Abstract: A ticket for an instant lottery game and method for playing the same is disclosed. As described in one aspect of the disclosure, a ticket for an instant lottery game simulates computerized video poker. The ticket comprises an initial hand of cards imprinted on the ticket, wherein the initial hand is normally hidden under a corresponding alterable area so that when the alterable area corresponding to the initial hand is altered, the initial hand is revealed. The ticket also includes a plurality of strategies for the game each imprinted on the ticket, wherein each strategy is related to the initial hand, wherein the strategies are those that are most likely to result in a player achieving a favorable outcome for the game, and wherein each strategy is normally hidden under a corresponding alterable area so that when an alterable area corresponding to one of the plurality of strategies is altered, the strategy corresponding thereto is revealed.

Abstract: A ticket for an instant lottery game and method for playing the same is disclosed. As described in one aspect of the disclosure, a ticket for an instant lottery game simulates computerized video poker. The ticket comprises an initial hand of cards imprinted on the ticket, wherein the initial hand is normally hidden under a corresponding alterable area so that when the alterable area corresponding to the initial hand is altered, the initial hand is revealed. The ticket also includes a plurality of strategies for the game each imprinted on the ticket, wherein each strategy is related to the initial hand, wherein the strategies are those that are most likely to result in a player achieving a favorable outcome for the game, and wherein each strategy is normally hidden under a corresponding alterable area so that when an alterable area corresponding to one of the plurality of strategies is altered, the strategy corresponding thereto is revealed.

Abstract: A system and method are described for providing navigational instructions including representations of photographs of geographical locations along the route to be traveled. Geographical information and photographic information are stored in databases; the photographic information includes representations of photographs of actual geographic locations. The coordinates of each location photographed are also stored. Each of the representations of photographs is matched with the geographical information, thereby associating the photograph with the geographical information regarding the location depicted therein. The starting and destination points, geographic information and photographic information are processed to determine a route for travel to the destination point. Navigational instructions for traveling the route are generated, including representations of photographs.

Abstract: A central controller such as one operating for a credit card account issuer receives one or more billing items which are to be printed on an account holder's billing statement. The central controller determines if the billing items, which typically specify purchases, satisfy any merchant-specified upsell offer conditions. Some upsell offer conditions include the purchase of a predetermined product, or a purchase which exceeds a predefined price. Such upsell offer conditions, when satisfied, direct the central controller to offer an upsell on the billing statement. If any of the upsell offer conditions are satisfied, the central controller determines one or more upsells that correspond to the upsell offer condition. The upsells may be, for example, products complementary to previously-purchased products. The upsells are offered to the account holder by printing onto the billing statement indicia that specifies the upsells.

Abstract: A gaming device and method of operation thereof are provided in which the gaming device receives a loan request, which includes a loan amount, to establish a balance without having received payment therefor. The device sends a request signal to a controller of the gaming device communicating the loan request, and a balance is established with the gaming device. The gaming device in turn receives an approval signal from the controller of the gaming device regarding approval of the loan request. The loan amount may be less than or equal to the requested amount. A cash-out mechanism of the gaming device is enabled in accordance with the approval signal before the approval signal is received.

Abstract: A system for entertaining a caller placed in a queue of a call center is disclosed that allows the caller to access a plurality of entertainment options while on hold. The entertainment options permit the caller to (i) place a call to a third party while on hold; or (ii) access one or more premium entertainment services while on hold. A PBX/ACD receives the calls destined for the call center, and queues the calls when an appropriate attendant is not available. An IVRU prompts a caller for specific information and forwards the collected information to the PBX/ACD. The IVRU provides the caller with a menu of available entertainment options which can be accessed by the caller while the caller is on hold. The PBX/ACD establishes a connection between the caller and the selected entertainment service. The call is then transferred to an available attendant with any data that may be required to process the call.

Abstract: A device for measuring a physical quantity includes a transducer and circuitry for exciting the transducer with an a.c. square wave. The excitation circuitry includes two amplifiers, a switch and a resistor network. The excitation circuitry provides a plus one gain when the switch is in one position and a minus one gain when the switch is in a second position. A similar circuit synchronously demodulates the transducer's output signal. Another similar circuit synchronously demodulates the transducer excitation signal and provides a reference voltage to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC converts the demodulated transducer ouptut signal into a binary word. Both demodulated signals are filtered before application to the ADC. An example of the device is a force-measuring device such as a weighing scale incorporating a strain gauge load cell.

Abstract: A carrier management system includes accounting registers, and a program for setting the registers. The program may be responsive to the input of coded values for decoding these values and storing them in the registers. The program may be enabled, for a single operation, by insertion of a service PROM in the system.

Abstract: A value printing system includes a printer that prints an indicia. The indicia represents a value. The system also includes an apparatus for controlling the printer and an apparatus for accounting for the value represented by the indicia. The indicia includes one or more markers that present numerical data in the form of a diagram. Alternatively, the indicia includes one or more locations in which the presence or absence of a marker authenticates the indicia. An overlay may be provided to aid in interpreting the markers.

Abstract: A carrier management system includes a scale for weighing parcels to be shipped, a computer connected to receive data from the scale related to the weight of a parcel thereon, and a keyboard enabling operator input to the computer. The keyboard has a plurality of keys including a plurality of selection keys corresponding to separate ones or groups of the carriers and/or classes. The computer stores shipping charge data for a plurality of carriers and/or shipping classes, on the basis of weight data from the scale. A second memory receives and stores discount data from the keyboard, corresponding to discounts allocable to any of the carriers and/or classes. The computer is responsive to operation of the selection keys for applying discounts stored in the second means to any carrier and/or class to which they are applicable.

Abstract: A weighing cell includes a base, with energy absorbing feet; a load cell supported by the base; a platform supporting member supported by the load cell; a platform for supporting an object to be weighed, the platform being supported by the supporting member; and damping material operatively positioned between the platform and the supporting member. The energy absorbing feet are chosen to substantially dampen the oscillations of a mass spring system consisting of a spring equivalent in total compliant effect to the load cell, the energy absorbing feet and the damping material and a mass equal to the combined mass of the heaviest object to be weighed and of the weighing cell and the damping material is chosen to substantially dampen the oscillations of a mass spring system consisting of a spring equivalent in total compliant effect to the load cell, the energy absorbing feet and the damping material and a mass equal to the combined mass of a relatively light object and of the weighing cell.

Abstract: A system for preparing shipping documents includes a processor, a keyboard, a display, a memory and a printer. Associated with the printer are a single sheet feeder, a batch feeder and an endless form feeder. The system is capable of preparing a wide variety of waybills and other shipping forms. The system is also able to prepare automatically all shipping documents required for a mass shipment to a user-defined group of recipients. A user activated "help" function provides information specific to the type of data that the user is attempting to enter at the time the help function is activated. There is also a "rare shopping" function that allows the user to define for each shipping mode a group of other shipping modes for rate comparison purposes.

Abstract: Apparatus for apprising an unattended station of the presence of a voice message awaiting retrieval from a voice mail system. The voice mail system is connected to the unattended station, as by automatic telephone dialing, whereupon activating signals are transmitted to the unattended station to dispose that station in a signal receiving mode of operation. Display data then are transmitted to the unattended station when said unattended station is conditioned to receive signals. A disconnect operation is carried out to disconnect the voice mail system from the unattended station if the unattended station is not conditioned to receive signals, or subsequent to the transmission of the display data. Preferably, and in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the voice message is transmitted for recording at the unattended station if the display data are received successfully thereat.

Abstract: An electronic postal scale measures the weight of an item in metric or in avoirdupois units, at the user's election. The scale also calculates a postal or shipping rate for the item, in accordance with a stored rate table defined in either metric or avoirdupois units. When the user selects a class of service, the scale determines whether there is a stored rate table for that class in the currently elected weight units. If not, the scale automatically changes to the other weight units and calculates a rate according to a stored table in those other units.

Abstract: An electronic postal scale displays operator prompt messages and generates reports in more than one language. The language to be used in selectable by the operator of the scale. In a preferred embodiment there are two languages, English and French.