Abstract: A system comprising a database containing information concerning uniquely identified entities. The database further contains a list of attributes describing the products, skills, or services provide by the entities. A server compares the desired referral of a first entity to one or more second entities having the desired product, skill, or service, and by evaluating the relationship between the first entity and second entities, presents those second entities in the order of their value as a referral.

Abstract: A system comprising a database containing information concerning uniquely identified entities is described. The database further contains a list of attributes describing the entities and describing products, skills, or services provided by that entity. A server compares the desired referral of a first entity to one or more second entities having the desired product, skill, or service, and by evaluating the relationship between the first entity and second entities presents those second entities in the order of their value as a referral.

Abstract: A system comprises a database containing information concerning uniquely identified individuals, and a processor to identify linkages between the individuals. The linkages are in the form of unique identifiers stored in a contact repository, and provide a first user the ability to use the linkages to construct a database of second individuals that have an identifier of the first individual in a contact repository of one or more second individuals.

Abstract: A system comprising a database containing information concerning uniquely identified individuals. The database further contains a list of attributes describing the individuals. A server compares the list of attributes of a first individual to another list of attributes for a second individual. The server further provides one or more metrics indicating a degree of match of the first individual to the second individual.

Abstract: A system comprising a database to store information concerning uniquely identified individuals, and a server to identify associations between the individuals and to assign rankings of the individuals based on the associations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method present to a consumer information during consumer idle periods. A signal indicating the start of idle time is used to present to the consumer various offers. The interactions are planned based on previously acquired consumer data, the current transaction, the venue of the transaction, the time of day and the date of the transaction, and the estimated time available. The method of the invention collects information about the customer utilizing a point-of-sale terminal. Information concerning the customer's transactions are accumulated and analyzed and the resulting information is used to improve the efficiency of the customer's next interaction with the system. The efficiency increase results from a fitting of a set of possible dialogues, into the idle time, so as to select a set of dialogues and their order that will provide the highest value.

Abstract: A system and method for the production of customer incentives at plurality dispensing station types, wherein the incentives issued at first the dispensing station of a first type are redeemed at a second the dispensing station of a second type, and wherein the incentives issued at the second dispensing station are redeemed at the first dispensing station, comprising means to identify the customer at the first and second dispensing stations; means to access a customer database containing targeted customer incentives that have been linked to the identified customer; the database having indicia linking the identified customer with specific the targeted customer incentives; means to link each the customer incentives to one or more the dispensing station types for the purpose of issuing the customer incentive; means to link each the customer incentives to one or more the dispensing station types for the purpose of redeeming the customer incentive; means to present the accessed incentives to the customer at the spe

Abstract: Apparatus, and a corresponding method, present to a customer various forms of information (product, brand . . . ) during periods where the customer is idle. A signal indicating the start or impending start of idle time is used to present to the customer various offers in a series of interactions between a computer interface and the customer. The interactions are planned based on previously acquired information about the customer, the current transaction, the venue of the transaction, the time of day and the date of the transaction, and the history of prior customer activities. The method of the invention enables a system of computers to collect information about the characteristics of a customer in a retail, banking or service establishment utilizing a point-of-sale terminal, which has input and output devices that the customer can use to communicate with the system of computers for identification purposes and to select from various options presented to the customer.

Abstract: Apparatus, and a corresponding method, for arranging presentation of advertising, sales, promotional, and educational campaigns to selected user of computer interfaces in one or more locations, that meet demographic requirements of campaign. Apparatus collects Information about campaign, capacity of various locations, characteristics of locations, and characteristics of users of those locations. Apparatus uses information to negotiate cost of campaign; to conclude a contract for campaign; to schedule, distribute, present, and measure campaign; and to report result of campaign to involved parties.

Abstract: Apparatus, and a corresponding method, for arranging presentation of advertising, sales, promotional, and educational campaigns to selected user of computer interfaces in one or more locations, that meet demographic requirements of campaign. Apparatus collects Information about campaign, capacity of various locations, characteristics of locations, and characteristics of users of those locations. Apparatus uses information to negotiate cost of campaign; to conclude a contract for campaign; to schedule, distribute, present, and measure campaign; and to report result of campaign to involved parties.