlist on one of the server and the remote device is obtained from a corresponding one of the playlist server application and the playlist local application. The change is synchronized to another one of the server and the remote device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and a system for transmitting bundled electronic payment and remittance advice for facilitating settlement of claim payments between payers (e.g., insurance companies) and providers (e.g., doctors, hospitals) or suppliers. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of receiving an electronic transmission from the payer wherein the electronic transmission comprises payment information and remittance advice; separating the payment information and the remittance advice; routing the payment information to a depository associated with the provider for making a payment authorized by the payer; transmitting the remittance advice to an intended recipient; and confirming the payment and transmission of remittance advice to the payer and the provider.

Abstract: A playlist server application is provided on a server at a first network node. A playlist local application is provided for a remote device. An indication of a change to a playlist on one of the server and the remote device is obtained from a corresponding one of the playlist server application and the playlist local application. The change is synchronized to another one of the server and the remote device.

Abstract: A method for selecting a healthcare data processing approach includes a computing device receiving healthcare data from one or more data source devices, selecting one or more context inputs of a plurality of input sources, obtaining the one or more context inputs, and determining the healthcare data processing approach based on one or more of the healthcare data, configuration information, and an interpretation of the one or more context inputs. The method further includes the computing device applying the healthcare data processing approach to the healthcare data to produce a representation of the healthcare data that includes at least one of a transformation of the healthcare data and an interpretation of the healthcare data when a regulatory aspect of the configuration information allows the computing device to represent the healthcare data in a format other than as received from the one or more data source devices.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and a system for substantiating claims prior to payment from consumer-directed accounts. A computer implemented method for providing consumer-directed account management comprising the steps of receiving a request for payment for a transaction wherein the request comprises claim data identifying the transaction and a payment amount; adjudicating the request to determine claim eligibility; requesting a validation of available funds in a consumer-directed account associated with a participant for the payment amount, wherein a party contributes a predetermined amount of funds to the consumer-directed account; receiving a confirmation indicating whether the consumer-directed account contains sufficient funds to cover the payment amount; and transmitting a validation message indicating payment validation and claim eligibility.

Abstract: A playlist server application is provided on a server at a first network node. A playlist local application is provided for a remote device. An indication of a change to a playlist on one of the server and the remote device is obtained from a corresponding one of the playlist server application and the playlist local application. The change is synchronized to another one of the server and the remote device.

Abstract: A playlist server application is provided on a server at a first network node. A playlist local application is provided for a remote device. An indication of a change to a playlist on one of the server and the remote device is obtained from a corresponding one of the playlist server application and the playlist local application. The change is synchronized to another one of the server and the remote device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhanced advertising selection and delivery in a communications network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable television network, and the methods and apparatus enable a viewer to individually select and view advertisements during real-time broadcast program settings, as well as during “trick mode” operation in recorded program settings. Guess-work associated with skipping commercials via manual fast-forwarding through recorded content is eliminated, and a viewer is presented with several options regarding which advertisements to view and when to view them. In one variant, decoupling of advertising or promotions from a previously recorded program is provided, thus affording the network operator flexibility to insert various advertising content options, or selectively replace dated or expired advertisements, or those having less correlation to a current program content stream.

Abstract: A playlist server application is provided on a server at a first network node. A playlist local application is provided for a remote device. An indication of a change to a playlist on one of the server and the remote device is obtained from a corresponding one of the playlist server application and the playlist local application. The change is synchronized to another one of the server and the remote device.

Abstract: A system of providing expert analysis of a product or service to a consumer, prior to the consumer buying the product or service. The product or service may include a used car being sold by a private seller. A consumer may request that the car be analyzed by an expert. The seller may receive the request and pick from a list of inspection locations to analyze the car. The seller may bring the car to the inspection location and the expert may analyze the car and upload the results to the consumer for review.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and a system for reimbursing credit card transactions for health care services and/or products. An exemplary method and system may involve registering a user for reimbursement wherein the user identifies one or more payment mechanisms and one or more reimbursement methods; identifying a user transaction with the one or more payment mechanisms at a merchant wherein the user transaction comprises one or more purchases; receiving merchant data regarding the user transaction; determining reimbursement eligibility of the one or more purchases of the user transaction based at least in part on the merchant data; and reimbursing the user for eligible purchases via the one or more reimbursement methods.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhanced advertising selection and delivery in a communications network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable television network, and the methods and apparatus enable a viewer to individually select and view advertisements during real-time broadcast program settings, as well as during “trick mode” operation in recorded program settings. Guess-work associated with skipping commercials via manual fast-forwarding through recorded content is eliminated, and a viewer is presented with several options regarding which advertisements to view and when to view them. In one variant, decoupling of advertising or promotions from a previously recorded program is provided, thus affording the network operator flexibility to insert various advertising content options, or selectively replace dated or expired advertisements, or those having less correlation to a current program content stream.

Abstract: A system, method and program product for transferring data between a first computer and a second computer. A first request to start a session is received. An encrypted hash value in the first request is decrypted and a hash value for the information in the first request is independently determined. The independently determined hash value is compared to the decrypted hash value, and if there is match, a session with the first computer is started. Subsequently, a second request is received and the encrypted hash value in the second request is decrypted. A hash value for the information in the second request is independently determined. The independently determined hash value is compared to the decrypted hash value, and if there is match, the second computer processes a request to at least partially download or upload a file.

Abstract: A method for transferring data between a first computer and a second computer is provided. The first computer sends a request to start a session, an encrypted session ID, and an encrypted hash value to the second computer. The second computer receives the request, decrypts the encrypted hash value, independently determines a hash value and compares the independently determined value to the decrypted value. If they match, the second computer starts a session with the first computer. Subsequently, the first computer sends a request to download or upload data, an encrypted ID, an identity of the file, and an encrypted hash value to the second computer in a second connection in the session. The second computer receives the request, decrypts the encrypted hash value, independently determines a hash value and compares the independently determined value to the decrypted value. If they match, the second computer processes the request.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and a system for reimbursing credit card transactions for health care services and/or products. An exemplary method and system may involve registering a user for reimbursement wherein the user identifies one or more payment mechanisms and one or more reimbursement methods; identifying a user transaction with the one or more payment mechanisms at a merchant wherein the user transaction comprises one or more purchases; receiving merchant data regarding the user transaction; determining reimbursement eligibility of the one or more purchases of the user transaction based at least in part on the merchant data; and reimbursing the user for eligible purchases via the one or more reimbursement methods.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and a system for reimbursing credit card transactions for health care services and/or products. An exemplary method and system may involve registering a user for reimbursement wherein the user identifies one or more payment mechanisms and one or more reimbursement methods; identifying a user transaction with the one or more payment mechanisms at a merchant wherein the user transaction comprises one or more purchases; receiving merchant data regarding the user transaction; determining reimbursement eligibility of the one or more purchases of the user transaction based at least in part on the merchant data; and reimbursing the user for eligible purchases via the one or more reimbursement methods.

Abstract: In an entertainment service providing on-demand programs over a broadband communications network, a user is allowed to view multiple programs in a continuous manner. The user's enjoyment of the entertainment service is enhanced especially when the on-demand programs are short, e.g., on-demand music videos which typically are a few minutes long. The user is provided with graphical user interfaces for selecting the desired programs to watch, and also allowed to determine the order in which the selected programs are to be played, which may be random.

Abstract: A system and method for provisioning a communication address. A query server comprises a record of a sought party that associates a communications address with at least one other communications address. The record optionally comprises a set of permissions that establishes conditions under which a communications address may be disclosed to a seeking party. A query client provides a seeking party an interface to send a query to the query server comprising a known communications address of the sought party and to request disclosure of other communications addresses of the sought party. The query client additionally provides the seeking party an interface to convey permission information necessary to satisfy the conditions for release established by the sought party. The query client is adapted to invoke an application (for example, an e-mail client or a VoIP dialer) suited to a selected communications address disclosed by the query server.