Abstract: The present invention describes a system and method for raising funds for multiple objectives using gift cards. It describes systems and methods for easier, more effective, and more efficient to fundraising for worthy causes, particularly in ways that capitalize on synergies while minimizing waste. The fundraising organization is able to raise funds for its own operations while at the same time providing benefits to other organizations such as small artisan co-ops. The fundraising system and method is directed to the object of providing a regular captive market and efficient distribution opportunity for artisan co-ops in impoverished societies by creating an incentive structure for raising funds through schools and school-related activities or the like.

Abstract: A real-time learning (RTL) neural network is capable of indicating when an input feature vector is novel with respect to feature vectors contained within its training data set, and is capable of learning to generate a correct response to a new data vector while maintaining correct responses to previously learned data vectors without requiring that the neural network be retrained on the previously learned data. The neural network has a sensor for inputting a feature vector, a first layer and a second layer. The feature vector is supplied to the first layer which may have one or more declared and unused nodes. During training, the input feature vector is clustered to a declared node only if it lies within a hypervolume defined by the declared node's automatically selectable reject radius, else the input feature vector is clustered to an unused node. Clustering in overlapping hypervolumes is determined by a decision surface.