Abstract: A method and system for planning of employee training based on the current skill possession status of the company and the company strategy is provided. A company evaluation value concerning the number of employees in the company who have a skill equal to or higher than a predetermined level in a field selected by the company is compared with a reference evaluation value in the selected field. Upon the company evaluation value being lower than the reference evaluation value, a number of employees needed to have a skill equal to or greater than the predetermed level, in order to make the company evaluation value equal to or greater than the reference evaluation value is calculated. Thus, it is possible to comprehend the needs of employee training in accordance with actual status of the company and the company strategy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a network server with enhanced graphics and improved methods for displaying articles offered for purchase, to allow a purchaser to fully evaluate the article while shopping “on-line.” In a particular embodiment, a virtual showroom associated with the network server may be provided, for displaying first and second articles. A first electronic image representing the first article and a second electronic image representing the second article may also be provided. The second article may be complementary to the first article, such that the second article may be worn in conjunction with the first article. In another embodiment, a user may have the option to overlay the first electronic image with the second electronic image. In a particular embodiment, the second electronic image may include an at least partially translucent depiction of a substantial portion of the second article.

Abstract: Various items are sold through the Internet 10 which contains a site computer 20, vendor computers 30a, 30b, factory computers 40a, 40b, dealer computers 50a, 50b, and user computers 60a, 60b, 60c. General users access to the site computer 20 to purchase items dealt in by vendors belonging to various countries using the user computers 60a, 60b, 60c connected to the Internet 10. When the site computer 20 accepts an instruction of purchasing physical items, the site computer 20 instructs the vendor computers 30a, 30b in various countries to send out the physical items to the general users. Download items which can be downloaded are downloaded from the site computer 20 to the user computers 60a, 60b, 60c. When the vendor does not have the physical items in stock, the site computer 20 instructs the factory computers 40a, 40b to make and send out the items. The site computer 20 can be accessed from a dealer computer for purchasing items.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for distributing or obtaining products covered by intellectual property over a telecommunications network whereby a consumer may, rather paying for the products, choose to receive such products after viewing and/or interacting with an interposed sponsor's or advertiser's message, wherein the interposed sponsor or advertiser may pay the owner or assignee of the underlying intellectual property associated with the product through an intermediary such as a facilitator.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method of providing instruction and support for a user regarding components and products of a multi-component system. A browsing interface may provide a means for providing instruction and support with regards to component and product selection. A relational database may store information on each available component and product for a multi-component system. Another advantage of the invention is the ability to develop a personal history file, thus providing customized support for each individual user in the selection of products and components.

Abstract: A method, device, system, and program for transaction of contents through a network are provided. In this transaction system, user terminals are configured to allow users to conduct transactions. A user sends a notification that the user hopes to register contents and prescribed items thereof in a data base in a center through the Internet. A Web server in the center registers the contents and the prescribed items thereof sent from the user in the data base. When use or transfer of the contents sent from the user occurs, a token according to the occurrence is sent to a user who hopes to use or transfer of the contents. In the case of accidents concerning contents and tokens, appropriation/compensation is implemented from funds for handling trouble to a user who suffers a loss of benefit. Thereby, it becomes possible to conduct transaction of contents easily and securely, spread around detail of contents extensively, and receive contents promptly which a user hopes to use.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, and means for adjusting network preference information which includes detecting network activity. A characteristic of the network activity is measured. Network preference information is adjusted based on the characteristic. In some embodiments, network activity is network activity by a client device such as a computer accessing a network site.

Abstract: One or more content providers push data related to: movies, movie products, digital movie content over a network (e.g., a LAN, a WAN, the Internet, or a wireless network) onto an information filling station which, in turn, wirelessly transacts (over a network based on the 802.11b protocol) and transmits any requested data to a portable computer-based device (e.g., laptop, a pen-based computer device, a PDA, a wireless phone, or a pager). The portable device performs financial transactions for: purchasing movie tickets (directly or via auctions), downloading digital entertainment content of interest (e.g., copy of a movie of interest, copy of a movie identified based on a pre-stored profile, copy of soundtrack of a movie of interest), or movie related products. Any purchased digital content is either transferred wirelessly onto the portable device or, optionally, sent on a storage medium to a physical address associated with the profile.

Abstract: A personalized electronic commerce marketing system wherein in-person sales representatives personally visit potential customers to improve the efficacy of the on-line marketing effort.

Abstract: A merchant generates a customized service strategy related to a suite of electronic transaction services hosted by a service provider. The custom strategy specifies services to perform, and possibly an order in which to perform the services, by a service provider in relation to an electronic transaction associated with the merchant. Through use of a user interface, the strategy can be represented as a graphical decision tree, with terminal nodes representing services or actions. A customized strategy is transmitted to a service provider, as is transaction related information, whereby the service provider can service the transaction according to the strategy and based on the transaction information. Scheduling information that specifies different strategies to apply to different transaction scenarios can be generated. A strategy is selected by a service provider based on the scheduling information and transaction information, and is used to service one or more electronic transactions.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically storing and loading consumer information into commercial transaction pages facilitates electronic commerce in a content network. Consumer information can be stored through registration or through system interaction and is associated with tags from commercial participants which are stored based upon informational needs for consummating transactions. New commercial participants are easily integrated into the present system through storage and association of tags or target content markers. Commercial participant branding is maintained, and entry of consumer information is minimized and simplified.

Abstract: A system and methods through which a person to whom a license plate is issued may trade and transfer rights in the license plate with another person, preferably a resident of the same state. The present invention sets up a marketplace through which such trading can be performed, including providing escrow and other such services for buyers and sellers as necessary to effect such a transaction.

Abstract: An online shopping system is provided for minimizing transportation costs by using a plurality of prestandardized delivery containers to eliminate waste in product delivery, and enhancing the convenience of users by automatically selecting a delivery container in accordance with the size of a selected product and clearly denoting information about an order closing time, a delivery source location, etc. When the user inputs the type and the quantity of a product, a delivery container which is optimal for storing the ordered product is automatically selected based on the volume of the product and an internal capacity of the delivery container, and a price of the selected delivery container is displayed. Thereafter, each time an additional product is ordered, a new delivery container which is optimal for storing all ordered products including the additional product is selected, and a price of the new delivery container is calculated.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the client-in-charge architecture is based upon a different approach to the problems of server bandwidth and latency, found in the server-heavy architectures, while addressing the problems of requiring client acceptance, found in the client-heavy architectures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for performing purchase transactions utilizing a broadcast-based device. In one embodiment, an online user interface is used to enter a plurality of user preferences that are then used to tailor what purchase options will be available to a client-side broadcast-based device. In another embodiment, product purchases may be made using a broadcast-based device, where the purchase transaction options and setting have been previously defined in an online environment. In yet another embodiment, the product purchase options presented are based on predetermined criteria, such as previous user activity.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus stores a plurality of item codes in a storage unit, each of which is associated with an item type. The apparatus accepts a new order, which includes an item code and a user ID, from a customer terminal. The apparatus then searches for an item type stored in the storage unit based on the item code included in the new order, and checks whether or not the new order is a duplicate based on the item code and the user ID included in the new order. The apparatus notifies the customer terminal of the checking result, where check is controlled so as to check or not to check a new order based on the item type associated with the order.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide a cross channel fulfillment system that enables consumers to purchase and receive items using different transmission mediums. The fulfillment system is a centralized distribution system that maintains information relating to consumers and has access to multiple transmission mediums. Specifically, the fulfillment system contains a database of consumer contact information relating to each transmission medium. The fulfillment system uses a remote device to provide information to consumers. The remote device transmits and receives broadcast messages including information relating to purchasable items. The fulfillment system may deliver a purchased item to the consumer using a medium different from that used to purchase the item.

Abstract: A shopping server proposal system includes a mechanism that enhances the online retailer's existing database system with the necessary information to provide the desired services. The existing catalog of items is analyzed based on a set of predefined rules for a given retail store. This analysis determines which of the items in the catalog are related to other items in the catalog. The result of this analysis includes new relations of the catalog items that are written into the retailer's existing database system. The mechanism for assembling this information, based on a set of predefined rules, is independent of the retailer or the retailer's industry. The provides retail businesses with a competitive edge by enabling them to offer automated shopping advice to solve the shoppers' problems of finding related and matching items, and by providing a list of related items based on the selected item's properties.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a computer-implemented system for protecting from unauthorized reproduction data associated with one or more products that is communicated over a communications network includes one or more servers. The servers collectively receive data associated with one or more products matching search criteria specified in a search query received from a buyer computer, the data having been collected in response to communicating the search query to one or more databases in which data associated with one or more products is stored. The servers collectively communicate to the buyer computer the data for the matching products and communicate a software component to the buyer computer, the software component operable to provide a user associated with the buyer computer access to the data for the matching products, the software component further operable to disable one or more tools supported at the buyer computer for reproducing the data.

Abstract: Systems and methods that assist users in the selection of products such as clothing and accessories are provided. A database of rules for selecting combinations of clothing and accessories is coupled to an inference engine server. A user may transmit a search request to the inference engine server. The inference engine server then access the rules and the search request and performs the search in accordance with the rules. The results of the search may then be displayed to the user as recommendations.

Abstract: A system that executes and manages the purchase of items at low cost is disclosed. This system, based on merchandising of one or more dealers, uses a merchandise assortment (MD) of each dealer specified by a customer's purchase control department for example as a customer specific electronic catalog. Then, this MD/electronic catalog stores for each item the information necessary for specifying its dealer and supplier. A server 10 is equipped with an item specific ordering controller 14 that, when it has received an order issuing request for ordering one ore plural number of items from a terminal of a user who belongs to the customer's purchasing unit, specifies a dealer who offers each item based on the MD information of each said purchasing unit. By this, it becomes possible for each user of the customer to make purchases based on the purchasing standard determined by the purchase control department by only specifying necessary items even without knowing the dealer names.

Abstract: System and methods are provided whereby a user may indicate, via an input mechanism, that an item should be selected for purchase from a web site, and the input mechanism is automatically populated with a quantity value indicating the quantity of the item that is to be purchased. As a result, the user need not separately indicate (1) that the item should be selected for purchase, and (2) the quantity of the item that should be purchased. In one embodiment, a web server provides content to a client system which includes commands that, when executed, cause the input mechanism to be automatically populated with a quantity value upon receiving the user's selection indication. The quantity value may be configurable based on the particular requirements of the web site and/or user.

Abstract: A system for merchandise ordering and order fulfillment for highly efficient and accessible remote placement and assembly of merchandise orders. The system includes a network comprising a programmed central station and remote stations of various types permitting customer entry and employee fulfillment of merchandise orders.

Abstract: Methods and systems for usage based billing are described. In one aspect, a method for operating a computer to facilitate the transmission, receipt and validation of meter data is described. An exemplary embodiment of the method includes the steps of transmitting meter data related to equipment usage, receiving the meter data and applying validation rules to the meter data, and generating an error report identifying meter data that violates at least one of the validation rules. The error report is exchanged with the dealer, for example via the Internet, to ensure accurate and correct data is used in generated invoices. The data correction is an iterative electronic process to facilitate timely and accurate invoicing. In another aspect, a method for operating a computer to facilitate the issuance of invoices and reconciling open payables records is described.

Abstract: Risk-based method for assessing an automotive finance company's equity adequacy wherein sources of creditor protection comprises equity, reserves, net deferred tax liability in the event of an overall loss, future tax liability and lifetime profits. Potential unexpected worst-case losses for each of a plurality of exposures is estimated with 99.9% confidence and compared with the company's creditor protection to demonstrate the company's equity adequacy.

Abstract: A method and system for financing the purchase of real property utilizing a conditional fee simple deed. Under this method a conditional fee purchaser and a conditional remainder purchaser enter into a conditional fee agreement, delineating the rights and responsibilities of each party with regards to the purchase of a residential property. The agreement includes a determination date, at which time, the conditional remainder purchaser will either receive the entire fee simple interest in the property or will receive a lump sum payment from the conditional fee purchaser for the conditional remainder purchaser's interest in the real property. The conditional fee agreement includes a list of conditions under which the property will pass directly to the conditional remainder purchaser prior to the determination date.

Abstract: A method for offering stock. The method includes offering a first portion of shares of the stock at a first price and offering a second portion of the shares at a second price after a first trading interval of a first predetermined time period after the offering of the first portion of the shares.

Abstract: Methods and/or apparatus are contemplated for establishing a plurality of investments in a portfolio among which an allocation of assets is to be made; establishing one or more factors to be associated with the plurality of investments, at least one of the factors having values that are time variant; and computing the allocation of assets among the investments as one or more functions of the one or more factors such that a time variant allocation of the assets among the investments is obtained.

Abstract: A method for assessing and dynamically rating transactions (180) for structured finance transactions. The method assesses the deviation (170) from a payment promise to be expected from securities backed by pools of assets of various forms (100), the securities being issued in a plurality of tranches (125). The liabilities of the transaction, including triggers and external form of credit enhancement, are taken into account precisely to compute the deviation from the payment promise to be expected by liability holders. Data representing the structure of the transaction and the current state of the asset pool are received (100). A Markov chain formalism (150) is applied on the received data, and a cash flow model is constructed to predict the cash flow performance (180) of the asset pool.

Abstract: An automated bid decision system allowing a bidder to make a bidding for plural commodity items over a plurality of markets is disclosed. A data memory stores a logical formula representing a relationship among a plurality of bid items, a value table of the bid items, price information of the bid items in at least one market, a total purchasing fund, and a bidding strategy. A profit computation section computes a profit obtainable when at least one bid item arbitrary selected from the bid items is purchased, based on the value and the price information. A strategy computation section determines a list of bid items for which a bid should be made and a gross profit obtainable therefrom. A combination candidate is selected from the bid items based on the relationship formula and a possible profit obtainable from the selected combination candidate is computed. The final list of bid items are determined so as to maximize the possible profit within the total purchasing fund.

Abstract: A Brownfields investment vehicle, and a system and method for investing in Brownfields-related projects are provided that are capable of supporting all aspects of a Brownfields remediation/development/redevelopment project, while shielding investors from environmental liability. The Brownfields fund makes, for example, non-recourse, participating capital investments or Brownfields Value Contracts (“BVC”) to a number of “special purpose vehicles” for specific Brownfields projects according to fund investment criteria determined by a fund manager. An investor's risk of incurring environmental liability is substantially reduced by providing that the Brownfields fund is completely passive with respect to the Brownfields project, taking no security or mortgage interest in the Brownfields.

Abstract: A metric, Investment Participation at Cost (IPAC) has been developed to determine the amount of money working in an investment vehicle. IPAC has particular application in a complex, private equity investment vehicle. Using IPAC, an investor can get a repeatable, readily understood indication of the amount of working money left in an investment. Further using IPAC, the investor, financial advisor or other interested party can, based on the money still working in any one or more investments, better determine the overall risk profile of an investment portfolio. An investment portfolio can be changed based on the risk profile as so determined.

Abstract: An auction methodology wherein individual demands are bid in lots and an aggregation of several lots is then run as an individual lot to determine if the buyer can attract a lower price offering from bidders by selecting to award the total volume of all of the individual lots to one bidder. A bidder-specific transformation factor for the aggregate lot is computed by combining selected transformed values (one for each lot) that take into account that bidder's price offerings for individual lots and the buyer-specified transformation factors for that bidder. Each bidder is then invited to bid a discount percentage for the aggregate lot. This discount percentage is then used along with the bidder-specific transformation factor to generate that bidder's transformed value for the aggregate lot. The bidder with the lowest transformed value for the aggregate lot may be selected as the winning bidder.

Abstract: A risk system that performs a risk assessment of a financial transaction to obtain an initial risk score. Based on the initial risk score, the risk system performs at least one post-score assessment by selectively utilizing various scoring engines and databases. The at least one post-score risk assessment may include delaying the shipment of merchandise in financial transactions that are of marginal risk to thereby provide a check acceptance service with more time to further evaluate the financial transaction risks. Thus, marginally risky financial transactions that are likely to benefit the check acceptance service and a merchant that subscribes to the check acceptance service are authorized for increased profitability and customer satisfaction. Furthermore, the post-score risk assessment may approve or authorize financial transactions that generally fail standard risk assessments that use a cut-off risk score to divide the financial transactions into either approved or declined groups.

Abstract: A system and method are described for providing on line chat help to an applicant. An application identifier and a chat applet are inserted into a web page. The web page is sent to the applicant. The chat applet is configured to determine based on an event that the applicant could benefit from online chat and, upon such determination, to send a request to a chat server for a connection and to include the application identifier with the request.

Abstract: A third-party billing system and method permits consumers to conduct e-commerce transactions (including microtransactions) securely and anonymously by providing billing and personal information to the third party billing system rather than to merchants. A consumer initiates a transaction by placing an order for a product. The consumer then authorizes the transaction by transmitting an authorization code to a billing computer. The authorization code identifies the consumer billing account to which the transaction is to be charged. The authorization code can also authenticate the consumer through use of a PIN. Multiple consumers can charge transactions to one billing account, in which case each consumer can be assigned a different PIN with restrictions that limit that consumer's use of the account. The billing computer then verifies the authorization code and transmits an approval code to the merchant computer.

Abstract: A settlement system is provided for an electronic cashing card such as an IC card, a prepaid card, or the like. A card comprises a memory storing process data to execute a settlement under a condition of matching a personal authentication. Also, a memory stores process data to execute a settlement without matching a personal authentication. When settlement is executed with authentication processing, an authentication balance stored memory is updated to the amount of the balance after the settlement. A non-authentication balance stored in memory is updated to an amount of money equal to or smaller than the authentication balance. When executing a settlement, the non-authentication balance is compared with the authentication balance. It is determined that an illegal process has been executed with the card when the non-authentication balance is larger than the authentication balance.

Abstract: On the basis of information which is the standard for transaction conditions such as amount information in an IC card as well as age information registered in the IC card or a predetermined contract destination, a transaction when electronic money is used and restrictions and conditions for program audience are automatically set.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium for the blocking of recording digital content at an end user multimedia end-user-system during the rendering of encrypted digital multimedia files. Before the process of rendering of encrypted digital multimedia can be started all rendered media stream during playback are opened to ensure that this multimedia content is not recorded. This blocks the usage of the devices and/or ports that can be used to store un-encrypted content that has been decrypted for the purposes of playing or rendering. The method also includes an exception, which allows recording with permission from the present invention.

Abstract: A TV music broadcasting program is distributed from a distribution apparatus through a ground station and a satellite, and a musical-piece program is also distributed through a plurality of audio channels. A subscriber looks for the desired musical piece from a musical-piece list displayed on the screen of a TV receiver and downloads it into a storage device. A pay-per-view method is employed in which accounting is performed in units of musical pieces. At downloading, a purchase record is stored in an IC card placed in a receiving apparatus and it is periodically sent to a customer management center. The customer management center calculates the viewing fee and issues a bill to the subscriber. A copyright management apparatus in the distribution apparatus obtains the purchase record of a musical piece from the customer management center to calculate a copyright fee to be paid to the copyright holder.

Abstract: A system for providing the right to use and reproduce contents data involving so-called electronic money, whereby when compressed and/or encrypted contents data is reproduced, a security for electronic money or an electronic use right is checked, if the electronic money or the electronic use right is invalid as a result of the security check, the reproduction of the contents data is stopped, and if the electronic money or the electronic use right is valid as a result of the security check, the contents data is reproduced and the electronic money or the electronic use right is consumed.

Abstract: Controlling unauthorized access to software distributed to a user by a vendor. A verification key is generated by a product key generator and either embedded in the software prior to distribution or packaged with the software as a self-installing package. The verification key includes a public verification key. The combination of the software and the verification key create distributable software which is distributed to a user. The user installs the software on a user computer system as protected software. To obtain a user key, the user inputs identifying information, which may be for the user or for a group, which is sent to a user key generator. The user key generator converts the identifying information to a numeric representation and then generates, by signing the numeric representation with the private signing key, a user key, which is returned to the user.

Abstract: A contents distribution system uses a copyright rental use scheme in which the economical burden on the users at a time of utilizing contents can be reduced to a reasonable level, and appropriate fees can be collected for the copyrights of the contents created and provided at each stage by the raw material creators and the secondary product creators. In this system, the secondary product creator can create the secondary product contents by incorporating the raw material contents for free, and sell the secondary product contents. The end-user pays respective utilization fees to the secondary product creator and each raw material provider at a time of the purchasing the secondary product contents.

Abstract: Integrated computer services and software licensing processing methods and systems are provided. A license processing service (LPS) receives a services or software license request from a user via a client computer. The LPS communicates the request to a billing system for the services or software provider to obtain an expiration date for use of a desired service or software product. The LPS receives and forwards the expiration date from the billing system to a licensing clearinghouse operated by the provider of the desired service or software product. The clearinghouse, in turn, provides a use license for the desired service or software application to the client computer via the LPS.

Abstract: This invention concerns a validation protocol for determining whether an untrusted authentication chip is valid, or not. The protocol may be used to determine the physical presence of a valid authentication chip and from that determine whether a consumable containing the chip is valid. In another aspect the invention also concerns a system for validating the chip. A random number is generated and encrypted with an asymmetric encryption function. It is then passed to an untrusted authentication chip where it is decrypted. The decrypted random number is then compared with the original random number, and in the event of a match the untrusted chip is considered to be valid.

Abstract: An intelligent method of e-commerce order completion automatically completes an order using either stored billing information, or information supplied at purchase if none is stored. User sends an order to a merchant. On receipt, user's authentication level is checked. If user is authenticated and billing information has been stored, it is retrieved and order completed without further user action. When none has been stored, flow redirects to a digital form for entering billing information, whereupon order is completed. In this case, after order completion, the user may save billing information to create a new digital wallet. To create the wallet, if the user isn't authenticated, or is insufficiently authenticated, they are first prompted to authenticate. Upon wallet creation, the user is fully authenticated and can complete purchases quickly without providing billing information with every purchase.

Abstract: A part cost estimation system including a processing cost information storage device; a shape designating device configured to designate the shape of the part; a processing designating device configured to designate contents of processing to be performed on a material to form the part having the designated shape; a processing facility designating device configured to designate a processing facility; a processing time calculating device configured to calculate a processing time; a processing cost calculating device configured to calculate a processing cost spent on manufacturing the part based on a unit machining cost and the processing cost calculated by the processing time calculating device; and an adding device configured to add the processing cost to determine a cost of the part.

Abstract: The present invention is methods, system and apparatus for the pricing tree services. The invention determines prices for tree, limb, and debris removal and trimming, taking into account factors such as difficulty of cutting and removal, prevailing costs, and the density of the tree, limbs or debris.

Abstract: The invention makes it easier for the post office to calculate accurately terminal dues by providing information to the post regarding each piece or parcel of mail that crosses an international border. The invention also makes it easier for the post offices to calculate terminal dues by obtaining fee information from mail that is sent internationally. The foregoing is accomplished by placing an indication on the mail that the fees for delivering the mail have been paid or will be paid by a mailer who has an account with the post office; sorting the mail to find international mail; storing the fees that have been paid or will be paid for international mail; reporting the fees that have been paid for international mail to all participating post offices; and calculating the fees that are to be transferred to participating post offices.

Abstract: A method that enables the recipient to receive notification of the letters, flats and/or packages (mail) that the recipient is going to receive prior to the delivery of the mail. The recipient is then able to inform a post or courier i.e., Federal Express®, Airborne®, United Parcel Service®, DHL®, etc., of the manner in which the recipient would like the mail delivered. The post and courier hereinafter will be referred to as “carrier”. The invention also allows the carrier to uniquely identify each piece or parcel of mail (even if they are from the same sender to the same recipient on the same day) so that the mail may be more easily identified by the carrier, sender and the recipient.