Abstract: A Web browser is used as the rendering engine for the client application. The browser is instructed to load a “page” (some set of instructions that eventually resolves to a sequence of HTML (HyperText Markup Language) tags which instruct the browser regarding the number/nature and layout of the controls desired) which the browser parses to produce a set of controls with the indicated containment hierarchy. These controls may contain definitions of data stores (such as the support for an XML (eXtended Markup Language) tag which produces a W3C compliant DOM (Docunent Object Model) with built-in parsing for XML documents) which may either locally define their data or cause the browser to request the data from a server on the network. Preferably, the browser then passes control to a data binding agent which will examine the controls for specification of desired data binding(s).

Abstract: An apparatus, system, method and computer program product for monitoring and controlling bio-enhancement implants is provided. With the apparatus, system, method and computer program product, a user may control the operation of implantable devices within the user's body by operation of a personal digital device. The personal digital device may obtain operational settings of the various implantable devices based on information stored within the personal digital device and/or information obtained from a network. The settings of the various implants are established in view of the possible interactions of the implants with one another. The personal digital device further monitors the operation of the implantable devices and the user's biological indicia. Based on the monitoring, the operation of the implantable devices are modified to obtain a desired result.

Abstract: A data processing system, method, and product are disclosed for self-directed distance learning. The data processing system includes a client computer system coupled to a server computer system utilizing a network. An Internet-based distance learning environment is first accessed from which a first one of multiple, separate information streams is selected. The selected information stream is associated with an educational presentation. The selected information stream is then used to select a second information stream. Both information streams are then presented.

Abstract: A computer system, method, and product are disclosed for embedding demographic information in network packets. The computer system includes a server computer system coupled to a client computer system using a network. Demographic information is obtained about a user of the client computer system. This demographic information is embedded into network packets transmitted by the client computer system to the server computer system.

Abstract: Communication channels among users in a collaborative computing system are automatically adjusted based on users' current states detected by various sensing devices. The collaboration system that includes an awareness system for evaluating, monitoring, and controlling, in real-time, the collaboration environment by having events and occurrences with properties. The awareness monitoring system includes (1) receiving and analyzing real time data from input sensors and (2) an elastic spring energy model for automatically adjusting a distance according to a level of privacy desired by individual users, the requirement of the organization, and a need of the collaborative project to have some shared information about individual user activities. When a spring energy model is difficult to obtain, a matrix looks up model is used to automatically adjust a distance according to a level of privacy desired by individual users, the requirement of the organization, and the need of the collaborative project.

Abstract: A system for buying and selling merchandise includes a network having a plurality of user terminals, a memory device for storing a predetermined event for the merchandise, and at least one processor, accessible by the plurality of user terminals, for automatically adjusting a price of the merchandise based on the predetermined event, and matching buyers with the merchandise to facilitate a transaction.

Abstract: A system to manage electronic data operates to store identification information associated with electronic data, the identification information identifying a source associated with the electronic data, to periodically verify the electronic data based on the identification information, to receive an indication that the electronic data will be transferred from a first entity to a second entity, to determine whether to authorize the transfer, to authorize the transfer, and to update the identification information based on the transfer.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for managing processing of data in data processing system within a peer-to-peer network data processing system. A request is received from a requester. Preferences are compared within the request to control information to form a comparison, in which the control information dictates responses by the data processing system. The request is selectively responded to based on comparison.

Abstract: A method, system, and product are described for locating items which satisfy a general requirement and then ranking those items according to the utility of each type of item. A general requirement is first received. A utility is specified for each of multiple types of items which would satisfy the general requirement. Available items are then located which match one of the specified types of items. The located available items are then ranked utilizing the utility specified for the types of items.

Abstract: A system to transfer electronic information includes reception of a command to transmit a file of electronic information. In response to the received command, the file of electronic information is automatically copied to create a copied file of electronic information, the copied file is transmitted, and the file of electronic information is rendered unusable. By rendering the file of electronic information unusable after copying the file, no additional usable copies of the file will remain. As a result, a degree of protection is provided to any copyright interest in the electronic information embodied therein.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for evaluating a product is provided. In one embodiment, a product identification token associated with the product is optically scanned. The product identification token identifies a location from which a product evaluation form may be retrieved. The product evaluation form associated with the product is then retrieved using the product identification token. The product evaluation form is then presented to a user. The user may then optically scan a receipt identification token on a receipt corresponding to the purchased product. The receipt identification token provides receipt purchase information such as, for example, purchase location, purchase price, identity of the purchaser, and other demographic information. The receipt purchase information is then entered into the product evaluation form, facilitating the entry of product evaluation information about a product.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for modifying event reminders and outputting information associated with event reminders is provided. In one embodiment event reminder information used to remind a user of a scheduled event is extracted from a storage device. The extracted event reminder information is analyzed to identify related output information. The related output information is then sent to an output device to be presented to a user, thereby enabling the display of information correlated to events of importance to the user. In another embodiment event reminder information used to remind a user of a scheduled event is extracted from a storage device. Information related to the scheduled event is then extracted from a storage device. The extracted event reminder information is analyzed to identify modifications to apply to said event reminder information, thereby enabling event reminders to be updated to reflect correlated events of importance to the user.

Abstract: A method, program and system for providing customized information to a user waiting in a queue in a communications system are provided. The invention comprises receiving a communication from a user and placing the user in a queue. The user is then identified. For example, a user using a telephone who has been placed on hold might be identified by the originating telephone number or a customer identification number entered by the user. A database of customized information content is consulted and information content is selected according to user's identity. The customized information content is then presented to the user, either audibly (i.e. over a speaker) or visually (i.e. on a computer or cell phone display). Examples of the type of information content presented to the user include music clips based on caller preferences, local news, or advertisements.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program product are provided for automatically determining the limitations of an individual for receiving and interpreting information and then providing information content to the individual in a format that is understandable to the individual. The apparatus, method and computer program product make use of a mechanism for identifying the limitations of the individual. The mechanism may itself inform an information source of the limitations of the individual or the mechanism may be used in conjunction with a user profile to identify the limitations of the individual and the preferred information content format to use with the individual. Based on this determination, a format for the information content from the information source may be selected and used to output the information content to the individual. The selection of the format may include enhancing one or more aspects of a standard format and decreasing one or more other aspects of the standard format.

Abstract: An alternative channel is provided for efficient communication between a presenter and audience members during a presentation. In one aspect, a presentation is presented to a plurality of audience members and an evaluation of the presentation is electronically received during the presentation. By virtue of this aspect, a presenter may be easily provided with adequate feedback, while the presentation is being presented, based on which a presentation may be tailored. The resulting presentation may therefore be more appealing to an audience member and more successful for the presenter.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus and computer code for locating an item enables a person who desires or needs to locate an item to obtain assistance from another person or a group of people who may be unknown to the person or located geographically disparate from the person. A method includes providing a notification to one or more devices regarding an item to be located, receiving a notification regarding a location of the item, and providing another notification to a different device regarding the location of the item.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved system and method for managing the delivery and revenue associated with the access and delivery of educational content in a plural user operating environment such as a computer network. The invention provides a method and system which allows multiple users to access and pay for educational content in a variety of ways including in bulk, on a pay per view basis, or on a pay as you view basis. Likewise, the invention provides a method and system for reimbursing the author, owner, and supplier of the content accessed by the users as a variable function of student access to the content provided.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for auctioning in a data processing system. One or more parameters are provided for bidding on items, wherein the parameter exclude price. A set of bids is received for the items based on the one or more parameters. A winning bid is identified from the set of bids.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating an itinerary. User values assigned to a set of factors relating to travel from a first location to a second location are identified. These user values are compared to travel data for a route of travel from the first location to the second location to form a score.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, and computer program code for notifying at least one entity upon receipt of an item is provided. According to embodiments of the present invention, a determination is made whether an item has been placed in a repository. This determination may be made using any of a number of different types and combinations of sensors. An identification of at least one entity to be notified is then made, and the entity is notified if a determination is made that an item has been placed in the repository.