Abstract: A system and method for transmitting and receiving data in a mobile communications network. The system includes one or more mobile station for transmitting data in a mobile digital network. The mobile stations are configured to act as buffer/repeaters by storing and forwarding data signals until they are received by a designated destination station. The mobile stations include an antenna, a transceiver coupled to the antenna, a processor coupled to the transceiver, a data storage memory coupled to the processor, and a power supply. The processor may be configured to cause the transceiver to broadcast interrogation signals to determine whether other mobile or base stations are present for store-forwarding.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking tax and production-related information for a product is disclosed. The product and/or a package housing the product may include a memory device. The memory device may be configured to store production and tax information related to the product. The system may include one or more computers connected by a network and software to track the production and tax related information. A server may be configured to interface with the memory device (e.g., using a wireless link) in order to read data from and write to the memory device. The system may be portable or may be built into a stationary apparatus such as a conveyer belt or an automated assembly line. Production and tax related information may be generated, updated and accessed in real-time by using a network such as the Internet to communicate with the system and/or the memory device.

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: 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: 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 system and method for transmitting and receiving data in a mobile communications network. The system includes one or more mobile station for transmitting data in a mobile digital network. The mobile stations are configured to act as buffer/repeaters by storing and forwarding data signals until they are received by a designated destination station. The mobile stations include an antenna, a transceiver coupled to the antenna, a processor coupled to the transceiver, a data storage memory coupled to the processor, and a power supply. The processor may be configured to cause the transceiver to broadcast interrogation signals to determine whether other mobile or base stations are present for store-forwarding.

Abstract: A system and method for arranging shipment and insurance for items being shipped in containers with memory devices. An intelligent shipping agent may receive a request to ship an item. The intelligent shipping agent may search a database or solicit quotations to obtain shipping and insurance services for an item to be shipped from an origination to a final destination. The intelligent agent may find an entry in the database or may select a vendor based on received quotations. The selection may maximize value of a product or service at the lowest cost. The memory device may store shipping and insurance information related to the item being shipped in a data file. The memory device may include input devices and sensors to gather and store information before, during and after shipment.

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: 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.