Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for the automated exchange of information, and more particularly the use of a hierarchical protocol based upon an extensible markup language (XML) in order to enable machine-to-machine communication of data related to the availability of goods, services and information. The machine-to-machine communication protocol and system having a predefined destination (universal resource locator (URL)) for bootstrapping the communication process, and a structured content protocol using XML. The system is preferably closed-ended, and employs a rule-based syntax with conditional data interaction. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes GUI-based design and programming tools that enable the set up of host and/or visitor machines in accordance with the protocol.

Abstract: An event information processing method of processing event based information in an event information processing system for organizing and accessing event information includes steps of acquiring event based information from at least one information source, wherein event based information comprises attributes associated with topic, time, and location, and identifying topical, temporal, and location attributes from the event information that are used to organize the event information for selection and correlation with other event information. Topical, temporal, and location attributes are extendable by means of a topical hierarchical category resource, location and temporal hierarchical category resources or by application specific attribute information. The event information is storable in an event repository along with its topical, temporal, and location attributes.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for the automated exchange of information, and more particularly the use of a hierarchical protocol based upon an extensible markup language (XML) in order to enable machine-to-machine communication of data related to the availability of goods, services and information. The machine-to-machine communication protocol and system having a predefined destination (universal resource locator (URL)) for bootstrapping the communication process, and a structured content protocol using XML. The system is preferably closed-ended, and employs a rule-based syntax with conditional data interaction. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes GUI-based design and programming tools that enable the set up of host and/or visitor machines in accordance with the protocol.