Abstract: A system and method for tracking and reporting the flow of funds between participants in an academic health center including a school of medicine, a hospital and a faculty clinical practice. The participants identify transactions between the participants and other entities. The participants then list all of the sources of funds and uses of funds for each department within an participant. The lists are analyzed to generate departmental sources of funds and uses of funds statements. The flow of funds include normalized hidden sources of funds, such as unreimbursed expenses. The lists are used to generate standardized and customized departmental statements. Using the standardized departmental statements and participant statements, departmental and participant ratios cab be generated. The ratios allow the participants to compare the participant's departments with each other as well as with other participant's departments and with other academic health centers.

Abstract: A system and method of managing document distribution services of a plurality of document distribution providers includes registering the document distribution services, identifying at least one resource for each of the document distribution services, and monitoring an availability of the at least one resource for each of the document distribution services. As such, identifying at least one resource for each of the document distribution services includes defining at least one attribute of the at least one resource and monitoring the availability of the at least one resource for each of the document distribution services includes recording a status of the at least one attribute of the at least one resource.

Abstract: The invention relates to a franking machine that comprises at least one print head of an inkjet printer for printing flat mail items such as letters or postcards that are inserted into or run through said franking machine. The inventive franking machine comprises a guide part that is mounted around the print head so as to project vis-á-vis the nozzle plane thereof. Said guide part is associated with a conveyor that conveys the mail items between itself and opposite rotating convey rollers that rotate about pins mounted transversally to the direction of conveyance. Said conveyor is provided with driving rollers that are mounted, when seen in the direction of conveyance, before and behind the print head (228). A counter-pressure roller is disposed opposite these driving rollers and exerts a pressure on a respective driving roller or on a mail item conveyed therethrough, said counter-pressure roller being reversibly liftable.

Abstract: A system, method and carrier medium for modeling a Financial Service Organization (FSO) business in a computer software program and for storing the model of the FSO business in a database. An object-oriented business model representing the FSO may be created and stored in a business model database. The one or more business objects included in the business model may be configured to describe various products, methods, functions and properties associated with an FSO. A process map business object may describe a process workflow. The process workflow may identify a sequence of tasks to be performed by an FSO production system to process an FSO transaction. The sequence of tasks associated with an FSO transaction may be consistent with pre-defined business logic for the transaction. Selecting a task object from a plurality of task objects and transferring the task object to a process map display representing the process map business object may create the process workflow.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a project docket management apparatus includes a processor configured to execute a control program and communicate with a user. In a typical aspect, the processor is located in a server computer. The user is one of the personnel assigned to a given project and has authorization to log into the server and access a database of records. The user communicates with the processor to selectively add, edit, modify and delete project records depending on his access level. If the user is an administrator, he has full control over the database records. If the user has a lower access level, he may only be able to view records, for example. The apparatus further includes a notification structure that periodically distributes information to project personnel based on predefined dates or activities. For example, the project personnel may be notified by e-mail when a date deadline is approaching, or when an action has been authorized or completed.

Abstract: A cart ID according to the present invention is an identification code including receipt information containing at least a receipt number (serial number) indicating a receipt number of the transaction, and further unmeaning password information. Furthermore, it is preferable that the receipt information has date information in which the cart ID is issued. In this manner, the cart ID according to the present invention contains the password information in addition to the receipt information having conventional date information and the receipt number, whereby even when the cart ID is disclosed to the principal, it is possible to prevent another person from being informed thereof.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating rental of self-storage rental units is operative to establish interactive communication between a potential customer located at a rental site service area and a remote manager who can recommend one or more storage units that meet the customer's size needs and time availability. The manager can direct the customer through a security gate to specific storage units for inspection, and guide the customer in completing a rental agreement for a selected storage unit at the customer service area. Telephonic communication between the customer and the remote manager is established via a public switch telephone network. The remote manager can provide instructions and answer questions while observing the customer's movements, and can verify information inserted on the rental agreement through strategically placed cameras within the customer service area. Security cameras enable the remote manager to observe the rental unit site.

Abstract: Improved license management system and method for a convertible floating license for software that permit conversion from one license state to a second license state to permit authorized license use and management thereof while the user and/or client computer is alternately connected and disconnected from a network having a server computer and license management software thereon for managing and controlling the authorized use of licensed software to a multiplicity of computers and/or users.

Abstract: A content distribution system includes a plurality of distribution servers (101-108), and a reference server (112). The reference server (112) holds URLs showing network locations of the plurality of distribution servers (101-108), and transmits a URL for a distribution server to user terminal (109) in response to a user's request. When one of the distribution servers (101-108) is accessed by a user terminal (109), the distribution server determines whether access has been performed as a result of receiving location information from the reference server (112). If this is the case, the distribution server generates payment information commanding the user terminal to pay the distribution server and the reference server, and transmits a distribution package including the payment information and a digital content to the user terminal.

Abstract: A simple, secure and easy-to-deploy method and system for authenticating credit and debit cardholders at the point-of-sale on a computer network (e.g. the Internet) is disclosed. Cardholders are authenticated using digital signatures on a sales draft, in a manner that does not necessarily require any changes in the transaction flow of the participating financial institutions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of copy protection for use in digital data recorders such as DVD-RAM recorders, which includes embedding transmission time information into a digital data stream by digital watermarking and comparing the transmission time with the current time at the data recorder (30, 50). If the time difference is less than a threshold value it is presumed that the recording is for time-shifting purposes, namely recording a programme to watch later, which is generally allowed by copyright laws. If the time difference is greater than a threshold value it is presumed that the recording is an attempted unauthorised recording such as from a pre-recorded copy, and further recording is prevented.

Abstract: A personal computer having a security function, a security method therefor, and methods of installing and detaching a security device are provided.