Abstract: The invention generally relates to packaging and distribution of goods for e-Commerce transactions, and more particularly to extending electronic shopping carts to include rules controlling access and distribution to a cart's goods. One embodiment includes a distribution method, in which an online distribution server, configured to receive incoming connections from a client, is connected to. A list of goods available for electronic and physical distribution to the client is received, and goods from the list are selected. Selected goods are added to an electronic shopping cart, and creation of a distribution package according to contents of electronic shopping cart is requested. Access restrictions for the distribution package are then assigned. Thus, access to the package created from the shopping cart can be restricted to only authorized clients.

Abstract: A electronic asset lending library method and apparatus enables the electronic management and reassignment of licenses for unused electronic assets installed on computers connected through a communications network. Licensing data for the unused electronic assets is released by the currently assigned owner and made available to one or more communities of users for display by product category, name, or keyword search. Once released, the lending library notifies the currently assigned owner to remove the unused electronic asset from their computer and transfers the licensing data to a library account. Eligible borrowers are permitted to request a re-assignment of an available released license for an unused electronic asset from a lending library account to their own account. Upon re-assignment the electronic asset lending library automatically notifies the borrower with instructions for the download and installation of the unused electronic asset to their computer.

Abstract: An automated volume license agreement (“AVLA”) method and apparatus automates the management of volume license agreements (“VLA”). VLAs from different publishers and distributors are maintained on an AVLA Clearinghouse. The clearinghouse is accessible to the publishers, distributors, and customers over a secure network or the Internet. A corporate customer accesses the clearinghouse to obtain the latest rules embodied in a VLA in response to a purchaser's request to purchase a product sold under the VLA. An AVLA rules engine dynamically extracts the rules and applies them to the historical purchase data for the product that is compiled on the AVLA transaction database to obtain the latest volume discount pricing steps to which the purchaser is entitled. An AVLA pricing monitor, in turn, applies the latest volume discount step to generate current pricing information for display to the purchaser for her review prior to purchasing the requested product.

Abstract: An electronic information appraisal agent which operates within an electronic information distribution system and includes an electronic information server having multiple electronic information units. Requests for electronic information are transferred from the appraisal agent to an electronic information server, which compares the contents of the server to a set of search criteria. In one embodiment, the server returns a set of electronic information to the appraisal agent which matches the search criteria. In another embodiment, the server returns information indicating whether the search criteria matched any information in the server. In one embodiment, the electronic information distribution system also includes a metering server which is coupled to the electronic information server and the client system. The metering server allows multiple client systems to receive electronic information units from the electronic information server.

Abstract: A computer network system that contains a metering mechanism which can meter the flow of electronic information to a client computer within a network. The information can be generated by a publisher and electronically distributed to a plurality of metering servers which each contain the metering mechanism. The metering servers each reside in a local area network that contains a number of client computers. The client computers each contain a graphical user interface that allows an end user to request consumption of the information. The metering mechanisms control the transfer of information into the client computers. Each unit of information has an associated cost type and cost value that are used to calculate a price for the information. When the end user request consumption of information, the metering mechanism determines whether the end user can consume the information.

Abstract: A computer network system that contains a metering mechanism which can meter the flow of electronic information to a client computer within a network. The information can be generated by a publisher and electronically distributed to a plurality of metering servers which each contain the metering mechanism. The metering servers each reside in a local area network that contains a number of client computers. The client computers each contain a graphical user interface that allows an end user to request consumption of the information. The metering mechanisms control the transfer of information into the client computers. Each unit of information has an associated cost type and cost value that are used to calculate a price for the information. When the end user request consumption of information, the metering mechanism determines whether the end user can consume the information.

Abstract: A smart electronic information transport router which correctly transmits electronic information when connected to multiple parallel but bandwidth diverse transport channels is described herein. The smart electronic information transport router allows an electronic information publisher to label each electronic information object or object stream specifying minimum and maximum required transport/delivery throughput data rates for the various media types included within the electronic information being electronically published. The smart electronic information transport router will correctly transmit electronic information over the lowest cost transport channel containing enough free bandwidth to provide high quality transmission of electronic information when connected to multiple parallel bandwidth diverse transport channels.

Abstract: A consumer-driven electronic information pricing mechanism including a pricing modulator and pricing interface is contained within a client system. The pricing modulator contains multiple pricing options for electronic content and multiple content to advertisement ratios associated with the pricing options. The pricing interface is coupled to the pricing modulator and provides an end user with the pricing options and associated content to advertisement ratios, and also accepts pricing option selections from the end user. In one embodiment, a metering server is coupled to the client system. The metering server contains the multiple pricing options which are to be made available to the end user and transfers these pricing options to the client system. In one embodiment, the pricing interface can be accessed by the end user at any time during the operation of the client system. The end user can change the pricing option during system operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing electronic advertisements to end users in a consumer best-fit pricing manner includes an index database, a user profile database, and a consumer scale matching process. The index database provides storage space for the titles of electronic advertisements. The user profile database provides storage for a set of characteristics which correspond to individual end users of the apparatus. The consumer scale matching process is coupled to the content database and the user profile database and compares the characteristics of the individual end users with a consumer scale associated with the electronic advertisement. The apparatus then charges a fee to the advertiser, based on the comparison by the matching process. In one embodiment, a consumer scale is generated for each of multiple electronic advertisements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically customizing electronic information to individual end users includes a client system containing a personal profile database which stores consumer information corresponding to individual end user(s) of the client system. The client system also includes a content adapter which compares electronic information received by the client system to the consumer information in the personal profile database and customizes the electronic information to an individual end user based on this comparison. The client system also includes a client activity monitor which monitors actions taken by an individual end user when consuming electronic information and updates the personal profile database based on these actions. In one embodiment, the client activity monitor also monitors which actions are ignored by the individual end user and updates the personal profile database based on the consumer's interaction with the electronic information (that is, both the consumer's action and inaction).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for storing and updating electronic information in a personal profile server for an individual user, and dynamically changing the residence of the electronic information. The electonic information is being transmitted between a computer and a network system. The computer interfaces with a removable non-volatile storage device containing minimum user information on the individual user. The connection is secured between the computer and the network using the minimum user information. Additional user information is transmitted from the personal profile server of the network to the computer. Further, the personal profile server is updated with updates to the additional user information generated on the computer during use.

Abstract: An electronic information appraisal agent which operates within an electronic information distribution system and includes an electronic information server having multiple electronic information units. Requests for electronic information are transferred from the appraisal agent to an electronic information server, which compares the contents of the server to a set of search criteria. In one embodiment, the server returns a set of electronic information to the appraisal agent which matches the search criteria. In another embodiment, the server returns information indicating whether the search criteria matched any information in the server. In one embodiment, the electronic information distribution system also includes a metering server which is coupled to the electronic information server and the client system. The metering server allows multiple client systems to receive electronic information units from the electronic information server.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting an electronic advertisement within the vertical blanking interval of a video signal. The system includes an encoder that formats and inserts an electronic advertisement into the vertical blanking interval of the video signal, a transmitter that transmits the video signal and the electronic advertisement, a receiver that receives the video signal and the electronic advertisement, and a decoder which removes the electronic advertisement from the video signal. The electronic advertisement can be consumed by an end user by printing the ad, or by displaying the ad on a monitor. The printed advertisement can be returned to the advertiser by a carrier service. The advertiser may accredit an account of the end user upon receipt of the returned advertisement to provide an inducement to read the ad. The system may further have a demographic server located within a network of computers.