Abstract: An automated system (10) for providing access data (42) concerning an item of business property includes a master database (34) containing master data (36) concerning the item and an accesser (16) that provides an access request. A manager (14) coupled to the master database (34) retrieves selected master data (36) from the master database (34) and generates access data (42) for the item using the master data (36). The manager (14) receives the access request and, in response, provides the accesser (16) with access data (42) concerning the item.

Abstract: A system (24, 44, 52) for compiling and reporting network information to a user of a network (10) comprises a user interface (32) for receiving a network information request from the user. An automated information compiler (44) receives the network information request from the user interface (32) and compiles network information in response to the network information request. A report generator (34) receives the compiled network information from the information compiler (44) and generates a report in response to the compiled network information.

Abstract: A system (10) is provided for monitoring services or products. The system (10) includes an interface (12, 18) which can receive criteria information (14) specifying an unacceptable level for services or products. The interface (12, 18) can also receive services or products information (20) relating to the services or products. A database (16), which is coupled to the interface (12, 18), stores the criteria information (14). A processor (22, 27) is coupled to the database (16) and the interface (12, 18). The processor (22, 27) can identify non-random patterns in a predefined danger zone in order to determine when the services or products are approaching the unacceptable level specified in the criteria information (14), thereby monitoring the services or products.

Abstract: A computing system (10) includes elements (12-24) interfacing at integration points (26-47). One or more of the elements (12-24) may be associated with one or more testing tables. For example, a testing table (48) may include a test procedure (54) and several corresponding test codes (54a, 54b, 54c) associated with alternate product configurations (12a, 12b, 12c) that satisfy the functional requirements of an element (12). The testing tables in the computing system (10) provide a systematic and standardized scheme for defining, creating, modifying, and adapting integration test code. A testing system (11) accesses the testing tables to test the integration of the elements (12-24) in the computing system (10).

Abstract: A system for designing a multimedia application (27) is provided. The system includes an assembly template (14, 16, 18) having predetermined processor operating commands and related data. The assembly template (14, 16, 18) is adapted to allow a user to add to and modify and the processor operating commands and related data, and to generate multimedia application navigator system controls (22). A processor (10, 56) receives the modified processor commands of the assembly template (14, 16, 18) and generates the multimedia application navigator system controls (22).

Abstract: A method of creating image palm prints is provided that comprises storing image data as a metafile within a clipboard storage facility (20). The metafile is then transferred to a memory device context (18). A portion of the image is then extracted using a boundary scan to discard background image data. The image is then converted into a device independent bit map and the device independent bit map is compressed to a predetermined size. The image palm print is then created by associating the compressed device independent bit map with the dimension data and palette information.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and system for distributing an electronic publication. The invention allows the distribution of customized publications, including customized advertising, customized content, or both. In accordance with the method for distributing an electronic publication, a version of an electronic publication is retrieved from storage. The electronic publication is delivered to the consumer by electronically sending the electronic publication to the consumer's electronic mail address with a return receipt requested. A receipt is then generated in response to the retrieval of the electronic publication from the consumer's electronic mailbox.

Abstract: A display system (10) displays alphanumeric data in a three dimensional grid (58). The grid (58) may include data entries (72), planes (72, 74, 76), labels (90, 92, 94), and various graphics (102, 106, 110) that visually represent the data entries (70). A user of display system (10) can modify, orient, or otherwise manipulate the grid (58) to visualize alphanumeric data in three dimensions.

Abstract: A system (10) for maintaining and accessing a catalog database (36) includes a catalog database upgrade system (34). The system (10) also includes a catalog database navigator system (56). The catalog database upgrade system (34) is capable of adding items to a catalog database (36) and modifying items in the catalog database (36). The catalog database navigator system (56) is capable of locating items in the catalog database (36).

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for interacting with a computer reservation system. The invention allows multiple sessions to be established with a computer reservation system simultaneously. When a command is received that requires multiple requests to a computer reservation system, a determination is made whether those requests can be processed simultaneously. If so, two sessions are established with a computer reservation system and a first request is made using one session while a second request is made using the other session. Datasets received in response to the requests are returned to the source of the command.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for obtaining network information in a computer network. The invention allows application programs to obtain computer network information using programming language independent dynamic link library functions. The method of the invention comprises generating a call to a dynamic link library function from an application program running on a client computer in a computer network. The call requests some information about the computer network and that information is resident on a server computer. A dynamic link library function interprets the call and generates a network application program interface call. After receiving network information in response to the network application program interface call, the dynamic link library function processes the network information and returns the processed information to the application program.

Abstract: An automated system (10) is provided for selecting an initial computer reservation system. The system (10) includes a database (12) which stores data relating to each computer reservation system (30) utilized by a travel agency. The database (12) also contains one or more informational portfolios that can be used to determine the computer reservation system preferences of various parties, such as, for example, an individual traveler, a business entity employing the traveler, and the travel agency. In response to travel request information received from a customer, the system (10) automatically retrieves data/information from the database (12) and determines a target computer reservation system which most likely will be used to book travel arrangements. Consequently, the system (10) optimizes the hits-to-bookings ratio for each computer reservation system (30) utilized by the travel agency.

Abstract: In a system (10) for communicating information using the Internet, a client (12) establishes a first connection with a session server (24) using the Internet (18) to initiate a communications session. The session server (24) receives information from a data source (26) in response to the first connection, generates session data (32) using the received information, and conveys the session data (32) to the client (12). The session server (24) maintains the session data (32) after termination of the first connection to convey the session data (32) to the client (12) in response to the client (12) establishing a second connection with the session server (24) during the communications session.

Abstract: A system and method (10) for deriving access codes for billing customers includes a load process (12) receiving a set of system attributes (20) and using at least one of the system attributes (20) for looking up in at least one lookup table (16, 18, 22, 24) for an access code and at least one formula value, and further storing the access code and at least one formula value in an access code lookup table (26, 28). The system (10) further includes a derivation process (14) which receives a specification of values for the set of system attributes from a billing record (30), uses the specification of values for looking up in the at least one lookup table (16, 18, 22, 24) for a derivation formula, uses the derivation formula for looking up in the billing record (30) for an attribute value, and further uses the attribute value for comparing with the formula value stored in the access code lookup table (26, 28).

Abstract: A method of using a computer to select hotels described in a database. A special user interface permits entry of criteria in one or more categories that describe the hotel. The computer searches the database and displays a list of hotels that satisfy the criteria. The computer then permits the user to identify any hotel on the list and, in response, displays detailed information about that hotel. The selection categories and the detailed information are designed to provide two levels of information, thereby separating objective evaluation from subjective browsing.

Abstract: An automated system and method for electronically auditing point-of-sale transactions is provided. Each retail store outfitted with the present invention has at least partially automated point-of-sale system for processing a retail sales transaction in the normal operation of the retail store. A non-invasive automated electronic auditing system is disposed in each store for monitoring the point-of-sale system in a substantially totally passive manner and for collecting a copy of each retail sales transactions on the point-of-sale system. The electronic auditing system preferably includes a sensor assembly for detecting the processed retail sales transactions and a computer processor coupled to the sensor assembly for processing the detected retail sales transactions.

Abstract: A method (1000) of automatically managing travel service information is provided. The method generates a business entity profile and individual profile for customers (1004, 1006), and stores the information in a relational database. Customer reservation services information retrieved from all available sources is also stored in the same database (1010). Consequently, the customer reservation services information and the profile information is made available, simultaneously, for use by an agent in processing a customer's travel request (1013).

Abstract: The automated improved check processing system and method includes a data entry device (200, 202) for receiving checking account information (304, 306, 308) and a check amount (302) of a check (210, 300) provided in a transaction. The transaction may take place at a bank teller window or a point-of-sale. The checking account information and check amount are electronically transmitted to the institution or servicer (208) drawn on for electronic presentment and posting to the proper checking account. Additionally, an image capturer (204) may be used at the time of the transaction to obtain a digitized image of the face of the check. The captured image may then be forwarded electronically to a database, which is readily accessible for research purposes.

Abstract: A method for loading a software application for use at a client node (24, 30) of a network (12, 14) includes activating a program loader system (48) at the client node (24, 30). A user-specific software application setup file (56) is then transmitted from a file server (22, 28) to the client node (24, 30).

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and system for allowing remote procedure calls through a network firewall. In accordance with an embodiment of the method of the invention, a request is received from an application server to allow remote procedure calls to pass through a firewall. The request is processed to determine whether the application server is authorized to receive remote procedure calls that have passed through the firewall. If the application server was authorized, then an identification of the application server is placed in a filter table associated with the firewall and remote procedure calls are allowed to pass through the firewall to the application server if the identification of that application server appears in the filter table.