Abstract: To obtain an economical hull structure by employing an independent prismatic tank having a large tank volume with respect to a ship size and reducing material cost. Provided is a LNG ship or a LPG ship having a structure in which a substantially prismatic tank is installed inside a hold while not being integrated with a hull structure material, wherein the tank is a long tank 30, which has a larger dimension of a ship longitudinal direction than that of a ship width direction and is installed inside the hold along a ship longitudinal direction, and the long tank 30 is divided into two or more liquid cargo compartments 30-1, 30-2, 30-3 in the ship longitudinal direction by one or more bulkhead plates 31, each of which is formed in the ship width direction as one plate.

Abstract: A method to improve the safety and comfort of an ultra large marine floating system is provided. The ultra large marine floating system has a length of 350 to 550 m, a width of 45 to 80 m, and a depth of 25 to 35 m. The ultra large marine floating system has a tank zone and a plant zone that are visibly separated from one another. Additionally, the tank zone has LNG storage tanks, self-supporting spherical (MOSS type) tanks, a membrane tank arranged in a hold, and the plant zone includes a liquefied natural gas plant.

Abstract: An improved method and system for identifying individual users accessing a web site. A web site server is able to identify distinct users by using a unique identifier associated with each client computer system requesting access to the web site. The unique identifier comprises an Internet address, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address, and a time value associated with each client computer system requesting access to the web site. On starting up a web browser, an application program or browser plug-in may synchronize the internal clock included with the client computer system with a global time standard. The synchronized time value may be based on an event associated with the client computer system, such as the start of a web browser. A web site server may determine the uniqueness of the client computer system by comparing unique identifier records of users accessing the web site. A user may be identified as distinct if no matching record exists in the database.

Abstract: A method and system for negotiating improved terms for a product being purchased over the Internet. Once a purchaser has made a decision to buy a specific product over the Internet, the purchaser may use the services of a personal negotiating broker-agent program to beat the best available purchase transaction within a specifiable time window. The personal broker-agent program may detect an issuance of a commitment to purchase over the Internet by a purchaser. The personal broker-agent program may then make an offer to the purchaser the option of waiting a predetermined amount of time while the broker agent searches for improved items. On acceptance of the option by the purchaser, the personal broker-agent program may conduct an auction and/or search the Internet for a better deal and may evaluate the auction and/or search responses to determine the best deal. The personal broker-agent program may then execute the best deal.

Abstract: A web site server is able to identify distinct users by using a unique identifier associated with each client computer system requesting access to a web site. The unique identifier comprises an Internet address, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address, and a time value associated with each client computer system requesting access to the web site. On starting up a web browser, an application program or browser plug-in may synchronize the internal clock included with the client computer system with a global time standard. A web site server may determine the uniqueness of the client computer system by comparing unique identifier records of users accessing the web site. A user may be identified as distinct if no matching record exists in the database. Users privacy is also protected as the unique identifiers are erased when the client computer system's user exits the web browser or powers down the computer.

Abstract: Provided is a LNG storage tank of a membrane type mounted on a LNG-FPSO or a LNG carrier, wherein volumetric efficiency is high and sloshing does not easily occur at the time of heavy weather. In order to solve this problem, a membrane-type tank is composed of a main tank under a deck and a box-shaped head tank on the deck. These main and head tanks communicate with each other via a hole opened in the deck to form one tank. The main tank is formed by forming a heat insulation layer on inner sides of a double bottom and left and right longitudinal bulkheads and further by liquid-tightly covering the top by a membrane of Invar or the like. Similarly, the head tank also has a heat insulation layer and a membrane provided on its inner surface.

Abstract: Provided a LNG ship that is manufactured in a short construction period by assembling a LNG tank on land and mounting the LNG tank in a hold of the ship. A cold insulator and a membrane are affixed on an inner side of a prismatic tank to fabricate a LNG tank, which is mounted in a hold having a double hull structure. In order to prevent the prismatic tank from deforming at the time of the mounting, strength members are welded to an outer surface of the prismatic tank before a thermal insulation work for the purpose of sufficient reinforcement. After the tank is mounted in the hold, the strength members of the prismatic tank are coupled to the inner hull of the ship to integrate the LNG tank and the hull, so that the weight of a liquid cargo is supported by the prismatic tank and the hull together.

Abstract: A method and system for negotiating improved terms for a product being purchased over the Internet. Once a purchaser has made a decision to buy a specific product over the Internet, the purchaser may use the services of a personal negotiating broker-agent program to beat the best available purchase transaction within a specifiable time window. The personal broker-agent program may detect an issuance of a commitment to purchase over the Internet by a purchaser. The personal broker-agent program may then make an offer to the purchaser the option of waiting a predetermined amount of time while the broker agent searches for improved items. On acceptance of the option by the purchaser, the personal broker-agent program may conduct an auction and/or search the Internet for a better deal and may evaluate the auction and/or search responses to determine the best deal. The personal broker-agent program may then execute the best deal.

Abstract: A web site server is able to identify distinct users by using a unique identifier associated with each client computer system requesting access to a web site. The unique identifier comprises an Internet address, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address, and a time value associated with each client computer system requesting access to the web site. On starting up a web browser, an application program or browser plug-in may synchronize the internal clock included with the client computer system with a global time standard. A web site server may determine the uniqueness of the client computer system by comparing unique identifier records of users accessing the web site. A user may be identified as distinct if no matching record exists in the database. Users privacy is also protected as the unique identifiers are erased when the client computer system's user exits the web browser or powers down the computer.

Abstract: An improved method and system for identifying individual users accessing a web site. A web site server is able to identify distinct users by using a unique identifier associated with each client computer system requesting access to the web site. The unique identifier comprises an Internet address, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address, and a time value associated with each client computer system requesting access to the web site. On starting up a web browser, an application program or browser plug-in may synchronize the internal clock included with the client computer system with a global time standard. The synchronized time value may be based on an event associated with the client computer system, such as the start of a web browser. A web site server may determine the uniqueness of the client computer system by comparing unique identifier records of users accessing the web site. A user may be identified as distinct if no matching record exists in the database.

Abstract: An improved method and system for identifying individual users accessing a web site. A web site server is able to identify distinct users by using a unique identifier associated with each client computer system requesting access to the web site. The unique identifier comprises an Internet address, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address, and a time value associated with each client computer system requesting access to the web site. On starting up a web browser, an application program or browser plug-in may synchronize the internal clock included with the client computer system with a global time standard. The synchronized time value may be based on an event associated with the client computer system, such as the start of a web browser. A web site server may determine the uniqueness of the client computer system by comparing unique identifier records of users accessing the web site. A user may be identified as distinct if no matching record exists in the database.

Abstract: An improved method and system for identifying individual users accessing a web site. A web site server is able to identify distinct users by using a unique identifier associated with each client computer system requesting access to the web site. The unique identifier comprises an Internet address, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) address, and a time value associated with each client computer system requesting access to the web site. On starting up a web browser, an application program or browser plug-in may synchronize the internal clock included with the client computer system with a global time standard. The synchronized time value may be based on an event associated with the client computer system, such as the start of a web browser. A web site server may determine the uniqueness of the client computer system by comparing unique identifier records of users accessing the web site. A user may be identified as distinct if no matching record exists in the database.

Abstract: A method for real time accrual basis accounting may involve detecting a purchase made via a computer network and obtaining a guarantee for the payment via the network based on the determined method of payment. The guarantee may be an escrow account or an insurance policy that guarantees payment. The premium may be charged back to the client. At least a portion of the proceeds of from the sale may be recorded as income in a general ledger database in real time. Network-enabled assets may provide automated depreciation updates to further automate the accounting process.

Abstract: An LNG tanker is provided which can have larger tank capacity for its hull size, be easily built, and reduce the sloshing in membrane type tanks during a heavy weather. The foremost LNG tank is made in a spherical independent type (24), and each of subsequent tanks is made in membrane type (26). The membrane type of tank has heat insulating material on the inner shell of a double hull with its surface covered by membranes. During the voyage, the liquid cargo (LNG) in the spherical independent type tank is transferred to membrane type of tanks, thereby to compensate LNG losses caused by generation of boil-off gas in the membrane type tanks.

Abstract: An ore/coal carrier is provided with piping passages 42 of watertight structure and of substantially rectangular cross section. The passage is located between longitudinal bulkheads 32 and cargo hatches 38, and extends within an upper portion of central cargo oil tanks 34. Two of cargo oil delivery pipes 50 leading from a pump room to a shore connection 48 at midship portion of a hull are passed through a starboard piping passage, and the remaining one is passed through a port passage. The starboard passage extends up to the central portion of the hull, however, the port one extends close up to a bow, and an inert gas pipe 58 is passed through in the port passage.

Abstract: A method and system for negotiating improved terms for a product being purchased over the Internet. Once a purchaser has made a decision to buy a specific product over the Internet, the purchaser may use the services of a personal negotiating broker-agent program to beat the best available purchase transaction within a specifiable time window. The personal broker-agent program may detect an issuance of a commitment to purchase over the Internet by a purchaser. The personal broker-agent program may then make an offer to the purchaser the option of waiting a predetermined amount of time while the broker agent searches for improved items. On acceptance of the option by the purchaser, the personal broker-agent program may conduct an auction and/or search the Internet for a better deal and may evaluate the auction and/or search responses to determine the best deal. The personal broker-agent program may then execute the best deal.

Abstract: A system for negotiating logistics and insurance transactions may include interfaces configured to connect logistics providers, insurance providers, and emarketplaces. An agent software module may be configured to search the Internet for pricing information that is used to maintain a current database of pricing and terms. The emarketplaces may be configured to allow purchasers to enter descriptions of items to be shipped and insured. The system may then search the current database to provide the purchaser with a quote for freight and insurance services in real time.

Abstract: Digital contents representing the entity of a product are incorporated in a control program, and the control program is transmitted from a vendor to a buyer over a network. The product is delivered from the vendor to the buyer after a desired delivery period has elapsed from the transmission. After the product is delivered, the control program disables the digital contents. Therefore, when the present invention is applied to the book business, the buyer can read the digital contents representing the entity of the book immediately after the buyer places an order for the book. After that, the buyer can get the book that will be delivered.

Abstract: A system and method for providing temporary access to content during shipping. In one embodiment, the system may include a retail web site configured to allow a user to purchase one or more content items via the Internet. The system may also include a temporary content server storing digital copies of at least a portion of at least a subset of the one or more content items. A network interface may be used to connect the temporary content server to the Internet. The temporary content server may be configured to provide the user with temporary access to selected portions of the stored digital copies. The selected portions correspond to the content items purchased by the user. The temporary content server is configured to prevent the user from accessing the stored digital copies once the server has detected that the user has received the ordered content items.

Abstract: A method and system for shipping items. A server is configured to send out requests for quotes to a number of regional shipping companies using a network. The server receives responses from the network and selects a route based on the responses. The route may include shipping the item to one or more intermediate destinations before the item arrives at the final destination. The server may create a data file reflecting the selected route. The items are packed in one or more containers, wherein each container has a memory device. At least part of the data file is then stored into the memory device. The memory device may be accessed as needed during shipping to determine where the item is going and when the item needs to arrive. Additional information may also be stored in the memory device, and the device may be updated at intermediate destinations. Each container may take a different routing, and the server may actively search for better routings as the item proceeds along the selected route.