Abstract: The present system comprises a device which issues tickets, a central processing device and an entrance gate device which controls entry to the site. The central processing device establishes appropriate data representing the maximum carrying capacity of each attraction (i.e., the maximum number of reservations which can be given out). It does so by performing a fuzzy inference based on fuzzy rules using as fuzzy variables various uncertainty factors which influence cancellations and other events that transpire after a reservation is made, such as type of attraction, weather, time of day, day of the week and season.

Abstract: An electronic price label (EPL) system including groups of electronic price labels and method of managing the groups which facilitate group definition, assignment of EPLs to groups, assignment of items to EPLs, and assignment of prices to items. The system includes a plurality of EPLs arranged in rows and columns within a sign to define a group. At least one of the rows includes a plurality of EPLs and at least one of the columns includes a plurality of EPLs. A computer coupled to the EPLs defines the group, assigns the EPLs to the group, and assigns item identification numbers and prices to the EPLs. A storage medium stores group definition information, EPL assignments to the group, and item assignments to the EPLs. The storage medium additionally stores a price identifier, which may be incorporated into the item identification numbers.

Abstract: An accounting method is provided wherein advertisement information is provided from an exchange to a terminal accommodated in the exchange and the communication charge to be charged to the terminal is discounted based on an amount of advertisement information received by the terminal.Advertisement information is provided from an advertisement apparatus provided in an exchange to a subscriber terminal, and a discount money amount is determined based on an amount of advertisement information provided. Each time the subscriber telephone set receives advertisement information, a discount money amount for the subscriber telephone set is cumulatively stored into an accounting apparatus, and the amount of money to be charged to the subscriber telephone set is determined based on the discount money amount recorded in the accounting apparatus and the money amount of communication charges imposed based on ordinary communication.

Abstract: A variable margin pricing system and method that generates retail prices based on customer price sensitivity. Products are grouped into pools from a first pool for most price sensitive products to a last pool for least price sensitive products. A logical relationship between margins and the customer price sensitivity is determined for the products. Based on this logical relationship and each product's pool assignment, the system and method calculate each product's margin and corresponding retail price. The method is also used to generate retail price labels having retail prices based on customer price sensitivity for the products to which the labels are to be affixed or located proximate.

Abstract: Improved assistance is provided to an operator to balance an out-of-proof transaction at a balancing workstation of an image-based financial document processing system used to process transaction items including debit and credit items. A number of suspect tests are invoked. The suspect tests have been previously arranged in an order which is based upon at least one characteristic data collected over a previous time period. The invoked suspect tests are applied to the debit items and the credit items in the particular order to improve assistance to the operator to balance the out-of-proof transaction.

Abstract: A financial management data processing system determines monetary amounts related to a loan. The loan consists of a base loan amount to be used by a borrower, for which a lender charges the borrower an interest amount at a loan interest rate over a loan term. The loan also consists of an investment loan amount to be invested in an investment that earns a return on the investment at a rate of return. Information input means are included for inputting the base loan amount, the investment loan amount, the loan interest rate, the rate of return on the investment, and the loan term.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and system for scheduling product orders for a manufacturing facility. One aspect of the invention is a method for scheduling product orders wherein a pool of product order records and a pool of physical attribute records are maintained. A list of partially completed physical products available at an evaluation point in a manufacturing facility is maintained wherein the list includes a first physical attribute record. A digital computer is then used to compute a grade value for each of a plurality of product order records having a list of order attributes comprising sets of which the list of physical attribute data items associated with the first physical attribute record is a subset. The grade value comprises a weighted sum of a plurality of objective factors where each objective factor comprises a numerical measure of how well a particular objective is being met.

Abstract: A system and method for shopping, using a personal computer operated from a convenient location such as home, for fitted eyeglasses that can include either prescription or non-prescription lenses. A customer visits one of possibly several different customer diagnostic locations where digital images of the customer's head and face are acquired using various known techniques so as to obtain size and image data with respect to the customer. The customer then receives a password and information on how to connect to a computer (remote electronic store) associated with the various customer diagnostic locations. When the customer later connects a personal computer to the remote electronic store using the password issued by the customer diagnostic location, the remote electronic store provides images to the personal computer of how the customer would appear wearing different eyeglasses having frames fitted precisely to the customer's head based on the size and image data acquired at the customer diagnostic location.

Abstract: A computer implemented system awards promotional incentives. A participant in the awards system calls or connects to an interactive platform for registering and/or redeeming credits preferably described in uniquely identified certificates. In a telephone environment, the interactive platform is connected to a toll free telephone number where a participant's call is handled by a computer controlled voice response unit. In a computer network environment, a computer user connects to the interactive platform over the network. The participant receives awards credits based on the unique identification of certificates. Award credits for a participant are accumulated in a stored record associated with the participant until redeemed. Award credits can also be acquired as an instant winner based on a random or algorithmic selection of callers to receive such credits. Awards include electronic prizes such as free long distance telephone time, electronic cash and/or service credits.

Abstract: A system and method to allow gold to circulate as digital cash through the global computer network (Internet) and/or private communication networks much like cash currently circulates in the physical world. A computer system (emint) will create digital representations of gold (ecoins). Each ecoin will represent a weight of gold held at a participating secure storage facility (storage site), and each ecoin is given by the emint a unique Digital Hallmark.TM. by which it can be distinguished and identified. The sum total of all circulating ecoins (denominated in physical measures such as weights such as grams and/or ounces and fractions thereof) will equal the weight of all the gold held for safekeeping at the storage site(s) for the users of the emint. The ownership of gold is not transferred by a computer system executing debits and credits between individual accounts, but instead by individuals directly transferring ecoins amongst themselves (as is done in cash transactions, i.e.

Abstract: An on-line shopping system is provided which enables users to do shopping by referring to on-line advertisements posted on home pages. A WWW server and an exchange are connected in one-to-one correspondence. The exchange finally receives a PPP dial-up from a user device and thus can be informed of the originating number of the user device. First information about the connection of the user device to the WWW server is stored in storage unit after the transmitting port number accompanying the first information is converted to a corresponding line number. Also, second information (originating number) about the connection of the user device, obtained at the exchange, is stored in the storage unit together with a line number. In the storage unit, the first information and the second information are combined through the agency of the line number.

Abstract: Two methods, "Adjusted Winner (AW)" and "Proportional Allocation (PA)," are provided for the fair division of a collection of items, which could be either real goods or issues in a dispute, between two claimants (parties). The methods can be implemented as a digital computer software program. In both methods, the parties are each given 100 points and then bid on each item using their points. Under the AW method, which is applicable to indivisible items, each party is initially allocated those goods, or wins on those issues, for which it bids the higher number of points. Then the goods or issues are reassigned, or resolved differently, to achieve equality of points based on the quotients of the parties' bids. Under PA, each good or issue is divided according to a ratio based on both parties' bids for that good or issue.

Abstract: A data processing system for supporting a new financial instrument known as a Put Ratio Equity Protection ("PREP") used in closed end funds. The data processing system provides computer means for brokers and fund managers to effectuate all transactions pertaining to PREPs and the creation of PREP certificates.

Abstract: A system and method that determines building occupancy at a selected site by using geographically based structures to identify potential clients and to analyze aggregate carrier exposure levels at the selected site. This is achieved by using geographically based structures that are formed by geocoding business addresses and by linking all similarly geocoded businesses. Geographically based structures identify building characteristics and occupant related information. Specifically, all business addresses are address standardized, interjected with public protection code information and then geocoded. The geocoding information is used to identify and determine the building's occupancy configuration. For each tenant or occupant of the building, the system will initially display basic information that includes for example, business name, address and whether the business is currently insured by the carrier.

Abstract: The tracking of an entire resource allocation chain, designed for better and more automatic tracking of the data associated with the transfer and positioning of such resources, enabling the combination of independent and integrated data collection and organization associated with the transfer, processing, quality evaluation and storage of such resources, as well as a new set of base allocation operations and database structures designed to enable and accommodate any type of resource allocation that might take place by an organization of such operations into a composite.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for multi-dimensional scheduling, unscheduling, and control of resources using a database approach. Indivisible resources, percentage divisible resources, and range divisible resources are scheduled, unscheduled, and controlled. Resources in telecommunication systems are scheduled, unscheduled, and controlled. Resources in satellite telecommunication systems are scheduled, unscheduled, and controlled.

Abstract: A system (100) for processing career development information is provided which comprises a plurality of career development files (112). Each career development file is associated with at least one other career development file. The system includes a user interface system (120) which receives a user selection of one of the career development files (112) and displays the selected career development file. The system also includes a career library production system (116) with which a curriculum designer can modify one or more of the career development files.

Abstract: Interactive information and entertainment service customers see advertisers' bids for their attention which are displayed on their display screens and choose which advertisements to view. For each advertisement viewed, the advertisers' bid amount would pay for a portion of the user's service or usage charge. A display on the user's terminal screen includes the advertisers most willing to pay for the user's attention and the dollar amount bid. If the user chooses to see a particular advertiser's message, then the user is reimbursed, or a credit is applied to the user's service account for the amount of the bid promised by the advertiser whose message was viewed. Customer interest profiles and service usage data collected by the service provider are used to identify particular user characteristics to advertisers. Advertisers define user characteristics of particular desirability and place a dollar value on having messages viewed by individual users based on the desirability of the user.

Abstract: A system for extended enterprise planning across a supply chain is provided. The system includes transactional execution system layers (14, 18) for a demand enterprise (10) and a supply enterprise (12). First and second federated electronic planning interchange layers (16, 20) provide a data specification format and an external communication interface for transactional execution system layers (14, 18). A supply chain planning engine (22), operable to perform planning for the supply chain, is in communication with a third federated electronic planning interchange layer (24) which provides a data specification format and an external communication interface for the supply chain planning engine (22). A data access/transfer layer (28) interconnects and allows transfer of information between the first, second and third electronic federated planning interchange layers (16, 20, 24).

Abstract: An apparatus for providing paint product related information to customers and recording customer telephone calls includes work stations (10, 23) having a memory device (18) storing a plurality of paint product information and a plurality of customer information, an input device (12) for generating a customer request for information signal related to a selected one of the paint products, a display device (14) for visually displaying information and graphic displays in response to display signals, a computer (13) responsive to the customer request for information signal for selecting from the customer information caller information related to a customer associated with the customer request and generating a first display signal to the display device (14) to visually display a call log graphic display (43) including the caller information (44), and being responsive to the customer request for information signal for selecting a portion of the paint product information related to advice to be given to the customer