摘要:
A method and apparatus for funding a future liability of uncertain cost which includes: considering the present cost of a liability and the projected due date of the future liability; estimating the future liability of uncertain cost; and administering a trust in a manner that reduces the uncertain cost of the future liability. The estimation of the future liability may be based on the expected due date of the liability and the escalation rate of the liability associated with a specified index. Administering the trust may include issuing floating rate zero coupon notes to generate trust assets and investing those assets in a manner that reduces the uncertainty of the cost of the future liability.
摘要:
A subscriber to a wireless service provider can make calls in a conventional manner, and can receive calls from a caller in a mode in which the caller rather than the subscriber is charged. More particularly, a request for connection to the subscriber from the caller is received by an administrating server which determines if the call can be charged to the caller and then generates such a charge. Preferably the administrating server is part of a payment platform provided to generate an account for the subscriber to pay for outgoing (and, selectively, incoming) calls.
摘要:
The present invention is directed to a system and method for communicating using SMS messages between devices in different home networks, and, in one embodiment, to a method and system for assigning a local SMS number to a recipient device in a different home network such that a user is charged reduced communications costs.
摘要:
A system for determining a relative value of at least one patent includes: a database configured to store at least one factor for calculating a Z score for the at least one patent; a database for storing at least one received subjective factor relevant to the at least one patent; a first computer program product configured to calculate a Z score based on the at least one factor; a second computer program product configured to modify the Z score based on the at least one subjective factor, thereby obtaining a modified Z score; and a third computer program product configured to output the modified Z score.
摘要:
A global animation system includes: a pool of reusable characteristics for at least one character or feature; and a pool of available artists, wherein a member of the pool of available artists selects at least one reusable characteristic from the pool of reusable characteristics to create a character or feature. A method for managing an animation project includes: obtaining an animation project; disassembling the animation project into at least one individual task; assigning the at least one individual task to an artist, wherein the artist completes the at least one individual task using at least one characteristic stored in a pool of reusable characteristics.
摘要:
The present invention is directed to a system and method for communicating using SMS messages between devices in different home networks, and, in one embodiment, to a method and system for assigning a local SMS number to a recipient device in a different home network such that a user is charged reduced communications costs.
摘要:
A communications system [100] includes both cellular and land based telecommunications such as PSTN telephone [115], [125], as well as cellular telephone [110]. A subcriber may use prepaid cellular phone [110] to make and receive calls via cellular network [120]. A Mobile Switching Center (MSC) [135] routes the subscriber's calls to and/or from wireline network [130] for domestic connections and/or network [145] for international connection. A Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) operates a prepaid vendor service control point (SCP) [140], Prepaid Vendor Service Platform (PSP) [150], and connected databases [155], [160], and [165]. A method of providing a universal communications account includes: providing at least one account to a customer, enabling use of the account for a first type of connection and a second type of connection; and debiting the account based at least i part on one of the first type of connection and the second type of connection.
摘要:
A method of routing calls through a network (5) includes: receiving an incoming call at a signaling transfer point (STP); transferring information related to the incoming call to a routing engine by decoding ISUP signaling information related to the incoming call; determining an optimized route based at least in part on the transferred information; and signaling the STP to a destination number based on the optimized route.
摘要:
There is provided a multi-mode wireless communication device. A cellular transceiver communicates over a cellular network in a cellular mode. A wireless transceiver communicates over a wireless network in a wireless mode. A selector makes a selection between operating in the cellular mode and the wireless mode. The selector uses a subscriber profile and other information, such as financial information, to make the selection. The subscriber profile includes information such as a minimally acceptable quality of service acceptable for a communication.
摘要:
An interactive, enhanced brochure display stand is provided. The display stand includes both traditional printed brochures as well as multimedia content delivered through any number of communication devices providing multisensory stimulation to a consumer. The communication devices may also include input devices allowing the consumer to interact with the display stand by selecting content to be experienced as well as initiating and completing sales transactions.