Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and systems for generating new business models in an environment of existing business methods. More particularly, the present invention describes existing business methods with corresponding business models, simulates the business models to determine their performances, selects one or more of the business models having optimal performance values, and transforms the selected business models to create new improved business methods. In preferred embodiments, the present invention describes a space of possible business models in a modular fashion and applies evolutionary methods to generate improved business models. In preferred embodiments, the business models are simulated as part of a business ecosystem including other interacting business models and customers patronizing the business models. The present invention also includes systems for performing the methods, and use of generated business models in real-world business situations.

Abstract: In an industrial complex composed of a plurality of plants, at least one of the plants is provided with a service section, specifically, analyzers, for providing a service for at least one of the plants in accordance with the request from at least one of the plants. A virtual service center, that is, a virtual analysis center, is composed of the analyzers and a server.

Abstract: The invention affords a data processing system and method for assessing the performance of a business enterprise in creating and realizing value. More particularly, the invention affords a data processing system and method that supports the provision of real-time benchmarking through a network of benchmarking service providers.

Abstract: A system for determining selections that a user is likely to be interested in. The determination is made based on the user's prior indicated preferences. The user designates his or her preferred selections as entries in a user's preference list. Entries in the user's list are compared with entries in the other users' lists. When a significant number of matches have been found between two lists, the unmatched entries of the other user's preference list are extracted. The unmatched entries are further processed. Those unmatched entries with a high correlation to the user's preference list are presented to the user as selections in which the user is likely to be interested.

Abstract: A support system for setting a price of a transaction target article in response to a request given from a requester includes an external storage device stored with identifying information of the transaction target article and quality information for indicating a quality of the transaction target article, a communication interface for the identifying information of the transaction target article of which a price should be set by the requester and quality evaluating information for evaluating a quality of the transaction target article, a CPU for reading the received identifying information and the quality information coincident with the quality evaluating information from the external storage device, and a communication interface for transmitting the read-out quality information to the requester. A sales applicant is thereby able to set a proper price of the transaction target article.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for selecting and controlling the output of media in a public space. General programming media elements are selected for output in a public space based upon a source indicating available media elements, and upon transient variables especially pertinent to the public space, which are provided independently of user inputs. Metadata media related to but distinct from an output programming media element may be independently selected for output to different devices, via different signal paths and protocols.

Abstract: A network and system for acting as an information collection service or a polling service by allowing the purchaser to select the recipient of the commission. In a preferred embodiment the user can select from at least one non-profit organization among the selections resulting in a tax deductible gift. By tracking the user selections through the assignment of commissions, the system can keep track of the preferences of users. In a further extension of this invention, the commission system can be used as a proxy for calculating votes of users for certain organizations or causes or other entities or even principals represented by crediting the commission or vote to particular organizations, causes, or ideas. The votes can be tabulated in a contest fashion to calculate a winning person, organization, cause or idea. The length of time which users will be allowed to vote can be controlled by the site dependent on time, total money or votes tabulated, or other criteria.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to perform a constructive exchange of information between a user and a provider of products in virtual reality. A user places a product 154 that he is considering buying in a cart, designates product providers, and gives notification thereto of the cart contents. A designated product provider 153, by seeing the cart contents, can learn in what products the user is interested. The product provider 153 can provide to the cart from which the designation arose additional information 155, such as advertisements for its products. The user, by receiving various types of additional information from a product provider that he trusts, can find products that meet his desires, and can enjoy more satisfactory network-based shopping.

Abstract: In response to a request for audio-visual content from a user, a method and system is provided which sends the content and additional information related to the location of the user.

Abstract: The method provides importing advertising information into a telephone connection and providing an advertising dialogue system configured to assist in importing the advertising information into the telephone connection and to manage the advertising information and an advertising action which are looped into the telephone connection. The method further provides assigning at least one action indicator and a start action instruction to the advertising information. The at least one action indicator is configured to indicate the advertising action possible with the advertising information. The start action instruction is configured to start the advertising action, the start action instruction being triggerable by a user and activating the advertising action associated with the advertising information managed by the advertising dialogue system. The advertising dialogue system provides any service associated with the advertising action as automatically available to the user.

Abstract: A system and method for targeting advertising. Advertising targeting information is stored on a client. Such information can be sensitive information that the user wishes to remain confidential. An advertisement is selected at the client for display to the user, based upon the advertising targeting information stored at the client. This can be accomplished using a software agent at the client. The selected advertisement may be retrieved from client memory, or a request can be sent to a remote server to send the selected advertisement to the client.

Abstract: A campaign system is composed of a campaign execution apparatus, POS systems, and portable telephones, all of which can use the Internet to communicate with one another. When there arises the campaign registration, the campaign execution apparatus in which member information including preference information has been accumulated extracts registered members that become to be targets of the campaign from the member information. The registered member receives campaign mail that fits his or her interest, and then he or she inputs identification information displayed as a bar code on the display of the portable telephone into the POS system. Then, a relier of the campaign can acquire private information that were not able to be acquired only with the POS system.

Abstract: The present invention involves spending loyalty points over a computerized network to facilitate a transaction. With this system, a loyalty program participant is able to use an existing transaction card to purchase an item over a computerized network, while at the same time offsetting the cost of that transaction by converting loyalty points to a currency value credit and having the credit applied to the participant's financial transaction account. Currency credit from converted loyalty points may also be applied to stored value cards, online digital wallet accounts and the like. Further, currency credit may also be applied to other accounts to effect a gift or donation.

Abstract: A business model, system, and method for a business entity to distribute branding, advertising, marketing, and service (BAMS) data to consumer-users is described. The business entity establishes and maintains a venture server that transmits BAMS data to client applications installed on the electronic devices of consumer-users and controls usage and display of the BAMS data at the electronic devices. The client application, which is prepared and assigned a unique identifier by the business entity, performs a useful function that requires a graphical user interface (GUI) to be displayed in the display of the user's electronic device. After receiving the BAMS data, the client application stores it, and displays it in the GUI. The client application can be written so that no user information is transmitted from the electronic device to the venture server.

Abstract: An electronic display tag system. The system has an electronic display tag including a display for displaying at least one of pricing data and product identification data, the display having bistable character elements or bistable pixels. The display tag has a decoder logic unit for decoding received programming data and for updating the display based on the programming data, the programming data being received wirelessly. The display tag also has a wireless transceiver, the wireless transceiver for converting a power inducing signal transmitted wirelessly to the display tag into electrical power, the electrical power used by the decoder logic unit to update the display.

Abstract: A points trading service method is provided and includes the steps of (a) collecting information on a customers' trading points total from a member shop and storing the information in a customer database; (b) receiving information on a points trade request from a customer; and (c) trading points with other customers according to the points trade request. According to the method of the present invention, a customer can redeem a small amount of points into cash and exchange the points the user does not want to use for other points. Upon collecting trading points, a customer can also use the cyber money or points at a plurality of member shops. Therefore, when the method according to the present invention is applied, Internet business marketing and cyber money use can be extended and promoted.

Abstract: There is provided an intermediation control apparatus that carries out intermediation control while securing reliability of the system by protection of information. An extraction section (disclosure information-extracting section) determines a range of personal information of a user, for disclosure, based on a kind of request information sent from the user, and extracts the range of personal information from the personal information. A transaction section (disclosure information-extracting section) makes the extracted range of personal information and contents of a request available to the service provider.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for selecting a vendor based on a list of user-selected products. A plurality of product identifiers are received from a user. Each product identifier is associated with a particular product. A list of the products is generated. A search is made for vendors of the products on the list. A vendor of the products is selected based on predetermined criteria. Information about the selected vendor is output.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for generating a list of desired products for presentment to a person other than the user desiring the products. First, a plurality of product identifiers are received from a user utilizing a network. Each product identifier is pre-associated with a particular product. A list of the products is generated and presented to a person other than the user.

Abstract: An electronic redemption system for electronic commerce transactions. A purchaser accesses a remotely accessible server via a communications network and purchases or reserves available goods or services through the remotely accessible server. The remotely accessible server responsively generates an electronic redemption code and a corresponding electronic sales code. The electronic redemption code is transmitted to an electronic storage device designated by the purchaser, e.g. a handheld PDA, wireless telephone, laptop PC, etc. The electronic sales code is transmitted to a vendor accessible location. The purchase is completed when the electronic redemption code is transmitted, e.g. via an infrared or other short-range transmitter of the purchaser's electronic storage device, to a receiving device capable of receiving electronic data at a physical location of the vendor, provided it corresponds to a valid electronic sales code.

Abstract: There is provided a contents conversion fee charging system including: a contents provider terminal to be operated by a contents provider; a contents server to store contents provided by said contents provider; a user terminal to be operated by a user; a conversion server to convert the contents; and wherein the contents provider is charged a conversion fee for contents conversion performed by the conversion server.

Abstract: A method for carrying out a transaction between a client and a server in an electronic marketplace hosted by the server is provided. Data from a server is provided to a client sufficient to enable the client to operate a client-based shopping cart in an electronic marketplace hosted by the server. The client-based shopping cart is activated, and an item is added to the client-based shopping cart. Information necessary to complete a transaction for the item is calculated using the client-based shopping cart. A transaction for the item is then submitted to the server together with the calculated information, and the transaction is processed using the server.

Abstract: 1.

Abstract: Client information is collected by a client entering his or her address, name, etc. when the client buys merchandise and makes a payment. The client information is written to a CD-RW which is provided for the client. When the client uses the CD-RW to access the home page of the selling agent of the merchandise, the client information recorded on the CD-RW is transmitted to the server of a client database generation company. The server generates a client information database classified by merchandise categories.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the exchange of information between vendors and seekers of products and services comprises the steps of

Abstract: A medium, which is accessed by a reproducing/recording apparatus, having a read-only area in which commodity catalog information provided by a vendor is written and where only a read operation is allowed, and a writeable area in which predetermined commodity catalog information provided by a server is updated and where a write operation of user information for later retrieval is allowed. Using the medium, consumers can easily access the latest commodity catalog information at any time, and make secure purchases using identity verification methods using the latest commodity catalog information. The use of the medium and system accelerates the purchasing system so as to increase sales, files a purchase record on the consumer side, which provides a guarantee mechanism for refund or exchange in the future. Further, since the commodity catalog information is distributed online, labor and financial waste can be reduced.

Abstract: An information processing technology of the present invention is capable of speeding up a process that a prospective buyer of a used car determines an intention of purchasing the car.

Abstract: image data of various kinds of components and component text data required for mounting of components, e.g., shapes, dimensions, packing forms, colors, and the like of the components, are stored in a storage medium in a manner to be read out as part of a component electronic catalog. The storage medium is used to make a search for components on a screen and automatically read out necessary component text data. The component electronic catalog can be used not only to search for components on a screen, similar to a conventional component electronic catalog, but to automatically read out component text data so as to automatically form mounting data for components to be mounted which are selected through the screen search.

Abstract: An intranet providing a multiple-carrel public-access kiosk is disclosed. The intranet provides free access to foreign and domestic informational e-commerce intranet sites as well as e-mail and public service educational and informational materials. The kiosk accepts anonymous pre-paid cards issued by a local franchisee of a network of c-commerce intranets that includes the local intranet. The franchisee owns or leases kiosks and also provides a walk-in e-commerce support center where e-commerce support services and goods, such as pre-paid accounts for access to paid services at a kiosk, can be purchased. The paid services provided by the carrel include video-conference and chat room time, playing and/or copying audio-visual materials such as computer games and music videos, and international e-commerce purchase support services such as customs and currency exchange.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for a dynamic information connection engine. User actions are detected on at least one client system. In response, a determination is made whether the user is searching for supported information. When the user is searching for supported information, information is extracted electronically from third party web sites, direct supplier connections, and intermediate databases. Potential information suppliers are automatically selected in response to the detected user search. Queries are formulated from the user search and transferred to each selected supplier over a network coupling. The queries include a request for information. Responses are received from the suppliers, and the responses are used to generate a result list for the user. The result list includes information and query status information. Further, an electronic link may be provided to a web site of each supplier from which the information was derived.

Abstract: An electronic auction system, method and computer program product, including a server computer connected through a network to a plurality of terminals which participate in the auction, and including selecting merchandise information from a plurality of merchandise information on a basis of bid information bid by a participant; and causing to transmit the selected merchandise information as alternative merchandise to a terminal of the participant.

Abstract: A loan syndication tracking and management system and method provides a user with access to specific details related to a syndicated loan. The system and method coordinates investor, borrower and resource information, in addition to features related to the overall structure of a syndicated loan. Users access the system with various levels of permissions to view, add, update or delete information according to their allotted permissions. The system permits multiple users to access the information for efficient handling of approvals and requests related to multiple investors and borrowers, in addition to handling institution interchanges and notifications. The system and method keeps a record of all transactions and changes for review, reporting or regulatory purposes. The administration of a syndicated loan transaction is simplified while providing advanced features such as support for loan trading.

Abstract: Methods and systems for collecting and paying a tax on contents delivered over a network, and recording mediums having recorded such methods. Before a contents receiver belonging to a first country requests delivery of desired contents over a network from a contents dealer belonging to a second country, the contents dealer registers himself or herself as a dealer with a network customhouse belonging to the first country. When the contents dealer delivers contents to the contents receiver 1 in accordance with a request of the contents receiver, the contents dealer pays a tax imposed on the delivered contents to the network customhouse over the network. The network customhouse receives this tax.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for paying for a transaction over the Internet. Initially, information is received utilizing a network. Such information includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address of a user and an amount of payment due. An account is then identified using at least a portion of the information, i.e. the IP address. Thereafter, payment is administered for the payment due by billing against the account. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention may be carried out by a network service provider who provides the user with access to the network.

Abstract: A method is provided for delivering a package securely. An address is located on a delivery package. The package is handed to a delivery entity, which utilizes the address on the package to seek and find the specific physical location identified by the address. A delivery identifier is provided to a processor of a cryptographic authority computer. A delivery identifier identifies a specific enclosure at the specific physical location and differs from delivery enclosures at other locations. A request time is provided to the processor of the cryptographic authority computer. The processor of the cryptographic authority computer generates a cryptographic key utilizing the delivery identifier and the request time. The cryptographic key is provided to the delivery entity for entry and decryption by a computer at the location, to allow for unlocking of a lock on an enclosure where the delivery package can be located.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention provides an Application Metering method (and corresponding system) for monitoring usage of an Application (e.g., software program, content file, component, product, etc.) anywhere on a Network. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, an Application Beacon can be used in or in conjunction with an Application to make a Tagged Application. Upon activation of the Tagged Application the Beacon effectuates transmission of Application Information from the Tagged Application to an Application Metering Module. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a method (and corresponding system) for compensating Application Developers according to usage of an Application by monitoring usage of an Application based on Application Information and Deployment Information compiled by a Billing Module. The Billing Module may invoice or extract payment from end users and provide compensation to Application Developers (or to producers or other distributors of the Application).

Abstract: A restriction canceling apparatus comprising: a memory that stores content consisting of a plurality of relating parts whose functions are restricted and a plurality of restriction canceling data, each corresponding to one of said parts; a first receiver that receives a first request of a client for transmission of the content; a first transmitter that transmits said content to said client upon said first request; a second receiver that receives a second request of said client for transmission of at least one of the restriction canceling data; and a second transmitter that transmits the restriction canceling data to said client upon said second request.

Abstract: A copyright protection method for adding copy control information to an information signal in association with contents which are protected under copyright is provided. In the method, attributive information representing the attribution of a predetermined apparatus is added to the information signal when the information signal is propagated via the apparatus. Then, the recording of the information signal is controlled on the basis of the copy control information and the attributive information. For example, even if the copy control information indicates that a copy is allowed since the information signal was propagated via a illegal path, the copy is forbidden since the attributive information indicates an attribution of an reproduction apparatus.

Abstract: According to various exemplary embodiments, methods and system for distributing advertising materials suitably include embedding a pointer (such as an HTML body statement and URL) into a document viewed by a user. As the page is processed by the users' browser, the browser follows the pointer to obtain an image or other file from a background server. The file or image may then be viewed by the user as part of the document. Various alternate embodiments include processing by the background server to select and serve an image/file that is variable according to time or a last image viewed, or according to user preferences or interests.

Abstract: An advertisement mail site generates an e-mail containing a command. The e-mail is sent to multiple users. The command works to acquire how long the mail is being read at each user terminal. The obtained information or view duration is embedded in a reply e-mail, which is sent back to the advertisement mail site. The view duration tends to indicate how much the user felt interested in the sent e-mails. The site acts as an agent for companies or sponsors to send e-mail based direct mails. The charge for the service billed to the sponsors is calculated based on the view duration of each e-mail.

Abstract: A computerized method for learning a delivery point of a first mail piece by using unmatched and/or unused data from at least one other mail piece is disclosed.

Abstract: In an automatic decision-making system, a method and a tool for the reduction of the dimension of data mining, which is automatically coupled to an empirical predictor of the system. The method includes a qualitative modeling of the interrelations between various objects whose attributes are relevant to a score made by the predictor according to which decisions are made, wherein this relevancy is determined by an input of a domain expert to the problem in hand. The model is called a Knowledge-Tree and its conclusions are represented by a graphical symbolization called the Knowledge-Tree map. Data mining, which follows the construction of the Knowledge-Tree map regards only datasets which are associated with logical and validated branches of the knowledge tree. Because the expert input which reduces the dimension of data mining was completed prior to data mining, interception by human reasoning is not needed after data mining and the decision making process can proceed automatically.

Abstract: A reasoning method for determining similar cases by executing a case-similarity calculation step and utilizing a distribution of values of fields for calculation of reasoning results of cases having high similarities. Since the similar cases are determined taking a peripheral distribution of a new case into consideration, suitable similar cases can be selected for reasoning even when the case distribution is not uniform.

Abstract: A technique for accessing a subject multi-dimensional database stored on a data store connected to the computer. An index is created for the subject multi-dimensional database, wherein the index comprises another multi-dimensional database. Then, the subject multi-dimensional database is accessed using the index.

Abstract: A method for searching a target Web site, includes the steps of: a) providing an Internet portal site having a plurality of Web pages to a client computer in order to search the target Web site targeted by a user at the client computer, the Web pages including: “A” number of category chapters each containing “B” number of category icons where the “A” and the “B” are positive integers; and “C” number of Web-site link pages each containing “D” number of Web-site icons linked to one of the “B” number of category icons where the “C” and the “D” are the positive integers; b) providing at least one target Web page contained in the target Web site to the client computer; and c) displaying the target Web page contained in the target Web site. The Web-site icons and the category icons can be arranged according to the frequency number of use.

Abstract: A user can access a common database from a remote communications port, at any qualified location, to generate a map or other positional information which locates selected items of interest, e.g., businesses, stores, architectural sites, and the like. The database contains information representing the items of interest, including, for each of the items of interest, positional coordinates, a geographic vicinity, and a selected category. The positional coordinates discretely locate the vicinity, while the vicinity specifies the exact locations of the items of interest in the selected category. For example, a user in New York can select the display of sporting shops in the area surrounding Chicago O'Hara International Airport selectively. A user can also access a port and display locations of items of interest within the same vicinity as the user and relative to the user's position. The database can be modified from qualified remote locations to change, or add to, the information therein.

Abstract: A data retrieval system is described. The system includes a data server, at least one data retrieval client, a co-presence server and at elast one downloadable co-presence client. The data server retrieves at least one data object from among a plurality of data objects stored in a data repository. The data retrieval client requests at least one data object from the data server. The co-presence server includes a virtual place generator which generates one virtual place per data object retrieved from the data server and an associator which associates each virtual place with its data object once its data object is accessed. The downloadable co-presence client is operative with the data retrieval client and communicates with the co-presence server. Each co-presence client includes an object associator which associates a data object received from the co-presence server with one of the at least one virtual places in the co-presence server.

Abstract: A method is described for supplying management services for a plurality of industrial cleaning processes or machines at remote sites and/or operated by different organizations. A service center computer is provided with a database for storing process/machine information together with a process/machine identification. Information on the processes/machines is obtained in the service center computer and the information is processed to generate reports on the processes or operation of the machines of a plurality of organizations. A website is provided via which each organization can obtain the reports on its processes or machines. In a system for supplying management services for a plurality of industrial cleaning processes or machines at remote sites and/or operated by different organizations, a service center computer is operated by a service organization at a location remote from the location(s) of the local units.

Abstract: A method of changing a parameter of an operating system of a computer system is described. All requested values of the parameter are stored in a history database. A new resolved value is created by a history manager depending on these requested values and a desired new value of the parameter. The structure and the relationship of the parameter is stored in a schema.

Abstract: A system for searching a target Web site, includes: an Internet network; a client computer, coupled to the Internet network, for displaying at least one target Web page contained in the target Web site; an intermediate server computer, coupled to the Internet network, for providing at least one intermediate Web page to the client computer, the intermediate Web page including: an input box having a first or second language-based domain name inputted by a user at the client computer; a first keyboard conversion icon being clicked in order to convert a keyboard into a first language-based keyboard, the keyboard being attached to said client computer; a second keyboard conversion icon being clicked in order to convert the keyboard into a second language-based keyboard; and a search icon being clicked in order to search the target Web site having the first language-based domain name mapped to the second language-based domain name; and a target server computer, coupled to the Internet network, for providing the tar