Abstract: A system and method for selectively displaying Internet advertisements includes allowing a user to establish the values of user definable attributes. Internet advertisements are then transmitted to the user computer based on the user definable attributes. Also, user selectable advertisement channels are provided. A user can, accordingly, select an advertisement channel and only advertisements corresponding to that channel are displayed.

Abstract: A media purchase goal correlation system includes a variety of advertising media purchases. Each media purchase relates to a predetermined subject matter and is placed in movies, video, television, interactive television, radio or print media within a stated geographic area. The media purchase includes either an Internet website address or other unique trackable identifier for accessing further information related to the subject matter of the media purchase. A first database contains records relating to the start date, end date, and stated geographic area for the media purchases. Means are provided for determining the geographic location associated with Internet Protocol addresses and for grouping the geographic locations into uniform stated geographic areas. A second database contains records correlating Internet Protocol addresses of Internet users with stated geographic areas.

Abstract: A billboard system for communicating marketing data to a plurality of individuals at least one display means adapted to display marketing information, the display device comprising a communication code interface for communicating at least one communication code corresponding to a marketing campaign to the plurality of individuals and a data delivery system associated with the at least one display means, the data delivery system comprising a memory for storing marketing data, including marketing data associated with the marketing information displayed by the display means and a communication means adapted to receive instructions from the plurality of users via a communication device, and to communicate data to the plurality of users via the communication device wherein the data delivery system is responsive to the communication device such that the communication means is adapted to permit the plurality of individuals to pull marketing data, including marketing data associated with the marketing information fro

Abstract: The point provider accepts, manages and stores membership information in a membership management device (20). At the same time, the point provider attaches to each product sold a non-rewritable storage medium (e.g., a CD card (30) embedded with a CD-ROM), in which the product-specific information and the point provider's website address are written. The member inserts the CD card (30) into an information reading device (15) of a personal computer (10) to connect to the website (25) of the point provider. The point provider checks the identity of the person who has accessed the website (whether the person who has accessed the website is the same person as the one who purchased the product) and, upon confirmation, adds the points corresponding to the purchase amount and stores the point data.

Abstract: A method for dynamic embedding of objects into context selectable locations in digital media items to form versions of said digital media items, said method comprising the steps of: finding context suitable locations in said visual media; dynamically selecting a subset of said objects for at least one location; and embedding one object of said subset of objects in said at least one location, thereby to form a version of said digital media item.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for targeting the delivery of advertisements over a network such as the Internet are disclosed. Statistics are compiled on individual users and networks and the use of the advertisements is tracked to permit targeting of the advertisements of individual users. In response to requests from affiliated sites, an advertising server transmits to people accessing the page of a site an appropriate one of the advertisement based upon profiling of users and networks.

Abstract: A POS registering system is disclosed, that comprises a menu having a plurality of menu keys and at least one selection key, at least one sales item being assigned to each of the menu keys, each of the selection key being used to select one of sales items assigned to each of the menu keys, a table containing entries of sales item data of the sales items assigned to each of the menu keys, the sales item data including a sales item name and a prices of each sales item, and a display device, wherein when an operation including a selecting a menu key is performed for designating a sales item on the menu, entries of sales item data of all sales items assigned to the selected menu key are searched from the table and all the searched entries of sales item data are displayed on the display device in such a manner that they are distinguished from entries of correction alternative sales item data of the remaining sales items assigned to the menu key, and wherein when an operator selects one of the entries of the correc

Abstract: The method to obtain a product by means of a PTD comprises the following steps:

Abstract: A novel system provided for selling goods has an electronic device configured to enable a customer to access a group of items pre-selected for the customer based on an evaluation made when the goods are tried on by a human model having similar individual characteristics as the customer. The evaluation is performed by the human model trying on the goods to evaluate whether the goods fit the customer, and/or by an expert evaluating whether the goods are suitable for a human model trying on the goods. The goods are classified in accordance with a pre-set classification. Human models are selected to represent categories of the pre-set classification. The goods are tried on by the human models of the respective categories, and are evaluated to determine evaluation marks. Individual characteristics of a customer are obtained to determine to which category in the pre-set classification the customer belongs.

Abstract: A user interface displays markdown price recommendations for a given set of retail merchandise aimed at attaining optimal gross margin while clearing merchandise from a retailer by a given date and adhering to the retailer's business rules and operational constraints.

Abstract: A method of indicating relative values of products offered to a customer is provided, wherein the method is implemented by an intermediary over a computer network. Initially, a request is received by the intermediary over the computer network from a vendor. The request is directed to including a description of at least one product for sale by the vendor on a product list. A product evaluation is then performed for each of the at least one product according to a plurality of predetermined evaluation criteria. Thereafter, an inquiry is received from a customer, over the computer network, regarding a specific product. In response to the inquiry, the customer is provided with, over the computer network, the description of any product on the product list corresponding to the specific product, wherein each corresponding product description has the respective product evaluation and the vendor associated therewith so as to facilitate a product selection by the customer.

Abstract: An integrated gift card packet is machine printed and formed and comprises a paper form having at least two panels interconnected together. The panels are retained in facial contact by detachable tabs or glue tabs. Each of the panels has an inner and an outer surface. Printed information is provided on some or all of the surfaces. Card information is printed in a card area on the inner and outer surfaces of one of the panels. The card information contains a bar code identifying goods/services and a dollar value associated therewith. The bar code may have a card I.D. code. A poly patch is adhesively secured on the inner surface of one of the panels and extends over the card area. A rear multi-layer patch is adhesively secured on the outer surface of one of the panels and also extends over the card area. The multi-layer patch has an adhesive coating on the outer surface to secure a poly film thereto.

Abstract: A method is provided for pricing access to a provider's library of a plurality of computer programs is provided. An appropriate capacity of a site of a interested user is determined. A price is determined based at least partially from the appropriate capacity. Access consistent with the price is offered to the interested user for access to the plurality of computer programs.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product, and method utilize the concept of answer fulfillment as a mechanism to direct advertisements to targeted individuals. In particular, electronic messages, typically accessed from one or more electronic message repositories representative of one or more electronic communities, are electronically analyzed to locate a message that incorporates a query directed to a particular topic of interest. Then, after locating such a message, another electronic message is sent, including both a reply to the query and an advertisement related to the topic of interest to which the query is directed. The electronic message may be sent directly to the originator of the query, or may be sent so as to make the message available to other potential advertisement recipients. Moreover, the reply to the query may include an answer to the query, or may simply direct a recipient to where an answer may be obtained.

Abstract: A method of supplying medical screening services directly to a customer includes the steps of customer enrollment, electronic data collection and data transfer by the customer, data assessment by a screening service, and providing a report to the customer by the screening service. The report is made directly available to the customer by fax, by mail, by electronic mail, or by the Internet. Should a life threatening event be indicated by the assessment of the customer's data, the screening center will request emergency medical care for the customer. A recording device is sold to the customer either through telemarketing, direct mail, catalog sales, television, or retail outlets. The screening center has a cardiologist available to review the customer's ECG data upon the referral by a registered nurse.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for communicating between supplier and customers, having a plurality of network-connected terminals, including supplier terminals and customer terminals and at least one co-ordinator terminal equipped with memory means, and said memory means includes instructions to define a transaction space within said network, wherein a customer expresses interest for a particular product to the co-ordinator. Said co-ordinator performs a search to identify the preferred supplier then returns details of said preferred supplier to said customer. Said customer conveys a purchase requirement to the co-ordinator, which then sends a formal order to the supplier. Said supplier conveys payment details to said co-ordinator and said co-ordinator sends a formal invoice to said customer.

Abstract: A method and system for conducting online auctions, and in particular, a method and system for conduction online auctions of copper concentrates in fixed amounts according to a bid term. The participants in the auction are granted access to a secure area of a website, and enter bids over a communications network on parcels of copper concentrates. The auction is conducted in two stages, namely, an opening round and a closing round. The winner of the auction is the participant that submits the lowest confirmed bid for the bid term to end the closing round. The auction allows for the auction participants to enter bids either manually or through the use of an automated bid feature. The automated bid feature entering a bid on behalf of an auction participant if the minimum bid threshold specified by the participant is lower than the previous confirmed bid by at least the minimum bid increment.

Abstract: A portable communication terminal obtains a program for terminals from a host computer and executes it. The program for terminals obtains all or a part of data stored in a database server from the host computer and renews the obtained data. The renewed data is sent to the host computer, and the data in the database server is renewed.

Abstract: A web-enabled method for processing an order transmitted to a site by a purchaser to enable purchase of a product is provided. The method provides a web page order including at least a data field to be filled by the purchaser with model data indicative of a product to be purchased. The data field is actually filled with incorrect model data. The web page with the incorrect model data is transmitted to the site. The purchaser is informed that the transmitted web page includes incorrect model data. A clickable hyperlink is provided to the purchaser to execute a search of correct model data based on the incorrect model data. A window on the web page order is displayed and includes a list of respective correct model data. A respective hyperlink with each respective model data included in the list is provided so that upon any respective hyperlink being clicked by the purchaser, the data field in the web page order is automatically filled with the correct model data corresponding to that hyperlink.

Abstract: Aspects of the present embodiments provide an eCommerce environment adapted to accept and process various message types (e.g. cXML and mXML). In general, requests are provided from a requesting entity to an application hosting entity. Data from incoming requests are mapped to a format understandable to an appropriate application(s). Responses from the application(s) are then mapped into a response format acceptable by the requesting entity.

Abstract: An automated customer support tool. A web server receives one or more queries regarding the product from a customer. A categorizer coupled to the web server categorizes the received queries based on a type of query, to determine whether the answers to the queries can be automatically communicated to the customer. An FAQ extractor extracts one or more corresponding product FAQs from respective product FAQ data bases. A key-word extractor extracts one or more key-words from the received queries and the extracted product FAQs. The key-word extractor further transforms the extracted key words to unique numerical representations. An analyzer coupled to the key-word extractor represents the transformed key-words into respective query and product FAQ vector forms. The analyzer further applies a convolution algorithm to each of the query vector forms, with each of the product FAQ vector forms separately and obtains one or more appropriate answers to the queries.

Abstract: A system for and method of configuring capital equipment in an on-line marketplace environment provides for the generation and acceptance of purchase orders in an automated and distributed environment. Using this system or method, a purchaser may view basic product information at a business-to-business exchange web page and select a link to display a product provider web page. After the purchaser contacts the product provider to configure a particular capital equipment product, the product provider posts a complete product specification and price quotation on-line at the product provider web page. A reference to the quote is displayed at the exchange web page, and the purchaser may view the quotation on-line and accept the quotation at the exchange web page.

Abstract: A method for storing Internet advertisements at a user computer includes receiving plural Internet advertisements at the user computer. Some of the advertisements are tagged using a hypertext markup language (html) tag. An Internet browser within the computer determines which received advertisements are tagged and saves them within the computer. The saved advertisements are then displayed for a user to review later, e.g., in response to a button being toggled.

Abstract: An interactive and enhanced digital Instant Catalog of products, services, and information that is personalized or personally profiled, to each unique user of the catalog. The catalog instantly and intelligently captures, stores, manages, and processes self-selected, reusable and “re-distributable” catalog groupings anonymously, for personalizing, enhancing, monitoring, tracking, and peer sharing through multiple mediums and platforms by intelligent agents for a variety of user and vendor specified purposes. The personally profiled cataloged information can be viewed instantaneously and simultaneously by each effected component or member of a supply chain, at the time the product or service has been cataloged, without identifying the cataloger. The user, who preferably employs a Web browser over the Internet, personalizes the interactively produced intelligent catalog content.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for formatting inventory data wherein a request for inventory data about an inventory at a location is received and the inventory data is retrieved. The inventory data is formatted to be displayed in a calendar section, an inventory information section and a reservation information section within a single screen. A response containing the formatted inventory data is sent. Thereafter, one or more parameters further defining the request for inventory data may be received. For each received parameter it is determined whether the received parameter changes the formatted inventory data. If the received parameter changes the formatted inventory data, the inventory data changed by the received parameter is reformatted within the single screen and the reformatted inventory data is sent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining patent license fee data in a networked computing environment. The method and apparatus involve an interactive process that provides the user of an end-user station an opportunity to modify patent license data generated by the networked computing environment for application in determining the patent license fee data.

Abstract: A license information table 421a in a license DB 42a of a license management center terminal device 4a memorizes license information that includes an expiration date and identifies details of a license per content of each user. A license information examination unit 47 calculates remaining time up to the expiration date per license information of each user based on the expiration date and the date and hour at that moment. A notice information preparation unit 46a generates notice information indicating that the expiration date is close at hand when the remaining time calculated by the license information examination unit 47 becomes a predetermined threshold value or less.

Abstract: A ranked information retrieval is supplied over the network. Where a recommendable stock is to be retrieved, for example, the user designates what level of importance is given to each of criteria such as a bankruptcy probability, a ROE or a market share and transmits it to the server The server rates the stock with the financial information supplied in advance calculates a total score on the basis of the rating result and the weighted information received, and sorts to display a list of higher-level 3,000, for example.

Abstract: Participants purchase into a given system for a given period of time. Those with investment gains, by definition, are without loss and need no compensation from the system. Those with investment losses are reimbursed by the system according to previously agreed upon terms. Total loss of a given system's participants is calculated, with that figure compared to the previously agreed upon amount of funds available for loss compensation (total revenue generated by participant premiums minus previously agreed upon detracted percentage for firm or a sum set forward by the company that is independent of a given system's generated revenue).

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a financial expectation of an organization employing a product in association with a fundraising activity. In one embodiment the method includes receiving at least one product variable associated with the product; receiving at least one organization variable associated with the organization; and, generating at least one expected revenue formula related to the fundraising activity based on at least the product variable and the organization variable. In another aspect of the present methods and systems, at least one of the variables includes a predictor variable. In another aspect of the present methods and systems, the generating step further includes employing at least a predictor variable for performing a regression analysis to generate the expected revenue formula. Computer-readable media embodiments and system embodiments are also provided in association with various aspects of the present method embodiments.

Abstract: The method for a transaction at a point of sales through the instrumentality of a personal portable identification and transaction control device PPITCD comprises the following steps:

Abstract: A system for analyzing financial data comprises a computer having a communication means for obtaining one or more points of data related to a security; means for storing the obtained data in a memory; a means for obtaining a second point of data related to the security and a means for storing the second data point in the memory; a means for comparing the data from the obtained data points with the data of an additional data point related to the security, the additional data point being randomly chosen from between the obtained data points; and a display means to display the compared data. The data points between which the comparison is made can also be randomly chosen. The system orders the randomly chosen data points prior to comparing the data, which is displayed in a format such as a table, spreadsheet export file, or graph. The compared data can be exported to a method of analyzing financial data.

Abstract: A method for valuing large portfolios of publicly owned patents is disclosed. The method includes measuring the diversity and the depth of the portfolio's contents. Density or heterogeneity consists of calculating the ratio of the number of patents to the number of patented technology classes to which the patents have been assigned by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The depth consists of the ratio of the number of patents with referencing an original patent as prior art through two generations of referencing patents. A base line for evaluation can be the utility patents awarded by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for the period of 1976-2000 and over time as the heterogeneity and depth increase, the value of the portfolio increases.

Abstract: A personal computer appliance programmed to provide an investor with means for integrating current market data into a customized structure comprised of an investor's personal investment parameters and for alerting the investor of a correlation of market data with selected parameters.

Abstract: A method for determining the comparability of at least two bonds is provided and includes the steps of identifying a plurality of factors and determining a value for each of said plurality of factors for each of the at least two bonds. Next, a covariance matrix is formed where the covariance matrix includes a weighting factor for each of the plurality of factors and where each of the weighting factors relate to an amount of market activity attributed to the corresponding one of the plurality of factors. Finally, the comparability of the at least two bonds is determined based on the values for each of the at least two bonds and the covariance matrix.

Abstract: Process and system for investing in private portfolio includes determining relative risk, excess return and correlation of a private investment portfolio to a public market.

Abstract: A system for facilitating investments portfolio modeling in an investment fund is disclosed. The system includes a computer that is operable to receive demographic information about a participant in an investment program, the information is provided to an investment advisor who determines a proposed portfolio based on a pre-existing portfolio or, if there is no pre-existing portfolio, based on other factors. The proposed portfolio is sent to the participant.

Abstract: A system for facilitating investments portfolio modeling in an investment fund is disclosed. The system includes a computer that is operable to receive demographic information about a participant in an investment program, the information is provided to an investment advisor who determines a proposed portfolio based on a pre-existing portfolio or, if there is no pre-existing portfolio, based on other factors. The proposed portfolio is sent to the participant.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for facilitating financial advising and planning for a user. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a portfolio integration module for facilitating integration of a user's goals, assets, savings, and risk tolerance to facilitate analyzing and developing a customized strategy for financial portfolio planning of the user. A portfolio reconciler module in communication with the portfolio integration module facilitates comparison of the customized strategy to other strategies and projected user financial decisions in order to further facilitate the financial portfolio planning of the user.

Abstract: A method and system of raising online venture capital in the private equity and debt markets, for raising capital for early stage, primarily privately held, companies through a broker-dealer and private funds which attempts to maximize the number of investors and a low per unit investment cost to provide wider participation in the private equity market while promoting diversification of risk.

Abstract: An issuer provides customized derivative securities to an investor by receiving from the investor data regarding the investor's desired risk-return values and at least one issuer of a traded security upon which the investment is to be partially based. A customized security having the desired risk-return value is formulated, and comprises at least one component related to the traded security of an issuer and at least one other component. The customized security is priced according to current market prices for the components and offered to the investor. In a preferred arrangement the method further includes trading the components of the customized security in amount corresponding to their inclusion in the customized derivative security accepted by the investor.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for enabling an electronic information marketplace. Broadly, sellers and buyers can exchange information goods. The buyers request information goods and the sellers offer suitable information goods. One or more matches may occur between the requested and offered information goods. The information goods may be priced through any of a number of techniques, which include fixed and dynamic pricing methods. Importantly, requests and offerings can be annotated to help the matchmaking process. Additionally, concepts can be determined from the requested and offered information goods, which also facilitates the matchmaking. The matchmaking process itself can also determine inferences during matchmaking, which further improves the matchmaking.

Abstract: A system and method for providing anonymous on-line transactions through a networked aggregate exchange server are provided. A request may be received at a certificate authority for an enhanced certificate. The certificate authority may determine whether the request qualifies for a certificate. The certificate authority may issue the certificate to a requester, if the request qualifies. An aggregate exchange server may receive an offer from a supplier with a certificate. The exchange server may receive a bid from a purchaser with a certificate. The exchange server may determine whether the purchaser bid and the supplier offer match. The exchange server may send the supplier the purchaser's enhanced certificate and may send the purchaser the supplier's enhanced certificate, if a match exists. The exchange server may receive agreement of the supplier and purchaser. Subsequently, the aggregate exchange server may anonymously execute the transaction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method for selling integrated circuit manufacturing systems online, wherein the method includes receiving information representing a integrated circuit manufacturing system available for purchase, posting the information on an electronically viewable medium, and receiving an electronically transmitted bid for the integrated circuit manufacturing system from a buyer. The method further includes transmitting the bid to a seller, receiving a bid acceptance from the seller, and providing technical services related to the integrated circuit manufacturing system available for purchase to at least one of the buyer and seller through an integrated online service.

Abstract: An order processing system includes an order structure in which an order includes multiple objects representing items being purchased, shipping methods, payment parameters, and other parts of an order. The order can include one or more of each of the types of objects. Items in the order can be divided among shipping methods and payment mechanisms using a relationship model to describe the relationships between the different types of objects. Shipping methods and payment mechanisms also can be related. The order may be represented as an order object, which represents the order and can be related to particular shipping methods and payment mechanisms. Relationship objects describe the relationships between objects. Relationship objects can use different relationship types to characterize the extent of the specified relationship.

Abstract: A method for evaluating bids. The method in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of obtaining at least one bid from a supplier, wherein the bid comprises data indicating a quantity of a commodity to be supplied and a cost of supplying the commodity, generating at least one supply pattern from the bid, and computing a cost associated with the supply pattern, wherein the cost is computed as a sum of costs for each commodity as specified by the supply patterns.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and process for the purpose of dispute resolution and management. The invention provides a system and method particularly adapted for tracking and mediating disputes, such as multiparty lawsuits, including both simultaneous and asynchronous submission of offers and demands in the mediation/negotiation context thus eliminating many of the inefficiencies inherent in traditional mediation processes.

Abstract: In a combinatorial auction, a plurality of bids is received each having a plurality of sub bids and Boolean operators logically connecting each pair of sub bids. A current allocation is determined by allocating goods to at least one of the bids and a best allocation is initialized with the current allocation. A neighboring allocation is constructed by reallocating within the current allocation at least one good from at least one bid to another bid. The best allocation is updated with the neighboring allocation when the value of the neighboring allocation is greater than the current value of the best allocation.

Abstract: A method and system of trading derivatives of various items includes an electronic marketplace configured to accept requests to purchase derivatives and requests to sell derivatives. The marketplace is configured to match requests to purchase with requests to sell when certain criteria are similar to within predetermined limits. Available derivatives include futures contracts, put options, and call options. The derivatives allow one to purchase rights in an item prior to the actual delivery of the item. In addition, the derivatives may be traded to other parties. The use of such derivatives also enables entities to negotiate the prices for various goods and services that were previously not readily negotiable in the past.

Abstract: An automated method and system for analyzing a consumer's financial situation and providing tools to assist a consumer and their legal representative in filing for bankruptcy protection. The system comprises an evaluation suite and a bankruptcy filing assistance suite. The system is enabled for use over a global computer network and maintains security of personal information. Tools include attorney directory listing, financial analysis algorithms, forms generator, message handling, license purchase and assignment to clients, and case review. An attorney collaborates with a client to input financial information and generate all forms necessary for filing with a bankruptcy court.