Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating a quotation is described. The method comprises receiving data inputs from a user; generating a structured text statement from the data inputs; generating a request containing the structure text statement; relaying the request to at least one platform which have an associated ruleset; apply at least a subset of the ruleset of the respective platform to the structured text statement to determine probable outcomes; and generating a graphical representation on a visual display, indicating the likelihood of an outcome.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a television system (50) and a method for automatically suggesting suitable programs to a viewer from a large number of available programs. The system (50) includes a DTV-agent system (21). Title information and characteristics of programs are made available as EPG (Electronic Program Guide) data, which including at least one Electronic Program Guide Database (22). A learning module (39) records characteristics associated with each program viewed by the user, and forms sets of these characteristics. The frequency of occurrence of each set is also determined. A recommendation module (40) uses a number of tasks to compile a list of viewer recommendations (67). Various tasks are defined, with each task defining a unique combination of a manner of ordering the viewer profile (500), and particular Relevance Filters for filtering the ordered viewer profile.