Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing storage and retrieval in an information storage system cache is disclosed that uses the hashing technique with the open-addressing method for collision resolution. Insertion, retrieval, and deletion operations are limited to a predetermined number of probes, after which it may be assumed that the table does not contain the desired data. Moreover, when using linear probing, the technique facilitates maximum concurrent, multi-thread access to the table, thereby improving system throughput, since only a relatively small section is locked and made unavailable while a thread modifies that section, allowing other threads complete access to the remainder of the table.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing storage and retrieval in an information storage system cache is disclosed that uses the hashing technique with the open-addressing method for collision resolution. Insertion, retrieval, and deletion operations are limited to a predetermined number of probes, after which it may be assumed that the table does not contain the desired data. Moreover, when using linear probing, the technique facilitates maximum concurrent, multi-thread access to the table, thereby improving system throughput, since only a relatively small section is locked and made unavailable while a thread modifies that section, allowing other threads complete access to the remainder of the table.

Abstract: A computer to track earned points accumulated, to an online user account, related to a completed task is disclosed. More points may be earned based on a criteria level related to each category of dynamically changing categories. Earned points may be reduced based on redemption used to purchase and download to a mobile client computer music, video, or games provided on a custom menu.

Abstract: Generating telephone service logic based on received data is disclosed. The telephone service logic may include caller priority levels. A caller priority level may be updated based on a change in information associated with a caller. The telephone service logic may be upgraded in accordance with new telephone service logic. The new telephone service logic may be automatically located, purchased and downloaded over at least one network via a buying request script. The buying request script may represent a collective buying group as an aggregation of compatible buying request scripts created by a plurality of different users. The telephone service logic may be transmitted to a computer.

Abstract: Receiving from a wireless electronic device, positioning data indicating that the wireless electronic device is within a predetermined range of a particular geographical location that is of a type authorized to service a device is disclosed. A current condition of the device may also be provided. Triggering a new location sensitive trigger event based on the current condition of the device indicating the device needs to be serviced and the positioning data indicating that the wireless electronic device is within the predetermined range of the particular geographical location is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing storage and retrieval in an information storage system cache is disclosed that uses the hashing technique with the open-addressing method for collision resolution. Insertion, retrieval, and deletion operations are limited to a predetermined number of probes, after which it may be assumed that the table does not contain the desired data. Moreover, when using linear probing, the technique facilitates maximum concurrent, multi-thread access to the table, thereby improving system throughput, since only a relatively small section is locked and made unavailable while a thread modifies that section, allowing other threads complete access to the remainder of the table.

Abstract: A computer to track earned points accumulated, to an online user account, related to a completed task is disclosed. More points may be earned based on a criteria level related to each category of dynamically changing categories. Earned points may be reduced based on redemption used to purchase and download to a mobile client computer music, video, or games provided on a custom menu.

Abstract: The computer apparatus and methods of the preferred embodiment uses computer technology in a unique way to motivate children to devote more time to educational and cultural enrichment. In the preferred embodiment, educational material is provided at a child's local computer under control of a central computer system connected to it over a computer network. On completing a particular educational task, the child is rewarded with a certain number of points. Points that the child accumulates are stored centrally, and at least some of the points can be redeemed towards the purchase of goods and services offered through the system of the preferred embodiment by its commercial participants. The purchasing transactions are also administered by the central computer. Parents, preferably, use the system to support their children's purchasing activity financially and to select content available for presentation to the child.

Abstract: In the preferred computer system, the user is provided with a separate Internet-accessible entity referred to here as the “personal page.” A personal page, preferably, includes memory for storing information related to the user. For example, on his/her personal page the user indicates what he/she wishes to purchase, possibly along with other criteria associated with the purchase, such as, for example, a time that the purchase should take The user is provided with the ability to create personalized bidding rules that vendors that offer goods and services must respect. Vendors have the ability to specify similar criteria, which describe the goods and/or services they offer. Vendors can indicate, for example, the prices of their goods, times and places that their services are available, etc. Preferably, these specifications, called “vendor scripts,” are embodied in active software/data entities (agents) that traverse sites on the Internet visiting sites hosting users' personal pages.

Abstract: The preferred computer apparatus and methods use computer technology in a unique way to motivate children to devote more time to educational and cultural enrichment, and encourages them to explore the appropriateness of various educational institutions that they may apply to for admission. In the preferred embodiment, educational material is provided at a child's local computer under control of a central computer system connected to it over a computer network. On completing a particular educational task, the child is rewarded with a certain number of points. Points that the child accumulates are stored centrally, and at least some of the points can be redeemed towards the purchase of goods and services offered through the system of the preferred embodiment by its commercial participants. The purchasing transactions are also administered by the central computer.

Abstract: In the preferred computer system, the user is provided with a separate Internet-accessible entity referred to here as the “personal page.” A personal page, preferably, includes memory for storing information related to the user. For example, on his/her personal page the user indicates what he/she wishes to purchase, possibly along with other criteria associated with the purchase, such as, for example, a time that the purchase should take The user is provided with the ability to create personalized bidding rules that vendors that offer goods and services must respect. Vendors have the ability to specify similar criteria, which describe the goods and/or services they offer. Vendors can indicate, for example, the prices of their goods, times and places that their services are available, etc. Preferably, these specifications, called “vendor scripts,” are embodied in active software/data entities (agents) that traverse sites on the Internet visiting sites hosting users' personal pages.

Abstract: The computer apparatus and methods of the preferred embodiment uses computer technology in a unique way to motivate children to devote more time to educational and cultural enrichment. In the preferred embodiment, educational material is provided at a child's local computer under control of a central computer system connected to it over a computer network. On completing a particular educational task, the child is rewarded with a certain number of points. Points that the child accumulates are stored centrally, and at least some of the points can be redeemed towards the purchase of goods and services offered through the system of the preferred embodiment by its commercial participants. The purchasing transactions are also administered by the central computer. Parents, preferably, use the system to support their children's purchasing activity financially and to select content available for presentation to the child.

Abstract: In the preferred computer system, the user is provided with a separate Internet-accessible entity referred to here as the “personal page.” A personal page, preferably, includes memory for storing information related to the user. For example, on his/her personal page the user indicates what he/she wishes to purchase, possibly along with other criteria associated with the purchase, such as, for example, a time that the purchase should take The user is provided with the ability to create personalized bidding rules that vendors that offer goods and services must respect. Vendors have the ability to specify similar criteria, which describe the goods and/or services they offer. Vendors can indicate, for example, the prices of their goods, times and places that their services are available, etc. Preferably, these specifications, called “vendor scripts,” are embodied in active software/data entities (agents) that traverse sites on the Internet visiting sites hosting users' personal pages.

Abstract: In the preferred computer system, the user is provided with a separate Internet-accessible entity referred to here as the “personal page.” A personal page, preferably, includes memory for storing information related to the user. For example, on his/her personal page the user indicates what he/she wishes to purchase, possibly along with other criteria associated with the purchase, such as, for example, a time that the purchase should take The user is provided with the ability to create personalized bidding rules that vendors that offer goods and services must respect. Vendors have the ability to specify similar criteria, which describe the goods and/or services they offer. Vendors can indicate, for example, the prices of their goods, times and places that their services are available, etc. Preferably, these specifications, called “vendor scripts,” are embodied in active software/data entities (agents) that traverse sites on the Internet visiting sites hosting users' personal pages.

Abstract: The computer apparatus and methods of the preferred embodiment uses computer technology in a unique way to motivate children to devote more time to educational and cultural enrichment. In the preferred embodiment, educational material is provided at a child's local computer under control of a central computer system connected to it over a computer network. On completing a particular educational task, the child is rewarded with a certain number of points. Points that the child accumulates are stored centrally, and at least some of the points can be redeemed towards the purchase of goods and services offered through the system of the preferred embodiment by its commercial participants. The purchasing transactions are also administered by the central computer. Parents, preferably, use the system to support their children's purchasing activity financially and to select content available for presentation to the child.

Abstract: A central computer system preferably communicates with local computers of users over the Internet and stores account information of users. Preferably, users may interact with information provided by the central computer system or third party computer systems. The availability of such information is preferably controlled by a different user. The central system preferably stores data representing rewards available to the users as a result of interaction with such information. The users preferably may obtain products or services, in accordance with the stored rewards, wherein at least some of such products or services are promoted by a different user, which provides financing for at least some of the items obtained with the reward. Preferably, the central system includes administrative software that may provide monitoring and managing performance of the system, fraud detection, and management of the information available to the users.

Abstract: In the preferred computer system, the user is provided with a separate Internet-accessible entity referred to here as the “personal page.” A personal page, preferably, includes memory for storing information related to the user. For example, on his/her personal page the user indicates what he/she wishes to purchase, possibly along with other criteria associated with the purchase, such as, for example, a time that the purchase should take The user is provided with the ability to create personalized bidding rules that vendors that offer goods and services must respect. Vendors have the ability to specify similar criteria, which describe the goods and/or services they offer. Vendors can indicate, for example, the prices of their goods, times and places that their services are available, etc. Preferably, these specifications, called “vendor scripts,” are embodied in active software/data entities (agents) that traverse sites on the Internet visiting sites hosting users' personal pages.

Abstract: In the preferred computer system, the user is provided with a separate Internet-accessible entity referred to here as the “personal page.” A personal page, preferably, includes memory for storing information related to the user. For example, on his/her personal page the user indicates what he/she wishes to purchase, possibly along with other criteria associated with the purchase, such as, for example, a time that the purchase should take The user is provided with the ability to create personalized bidding rules that vendors that offer goods and services must respect. Vendors have the ability to specify similar criteria, which describe the goods and/or services they offer. Vendors can indicate, for example, the prices of their goods, times and places that their services are available, etc. Preferably, these specifications, called “vendor scripts,” are embodied in active software/data entities (agents) that traverse sites on the Internet visiting sites hosting users' personal pages.

Abstract: The preferred computer apparatus and methods use computer technology in a unique way to motivate children to devote more time to educational and cultural enrichment, and encourages them to explore the appropriateness of various educational institutions that they may apply to for admission. In the preferred embodiment, educational material is provided at a child's local computer under control of a central computer system connected to it over a computer network. On completing a particular educational task, the child is rewarded with a certain number of points. Points that the child accumulates are stored centrally, and at least some of the points can be redeemed towards the purchase of goods and services offered through the system of the preferred embodiment by its commercial participants. The purchasing transactions are also administered by the central computer.

Abstract: The preferred computer apparatus and methods use computer technology in a unique way to motivate children to devote more time to educational and cultural enrichment, and encourages them to explore the appropriateness of various educational institutions that they may apply to for admission. In the preferred embodiment, educational material is provided at a child's local computer under control of a central computer system connected to it over a computer network. On completing a particular educational task, the child is rewarded with a certain number of points. Points that the child accumulates are stored centrally, and at least some of the points can be redeemed towards the purchase of goods and services offered through the system of the preferred embodiment by its commercial participants. The purchasing transactions are also administered by the central computer.