Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for a utility or a service vendor to provide electricity via a class of service. The system and method provide a mechanism by which power is supplied to customers via prioritized classes of importance wherein the point of utilization communicates with the electrical power supply network and provides information for the utility to determine whether or not power needs to be supplied to a specific outlet or appliance during various electrical demand or rate periods.

Abstract: A method and system are described for creating and maintaining a centralized order book. The centralized order book is used to clear orders. Multiple orders are aggregated from a plurality of different individual marketplaces by posting the orders in the centralized order book. The centralized order book then attempts to clear at least one of the orders utilizing other ones of the orders posted in the centralized order book. The central order book and individual marketplaces are maintained within computer systems which are coupled together utilizing a network.

Abstract: A method and system for aggregating marketplaces for the purpose of fulfilling a supply or service need is disclosed. The method and system optimizes the ordering of supplies or services through an analysis consistent with predetermined criteria. By exploring many possible marketplaces to fulfill a particular need, the present invention can determine which method of fulfillment most effectively fulfills the particular need.

Abstract: A system and method for providing web site update schedules to consumers. A consumer requests the web sites for which they would like to receive update schedules and the invention provides the update schedules to the consumer along with advertisements, promotions and recommendations for other web sites to visit. In one embodiment, these advertisements and recommendations are targeted to the consumers based on their interests. The update schedules for the various web sites can be obtained through several means. In one embodiment, the update schedules may be obtained by itself by crawling the web sites periodically or by receiving the update schedules directly from web sites that register with the system.

Abstract: A method, system, and business method are disclosed for providing a marketplace for computing capacity in a network. An indication of needed computing capacity, including a bid amount, and an indication of available excess computing capacity, including an ask amount, are received in the computing capacity marketplace server for a plurality of computers in the network. The method creates a computing capacity marketplace by matching the bid amount with the ask amount, thereby enabling one computer to provide at least a portion of its available computing capacity to another computer in response to the matching step.

Abstract: The system presented utilizes an automated “smart market” to efficiently identify individuals with contrasting interests, and allow them to enter into a contractual arrangement to balance their risks. Individuals and small corporations can register their risk profiles on a network-based server at minimal cost. Smart market software is then able to intelligently match up parties and determine terms for exchange of profits and losses by reference to current actuarial predictions of the risk event the parties have in common.

Abstract: An airline reservation system that supports guaranteed reservations for a preferred category of seating. The system comprises a method for receiving a request for the preferred category of seating, determining if the preferred category of seating is available, guaranteeing the preferred category of seating, and assigning a passenger to a seat within the guaranteed category of seating. Moreover, the passenger can be reassigned to a different seat within the guaranteed category of seating in order to accommodate an additional seating request. Seating arrangements are finalized at a predetermined time prior to a flight's departure and passengers are permanently assigned to a seat within their preferred category of seating.

Abstract: A method directed to a dynamic proxy reconfiguration which is implemented in plural network servers. The invention is directed to a computer-executable program for use in proxy network servers which enables each proxy server to dynamically sell its unused capacity to other web sites for specific periods of time. The invention has particular utility in connection with World Wide Web servers, but can be used with other servers where proxy servers may be present.

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 system and method for bettering the life of disabled persons whose mobility is impaired by using communication technology. Such technology allows the disabled control of his/her surrounding. The system and method comprises a wireless communication device associated with a wheelchair, or bed, and remote devices in the surroundings of the disabled person controlled by the wireless communication device. The present invention further provides for a standard protocol, such as Bluetooth, or IrDA for communication, and a selection policy for selecting a specific piece of device to communicate with.

Abstract: A system, method and program product automatically processes user requests for services subject to excess demand using a flexible market based mechanism. A coordinating server automatically manages a plurality of users in obtaining desired services from a plurality of service providers. The server is seamlessly coupled to the users and the service provider(s) via a network, e.g. Internet, PSTN, Wireless, Cable, Satellite. Each service provider maintains a queue of service requests in process. The service provider may also maintain multiple queues for lower levels of service, service priority, etc. Each user service request is provided to the server via the network as a competitive offer for the desired service. Where the current price, terms, conditions for the service are beyond the users bid, the user bid may opt to be disconnected from the server. Alternatively, the user bid may request the service provider to call back or provide the user with an appointment for call back by the service provider.

Abstract: A system for the distribution of services, includes a computer device within a vehicle, a vehicle monitoring system coupled to the computer device, a communication system coupled to the computer device for outputting a signal with vehicle monitoring system data, and a remote service center computer device for receiving a signal with vehicle monitoring system data. The method of distributing vehicle maintenance services includes monitoring, by a sensor, a maintenance parameter of the vehicle, communicating the service parameter to a controller, the controller triggering a communications device, sending, by the communications device, a message to a service center, and dispatching, by the service center, a service vehicle based on receiving the signal.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus, system, and method for providing reservations for restroom use. In one embodiment, a passenger on an airplane may submit a reservation request to the system for restroom use. The reservation system determines when the request can be accommodated and notifies the passenger when a restroom becomes available. The system improves airline safety by minimizing the time passengers spent standing while an airplane is in flight.

Abstract: A motor vehicle safety system determines the state of automotive electronic devices as a function of speed to minimize potential distractions to the driver. Vehicle speed data is supplied to a rules based system which applies rules to determine what functions, at a given speed, within the respective electronic devices are available.

Abstract: A user interface includes a process model unit (34) for predicting one or more allowable next states, from a current state of a process, and a display processing unit (26) for deriving, for each of the allowable next states, a representation of the allowable next state. The display processing unit has an output coupled to a display screen (30) for displaying each of the representations (30b-30g) in conjunction with a representation (30a) of a current state of the process. The user interface further includes an actuator control unit (22) that is coupled to an input mechanism whereby a user selects one of the displayed representations of one of the allowable next states. The motor control unit controls the process to cause it to enter a new current state that corresponds to the selected derived representation.

Abstract: A stylus and table X-Y data input system for a video display system. The pen includes an optical styling having a suitable pickup mechanism and the tablet is passive in nature and provides direct digitized data readout. Absolute positional information is encoded in binary form in the tablet in such a fashion that the pen position upon the tablet is automatically determinable by illuminating a particular area of the tablet and reading off the digitized X-Y coordinate data stored therein. The pen and supporting hardware/software are rotationally insensitive so that the pen may be held in any desired position comfortable to a user. The system provides greatly improved resolution, sampling rate accuracy and general robustness particularly for such applications as text recognition as well as a wide variety of other graphical input uses.