Abstract: A content repository of a system stores items of content to be disseminated to users. The content repository generates a content profile for each item of content as the item of content is received. The content profile for each item of content includes information regarding the item of content. A user repository of the system generates and stores a user profile for each user. The user profiles are generated from one or more information sources. The user profile for each user includes information regarding the user. A recommendation engine of the system determines which items of content should be delivered to each user based on the content profiles of the items of content and on the user profile of each user, to yield relevant items of content for each user. The recommendation engine then delivers the relevant items of content to each user.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and system for conducting online marketing research keeping in consideration the specified budget for the experiment. The invention describes a methodology for effective data collection and optimised utilisation of budget through the use of efficient sampling and grouping of users.

Abstract: A method for identifying names of uninformative functions in call-stack traces is described. The method comprises the steps of obtaining a set of call-stacks and information indicative of which call-stack traces in the set match a particular call-stack trace; for each matching call-stack trace pair, incrementing a false negative counter for each function name above a first matching function name in a respective call-stack trace pair; for each non-matching call-stack trace pair, incrementing a false positive counter for each function name above a first non-matching function name in a respective call-stack pair; incrementing a frequency counter for each function name appearing in each of the call-stack traces; calculating an aggregate value for each of the function names as a function of respective ones of the false positive counter, the false negative counter and the frequency counter; and identifying uninformative ones of the function names based on the respective aggregate values.

Abstract: The invention finds matches in ordered sequences, e.g. program function call stacks from anomalous software program executions for discovering related or identical software flaws and possible known solutions. Call stacks are matched after removing recursive and uninformative subpatterns, e.g. names of common error handling routines, to see if they were generated due to the same possibly known problem. Sequences statistically unlikely to be matches are pruned from the search. Matches found earlier in the sequences may be weighted differently, e.g. to be more important in call stacks, than other matches. Sequences are indexed so that those relevant to a query are identified automatically without detailed exhaustive search. Maximum matches are found by optimizing a cost function based on weighted sequence similarity.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for discovering and determining algebraic relationships between sets of data, such as numeric columns in a relational database, based on a “bottom-up” (or data-driven) approach. Embodiments of the present invention provide for the discovery and determination of algebraic relationships within a single relation or algebraic relationships across multiple tables that can be joined via a foreign key relationship. The foreign key relation can be one-to-one, many-to-one, or one-to-many. In order to discover algebraic relations, mean, variance and correlations calculations between columns are performed, for example, based on taking samples of the columns. Irreducible relations are then determined. Samples are taken from the irreducible relations and algebraic relationships between columns are determined based on various calculation techniques and correlations between the columns.

Abstract: An electronic coupon, an electronic commerce system, and a method for the honoring of electronic coupons utilizing computing equipment are disclosed. In the method, an issuing party issues an electronic coupon to a customer. The customer presents the coupon for redemption to a redemption party. The redemption party transmits the coupon to an authentication party for authentication. If authentic, the authentication party charges the redemption party a fee and passes that fee to the issuing party. The redemption party honors the coupon for the customer and seeking reimbursement of the fee from the issuing party. The electronic coupon has a plurality of data fields, including: a coupon identifier, x, a first one-way hash function field, f(x), and a secure signature field.

Abstract: A method and system generates, distributes, stores, redeems, validates and clears electronic manufacturer coupons and electronic store coupons. A coupon mint generates unforgable blank digital coupons. The promoter of the offer then writes the terms and conditions and other details of the offer, on blank coupons to customize these. These customized coupons are digitally signed by the promoter and distributed to potential customers. A customer may either present these coupons electronically for redemption to an online store, or print these coupons and present them to a conventional offline store. The store may check the authenticity of a coupon by verifying the digital signature and also verifying if the coupon has not been used earlier by contacting a verification center. The store collects all redeemed coupons and sends these to manufacturer for clearing. The verification center verifies that the coupon is authentic and has not already been used before.

Abstract: Some of the set of classes within a computer program are important in the sense that the most useful information about the software can be derived from these classes alone. The important classes within the software are identified, as well as any dependent classes. Test cases are defined and associated with all classes. A code change for a class invokes the relevant test case or cases being run. The corresponding test case or cases for any dependent class are also run. If they run successfully (in the sense that the expected results arise), then it is highly likely that the changes introduced in the first class are not affecting the correct execution of the dependent classes.

Abstract: Internet services that rely on the transfer of real-time information have proliferated in recent years. Given the amount of information generated on the Internet, a user may request to be notified whenever particular information becomes available, such as the current highest bid in an on-line auction. The user enrols to receive one or more messages and sends a list of desired messages through a client process running on the user's computer system. When the user is ready to receive messages, the client process connects to a notification server and provides its receiving address identifier. It then disconnects from the notification server and waits for messages. A message monitor detects the occurrence of events that trigger notifications, and informs the notification server of the event. The notification server determines the appropriate recipient for the notification, and sends it using a server-initiated end-to-end message transfer mechanism to the clients' receiving address identifiers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for enabling an e-commerce website to persist electronic items, such as electronic coupons, gift certificates etc., across multiple browsing sessions. Users are offered electronic items over a communications network during a browsing session. In case the user wishes to save the items for a later browsing session, he/she is prompted for an email address. Details pertaining to the selected items are mapped against the email address. Thereafter, e-mail is sent to the user, containing a URL with the email address of the user embedded in it. Alternatively, entire details corresponding to the items selected during a session are embedded in the URL and in this case they need not be mapped against the email address.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and system for conducting online marketing research keeping in consideration the specified budget for the experiment. The invention describes a methodology for effective data collection and optimised utilisation of budget through the use of efficient sampling and grouping of users.

Abstract: Selecting one or more marketing messages for optimal display at marketing locations in a marketing environment is performed on the basis of information relating to a user to whom the messages are to be displayed, the marketing messages, and the marketing locations. Dynamic selection and display of marketing messages in this manner can be advantageously performed for online environments for which relevant information is readily accessed and used as a basis for selection and display of marketing messages.

Abstract: A methodology and system allows a plurality of reward scheme owners to give differential rewards, through a plurality of reward distribution agents, to various users based on the user profile. The reward scheme owner may be a seller, a manufacturer, a sales promotion agent or even an intermediary. Similarly, the reward distribution agent may be an on-line or a physical retailer, a broker, a seller or an intermediary. Also the users may be consumers, businesses, brokers or other intermediaries. In one specific case, a reward scheme owner defines a plurality of reward schemes, including at least one differential reward scheme giving different rewards to different users. The reward scheme owner communicates these to a central reward scheme database server. The reward scheme owners may or may not advertise these schemes. The user visits an online or a physical store.

Abstract: An electronic coupon, an electronic commerce system, and a method for the honoring of electronic coupons utilizing computing equipment are disclosed. In the method, an issuing party issues an electronic coupon to a customer. The customer presents the coupon for redemption to a redemption party. The redemption party transmits the coupon to an authentication party for authentication. If authentic, the authentication party charges the redemption party a fee and passes that fee to the issuing party. The redemption party honors the coupon for the customer and seeking reimbursement of the fee from the issuing party. The electronic coupon has a plurality of data fields, including: a coupon identifier, x, a first one-way hash function field, f(x), and a secure signature field.

Abstract: A system for implementing a virtual class and distance education via a computer network is disclosed. The process carried out by the system involves receiving signals from one or more instructor entities, the signals including lesson material designated as belonging to one or more interest groups. The lesson material is sent in advance to student entities listed in one or more of the interest groups to which the lesson material is designated as belonging. Signals from one or more student entities are received requesting admission to a particular class and instructions are sent to student entities to control the display and execution of the lesson material. Interaction amongst student entities, or between student entities and instructor entities, are facilitated and moderated.