Abstract: An automated check-cashing unit includes an input device configured to generate input signals in response to inputs from a customer, a storage device including a database of customer information, a check reader configured to receive and read a check to be processed, a cash dispenser, and an electronic processor. The processor is configured to receive the input signals from the input device, receive information about the check to be processed from the check reader, access the database of customer information to obtain data about the customer, and determine automatically whether to accept or reject the check based on the input signals, the received information about the check, and the data about the customer. Upon accepting the check, the processor signals the cash dispenser to dispense cash to the customer. The processor may be further configured to confirm the identity of the customer based on biometric information about the customer.

Abstract: An interactive linkage between a search engine and dynamic pricing content available on a computer network can be provided by organizing links to dynamic pricing information (e.g., bid/ask pricing information) on the computer network into a predetermined taxonomy, and providing to the search engine a mapping between search requests and the predetermined taxonomy. The mapping includes reference pointers to dynamic pricing content that can be returned in response to search requests at the search engine. Accordingly, in response to a search request at the search engine, a reference pointer (e.g., an interactive link, a URL, a meta-tag and/or an index into a database) to dynamic pricing information corresponding to the search request can be returned.

Abstract: An automated transport system for use in a material handling system. The automated transport system employs a distributed control system including a top level controller (transport controller), a plurality of second-level controllers (control logic computers) and a plurality of third-level controllers (intelligent drivers). The transport controller (TC) receives material commands from a conventional material control system (MCS). The TC breaks the command into sub-commands directing selected control logic computers (CLCs) to acquire, move to a destination or otherwise interact with a particular container designated by the MCS command. The transport controller selects the CLCs based on the transport system topology, the content of the MCS command and knowledge of which regions of the transport system are controlled by respective CLCs. Each CLC implements the sub-commands by issuing to the intelligent drivers low level control commands to accelerate, elevate, rotate, load or unload the container.

Abstract: A computerized system, such as one practiced with an e-commerce font server, enables a user to select one or more fonts. According to one aspect, a user can select a font from a multi-dimensional font space defined by the attribute values of a plurality of fonts. The system repeatedly 1) enables the user to select a spatial specification defined relative to the currently selected font in the space; 2) determines which fonts, if any, match the spatial specification; 3) displays character-font shapes of those fonts; and 4) makes one of the displayed fonts a new currently selected font relative to which a new spatial specification can be selected. The spatial specification can merely selects fonts which are closest in the attribute space, can select the nearest font in a selected direction, or can provide more complex spatial selection. According to another aspect of the invention, a server makes fonts available to clients over a network.

Abstract: A method, a program product, and a system for assigning resources to tasks in a rule based, resource constrained system. This is done by receiving as inputs tasks and task attributes; resources and resource attributes; and assignment rules. These inputs are used to searching a database of tasks, task attributes, and assignment rules thereof, to search a database of resources including resource attributes thereof, and to retrieve resources based upon the resource attributes. Resources are assigned to tasks based upon matches and scores of the resource attributes, the task attributes, and the assignment rules.

Abstract: The present invention provides an internet based or locally hosted business to business full service secure commercial electronic marketplace which facilitates transactions between suppliers and buyers. The system transforms the suppliers' content into generic content and enables the suppliers to review, correct and update the supplier content. The system distributes the content back to the supplier and to selected buyers in a generic and usable format across multiple forums. The system further provides multiple levels of sourcing for the suppliers and buyers including a private on-contract sourcing level, a, private off-contract sourcing level, a private index off-contract sourcing level, a private supplier or seller sourcing level, a public buyer sourcing level, and content distribution for buy side sourcing levels, supply side sourcing levels, multi-buyer exchanges and multi-supplier exchanges.

Abstract: An electronic shopping system for selling vehicle devices stores, in a database, installation kit information indicating an installation kit required to install a vehicle device, for each combination of the vehicle device and a vehicle type and also stores information about installation dealers which are to install sold vehicle devices. On the basis of the location of a consumer input via a consumer terminal device, possible installation dates/times given by the consumer, and the dealer information stored in the database, a web server determines the installation dealer and the installation date/time and sends information about the determined installation dealer and installation date/time to the consumer terminal device.

Abstract: A method and system for providing multilevel information about aspects of accounting. The method comprises the steps of generating a display, on a computer display screen, of a tree having a plurality of nodes, and embedding in the nodes multilevel information about said accounting aspects. For example, trees may be generated that represent credit, debit, revenue, expense, credit and/or debit plans, credit or debit thresholds, assets (cash, investments, receivables), inventory costing and control, short term and/or long term liabilities (stocks, bonds, mortgage notes), stockholders (equity, dividends, cost basis, restrictions, donations), working capital, cash flow (income statement, operations, earnings, forecast, historical data), customer data, manufacturing costs (processing, target), profit (product, division) taxes (income, sales, real estate, etc.). Information may be embedded with a matrix approach.

Abstract: Computerized method and system for assisting a consumer reach a decision regarding repair or replacement of a product usable by the consumer is provided. The method allows for providing to the consumer a Web page including a plurality of data fields to be filled with data selectable by the consumer from a corresponding plurality of menus including respective product attributes. The method further allows for processing the product attributes selected by the consumer relative to stored economic value data of products with generally similar attributes to those of the product usable by the consumer. The processing is configured to provide options available to the consumer regarding any repair or replacement of the product usable by the consumer. The consumer is provided with a Web page hierarchically displaying the options and wherein each of the options includes a respective hyperlink for enabling the consumer to select one of the options.

Abstract: A system and method for building GUI screens for a time keeping and expense tracking system includes a time keeping and expense tracking (TKET) server that includes computer instructions that define logic for building GUI screens according to user definitions, communication channel throughput capacity, and terminal capacity. Initially, the TKET server examines a user's ID to determine his group affiliations and ability levels for modifying the parameters, objects and layout of a GUI screen. Thereafter, the TKET server allows the user to make changes according to his defined abilities. For subsequent sessions, the TKET server builds a GUI screen according to the previously defined parameters. The TKET server is operable to act as a remote time clock. Accordingly, the TKET server is formed to receive and interpret signals that define the user ID, an account code, and whether a start or stop timekeeping event has been selected.

Abstract: A paper currency receiving system is constructed to include a paper currency take-up unit adapted for taking up paper currency inserted therein, a paper currency storage cabinet mounted in the paper currency take-up unit to collect paper currency, a paper currency holding down mechanism installed in the paper currency take-up unit and controlled to hold down inserted paper currency onto a spring-supported bearing plate in the paper currency storage cabinet, the paper currency holding down mechanism including a rack set driven by a motor through a transmission gear train to move a linkage in an out of the paper currency storage cabinet for setting collected paper currency in a stack, and a transmitter receiver module, which automatically cuts off power supply when a predetermined amount of paper currency collected in the paper currency storage cabinet.

Abstract: A system and method for building GUI screens for a time keeping and expense tracking system includes a time keeping and expense tracking (TKET) server that includes computer instructions that define logic for building GUI screens according to user definitions, communication channel throughput capacity, and terminal capacity. Initially, the TKET server examines a user's ID to determine his group affiliations and ability levels for modifying the parameters, objects, and layout of a GUI screen. Thereafter, the TKET server allows the user to make changes according to his defined abilities. For subsequent sessions, the TKET server builds a GUI screen according to the previously defined parameters. One embodiment of the present invention, the TKET server is operable to receive communication signals transmitted by way of a wireless communication channel and to generate corresponding display screens that are responsive to the user terminal type.

Abstract: A system and method for building GUI screens for a time keeping and expense tracking system includes a time keeping and expense tracking (TKET) server that includes computer instructions that define logic for building GUI screens according to user definitions, communication channel throughput capacity, and terminal capacity. Initially, the TKET server examines a user's ID to determine his group affiliations and ability levels for modifying the parameters, objects and layout of a GUI screen. Thereafter, the TKET server allows the user to make changes according to his defined abilities. In one embodiment of the invention, the TKET server is operable to act as a remote time clock. Accordingly, the TKET server is formed to receive and interpret signals that define the user ID, an account code, and whether a start or stop timekeeping event has been selected.

Abstract: A system and method for building GUI screens for a time keeping and expense tracking system includes a time keeping and expense tracking (TKET) server that includes computer instructions that define logic for building GUI screens according to user definitions, communication channel throughput capacity, and terminal capacity. Initially, the TKET server examines a user's ID to determine his group affiliations and ability levels for modifying the parameters, objects and layout of a GUI screen. Thereafter, the TKET server allows the user to make changes according to his defined abilities. For subsequent sessions, the TKET server builds a GUI screen according to the previously defined parameters. One embodiment of the present invention, the TKET server is operable to receive communication signals transmitted by way of a wireless communication channel and to generate corresponding display screens that are responsive to the user terminal type.

Abstract: A paper currency receiving system is constructed to include a paper currency take-up unit adapted for taking up paper currency inserted therein, a paper currency verification unit inserted into the paper currency take-up unit at a bottom side and adapted for verifying authenticity of inserted paper currency, the paper currency verification unit having two coupling spring plates adapted for securing the paper currency verification unit to the paper currency take-up unit, and a paper currency storage cabinet attached to the paper currency take-up unit at a back side and adapted to collect paper currency from the paper currency take-up unit, the paper currency take-up unit having a spring latch adapted for locking the paper currency storage cabinet and a control button adapted for disengaging the spring latch from the paper currency storage cabinet.

Abstract: A system for detection of fraud upon a coin or token accepting device is disclosed. In one embodiment the system operates in a coin path, the coin path being configured to accept and direct a coin. Prior to credit being provided for a coin or other item of value, the system detects and analyzes behavior of objects in the coin path. In one embodiment, one or more emitter/detector pairs are located in the coin path. The emitters transmit a form of energy across the coin path for detection by a detector. A fraud perpetration device in the coin path can be detected by the emitter/detector pairs. The emitter/detector pairs may utilize complex signal schemes, such as signal modulation, random signaling generation, velocity, acceleration, displacement, coin material physics, and the like to detect fraud.

Abstract: A tamper-resistant device retrofits onto an existing parking meter or other coin accepting machine to increase the exterior security of the parking meter at the point where the coins are deposited into the parking meter. Accordingly, potential thieves and vandals would not have direct access to the internal components of the parking meter, thereby eliminating the possibility of intentionally stuffing and blocking the coin track by inserting objects other than coins into the coin track. The tamper-resistant device provides a deposit slot spaced apart from the original coin slot for depositing one coin at a time into the parking meter. By relocating the deposit slot, the tamper-resistant device prevents vandals from inserting hard objects directly into the parking meter, thereby damaging the internal components of the parking meter.

Abstract: A coin sorting apparatus and method uses a light source (50) disposed on one side of the coin path (23); a coin moving member (21) of light transmissive material; a coin path insert (41) having at least a portion the is light transmissive; an optical detector (55) disposed on an opposite side of the coin path (23) from the light source (50) for detecting coin size as a coin (14) passes the coin path insert (41); a coin core alloy composition sensor (42); a coin surface alloy composition sensor (43); an edge sensor (46) disposed along a reference edge (45) along the coin path; and a plurality of processors (90, 94, 95, 107, 96) for receiving data developed from signals from the optical detector (55), the coin core alloy sensor (42), the coin surface (43) alloy detector, and the coin edge sensor (46), the data being for comparison with stored values for a plurality of denominations to determine the denomination of the coin (14).

Abstract: It is an object to provide a bill receiving/dispensing machine in view of service of securing a quick response to a user in operator's operation when a failure such as a bill jam occurs during user's operation, and security of cash controlling, as well as usual supply and collection of a bill to and from a bill storing room. In order to achieve the object, the machine is constituted from an upper unit including a receiving/dispensing port, a bill identifying portion, a temporary storing room and an upper bill conveying passage, and a lower unit including a bill storing room and a lower bill conveying passage. The upper unit includes a slide mechanism which can be pulled out both forward and backward. There is also provided a connecting conveying passage which connects a bill conveying passage in the upper unit with a bill conveying passage in the lower unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for scheduling deliveries, in real time, to be made within one or more delivery time windows. For each requested delivery, the system dynamically determines whether to offer each time delivery window to the customer requesting the delivery based on whether: (1) it would be possible to complete, within the time window, both the requested delivery and all deliveries that were already scheduled to be made within the time window; and (2) it makes business sense to make the delivery within the particular time window. In determining whether it would make business sense to make the delivery within a particular time window, the system considers the cost of making the delivery, various attributes of the customer requesting the delivery, and the percentage of the delivery capacity associated with the delivery wave that has been reserved for previously scheduled deliveries.