Abstract: Cost aware service aggregation is described; for example, two or more web services may be connected to form an aggregate service in a way which minimizes computational costs and/or costs of network resources between the services. In an embodiment a service has a two or more contracts expressed using process-algebra which capture data representations and protocols of the web service. In an embodiment, a static analysis engine identifies combinations of contracts which are compatible according to the process-algebra. In an example, the identified combinations of contracts are ranked by cost to select an optimal combination. In other examples, network environment conditions are taken into account and dynamic adjustments made to the aggregation. In more examples, mappings of the data representations to other data representations are considered and appropriate proxy services are automatically used to implement these mappings if required.

Abstract: A method and system for ADI (Active Dependency Integration) provides an information and execution model for the description of enterprise systems, solutions and services. It supports the modeling of various entities and business components (e.g. event, disk, application, activity, business process), the information that is associated with them (i.e. schema), and the semantic relationships among them (e.g. dependency between a business component and other business components and events). The ADI execution model monitors and manages business components and the relationships among them. It automatically updates business components information in response to events occurrences and constraints violations, and propagates changes in business components to other business components according to the dependency model.

Abstract: A method and system for efficient code review performed during the software development. The method and system include storing information about a plurality of authors and reviewers; detecting code to be reviewed by analyzing a code repository with respect to recent code modifications; creating a code review invitation according to the stored information about a plurality of authors and reviewers; distributing the code review invitation to a respective reviewer; recording comments for review code from the respective reviewer; measuring coverage of the reviewed code; applying metrics to the code review invitations and the comments; measuring code review characteristics based on the applied metrics.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium. A method includes receiving a selection of a function-based mechatronic object, the function-based mechatronic object including a plurality of linked requirements and functional information. The method includes instantiating the function-based mechatronic object as a product-specific mechatronic object and evaluating a plurality of linked requirements and functional information for the product-specific mechatronic object. The method includes assigning product-specific specifications to the functional information of the product-specific mechatronic object and storing the product-specific mechatronics object, including the linked requirements and functions.

Abstract: A critical parameter/requirements management process model for managing a development program for a product and an associated product structure-driven critical parameter/requirements management tool and environment is provided. In one embodiment, the process includes a product structure classification scheme, a parameter/requirements classification scheme, a parameter/requirements process and maturity model, and in-process and requirements conformance views. In one embodiment, the tool includes a user interface layer, a business layer, a data layer, and a database. The user interface layer may include a product structure feature group, an add/edit/link feature group, a manage maturity feature group, and a manage conformance feature group. The tool may be implemented as a web server accessible to user workstations operating as thin clients.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing expanded procurement and/or acquisition of products and/or services. A procurement monitoring system can receive financial data from a vendor of a procurer-vendor relationship and external data associated with establishing a second shared vendor-procurer production facility. The procurement monitoring system can process the received data to determine initiation of a transformation of the procurer-vendor relationship to an expanded procurer-vendor relationship.

Abstract: Methods and structures having and/or implementing integrated steps for use in a planning phase of high throughput research which can provide a process flow that can be used provide statistically defensible and reproducible data in high throughput research. The integrated steps can include quantifying systematic variation in a high throughput research system that is to process a candidate, wherein the high throughput research system has at least one physical attribute and at least one environmental attribute, identifying a design objective for the candidate, and providing an experimental design for the candidate that accounts for the systematic variation to produce the statistically defensible results.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for processing information (20, 21, 22, 23) in connection with the preparation and/or development of objects by spatially distributed planning groups, the information relating to the current state of preparation and/or development.

Abstract: A system for executing distributed software under hard real-time conditions comprises a plurality of nodes and a communication channel. Nodes are allowed to transmit data across the communication channel within time windows relative to repetitive communication time intervals of the communication channel, wherein a number of bytes transmitted within the communication time windows may vary from communication time window to communication time window. The data may be transmitted as a message comprising a representation of an identifying tag and a representation of the data. Also a number of bytes representing respective tags may vary from communication time interval to communication time interval.

Abstract: A computing system causes a plurality of display devices to display user interfaces containing portions of a canvas shared by a plurality of users. The canvas is a graphical space containing discrete graphical elements located at arbitrary locations within the canvas. Each of the discrete graphical elements graphically represents a discrete resource. When a user interacts with a resource in the set of resources, the computing system modifies the canvas to include an interaction element indicating that the user is interacting with the resource. The computer system then causes the display devices to update the user interfaces such that the user interfaces reflect a substantially current state of the canvas. In this way, the users may be able to understand which ones of the users are interacting with which ones of the resources.

Abstract: Amongst other things, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving, by one or more computers, data indicating that a first service provider is authorized to engage in a consultation with a second service provider; and receiving, by one or more computers, a request from the first service provider to consult with the second service provider having a second service provider profile that satisfies at least some attributes in a set of attributes that define a suitable service provider.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to decrease the effort and cost involved in managing a product development project.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collaborative innovation management. A computer-implemented system for management of collaboration among users comprises: a computer having at least a processor and memory; an input module for receiving a file submitted by a user to a designated project hosted by the system and input from the user and contributors associated with the designated project regarding the submitted file, wherein the input includes input regarding value of the submitted file; a storage module for storing the submitted file and data relating to the submitted file; and a server module for depositing the submitted file with an external deposit authority, soliciting input from the user and contributors associated with the designated project about the submitted file, calculating a value for the submitted file based on input from the user and the contributors and maintaining the calculated value with other values calculated for contributors to the designated project.

Abstract: A merchant server of a first merchant receives an indication of items that a customer is to purchase via a web site. The indication may be, for example, a signal indicating that the customer is ready to “check out” his shopping cart of items on the web site. In response, the merchant server provides an offer for a subsidy from a second merchant. The offer is provided before the items are purchased, and thus the offer is not provided unless and until the customer has manifested an intent to make a purchase from the first merchant. A response is received from the customer. If the response indicates acceptance of the offer, then the subsidy is applied to the items purchased. For example, the total price paid for the items may be reduced, or the items may even be provided to the customer without charge. In exchange, the customer agrees to participate in a transaction with the second merchant. For example, the customer may be required to switch service providers (e.g.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a controller receives information relating to customer activity with a first vendor (e.g., via a Web page that a customer accesses). The controller further receives an indication of items the customer desires to purchase, the items having an associated total price. The controller determines, based on any of various criteria, whether to provide an offer for a subsidy based on the information relating to customer activity. The offer for a subsidy is from a second vendor (a subsidizing vendor), and may define, for example, a reduction in the price charged for the item and an obligation for the customer to fulfill in exchange for the subsidy. If the customer accepts the offer, he is charged a second price for the items. The second price is less than the total price, and may even be zero.

Abstract: A merchant server of a first merchant receives an indication of items that a customer is to purchase via a web site. The indication may be, for example, a signal indicating that the customer is ready to “check out” his shopping cart of items on the web site. In response, the merchant server provides an offer for a subsidy from a second merchant. The offer is provided before the items are purchased, and thus the offer is not provided unless and until the customer has manifested an intent to make a purchase from the first merchant. A response is received from the customer. If the response indicates acceptance of the offer, then the subsidy is applied to the items purchased. For example, the total price paid for the items may be reduced, or the items may even be provided to the customer without charge. In exchange, the customer agrees to participate in a transaction with the second merchant. For example, the customer may be required to switch service providers (e.g.

Abstract: An Interchange Party Computer System (“IPCS”) comprising: a plurality of units of allocated resources, configured for a lender party, broker party, transaction party and/or investor party, each unit of allocated resources including one or more administrator user interfaces that allow a participating party to manage its allocated resources and define which of its users and which other participating parties may access its allocated resources and use elements thereof, wherein at least one of the allocated resources include database allocated resources that are managed by the participating party assigned the resources, the allocated resources for the database being accessible and usable by a participating party on terms defined by the participating party responsible for managing the database allocated resources wherein at least one of the allocated resources include at one or more modules selected from the group of: a Rate and Loan Program Module that includes means to define loan programs or search defined loan

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and methods for developing designs. In one embodiment, a method includes electronically distributing a specification for a design to a distributed community of designers, receiving designs from each of a subset of the community of designers in response to the distributed design specification, screening received designs that do not meet the specification, facilitating evaluation of a subset of the received designs by a number of evaluators; and selecting a preferred design in response to the facilitated evaluation of the designs.

Abstract: Methods, systems and related computer products for providing entitlement controlled levels of collaborative exchange of data using a computer network of Subscribers and Publishers, are configured to: (a) define a set of different privacy levels, each privacy level having associated data sharing parameters that control a participating Publisher's ability to send and a participating Subscriber's ability to receive content specific data; and (b) provide an electronic privacy level register that defines the different data sharing parameters for each of the different privacy levels and identifies an associated at least one privacy level for each participating Subscriber and Publisher.

Abstract: The present invention is a project management tool uniquely suited to define and develop significant system events that can be effectively used as system test points to measure the performance and determine whether the system under design is meeting key design requirements. This methodology utilizes Synch Points in a state diagram to provide a directed graph notation and to generate a system timeline execution model automatically. The state diagram provides an improved means to decompose system event times into mechanical motion times, move transition latency times, and application software latency times. The system timeline execution model data is fed into a simulation engine to verify that the system timeline execution model is executable and confirms the dependencies are complete and accurate.

Abstract: A video on request (“VOR”) system is disclosed. The VOR system includes a producer having a location device for providing location data and a video recording device. The VOR system also includes an information exchange having a producer database configured to store a producer profile having current location and status of the producer. The current location and status are continually updated based on the location data. The VOR system also includes a viewer having access to the information exchange to search the producer database for available producers within a predetermined range of a desired location. Upon finding the available producer at the desired location, the viewer requests an information segment to be produced by the producer from the desired location. The producer thereafter records the information segment and transmits the information segment to the viewer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plurality of Enterprises with a single online user interface with which the Enterprise can provide Enterprise Shippers, shipping origination users and shipping intermediary users with an automated parcel management system for a plurality of supported Carriers for a plurality of services. The present invention provides for the hierarchical definition of users, including the establishment of at least one user for each Enterprise as a Super-Administrator with the highest level of privileges and authority for the Enterprise, and the identification of other users as Sub-Administrators, Desktop Users and Shipping Station Users. The present invention also provides for the hierarchical definition of organizational units within each Enterprise, including the definition of sites, groups within a site, and users within a group.

Abstract: An interactive and collaborative, planning, designing and facilitating tool that connects users with organized information and relevant data, providers and facilitators to resolve technical issues in conceptualizing, designing and implementing a custom project.

Abstract: A creative writing method including a series of books wherein each book tells a story that includes an incomplete final chapter having unresolved character and/or plot issues and wherein readers are encouraged to create and submit suggested storylines to resolve and complete the final chapter and continue the story. Submitted suggested final chapter endings are reviewed and at least one is selected for incorporation into the story. The selected submission provides the storyline upon which the story continues and is edited for print as the first chapter of the next book in the series, and the contributing reader/author gains authorship and publication credit. The method is particularly well suited for books and stories for children and teens, with stories that teach and explore moral, developmental, and educational matters.

Abstract: A system and methods for management and delivery of content and rules is disclosed. An exemplary method may comprise managing, for an organization, a plurality of data and a plurality of content in separate database entities, wherein the plurality of content is associated with the plurality of data based on a plurality of rules; packaging the plurality of rules with the plurality of content in a carrier that is independent from one or more presentation channels, wherein at least part of the plurality of content is integrated with at least part of the plurality of data; delivering the plurality of data and the carrier to the one or more presentation channels; integrating, at the one or more presentation channels, the plurality of data with the plurality of content based on the plurality of rules; and distributing the integrated data and content through the one or more presentation channels.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a primary access interface where messages are in an auxiliary interface area, where a user can see/hear the message without having to log in (that is, when they normally would have to have logged in to access the message). Included in various embodiments are types of messages output, emergency messages, advertising messages and conditions for outputting messages. Also provided is allowing for user input through an auxiliary interface triggering services or features normally requiring login (before they can be used). What is further provided is an application programming interface for independent or third party applications. What is also provided is an advertising server system integrated with a front-end interface.

Abstract: This utility non-provisional patent is being applied for a building and property numbering identification software system. This system will be designed to function to provide all agencies, companies and public usage to access up to date information on all structures and properties. This will include everything from land size and conditions to building types, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire codes, life safety, handicap compliances, building materials, etc. There will be a central data base where all information may be accessed via an access fee. This information will be particularly valuable but not limited to, insurance companies, banking and finance, underwriters, county/city code enforcers, field inspectors, realtors and general public consumers. With this information available it will save time and money for both public and private usage to make informed decisions regarding property compliance and value.

Abstract: A collaborative method and its implementation system for a trust-based business community, enables a business person, who behaves as a function of a corporation, to invite his/her business partners to form a trust-based business community. Through this method and system, the business person can create, conduct and commit/abort a collaborative activity with their business partners to achieve a business objective. This method and system are also defined as a participation mechanism, which effectively addresses the mixed situations of competition and collaboration. Based on legal-binding invitation and principle of good faith, the system can support the establishment of such a TBC, thus providing a good collaboration platform for the companies to do business effectively and efficiently in today's business world.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a system includes an energy application device configured to apply energy to a treatment area of a subject, a sensing device configured to determine the energy received by one or more regions of the treatment area, and a user interface configured to provide a user with feedback concerning the energy received by the one or more regions of the treatment area, wherein the feedback provided to the user includes an image that illustrates the current status of the treatment. According to one embodiment, the illustration includes quantitative information. According to a further embodiment, the illustration includes highlighting of the treatment area.

Abstract: Methods, system, and media are described herein for receiving design requirements associated with a building project from remote devices over the Internet and storing design requirements and changes to design requirements, including user-defined categories, and user information and comments regarding design requirements, in an extensible data structure, which automatically extends itself without a need for user-provided programmatic code. The design requirements are gathered and stored in such a way that a building program (also known as an “architectural program”) can be automatically generated on demand.

Abstract: A Method of User Driven Product Design and Marketing includes the steps of user design submissions, selection submissions for product development, and trailing product marketing. The design may comprise any representation of a product or even the product itself in the case of visual and graphic design. Users will be given the opportunity to submit design proposals. One or more of these designs may be chosen for further development by overall popularity or an entity with the means and intent to license and produce the design. Once the design is incarnated as a finished product, the initial product marketed will be focused on developing a core affiliate program from the participants in the initial submission of designs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing properties of objects within a scene or achieve a visual goal.