Abstract: An information providing apparatus includes a leaflet obtaining section, a leaflet analysis section that extracts information on the leaflet obtained by the leaflet obtaining section and updates leaflet list data, the leaflet list data being a list of the information extracted from a plurality of the leaflets, a preference analysis section that calculates the number of appearances of information of the same keyword in the leaflet list data and generates preference data in which a correspondence between the keyword and the number of appearances thereof has been recorded, a recommendation information generation section that selects a keyword based on the number of appearances in the preference data, extracts information including the selected keyword from the leaflet list data, and generates recommendation information based on the extracted information, and a recommendation information providing section that provides the recommendation information to a user.

Abstract: A travel brochure includes a sheet having at least three vertical fold line portions defining respective first and second left panels and first and second right panels. Each defines an upper edge. A map corresponds to a selected geographic area and is positioned on the first and second left panels on one side thereof. The map has color coated portions corresponding to designated roads. A set of flip-up brochures are positioned on each first and second right panel on the same side of the sheet as the map. Each set of flip-up brochures includes an upper edge that is secured along an upper edge of the respective first and second right panels. At least one set of flip-up brochures includes printed indicia corresponding to an address of a geographic attraction. The printed indicia is color coated to the color coating of the map.

Abstract: An airline ticket issuing apparatus connected via a communications line to a seat reservation system is installed in a travel agency and so on. This airline ticket issuing apparatus records, on an airline ticket, boarding information and entry card information that are inputted by a person in charge. The airline ticket is divided into a coupon to be collected by the person in charge of an airline at a boarding gate in an airport, and a passenger ticket to be returned to a passenger thereat. A magnetic stripe is formed extending over the coupon and the passenger ticket orthogonally to a perforated line on the underside of the air ticket. The airline ticket issuing apparatus records dummy data on an area, peripheral to the perforated line, of the magnetic stripe, records the boarding information on an area, on the side of the coupon, of the magnetic stripe, and records entry card information on an area, on the side of the passenger ticket, of the magnetic stripe.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for a fluid circuit such as an irrigation system which facilitates removal of a valve or other component. The assembly includes a riser which is threaded at opposite ends with one end of the riser being engageable in the valve and the opposite end engageable in the internally threaded end of an adaptor. The opposite end of the adaptor is secured to a line in the fluid circuit. The coupling assembly may be disassembled by rotating the riser to retract it with the adaptor causing it to disengage from the valve or other component so the component may be removed and replaced with ease. The fluid circuit is re-established by oppositely rotating the riser to cause it to extend from the adaptor to bring it into fluid tight engagement with the valve or other component.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for recommending plays in the game of blackjack including a sheet having a sheet first face and a sheet second face, a dealer up card symbol printed on the sheet identifying a possible dealer up card, a player hand column of player hand symbols printed on the sheet first face corresponding to possible player card hands, and a recommended play column printed on the sheet first face beside the player hand column and containing symbols indicating recommended plays for a player to make corresponding to each player hand symbol in the player hand column for the particular dealer up card printed on the sheet. The apparatus preferably includes several of these sheets, where the sheets have differing dealer up card symbols for various possible dealer up cards. The sheets are preferably arranged in sequential order of dealer up card values indicated by the dealer up card symbols.

Abstract: A system for establishing shipping charges, particularly for the trucking industry, interstate commerce. A matrix, based on zip code prefixes, or zip zones, is established to cover a shipping area. A first axis of the matrix is designated as source zones, while the other axis is designated as destination zones. A scale number is attributed to each pair of source and destination zones within the matrix. Each scale number has an associated base rate number, this base rate number being modified by a rate factor number dependent upon the nature of the cargo being shipped. The total shipping cost is determined by multiplying the base rate number by the rate factor number and then multiplying that product by the total weight of the cargo.