Abstract: Systems and methods for providing online sales, advertising, and information distribution are disclosed. A user may provide a request for a mobile advertisement or other mobile content by capturing images or other content associated with items to be listed, and enter and transmit a description of the item or other associated information, typically in the form of text or a text message, to a content management system. The information is then received by the content management system and processed and stored to quickly provide displays, listings, and/or messages associated with the content, based on criteria such as item description or type, location, and price.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solenoid valve made using certain materials which is capable of operation at high frequencies and which can be made as a compact unit. The plunger (1) is made from an electromagnetic material having a saturation flux density greater than 1.2 Tesla preferably more than 1.6 Tesla, the bore leading from the valve head chamber (14) to the nozzle orifice (12) has a length to diameter ratio of less than 5:1 preferably between 2:1 and 4:1 and the nozzle orifice (12) has a diameter of 80 micrometer or less. The invention also relates to method for operating a drop on demand ink jet printer incorporating such a valve.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a directory assistance system having a plurality of different network elements operating on different protocols. The method includes receiving, at a first network element, operating on a first operating protocol, an incoming directory assistance call from a caller. A universal call identifier data is then assigned to the call. The call is then transmitted to a second network element, operating on a second operating protocol, wherein the same universal call identifier is accepted by the second network element. A record is generated of the exchange of the call between the first and second network elements based on the assigned universal call identifier data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for validating a negotiable instrument. One method can include obtaining an electronic image of the negotiable instrument, electronically determining a first value and a second value of the negotiable instrument based on the electronic image, and automatically validating the negotiable instrument if the first value is substantially equal to the second value.

Abstract: A directory assistance system includes a plurality of call centers, each configured to handle a directory assistance request from a caller. An ICM/IVR edge queuing module has a first IVR module and second ICM module and is coupled to each of the call centers. The ICM/IVR edge queuing module receives an incoming call from a caller and obtains interactive responses pertinent to call center routing. The ICM module routes the call to one call center among the plurality of call centers based on a type of service requested by the caller as determined by the interactive responses received by the IVR module.

Abstract: An ENUM services system includes a server module configured to support an ENUM account for a subscriber. The ENUM account has a single incoming contact number for the subscriber and one or more preferred outbound contact addresses, such that when a caller calls the single incoming contact number the call is connected to the subscriber on one or more preferred outbound contact addresses. A supplemental ENUM services platform is coupled to the server module to allow the subscriber of the ENUM account to map additional internet ready devices to the ENUM account, so that the subscriber may contact the system using the ENUM account to remotely control the additional internet ready devices.

Abstract: An enhanced services platform has an interface for receiving a communication from a user requesting a desired data. An automated response module parses the communication and retrieves the desired data. The enhanced services platform arranges the desired data into a response message that is sent to the user, where the response message includes an embedded code corresponding to a link allowing the user to re-contact the enhanced services platform. An operator assistance module receives communications from the user initiated via the link to provide further assistance regarding the user's request.

Abstract: An enhanced directory assistance system has a directory assistance platform, configured to receive a verbal request from a requester for a desired downloadable item among a plurality of downloadable items. A download features module coupled to the directory assistance platform, where the download features module is configured to retrieve information corresponding to the plurality of downloadable items in response to the verbal request, such that the download features module causes the desired downloadable item to be delivered to a telephone device of the requester.

Abstract: System and method for validating a payment. The method can include obtaining a first account identifier, accessing a database containing a plurality of risk scores, each one of the plurality of risk scores being associated with one of a plurality of account identifiers, obtaining a first risk score from the plurality of risk scores, the first risk score being associated with the first account identifier, and determining an acceptance decision by comparing the first risk score against a risk threshold value.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for predicting replication capacity of a virus based on genotype and identifying targets for antiviral therapy by identifying mutations associated with altered replication capacity. The methods are useful, for example, for identifying previously unknown interactions among viral molecules or between viral molecules and host cell molecules that are essential to viral infection and/or replication. By identifying such interactions, novel targets for antiviral therapy can be identified. In another aspect, the invention provides a method for determining that an HIV has an altered replication capacity. In certain embodiments, the method comprises detecting a mutation in a codon of gag that is selected from the group consisting of 437, 439, 441, 442, 454, 478, 479, and 484.

Abstract: The present invention is a call routing system for use in directory assistance. The call routing system employs a primary call routing device configured to receive directory assistance calls from callers at a first directory assistance system, and determines, for each of the calls, whether they will be handled by the first directory assistance system, or by a second directory assistance system among a plurality of directory assistance systems. A secondary router is also provided, configured to route the calls within the first directory assistance system to the primary call routing device. The secondary router has a default call distribution logic, such that if the primary call routing device is off-line, the secondary call router routes the calls among the first directory assistance system and the plurality of directory assistance systems according to the default distribution logic.

Abstract: A surface treating article including a surface treating member and a fastener including a fiducial. The present invention also provides a preferred method of making a surface treating article that includes to a method of sensing the location of a fasteners on a surface treating web and thereafter cutting the surface treating web around the fastener to provide a surface treating article.

Abstract: A method and system of improving the efficiency of electronic point-of-sale check processing. An electronic payment system infrastructure is positioned at a point-of-sale to support a process by which the MICR data from a paper check is converted into a fully electronic ACH transaction and entered into the banking system for a more rapid, and lower cost clearing process.

Abstract: A method of automatically generating a topical description of text by receiving the text containing input words; stemming each input word to its root form; assigning a user-definable part-of-speech score to each input word; assigning a language salience score to each input word; assigning an input-word score to each input word; creating a tree structure under each input word, where each tree structure contains the definition of the corresponding input word; assigning a definition-word score to each definition word; collapsing each tree structure to a corresponding tree-word list; assigning a tree-word-list score to each entry in each tree-word list; combining the tree-word lists into a final word list; assigning each word in the final word list a final-word-list score; and choosing the top N scoring words in the final word list as the topic description of the input text.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanism for and method of applying labels, printing images, or scanning a feature on the surface of a substrate. The mechanism (1) comprises a read/write/apply means (4) for reading, writing or applying the information, carried and located relative to a predetermined position by a robotically actuated device. The device comprises a mounting member (5), a support member (6) relatively movable with respect to the mounting member (5) and carrying the said means (4), and at least three pairs of extendable arms (7,8,9) extending between and pivotally mounted on the members (5,6). The arrangement is such that one arm in each of said pairs of arms (7,8,9) cooperates with an arm from another pair of arms. Extension and/or retraction of the arms (7,8,9) causes movement and/or rotation of the support member (6) relative to the mounting member (5), whereby the said means (4) may be located relative to the predetermined position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for ensuring that the correct container (10) containing a replenishment fluid is connected to a vessel (26) for that fluid. The container carries one component (18) of a pair of axially engageable members (20). The other (28) is carried by the vessel (26, 27), notably around the necks extending therefrom, so that the members (20, 30) have to engage and nest so as to allow the necks of the container and the vessel to engage fully and thus mount the container on the vessel, one of the members (18, 28) being a moveable fit upon the container (10) or vessel (26), preferably by virtue of being a snap fit thereon, so that the member can be rotated to align its projections (20) with the recesses (30) on the other member.