Abstract: A method for manipulating billing and payment information comprising the steps of: loading billing information stored at a local location; accessing retained criteria; formatting field information within a data record automatically; acting on the retained criteria; displaying the formatted field information; and operating on the formatted field information.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing wireless transmission of information in electronic display systems and methods of using the same. In particular, the present invention is directed to an air interface and protocol to facilitate wireless transmission of information from a communication base station or other controlling device to individual electronic display modules.

Abstract: A shield for fiber optic connectors and cables is provided. This shield minimizes the effects of EMI (electromagnetic interference) either radiating from or radiating into an electronic enclosure. Embodiments include this shield as an integral part of the enclosure chassis, a separate shield, or integrated into the fiber optic cable and connector.

Abstract: A cash register including printing means for printing receipt information onto one area of a roll sheet and added-value information onto another area of the sheet; perforator means for rendering, as the sheet is fed, the printed area of the receipt information and the printed area of the added-value information in a readily separable state; and cutting means for cutting out the printed sheet from the roll sheet, so as to issue the cut sheet as a receipt provided with the added-value information is provided. Further, the perforator means comprises a circular blade having a saw-teeth shape and coaxially mounted on a roll sheet feeding shaft arranged on the way of the traveling path of the sheet, so as to form, as the sheet travels, a perforation-shaped cutting along a boundary line between the printed areas of the sheet.

Abstract: A combination custom printed form and container and method of using is provided. In a preferred embodiment, custom information for a prescription is printed on the form which includes information and warning labels to be attached to a prescription drug vial and information such as receipts and patient counseling information. After attaching the labels to the prescription drug vial, the prescription drug vial is placed in the associated container which is given to the customer.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a voice response system with visual menus along with audio menus is provided. The system includes a voice response host computer, a touch tone phone, a personal computer with a display screen and a communications interface for converting DTMF signals or other tones to digital signals. The personel computer has a program to display visual menus on the screen. The user interface of the voice response system provides both audio and visual menu listings.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the reliability and performance of wireless communication systems having low signal to noise ratios using intelligent retransmissions of the communication signals and statistical detection or demodulation of signal and background noise levels. Using a combination of hardware, software and a communications protocol in a packet data communication system, a wireless communication system, such as for an electronic display system, adapts communication techniques to meet customer based accuracy requirements independent of changes in the signal to noise ratio of the communication channel.

Abstract: Clamps for a separating portion of a roll processing line are provided. The clamps include a pair of flattened cylinders which contact the roll to be separated.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the reliability and performance of wireless communication systems having low signal to noise ratios using intelligent retransmissions of the communication signals and statistical detection or demodulation of signal and background noise levels. Using a combination of hardware, software and a communications protocol in a packet data communication system, a wireless communication system, such as for an electronic display system, adapts communication techniques to meet customer based accuracy requirements independent of changes in the signal to noise ratio of the communication channel.

Abstract: A system and method for automated data capture of sequential form numbers at a collator/press assembly machine is provided. The system of the present invention includes an optical reader, a conventional personal computer including generally available spreadsheet software, an optional printer and a standard form collator/press assembly machine.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for monitoring and enhancing computer assisted performance. The method includes providing a user interface for a business terminal, measuring the performance of the user interaction with the user interface, adjusting parameters of the user interface to try to increase the performance of the user interaction, tracking whether the performance has increased, and causing an escalation event to occur if the user performance is below a predetermined level. The system and method preferably includes creating a user profile of the parameters that obtain the best performance for each user. This user profile may be created during new employee orientation but is updated continually as the user uses the business terminal to complete actual business transactions.

Abstract: A multi-blade perforation assembly having either rotary or straight blades provides adjustable, small cut and tie ratios for multi-ply forms without diminishing the quality or reliability of the forms.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a security database for HTML documents in a World Wide Web application is provided. In particular, the database enables required security levels to be assigned to each HTML document individually. The database checks if the user has the required security level to access a particular HTML document. If the user has the required security level, then the HTML document is transmitted from the Web server to the user without any apparent (to the user) difference from the normal fashion. Thus, multiple HTML documents in a single server may have varying required security levels.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus for packaging thermal transfer ribbons and other material having similar packaging requirements is provided. The packaging apparatus includes a pair of flat pieces having protrusions for locating pairs of thermal transfer ribbons and take-up reels in close proximity. The flat pieces and protrusions include features which prevent rotation, telescoping, edge damage or contamination of the thermal transfer ribbons during shipping processes.

Abstract: Resistors for a printed circuit board and methods for making are provided using thermal transfer techniques to transfer coating material having some degree of electrical conductivity from a thermal transfer ribbon to the printed circuit board. Parts of the coating material transferred to the printed circuit board form resistors having varying resistances based on the geometry of the material transferred. Multiple ribbons having coatings with varying degrees of electrical conductivity may also be used to provide greater variances in resistor values obtainable.

Abstract: A system and method using a label for tracking the distribution of products such as promotional receipt rolls which include customized, targeted information is provided.

Abstract: An improved affinity process scheduling method for a multiprocessor computer system, wherein a process previously executed on a processor within the computer system is affined to the processor on which it previously executed, and will be scheduled for execution by the affined processor during subsequent requests for execution of the affined process. The improved affinity process scheduling method monitors the length of time the affined process resides on the system run queue awaiting execution by its affined processor; and schedules the affined process for execution with another available processor when the length of time the affined process has been waiting for execution exceeds a predetermined "steal-age" threshold.

Abstract: An electronic shelf label has a housing which is formed oversized and later shaped to fit securely into a C channel of a targeted shelf, without requiring any additional hardware fixtures for mounting.

Abstract: A single unit greeting card kit is provided having associated stickers for customizing and personalizing a greeting card portion. An integrated envelope may also be provided.

Abstract: A method of making a printed circuit board using thermal transfer techniques to transfer electrically conductive coating from a thermal transfer ribbon to a non-conductive surface of a non-conductive receiver board. The electrically conductive material transferred to the receiver board form traces on the non-conductive surface of the non-conductive receiver board, thus providing a printed circuit board.