Abstract: Prepaid printing services are obtained and provided using remote and host computers. A card or diskette for printing services is purchased and using a remote computer, the host computer is accessed by e-mail or the like. Application software and printer drivers are downloaded from the host to the remote, and the prepaid printing services are actually installed as a print option on the print menu of the remote computer. Document composition and printing to fulfill the printing services request can be by any conventional techniques, and debiting and invoicing are typically practiced simultaneously with document shipment.

Abstract: A parametric software estimating system provides a class of user selectable size metrics. At least one of the metrics is adapted specifically for use with proposed object oriented software systems. An estimate of labor hours for various development categories can be provided along with estimated costs. The effects of imposing selected constraints on the development process can be dynamically studied enabling a user to evaluate alternatives.

Abstract: A record playback system includes a display showing elapsed time of a record playback operation together with symbols indicating occurrences of certain sequences of sound during the playback operation, the symbols positioned to indicate times at which respective sequences of sounds occur. In a preferred application, the records reproduced in the system are audible voice-mail messages, the specific sequences of sounds are numbers or sets of numbers spoken consecutively during the message, and the symbols representing such numbers are printed characters corresponding to respective numbers. In the preferred application, the messages are centrally recorded at a server of a computer network and distributed to individual client computers via the network.

Abstract: Via Internet communications or via phone/fax/mail, a participant is prompted to provide a constant identifier and a selected password. Emergency and confidential categories of medical information are identified, and the participant is prompted to provide personal information in each of the categories and a different personal identification number (E-PIN, C-PIN) for each category. The participant is also prompted to provide an instruction to disclose or to not disclose the personal information in the emergency category in the event a requester of the information is an emergency medical facility and is unable to provide the participant's E-PIN. Alteration of any of the participant's medical information is enabled upon presentation of the participant's identifier and password by the requester. The emergency information or the confidential information is disclosed upon presentation of the participant's identifier and E-PIN or C-PIN.

Abstract: A method for transmitting credit card numbers in a secure manner through an electronic medium such as the Internet. Credit card numbers typically consist of a string of 10-20 digits, with the exact number of digits depending upon the provider of the credit card. The security is provided by transmitting the credit card number in a plurality of different transmissions, each transmission containing at least one digit of the credit card number, but fewer than all of the digits of the credit card number. Preferably, the user selects the number of digits from the credit card number to send with each transmission. Thus, the entire credit card number can only be determined by receiving all of the transmissions from the user, thereby significantly increasing the difficulty of intercepting the credit card number.

Abstract: A virtual customer sales and service center is disclosed that connects a customer to a customer access resource through any access method at any time from any customer location. The virtual customer sales and service center includes customer access resources which can both meet customer needs and also acquire and retrieve customer information during a contact, a computer telephony system for gathering interaction data associated with the contact, a rule based routing system for identifying a resource best suited to handle the call and a switch for routing the contact to the identified employee. A customer information database and an employee profile database are included, wherein the best suited resource is identified as having a skill corresponding to the type of customer ascertained from the customer information database and to the retrieved customer information. A context manager and a plurality of service providers are provided.

Abstract: A method for enabling users over a network or over the WWW to interact with an interactive sales representative system for providing sales guidance. The system offers the user products, services, or ideas (the "products") according to parameters collected from the user. The system guides the customer to retrieve the desired products. If the system does not have a product matched to the customer requirements, preferably it will operate a mechanism for suggesting alternatives which are the closest to the customer requirements. The system will execute various sales tools and techniques to help and assist the customer and to convince the customer to purchase a product. By guiding the customer to the target product, the system will shorten the search cycle for the customer as well as find better matched products. The system will provide market advisory, suggest, recommend, discuss (in written form and optionally voice form), comment, advise the customer regarding the products.

Abstract: Log information concerning an electronic transaction performed between a transaction device and a business connection server through a network is compared with information concerning a predetermined business connection down-loaded from the server, and the log information is recorded in an IC card accepted by the transaction device when the log information is related to the information concerning a predetermined business connection. Predetermined commodity information is provided to a user in accordance with a request by the user of the IC card when the log information stored in the IC card satisfies a predetermined condition.

Abstract: The method for conducting a survey of users of an information document site located on a computer network includes embedding computer program instructions into an information document located at the site, where the instructions invoke a survey program, launching the survey program when a user accesses the information document, and activating the survey according to offering criteria based upon either a random or systematic participant selection. The method selects a survey participant from the users of the information document and then offers the participant an opportunity to access the survey by presenting the survey to the participant.

Abstract: A method and system for generating advisory messages to pharmacy patients includes appending patient-specific information to a data record containing normally transmitted information. The data record is transmitted between a third party computer and a pharmacy computer during a pharmacy transaction. The data record transmitted to the pharmacy computer is captured by an advisory computer as the data record is received by the pharmacy computer or after the data record is transmitted to the pharmacy computer, and the patient-specific information is extracted from the captured data record. The advisory computer generates an advisory message based on the extracted patient-specific information, and it transmits the generated advisory message to a pharmacy printer. The advisory computer includes a memory containing a data structure for storing the patient-specific information, the normally transmitted information, and the generated advisory message.

Abstract: The present invention includes a reliable and efficient method for redistributing, purchasing or selling tickets on the secondary market. The system generally includes a method for accepting tickets from individual sellers, posting the tickets on a central database for redistribution, establishing a market price based on demand and/or a service fee (this feature may not be available in certain states due to resale restrictions or at certain arenas due to prior agreements) and redistributing the tickets to new buyers. The system allows sellers to reach a wider market and also gives more individuals an opportunity to conveniently purchase tickets to events at a reasonable price. Individual buyers are not forced to deal directly with brokers, scalpers or other types of sellers, and thus, are substantially protected from fraud. To protect the buyer, the present invention verifies all tickets posted on the database and, to protect the seller, verifies the buyer's credit card and guarantees payment to the seller.

Abstract: A computer program product, system or process administer or assist in the administration of resources of a customer for the benefit of a beneficiary. The process includes receiving a request from the customer to administer the resources in accordance with predetermined criteria, and storing customer related data associated with the customer. A network of service providers is formed to assist in the administration of the resources for the customer and provide a variety of economic and/or administrative features and benefits, using a computer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for notifying a user of account activity, such as a withdrawal from a savings or checking account. A computer system maintains information on financial accounts and electronic user contact information for at least one of the financial accounts, such as a telephone number, e-mail address or pager number. Information on a transaction with respect to one of the financial accounts is received and processed. The computer system then processes the information on the transaction and generates an electronic message providing information on the transaction. The user contact information for the financial account involved in the transaction is processed. The message is then electronically transmitted to the location identified by the user contact information for the financial account.

Abstract: A central controller receives from a POS terminal a purchase price and a financial account identifier. The financial account identifier specifies a financial account, such as a credit card account. The central controller, in turn, generates one or more installment plan identifiers defining installment plans for payment of the purchase price. The installment plan identifiers are based on the purchase price and/or the financial account identifier. For example, certain accounts or certain high purchase prices may merit preferred installment plans. The installment plan identifiers are transmitted to the POS terminal. A purchaser at the POS terminal selects whether he would like to pay for his purchase in installments and, if so, using which installment plan. The POS terminal generates a selection signal indicative of whether to accept any of the installment plans, and transmits the selection signal to the central controller. The central controller receives the selection signal.

Abstract: A method for regulating the asking and motivating the answering of questions via a computer network. The number and complexity of questions asked is controlled by a question regulation method, and the number and quality of answers provided is controlled by an answer evaluation method. The question regulation method permits users to post more numerous or more complex questions based on factors such as viewing of advertising, or provision of marketing information. The answer measurement method may be used to reward those who supply numerous or high-quality answers with premiums, public recognition, or employment opportunities.

Abstract: A supersmart card system is provided for authorizing transactions between a transaction card user and a merchant. The supersmart card system includes a plurality of conventional transaction cards such as a debit cards, credit cards, or phone service cards, and a transaction authorization device. The transaction authorization device is user-carried and constructed to be separate and apart from the transaction card. The transaction authorization device includes logic means for storing data relating to the identity of the transaction card user and data relating to the authorization of transactions between a user and financial institutions or service providers. Preferably, the transaction authorization card also includes means enabling a user to select a particular transaction card for processing a transaction.

Abstract: An automated portfolio management system and method which manages data in a database, and populates the database with data from a data feed off the Internet. The system utilizes double leveraging of funds and purchased index puts as insurance against market downturns, to generate a guaranteed high yield. The double leveraging is accomplished by selling covered calls and using a formula to determine the maximum amount to borrow against the portfolio, and using income from both sources to purchase additional stock. The high yield from the portfolio is protected from market downturns by index puts.

Abstract: Prospective customers may be selected for target making with respect to a particular product and market without the need to conduct designed marketing campaigns. A computer implemented process applies data mining techniques to databases containing records representing customer and overall market populations for the purpose of selecting market segments and prospective customers for targeted marketing.

Abstract: An automatic bank teller machine (ATM) that uses a combination of simple visual cues, large-type visual displays, audio, and a touch-sensitive display screen to facilitate use of the ATM by the blind and visually impaired, while still being useful for the sighted. In particular, the ATM uses a touch-sensitive display screen that has a fixed, easy to locate touch scanning zone. The display screen operates by contacting the screen, with a fingertip, for example, and slidingly moving to a location on the touch scanning zone corresponding to an item to be input, such as one of the numbers 0 to 9, for example.

Abstract: A method and system of conveying information to a user in specified content displayed in an interactive graphical environment. The information comprises a predetermined message defined by message parameters to create an image and stored in a message memory. The content includes predetermined specifications for assimilating said message. The method comprises the steps of retrieving the specified content from a content memory then identifying the predetermined specifications from the content for substituting a portion of the content into a transformed representation of the predetermined message. After retrieving and identifying, the predetermined message is obtained from the message memory and transformed into a scaled message according to the specifications to substitute the message into the content portion and define a modified environment.