The present invention is an expert matching method and apparatus for managing communications between an expert having particular qualifications and an end user seeking a solution to an expert request. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention includes a controller having a database for storing expert qualifications. In one embodiment, the controller receives an expert request. A search program identifies experts qualified to respond to the expert request. The expert request is then transmitted to the expert, which results in an expert answer transmitted to and received by the central controller. After authentication of the expert answer, using a wide range of security levels from passwords to cryptography, the answer is forwarded to the end user. The method and apparatus of the present invention have applications on the Internet as well as conventional voice telephony systems.

Method and apparatus for a cryptographically-assisted commercial network system designed to facilitate and support expert-based commerce

A method for providing unequal allocation of rights among agents while operating according to fair principles, comprising assigning a hierarchal rank to each agent; providing a synthetic economic value to a first set of agents at the a high level of the hierarchy; allocating portions of the synthetic economic value by the first set of agents to a second set of agents at respectively different hierarchal rank than the first set of agents; and conducting an auction amongst agents using the synthetic economic value as the currency. A method for allocation among agents, comprising assigning a wealth generation function for generating future wealth to each of a plurality of agents, communicating subjective market information between agents, and transferring wealth generated by the secure wealth generation function between agents in consideration of a market transaction. The method may further comprise the step of transferring at least a portion of the wealth generation function between agents.

Multifactorial optimization system and method

In a control and management system for automobiles, a central processor in the system connects traditionally unrelated vehicle subsystems together to realize synergistic functions such as smart driving, automatic parking, etc. A master interface having a display is employed in the system to help a user control and manage the vehicle functions.

Centralized control and management system for automobiles

In a multimedia information and control system (100) for use in an automobile, at least one interface (102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118) is employed which enables a user to access information concerning the automobile and control vehicle functions in an efficient manner. The user may select one of a plurality of displayed options in a display screen (209) of such an interface. Through audio (104b), video (106C) and text media interfaces, the user is provided with information concerning the selected option and the vehicle function corresponding thereto. Having been so informed, the user may activate the selected option to control the corresponding vehicle function.

Multimedia information and control system for automobiles

A location tagged data provision and display system. A personal communication device (PCD) with electromagnetic communication capability has a GPS receiver and a display. The 10 PCD requests maps and location tagged data from data providers and other for display on the PCD. The data providers respond to requests by using searching and sorting schemes to interrogate data bases and then automatically transmitting data responsive to the requests to the requesting PCD.

Personal communication system to send and receive voice data positioning information

Method and system are provided for processing and presenting on-line, multimedia information such as diagnostic information for a machine tool. The system uses multimedia information tools (i.e. graphics, documentation, drawings, photographs, full motion video with audio, PLC ladder, etc.) and techniques to assist maintenance personnel. Diagnostic development and multimedia information assignment are accomplished through graphical visual programming, which requires no conventional software programming efforts. The system uses diagnostic trees having multimedia graphic icons which define the diagnostic components. In developing a visual diagnostic tree, the multimedia information can be assigned or mapped to each node of the tree by selecting an appropriate icon to represent the multimedia from an icon library. Then, an appropriate media information file or record and comments for that icon are further added to define that node assignments. The system is user friendly, uses conventional hardware and can be used on the plant floor. The system is immediately executable and is generic. The method and system can also be used for training, process planning, marketing, sales, help desk applications, other machine diagnostics, and engineering design.

Method and system for processing and presenting on-line, multimedia information in a tree structure

The system uses multimedia information tools (ie graphics, documentation, drawings, photographs, full motion video with audio, PLC ladder, etc) and techniques to assist maintenance personnel Diagnostic development and multimedia information assignment are accomplished through graphical visual programming, which requires no conventional software programming The system uses diagnostic trees having multimedia graphic icons which define the diagnostic components In developing a visual diagnostic tree, the multimedia information can be assigned or mapped to each node of the tree by selecting an appropriate icon to represent the multimedia from an icon library Then, an appropriate media information file or record and comments for that icon are added The system uses conventional hardware and can be used on the plant floor

Expert system for presenting multimedia information in a tree structure.

Verfahren und System zur Verarbeitung und On-Line-Darstellung von Multimedia-Information in einer Baumstruktur

An expert system which uses generic rules and which acquires its rule information from a physically separate relational database (i.e. is data driven). The expert system software architecture is modular which allows for different relational database files (i.e. new knowledge) to be utilized, thus allowing the software to be quickly ported to new applications. The expert system is particularly adapted for use as a machine (eg. stamping press) diagnostic, thus reducing press down-time. The reusability of the expert system, through new relational database files, quickly supports new diagnostic applications.

Expert system for diagnosing machines.

PURPOSE: To shorten the work suspending time by making a wide range of systems reusable in the form of modules by using a computer system in which an expert system and a knowledge system are physically separated from each other. CONSTITUTION: In this system, an expert system and a knowledge set are physically separated from each other. The knowledge set is stored in a database 20 and contains the rule information processed by the expert system. When the system receives a start command, the system automatically retrieves the rule information from the database 20 and discriminates a failure by processing the rule information by means of the expert system. Since the expert system and knowledge set are physically separated from each other, a wide range of systems can be reused in the form of modules.

Hiroshi Higashide

Papers

Method and system for processing and presenting on-line, multimedia information in a tree structure

Expert system for presenting multimedia information in a tree structure.

Verfahren und System zur Verarbeitung und On-Line-Darstellung von Multimedia-Information in einer Baumstruktur

Expert system for diagnosing machines.

Method and system for trouble diagnaosis