Abstract: A system and method for scheduling and controlling delivery of advertising in a communications network and a communications network and remote computer program employing the system or the method. The system includes: (1) a time allocation controller that allocates time available in a particular advertising region in a display device of a remote computer between at least two advertisements as a function of one of a desired user frequency, a desired time frequency, or a desired geometry, for each of the at least two advertisements and (2) data communication controller, coupled to the time allocation controller, that delivers the at least two advertisements to said remote computer for display in the advertising region according to the allocating of the time.

Abstract: A travel plan preparing device used for preparing a travel plan by accessing a data base from terminal and acquiring information about service facilities existing on the route from the starting place to the destination. An area or desired kind of service is inputted through an input device (110) and transmitted to the data base (100) through a transmitter-receiver (116). When an area is inputted, the data base (100) retrieves the information about the service facilities in the designated area and transmits the information to the terminal. When a desired kind of service is inputted, the data base (100) transmits the information about the positions of the pertinent service facilities and the electronic controller (ECU)(114) of the terminal calculates the distribution of the service facilities on a map, selects the area which meets most the inputted condition, and displays the area on a display device (12). A GPS navigation system (112) searches the route to the selected area and prepares a travel plan.

Abstract: In a computer system provided with a checkpoint facility, an accounting record indicating a charge payable as a result of a normal process and an accounting record indicating a charge payable as a result of a checkpoint process are output separately.When a file is accessed, a determination is made as to whether the access occurs subsequent to the checkpoint process and whether the accessed file has not been saved. If it is determined that the access occurs subsequent to the checkpoint process and the accessed file has not been saved, the accessed file is appended to the saved information.

Abstract: An in-depth review of a product line is conducted, including customer interviews, in order to identify customer specifications that are more complex than customer needs. Customer needs are quantified, and a reduced set of standard product configuration classes are selected so that about 80% of customer orders based on actual customer needs can be satisfied by the standard product configuration classes, and the remaining orders can be satisfied by custom design. Major components in the standard products are themselves standardized. Manufacture of the standard product is optimized for a one-day manufacturing cycle and separated from the manufacture of the custom designed product. A sales office and manufacturing plant roll-out schedule is implemented and managed by computer-based spreadsheet tools.

Abstract: A customized advertising repository server is connected on the World Wide Web (WWW), which can be accessed by a registered user through his or her browser either by clicking on an icon, or by inputting the specific URL address of the particular server which stores that user's advertising repository. When the user accesses his or her customized ad repository through the browser, a composite advertising page is dynamically configured by the Customized Advertising Repository (CAR) server for that particular user based on that user's previously provided user profile. Furthermore, at least a portion of that composite advertising page can be dynamically configured on a context dependent basis determined from the particular Web site or sites that the user has accessed prior to accessing the CAR.

Abstract: A method suitable for use in a physical distribution network. The method comprises the steps of using a distribution resource planning (DRP) logic for providing estimates of at least one of projected future on-hand inventory and replenishment requirements; and, incorporating within the DRP logic an uncertainty of future demand for estimating at least one of future replenishment requirements and inventory levels in the physical distribution network.

Abstract: Transactions are conducted on the Internet, by telephone or directly with anonymity and privacy. A customer's shipping address is encoded by a multi-digit identifier which is stored in the database of a trusted third party, preferably the shipping company. A user of the system need only identify themselves to a vendor by this multi-digit identifier which prints the identifier in machine readable form on a package delivered to the shipper.

Abstract: A decision-making method suitable for production planning in an uncertain demand environment. To this end, the method comprises combining an implosion technology with a scenario-based analysis, thus manifesting, a sui generis capability which preserves the advantages and benefits of each of its subsumed aspects.

Abstract: A Web advertising measurement system that correlates the number of impressions of Web advertisements with post-impression transactional activity to measure the effectiveness of the advertisements. When a user clicks on a banner advertisement, an impression is established and the user's identification is recorded. Then, when the user undertakes post-impression transactional activity such as downloading software related to the advertisement, ordering products and services related to the advertisement, and so on, the transactional activity along with the user's identification is recorded. Based on the user identifications, the number of impressions associated with the advertisements are correlated to the post-impression transactional activity as a measure of effectiveness of each advertisement.

Abstract: An improved credit card billing method and system is disclosed which permits multiple items purchased as part of a single transaction or order to be separately billed on a credit card in accordance with a payment schedule designed to minimize inquiries regarding the overall order by the customer. The billing system permits the billing descriptor appearing on the credit card billing statement to have sufficient detail to minimize subsequent customer inquiries. The billing descriptor preferably includes a different customer service number for each individual item. Goods or services are purchased from a merchant in a conventional manner. The customer provides the merchant with a list of the multiple items included in the order, as well as credit card information. The merchant will preferably establish a staggered schedule for billing each individual item in the order and submit the charge requests to the credit card issuer in accordance with the established billing schedule.

Abstract: A system for transmitting, storing, retransmitting and receiving a plurality of electronic medical images, which permits diagnostic readings by physicians during irregularly occurring periods of down time, where each of the electronic medical images contains an indicia, e.g., bid price, of the priority attached to it by a patient, includes first through fourth computer systems.

Abstract: Sensitivity information about average lost sales and inventory levels of a lost-sale (s,S) inventory system with respect to the two decision variables s and S is used for "what-if" analysis and optimization of the decision variables. Computer software implements an algorithm that provides sensitivity of average inventory levels as well as average lost sales with respect to changes in s and q(q=S-s) for a lost-sale inventory simulation for any specified demand distribution. The sensitivity information provided is exact when compared to a finite-difference simulation for the case of both discrete and continuous, stationary and non-stationary demands. A finite difference estimate of the sensitivity is obtained by running two simulations where the parameter in question (s or S) differ by a chosen small number, and then calculating the resulting difference in the performance measure of interest, in this case average inventory and lost sales.

Abstract: The present invention is an automated system and method of initiating payments from a payor's checking account pursuant to the payor's authorization during a conversation via telephone, computer terminal or other telecommunication devices with a customer service representative. The automated system initiates a debit from the payor's checking account so that funds are automatically transferred to the payee without generating a paper bank draft check payable to the payee. Regardless as to where the payor banks, as long as the bank complies with American Banking Association Magnetic Ink Character Recognition Line regulations, the system automatically decodes the payor's checking account number and the bank's routing number.

Abstract: A method and system of implementing a loan in a billing system includes memory storing information relating to the loan, the information including a principal balance of the loan, a term of the loan, and an interest rate of the loan. A prepayment amount that is a portion of the principal balance of the loan is selected. A present value of the prepayment amount is determined and a discount amount is selected. A discounted prepayment amount is determined based on the prepayment amount and the present value of the prepayment amount. The discount amount may be less than, equal to or greater than the difference between the prepayment amount and the present value of the prepayment amount. The discount amount may be greater than the difference, for example, for promotional purposes.

Abstract: A method for using a smart card to gain access through an access device upon payment of a value (V) is performed by first operatively coupling the card to the access device. The access device reads a first and a second set of data from the card, and performs a first authentication process on the first set of data. Access is permitted if the first authentication process meets a required condition. Access is denied otherwise. If access is permitted, the second set of data is stored in the access device for further processing, including a second authentication process which operates on the first and second sets of data.

Abstract: A value added tax card to be used in expediting refund of value added tax on purchases. The method of refunding includes establishing computerized personal accounts and associated value added tax cards. Each personal account and value added tax card has associated therewith the purchaser's name, address, country of residence and passport number. A photograph of the purchaser appears on the value added tax card. The card is presented at the time of purchase to the seller who then sends the credit to the computerized personal account equal to the charged value added tax.

Abstract: An in-depth review of the switchboard business, including customer interviews, revealed that customer specifications were more complex than customer needs. Customer needs were quantified, and a reduced set of standard switchboard configuration classes was selected so that about 80% of customer orders based on actual customer needs could be satisfied by the standard switchboard configuration classes, and the remaining orders would be satisfied by custom designed switchboards. Major components in the standard switchboards were themselves standardized. A standard switchboard, for example, has a continuous current capacity of no more than 4000 Amps, a maximum voltage rating of 480 Vac, a short circuit current rating of no more than 200 kA, and an aluminum or copper bus. The manufacture of the standard switchboards was optimized for a one-day manufacturing cycle and separated from the manufacture of the custom designed switchboards.

Abstract: A transfer information management device provides helpful transfer information to airport users. The transfer information management device is used in connection with a plurality of management devices which control a corresponding plurality of databases storing airport operation information. The databases manage airport operations by updating and referring to the contents of the databases. The transfer information management device is provided with a display section, a read-out section, a creating section, and a display control section. The read-out section reads out information stored in the plurality of databases. The creating section creates a transfer information database which is a database storing flight arrival information relating to flight arrivals and flight departure information relating to flight departures. The transfer information database matches flight arrival information and flight departure information relating to the same passenger, based on information read out by the read-out section.

Abstract: A predictive network is disclosed for operating in a runtime mode and in a training mode. The network includes a preprocessor (34') for preprocessing input data in accordance with parameters stored in a storage device (14') for output as preprocessed data to a delay device (36'). The delay device (36') provides a predetermined amount of delay as defined by predetermined delay settings in a storage device (18). The delayed data is input to a system model (26') which is operable in a training mode or a runtime mode. In the training mode, training data is stored in a data file (10) and retrieved therefrom for preprocessing and delay and then input to the system model (26'). Model parameters are learned and then stored in the storage device (22). During the training mode, the preprocess parameters are defined and stored in a storage device (14) in a particular sequence and delay settings are determined in the storage device (18).

Abstract: An electronic price label (EPL) system which is capable of displaying price information in terms of a plurality of different currencies. The system includes an EPL and a computer. The EPL includes a display, and a control circuit which causes the display to display price information based upon a plurality of different currencies. The computer sends messages to the EPL instructing the EPL to display predetermined price information based upon a predetermined currency.