Abstract: Methods are disclosed for using computers, computer programs, algorithms and computer networks and communications hardware and protocols to appraise the value of assets as well as protecting asset owners from the risk that other entities will value those assets differently. The methods disclosed include: Supplementing traditional valuation methods with other considerations that may affect the value of intellectual property assets. Using insurance type financial instruments to maintain compliance with regulatory requirements such as those imposed by the Sarbanes Oxley Act, the SEC, or the IRS. Using insurance type financial instruments to protect intellectual property asset owners from the risk that tribunals, regulatory agencies, or other entities will appraise intellectual property assets at a different value.

Abstract: A method of utilizing an intellectual property grouping owned by a patent entity to generate income. The method includes acquiring rights in a first intellectual property asset from a seller on behalf of a patent investment entity, providing compensation to the seller in exchange for the first intellectual property asset, granting less than all of the rights in the first intellectual property asset to the seller of the intellectual property asset in exchange for a stream of payments, wherein granting less than all of the rights in the first intellectual property asset creates residual rights in the first intellectual property asset, and utilizing the residual rights in the first intellectual property asset to generate income for the patent investment entity.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for using computers, computer programs, algorithms and computer networks and communications hardware and protocols to appraise the value of assets as well as protecting asset owners from the risk that other entities will value those assets differently. The methods disclosed include: Supplementing traditional valuation methods with other considerations that may affect the value of intellectual property assets. Using insurance type financial instruments to maintain compliance with regulatory requirements such as those imposed by the Sarbanes Oxley Act, the SEC, or the IRS. Using insurance type financial instruments to protect intellectual property asset owners from the risk that tribunals, regulatory agencies, or other entities will appraise intellectual property assets at a different value.

Abstract: The invention in some embodiments comprises a non-disclosure bond that deters a receiving party from disclosing confidential information and/or compensates a disclosing party in the event the receiving party discloses the confidential information.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for using computers, computer programs, algorithms and computer networks and communications hardware and protocols to calculate and optimize cash flows and capital structures in financing structures relating to intellectual property holding companies.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a proactive intellectual property (IP) risk management tool, such as an intellectual property umbrella captive (IPUC). In some embodiments, execution of the IPUC includes an initial assessment of the IP Value-at-Risk (Phase I); creation and funding of the required structure (Phase II); and implementation of the necessary process and control elements to manage the identified risks (Phase III). Coincident with formation, patent Sale/License-Back (“S/LB”) options as well as reinsurance or umbrella insurance policies preferably exist to enhance or accelerate execution.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for using computers, computer programs, algorithms and computer networks and communications hardware and protocols to appraise the value of assets as well as protecting asset owners from the risk that other entities will value those assets differently. The methods disclosed include: Supplementing traditional valuation methods with other considerations that may affect the value of intellectual property assets. Using insurance type financial instruments to maintain compliance with regulatory requirements such as those imposed by the Sarbanes Oxley Act, the SEC, or the IRS. Using insurance type financial instruments to protect intellectual property asset owners from the risk that tribunals, regulatory agencies, or other entities will appraise intellectual property assets at a different value.

Abstract: An air bag module (30) is disclosed having an air bag (50) and a tether (52) and an active brake (70, 80) for controlling the length of the tether in correspondence with the size of the occupant to be protected.

Abstract: A knee bolster for a vehicle has an air bag and an air bag inflator. The air bag has an inflated condition and a deflated condition. The air bag is attached to the knee bolster, which is moveable with the air bag. The knee bolster may move from an unactuated position when the air bag is in the deflated condition to an actuated position when the air bag is inflated. A guide structure, which is attached to the knee bolster directs the bolster along a linear path from the unactuated position to the actuated position.

Abstract: A method is performed by an insurance transaction workstation for structuring an insurance transaction between an insured entity owning an intellectual property holding company (IPHC) and an insurer. The method includes receiving an insurance coverage request for protection against a loss based on a successful taxing authority challenge to tax benefits or value derived from the IPHC, calculating a probability of success of the taxing authority challenge, and identifying an intellectual property (IP) portfolio owned by the IPHC. The method further includes estimating a current value of IP assets in the identified IP portfolio and determining an insurance premium of an insurance policy based on the received insurance coverage, the calculated probability of success, and the current value of the IP assets.

Abstract: A system is disposed at a location of a utility commodity subscriber for informing the subscriber of utility commodity cost and usage and for controlling utility commodity usage. The system includes one or more utility meters, an information and control apparatus, a first data communication link, and a second data communication link. The one or more meters measure usage of one or more utility commodity and for generating one or more usage signals including a measurement of the subscriber's usage of the one or more utility commodities. The information and control apparatus includes a microprocessor, a memory, a clock, and a user interface, for inputting and outputting information. The first data communication link is between the one or more utility meters and the information and control apparatus and provides the one or more usage signals to said information and control apparatus for storage in the memory.

Abstract: A method for adding labels to data, for example XML compliant or XBRL compliant labels, includes a) identifying data in an electronically represented file, b) selecting labels that correspond to text strings in the identified data, based on a list associating labels with text strings, and c) adding the selected labels into the electronically represented file to label the text strings and elements in the identified data associated with the text strings. The labels include information about the data and are defined in one or more taxonomies. When the list does not associate a label with the text string, a user can be prompted to select a label corresponding to a text string in the identified data. The association indicated by the user's selection, can then be added to the list associating labels with text strings.

Abstract: An exemplary method for a commercial entity to provide goods and services in exchange for private currency includes providing a customer with private currency in exchange for government currency, wherein the private currency is acceptable to the commercial entity to pay for goods and services provided by the commercial entity, and providing a good and/or service to the customer in exchange for an amount of the private currency, wherein the commercial entity does not provide government currency to the customer in exchange for an amount of private currency.

Abstract: A knee bolster for a vehicle has an air bag and an air bag inflator. The air bag has an inflated condition and a deflated condition. The air bag is attached to the knee bolster, which is moveable with the air bag. The knee bolster may move from an unactuated position when the air bag is in the deflated condition to an actuated position when the air bag is inflated. A guide structure, which is attached to the knee bolster directs the bolster along a linear path from the unactuated position to the actuated position.

Abstract: Improved techniques for managing operations of clustered computing system are disclosed. The improved techniques provide protection against potential problems encountered in operation of clustered computing. More particularly, the improved techniques can be implemented as an integral solution that provide protection against undesired partitions in space and partitions in time. The improved techniques do not require any human intervention.

Abstract: An occupant safety restraint system comprising: a first occupant protection system having at least one seat belt movable about the occupant: a second occupant protection system comprising a deployable knee bolster to protect at least a portion of the lower extremities of the occupant and a switch mechanism or sensor for deactivating the second occupant protection system based upon the operational state of the first occupant protection system.