Abstract: Transmission level control is provided to eliminate a sense of disorder during a television conference connecting a multiplicity of locations.In a speech input terminal included in connection between multiple locations, there is provided a speech input means for inputting speech, a communication control means for controlling communication between the speech input means and a communication line, a transmission volume adjusting means capable of stepless adjustment of transmission volume, and a reception volume adjusting means. Thus, the volume adjusting means which has conventionally been provided only at a receiving end is now provided also at a transmitting end to allow stepless volume control, which enables speech output in conformity with the speech level of another entity's terminal.

Abstract: A center site is disposed to intervene in a business transaction achieved through a network. The center site includes an open business information database in which open business information received from member sites connected to the network is accumulated to be opened to the sites and a notarization database to keep therein contents of contracts of transactions between the sites. The center site receives a transaction request from a transaction partner site in accordance with the open business information and notifies the request to an information supply site associated therewith. The center site intervenes in a transaction resultantly accomplished between the information supply site and the transaction partner site and conducts a notarization process for the contents of contract for the transaction to accumulate the contract in a notarization database.

Abstract: An automated method for identifying those claims of a raw claims insurance claims database for which reinsurance is applicable. The method develops a database of uniquely clustered catastrophic events such as storm reports. This "CatNodes" database may be developed manually or automatically through the use of a neural network approach. A fuzzy degree of belonging is employed to quantify the likelihood that a given insurance claim is properly associated with a given catastrophic event or storm. The assignment of a degree of belonging is derived by approaches which consider four factors: the date of the loss; the location of the loss; the type of the loss; and the presence of special keywords in the claim description.

Abstract: A method of providing security for a self-service checkout terminal includes the step of determining a time-of-day value and a day-of-week value. The method also includes the step of operating the terminal at a first security level if (i) the time-of-day value is within a first predetermined time-of-day range, and (ii) the day-of-week value is within a first predetermined day-of-week range. The method further includes the step of operating the terminal at a second security level if (i) the time-of-day value is within a second predetermined time-of-day range, and (ii) the day-of-week value is within a second predetermined day-of-week range.

Abstract: A computer program, PREdictor of Minimum INcome (PREMIN), has been developed for predicting health care facility future minimum income (FMI). PREMIN was developed using "MICROSOFT" "EXCEL" for "WINDOWS" 4.0. PREMIN allows estimation of anticipated number of office visits with three values, L (least possible), M (most probable), and H (most possible), and speculation of proportion of payments sources, i.e. HMO's Medicare, Medicaid, etc. The mathematical and statistical foundation of PREMIN is based on a method that determines the minimum number of independently distributed random variables required in a linear combination in order that its distribution can be approximated by the normal density function.Number of office visits are treated as a random variable and are approximated by the triangular distribution. Proportion of payment data is used to compute coefficients in linear combinations. If normal approximation is not adequate, PREMIN simulates the FMI distribution based on the input data.

Abstract: A postage metering system which performs a plurality of different functions including printing of postage and exchange of data with a remotely located data center to accomplish a postage fund refill of the postage metering system, a remote postage metering system inspection, and a download of location data into the postage metering system is provided and further includes a portable vault having first data indicative of location stored therein, the portable vault accounting for the value of postage printed; and a terminal which houses structure for removably receiving the portable vault, a printing mechanism for printing postage, apparatus for communicating with the data center to perform the remote postage metering system inspection, the postage fund refill of the postage metering system, and the download of location data into the postage metering system, structure for storing second data indicative of location, and apparatus for comparing the first and second data at times when the portable vault is inserted

Abstract: An object oriented dispatch optimization method determines statically which body of code will be executed when a method is dispatched. The program code is examined to identify all procedure bodies that can be invoked for a given class and a given method. An identified procedure body is analyzed to determine whether a method invocation on a pointer can invoke only one procedure body. Based on this analysis, either the procedure body or the invocation mechanism is changed so a unique procedure is directly called without a test or dispatch being used.

Abstract: A system and method of collecting payments uses an automated system to generate a draft, payable to the creditor and drawn on the payor's checking account, pursuant to the payor's authorization. The draft is then executed by the debt collector as authorized signatory for the payor, and deposited into the payee's account to complete payment. The automated system has a simple input screen which receives the necessary information for generation of the draft, which may be read to the system operator over the telephone by the authorizing payor. The system verifies the bank and account information by comparing the input information to records in a database associated with the system. Optionally, the system may also generate an inquiry to the bank to determine the availability of funds in the payor's account. When verification is complete, the system generates a paper bank draft payable to the payor, using MICR ink so that the draft can be processed in the banking system like an ordinary check.

Abstract: A system and method for managing cash value growth of life insurance policies by adjusting the death benefit levels, durations and premiums of the insurance policy.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a greatly improved Postal Security Device (PSD) incorporating periodic and automatic self implementation of a public/private key pair. According to the invention, it is provided that the appropriate resources are contained in a PSD, thereby permitting the PSD generate a new set of public/private key pairs as required to change the secure cryptographic identity of the PSD. Such generation may occur in response to an arbitrary criterion, such as a request, a change in usage patterns, the amount spent, and/or the number of pieces processed. The number of key pair generations may be limited to a predetermined maximum. The appropriate authorities are then notified of the new PSD Public key. The new PSD key pair is used upon receipt of the appropriate certificate from the Certification Authority.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method to reuse code, and thus save code space within a program. A compiler and a linker work together to decide which object code to reuse, for implementation of template classes, and other repetitive code segments. The compiler notes in the object file which functions are generated from template code, or other repetitive types of code. An intelligent linker then attempts to match code, and in the cases where the code matches, simply eliminates multiple versions of the same code by aliasing the function names. The compiler can reduce the amount of linker searching by storing a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) code with each method. By using the system and method of the present invention, code reuse is made possible without sacrificing program efficiency.

Abstract: A computer-based 401(k) plan offers unlimited access to virtually all SEC-regulated investment options--with no restrictions on the number of mutual fund families or their investments that a company can choose for its plan. The system and method provide an end-user computer-based system with individualized accountability as opposed to prior art pooled systems.

Abstract: In a computer network, a system and method that provides electronic commerce services using replaceable and extensible, object-oriented software components, in one form, implemented in the Java programming language. The communication network includes a plurality of user workstations coupled to a network server containing a collection of replaceable and extensible object-oriented software components in a framework that accepts payment requests from users; processes payment requests and performs other transactions using the services of a Cashier component; CashierDesk component; Register component; a TaxCalculator component; a Ledger component for temporarily storing payment transactions; and a Safe for permanently storing transactions. Each component is either an abstract class or an interface, allowing a merchant to vary the implementation of one or more components without affecting the operation of the remaining components of the system in processing transactions.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for managing and calculating interest on time deposits, loans, and other interest bearing financial instruments, data is stored in several distinct memories. A series of financial transactions is stored in a transaction memory having date and principal amount attributes. Data representing the performance of an investment or loan is stored in an interest factor memory having date, interest factor, and aggregate factor attributes. A displayable interest data memory is populated with interest data synthesized by associating the transaction memory to the interest factor memory by matching corresponding date attributes, then computing the product of the transaction principal amount attribute in the transaction memory and the aggregate factor attribute in the interest factor memory.

Abstract: A computerized system offers a uniform platform for conducting electronic transactions in multiple different environments. The system includes a portable, multi-purpose, integrated circuit (IC) card and complimentary computer software which enables access and management of resources maintained on the IC card. The software runs on a user's personal computer, empowering the user to initialize the IC card, configure the card with the resources that the user wants to maintain on the card, and to manage those resources. The software enables the user to generate private/public key pairs and establish or change passcodes for access to the card resources. The IC card itself provides the electronic vehicle for securely transporting the user's private keys and certificates without exposing them in plaintext form.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively generating provider application forms required to be submitted to health care provider organizations by physicians and related health care professionals. Physician credentialing profiles containing physician credentialing information are stored into a system database together with a plurality of different provider application formats associated with particular application forms which are completed selected data extracted from the common information contained in the stored physician credentialing profiles. The method automatically inputs a subset of physician credentialing information required by a particular selected provider application format into the provider application form associated with that format and generates the particular provider application form.

Abstract: A cryptographic method where items, such as mail pieces, are verified for authenticity includes determining a predetermined number of items selected for verification during a given period and maintaining a count of the number of items verified. The predetermined number is compared with the number of items verified. The verification process may continue if a match occurs and may be stopped if a match does not occur. The verifier includes means for inputting data relating to an item to be verified and access counter means for counting the number of items verified.

Abstract: A system and method for billing one or more participating parties for client access to the internet is disclosed including the steps of identifying at least one of the one or more participating parties as being responsible for the billing, allocating a share of the billing to each responsible participating party based on a predetermined function and computing a billing amount for each of the responsible participating parties based on a function of the share and a client bandwidth usage.

Abstract: In a method for data processing in a mail processing system, the most beneficial carrier, among a number of available carriers, for shipping a particular item is determined by initializing the franking system with pre-selection of a group of carriers from which the desired carrier can be subsequently selected, processing inputs with respect to service demands made of the carrier and automatic selection of those carriers from the aforementioned group of carriers that meet the service demands that have been made, calculating the postage fee on the basis of current fee schedules for selected services, comparing the postage fee for cost optimization in the narrower automatic selection of the most beneficial carrier and debiting the calculated postage fee in a fee memory for the selected carrier.

Abstract: A Telecom Access Cost Management System provides the capability for a communication carrier service provider to substantially automate the payment to other communication carrier service providers for the use of their services and equipment. Billed charges are received in a variety of forms from the communication carrier service providers. The cost processor receives this information, checks its integrity, and converts it to a format in which it can be further processed. Once this information has been uploaded and converted, a validation process is performed in which the individual items of the bill are checked as to whether the rate information charged by the communication carrier service providers matches the rates which have been either negotiated or established by a third party. Any discrepancies noted in this comparison process are included in a report that is included with the item in the billed charges.