Abstract: A method for performing electronic transactions, comprising receiving a long-term certificate, authenticating a user associated with the long-term certificate, and then sending a short-term certificate to the authenticated user. In addition, risk associated with the user can be evaluated, and this risk information, as well as other information, can be included in the short-term certificate.

Abstract: A restaurant management system (10) is provided. The restaurant management system (10) includes an inventory system (64). Also included are a supplier (54) and a user (52). Orders are sent from the user (52) to the supplier (54). The orders have associated therewith time information. Each item in the order has associated therewith an inherent minimum time until the order may be delivered. Also included is a remuneration system (60) to collect money in response to the receipt of an order. An alarm system (300) having a plurality of threshold alarms with each of the threshold alarms associated with a predetermined duration of time from the receipt of the order is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to providing secure transactions with a tag and POS device associated with a host network authorization system. In doing so, the tag is adapted to bi-directionally communicate with a POS device, preferably a fuel dispenser, which further communicates with a host network to provide authorization of the tag and carry out any desired purchases or transactions. To avoid transmitting data from which valuable account or financial information could be derived, between the tag and POS device or the POS device and the host network system, the invention may maintain all or a majority of account and financial information requiring absolute security only at the host network. Neither the tag nor the POS device has or has access to certain critical financial or account information. The tag also is adapted to communicate with other local sources and the POS device directly. Additional and alternate security is available for these communications.

Abstract: A method for controlled acceptance mail accounting and evidencing, includes creating a mail batch including at least one mail piece having an encrypted indicia printed thereon. The encrypted indicia is generated by the use of a key K.sub.m. A statement of mailing file is created containing data related to the mail batch. The statement of mailing file including the key K.sub.m is encrypted with a public key of an authentication unit of a carrier distribution system. The public key has an associated private key. The mail batch and the statement of mailing file is submitted to the carrier distribution system and the mail batch and the mail documentation file is processed using the private key of the authentication unit of the carrier distribution system to decrypt the encrypted information and recover the K.sub.m. The key K.sub.m is then used in an authentication procedure related to the mail batch.

Abstract: A postage meter includes a memory including an ascending credit register to store an accumulated value of credit and an ascending tote register to store an accumulated tote value of postage charge dispensed by the postage meter in franking mail items. Accounting means of the postage meter determines whether the sum of a required postage value to be applied to a mail item and the accumulated tote value is equal to or less than the accumulated total value of credit stored in the ascending credit register and, if the sum of the required postage value and the accumulated tote value is equal to or less than the accumulated credit value, operates printing means to print a franking impression on the mail item and increments the accumulated tote value stored in the tote register by an amount equal to the required postage value.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products facilitate user compliance with laws that pertain to a regulated activity in each of a plurality of legal jurisdictions. A user selects, via a user interface in communication with a data processing system, a component that relates to an aspect of the regulated activity. A user also selects, via a user interface in communication with the data processing system, first and second legal jurisdictions from the plurality of legal jurisdictions. In response to the user selections, elements of the selected component that are unique and common to the first and second legal jurisdictions are displayed. Each displayed element is a legal requirement associated with the regulated activity as defined by laws of a respective legal jurisdiction.

Abstract: A computer is programmed to implement an incentive compensation plan by obtaining existing data on employees and business activities, evaluating the profitability of the activities, and indicating what amounts should be paid to existing employees based upon criteria defined by management in accordance with existing business conditions.

Abstract: A system includes an accounting register; structure for creating and attaching a digital signature to a message; a memory having stored therein a plurality of different indemnification provisions and a plurality of different service rates each associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of different indemnification provisions; apparatus for selecting and associating a specific one of the plurality of different indemnification provisions to the digital signature; and a device for adjusting the accounting register, wherein at times when the specific one of the plurality of different indemnification provisions has been selected and associated with the digital signature the adjusting device accounts for a one of the plurality of different service rates that corresponds to the specific one of the plurality of different indemnification provisions.

Abstract: A system and method of managing displayed message priorities in an electronic price label (EPL) system through a data file containing message records including message priorities for each EPL. The system includes a computer which stores a plurality of records for an electronic price label in a data file, which reads the data file to identify all of the records for the electronic price label, which determines the priorities in the records, and which displays the messages at start times within the records in accordance with the priorities. The computer records the records in response to operator input and/or inputs received from an application program through an application programming interface. For inputs received from application programs, the computer establishes new priorities for the messages based upon different application priorities assigned to the application programs.

Abstract: A software licensing enforcement product includes a shell utilizing a device specific hardware product to encrypt the install program and the run program to prevent non-authorized devices form installing or using a software product. The shell decrypts the run program to allow the authorized device to access the software product.

Abstract: A system for assisting in management of a packaging plant, according to which such information as on packaging cost, machine characteristics and surface packaging method is transformed into database, whereby the packaging cost calculation, production capacity calculation, line arrangement method, packaging method, and packaging arrangement investigation method are translated into numeral equations or software. With this system, highly accurate investigation results can be output in a short time period, thereby assisting in making an optimum management decision.

Abstract: A postage meter whose postage supply is a reel of adhesive tape on which is pre-printed a continuous incremental bar code. The amount of postage required for a given piece to be mailed is expressed on a postage label derived from the tape and attachable to the piece in multiple increments whereby the greater the postage amount, the longer the label. Also included in the postage meter is a second reel of blank adhesive tape from which is derived a data label to be applied to the piece on which is meter-printed data appropriate to the mailing, such as the identity the post office from which the piece is mailed and the date of mailing.