Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for computer-based evaluation of a test-taker's performance with respect to selected comparative norms. The system includes a home testing computer for transmitting the test-taker's test results to a central computer which derives a performance assessment of the test-taker. The performance assessment can be standardized or customized, as well as relative or absolute. Further, the transmitted test results are configured to reliably associate the student with his test results, using encoding, user identification, or corroborative techniques to deter fraud. Thus, for example, the system allows a parentally-controlled reward system such that children who reach specified objectives can claim an award that parents are confident was fairly and honestly earned without the parent being required to proctor the testing. Fraud, and the need for proctoring, is also deterred during multiple student testing via an option for simultaneous testing of geographically dispersed test-takers.

Abstract: A billing and collection system comprising an access management computer for enabling payment for a service provided over a data network to be made for a telephone connection to a shared revenue billing network where the telephone connection to the billing network regulates access to the service provided over the data network, the data network including at least one information provider presenting at least one service for on-line access by a user with a user computer through the data network, the billing network and access management computer adapted for controlling access to the information provider and billing the user for access to the information provider, the access management computer communicating with the data network to enable and terminate access to the information provider through the user computer with the billing network sharing revenues for the telephone connection with the information provider.

Abstract: A PBX/automatic call distributor (ACD) system allows callers to exercise control over their rank order within a phone queue. The ACD accesses a call database and develops offers to be made to callers, based upon a caller reaching a particular position in a queue or at a position at which the call is first placed in the queue. An interactive voice response unit (IVRU) is employed to offer a caller a chance to move up in the queue in return for a payment. If the caller wishes to accept the offer, the caller responds by using the touch tone keys of his/her telephone and entering a credit card number, an account number, or indicating some other method of payment. The ACD then changes the rank order of the caller's call within the phone queue and alters the rank position of other calls within the queue, accordingly.

Abstract: A system and process for establishing a function having a corresponding function identifier. The function is adapted to be processed during a transaction such as a point-of-sale transaction that may involve a credit card. The system and process involve identifying an account having an account identifier, establishing a function having a function identifier, and receiving a transaction request including the account identifier, a transaction amount, and the function identifier. The system and process also process the transaction in accordance with the function to affect the transaction and, possibly, the transaction amount. An affect on the account is also contemplated. Additionally, the system and process are adapted to allow message to be presented by customers and credit card holders during a transaction for later appearance on a credit card statement or other notice.

Abstract: A system comprises a point-of-sale (POS) terminal, a POS controller, a retail subscription system. The POS terminal allows a cashier to enter subscription sales data into the POS controller. The POS controller maintains databases on available subscriptions and produces databases containing data relating to subscriptions sold to customers. The retail subscription system verifies the subscriptions by reference to its own databases and transmits the subscriptions to a fulfillment house for distribution.

Abstract: The invention relates devices and methods for creating a cryptographically assured timestamp that can be verified by a party that was not present during the creation of the timestamp. The timestamp is applied to physical documents, and other substrates capable of receiving an optically detectable mark, that are to be transmitted to temporally or spatially distant recipients.

Abstract: An electronic word puzzle game, the game playable on a game computer having a processor for executing at least one program from associated memory, a display and an I/O interface, comprising: at least one puzzle phrase in the associated memory; a game program in the associated memory executable by the processor for randomly or determininistically choosing a solution phrase from the associated memory, the solution phrase comprising at least one of letters, spaces and punctuation marks; the I/O interface adapted for enabling the player to select at least one of letters, spaces and punctuation marks from a selection of entry keys associated with the I/O interface; the game computer generating and displaying a plurality of solution phrase constituent display areas, wherein each of said solution phrase constituent display areas corresponds to each letter, blank space, and punctuation mark of the solution phrase, on the display screen; the game program executable by the processor for comparing the at least one selec

Abstract: A slot card issued by a slot club, or a membership card in another incentive award program, that is also capable of being used as phone calling card is provided. Free calling time is credited to the member's card account in response to the playing of the slot machine or utilizing the respective service. After incentive points are awarded, the member may use the membership card as a prepaid phone calling card, whereby the member's account is debited for the cost of the call.

Abstract: A system for establishing anonymous communications includes a plurality of party terminals, a plurality of requester terminals, and a central controller. The system receives and stores party data about respective parties. Upon receiving criteria for parties of interest from a requestor terminal and authorization from respective parties, the central controller releases to the requester party associated with the parties. The system also establishes communications channels between parties and the requester, while maintaining their anonymity.

Abstract: A system for facilitating employment searches using anonymous communications includes a plurality of party terminals, a plurality of requestor terminals, and a central controller. The system receives and stores employment data about prospective employment candidates. Upon receiving criteria for candidates of interest from an employer and authorization from the candidates, the central controller releases to the employer the employment data associated with the candidates. The system also establishes communications channels between the employer and the candidates, while maintaining their anonymity.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a foreign exchange insurance policy that automatically considers factors such as the type of currency, exchange rate, amount of coverage, and period of coverage, to determine a premium. Users can access the system using credit cards, ATMs, banks or other media.

Abstract: An off-line remote lottery system which enables players to purchase instant-type lottery game outcomes from a randomized prize data stream in a central computer, and view the outcomes on remotely disposed gaming computers which do not require an on-line connection during play.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatuses for acquiring a physical measurement, and for creating a cryptographic certification of that measurement, such that its value and time can be verified by a party that was not necessarily present at the measurement. The certified measurement may also include corroborative information for associating the actual physical measurement process with the certified measurement. Such corroborative information may reflect the internal or external state of the measurement certification device, as well as witness identifiers of any persons that may have been present at the measurement acquisition and certification. The certification may include a signal receiver to receive timing signals from a satellite or other external source. The external timing signals may be used to generate the time included in the certified measurement, or could be used to determine the location of the measurement certification device for inclusion in the certified measurement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system that embodies an apparatus and method for enabling prepayment of telephone call charges in connection with a calling-card, the authorized called telephone number(s) being selectable by the cardholder so that the calling-card account can only be charged for telephone calls made to the cardholder authorized telephone number(s), the calling-card account capable of being continuously recharged from a linked credit account, bank account or the like, or charges may be incurred thereafter on a perunit-time basis.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and program for determining a price of an option to purchase an airline ticket, and for facilitating the sale and exercise of those options. By purchasing an option, a customer can lock in a specified airfare without tying up his money and without risking the loss of the ticket price if his travel plans change. Pricing of the options may be based on departure location criteria, destination location criteria, and travel criteria.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for effectuating bilateral buyer-driven commerce. The present invention allows prospective buyers of goods and services to communicate a binding purchase offer globally to potential sellers, for sellers conveniently to search for relevant buyer purchase offers, and for sellers potentially to bind a buyer to a contract based on the buyer's purchase offer. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention includes a controller which receives binding purchase offers from prospective buyers. The controller makes purchase offers available globally to potential sellers. Potential sellers then have the option to accept a purchase offer and thus bind the corresponding buyer to a contract. The method and apparatus of the present invention have applications on the Internet as well as conventional communications systems such as voice telephony.

Abstract: A computer device and method for encoding a message corresponding to an outcome of a computer game, and a computer device and method for decoding the message to detect a fraudulent outcome. The computer device used to generate the encoded message includes (1) a memory device containing encoding control code and (2) a processor configured to process the encoding control code in conjunction with a computer game outcome to generate an encoded message containing the computer game outcome and to transmit the encoded message to a human-readable output device, such as a display device. The computer device includes various tamper resistant or tamper evidence features. A secure module containing the processor and memory is used to plug into an existing personal computer or dedicated game device.

Abstract: A billing and collection system for enabling payment for a service provided over a data network by billing a customer for a telephone connection to a shared revenue billing network where the telephone connection to the billing network regulates access to the service provided over the data network, comprising: a data network including at least one user on-line service provider presenting at least one service for on-line access by a user with a user computer through the data network, a billing network and an access management computer for controlling access to the on-line service provider and billing the user for access to the on-line service provider, the access management computer communicating with the data network for enabling and terminating access to the on-line service provider through the user computer whereby the billing network shares revenues for the telephone connection with the on-line service provider.