Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for distributing task assignments on a computer network comprising a client grid having at least one server coupled to at least one client node and a plurality of client computers coupled to the client node through a plurality of monitoring agents. Each monitoring agent collects data regarding the resources a particular client computer makes available to the grid and transmits the data to the grid server when the client computer requests a grid task. The system generates a resource probability distribution based on the historical computing resource data and employs a scheduling algorithm to distribute grid tasks to the client computers using at least the probability distribution.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for distributing task assignments on a computer network comprising a client grid having at least one server coupled to at least one client node and a plurality of client computers coupled to the client node through a plurality of monitoring agents. Each monitoring agent collects data regarding the resources a particular client computer makes available to the grid and transmits the data to the grid server when the client computer requests a grid task. The system generates a resource probability distribution based on the historical computing resource data and employs a scheduling algorithm to distribute grid tasks to the client computers using at least the probability distribution.

Abstract: A method of marketing local products and/or services includes establishing a database of providers of local products and/or services, wherein the providers are classified into one or more business categories and each provider is certified prior to inclusion. User requests are received for information about providers of local products and/or services in a specified business category, and a list of providers classified in the specified business category is displayed to the user in response to the request. The list has a limited number of providers to avoid an excessive number of choices.

Abstract: A method for pushing a targeted audience to a specific location includes identifying an entity having a connection to the targeted audience and agreeing to enter into a Targeted Audience Initiator arrangement with the entity. The entity is then providing with materials for pushing members of the targeted audience to the specific location. The entity is then compensated in exchange for pushing members of the targeted audience to the specific location.

Abstract: A flavor pouch includes a porous covering that encloses a carrier having a flavorant. The carrier may be solid or particulate. Flavorants may be one or more of tea, coffee, rose hips, honey, royal jelly, fruit extracts, mint, sweeteners, ginger, pepper extract, exotic flavors, ethnic flavors and the like. Where the carrier comprises a plurality of beads, the beads may have randomly dissolvable encapsulation to extend the time duration of flavor release. To use the flavor pouch, it is placed in the mouth and masticated or exposed to saliva to thereby release the flavorant.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flavor pouch containing flavorant selected from one or more of tea, coffee, rose hips, honey, royal jelly, fruit extracts, mint, sweeteners, exotic flavors, and the like includes feeding a strip of fabric along a feed path, placing preselected amounts of flavorant material at spaced apart locations along the strip, forming flavor pouches by sealing portions of the strip together to enclose each preselected amount of flavorant material, and separating the flavor pouches from the strip. The pouches can have various shapes including crescent and oval shapes.

Abstract: A peer-to-peer network has a server that maintains a list of addresses of clients connected to the peer-to-peer network. The server generates seed lists for each of the clients connected to the network from the server maintained list. The clients conduct peer-to-peer searches using the seed list provided by the server. The seed lists may be either randomly generated or generated to facilitate network objectives. The clients may periodically request seed list refreshing. The peer-to-peer network may further include authentication and authorization search security checks.

Abstract: A peer-to-peer network propagates searches from client to client. Resources within each client are selectively searched in response to authentication and authorization processes. Authentication information may be included in a search request or may be performed by an authentication process external to the client. Authorization is performed by a process external to the client. Only after authentication or authorization may resources of any particular client be accessed. The system allows for secure propagated searches and resource access in a peer-to-peer network environment. The network may further include a server for maintaining a list of clients connected to the peer-to-peer network in order to more efficiently facilitate peer-to-peer communications.

Abstract: A virtual or augmented reality smoking system is provided herein. A smoker using the system can experience a virtual reality of smoking by puffing on a cigarette shaped article and experiencing the taste or aroma from the article while simultaneously viewing a generated image of a burning cigarette and exhaled and sidestream smoke. Additionally, the room environment may be simulated to give the experience of smoking in a setting of the smoker's choice (virtual reality) or the image of a burning cigarette and smoke may be superimposed on a live or natural image of the smoker's environment (augmented reality).

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing personalized information are provided. Based on an identification of a customer through the use of a card, personalized information is selectively produced and wirelessly provided to a display such as a wireless display. The identification of the customer, as well as additional information, can be provided through the use of the card, wherein functions of the card can be enabled or disabled by the customer through the use of on-card switches, buttons, slides and/or bistable domes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing discreet messaging are provided. Based on an identification of a customer and/or a product to be purchased, a message is selectively produced and provided in a discreet manner to the customer. The message can be visible and/or audible. The customer can be identified using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags. The product to be purchased can be identified using scanned bar code information and/or RFID tags.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing personalized information are provided. Based on an identification of a customer and/or a product, the personalized information is produced and wirelessly provided to a display such as a wireless display. A wireless information reader is used to gather the identification and the personalized information and transmit power and data to the display.

Abstract: A system and method for distribution of product price and/or sales data in a retail establishment. Product price and/or sales data is stored locally, either in a central computer or master electronic cash register (ECR) or remotely at a master computer. The product price data is stored in the form of a price look-up (PLU) table. The price data can be pushed from the master ECR, local or master computers to and ECR emulation hub to an ECR emulation hub. Similarly, the ECR emulation hub can request product price data from the master ECR, local or master computers. Once the product price data arrives at the ECR emulation hub, it can be processed and sent to a display, which will be located near the appropriate product. The ECR emulation hub can also record and/or transmit prices actually charged for products over time to allow for automatic auditing of promotional pricing offers such as those made by manufacturers of the product.