Abstract: A lightweight directory access protocol workflow management system. The invention converts a logical process into a reusable Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) directory representation. The directory representation is a hierarchical tree structure where each process element in the process is represented as an LDAP directory entry and is assigned a unique distinguished name and is stored in a Directory Server database or filesystem. The tree structure of the LDAP representation allows the sharing of LDAP trees or subtrees among users. The LDAP trees and subtrees can be remotely located and distributed among different LDAP servers. Another preferred embodiment of the invention provides a graphical user interface for creating a Workflow process definition which is comprised of process elements: activities; actions; and entry/exit points. The user constructs a Workflow process using the process elements, logically interrelating each activity.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a timeshared electronic catalog is disclosed. The system comprises an electronic database having a plurality of data records that comprise a master data set. The system comprises at least a first and second subset of the data records, wherein each subset comprises one or more data records selected from the master data set. The system includes a software program comprising a data record masking module for selectively providing a first view for displaying one of the subsets to a first user. Each of the plurality of data records contains a plurality of data elements, or fields, or attributes. The data record masking module is further for selecting which data elements are provided in the view. The system further includes a means for selectively providing which executable features from a plurality of executable features may be provided with each view.

Abstract: An online buying group (referred to herein as a “co-op”) is formed for the specific purpose of purchasing a particular product at (102) by defining a start time, end time, critical mass, any minimum number of units offered, any maximum number of units offered, starting price and product cost curve. As data is gathered from buyers, by means of their making binding purchase offers, the co-op is modified at (108) using a pricing tool, so as to take into account for this market data in the definition of the price curve. A buyer chooses a product co-op of interest at (114). The buyer is presented with the following essential co-op information: current price, closing time, next price level (as defined by a price curve visibility window and the price curve) sufficient to entice the buyer to make an offer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving patient compliance with prescriptions utilizes computer terminals to convert prescription information into electronic form as records for each patient. Each such patient record includes information about the patient from the prescription and the prescription itself. In addition, demographic information about the patient is obtained from other commercial databases and added to the patient record. Then a regression analysis is run on the patient records using the various data elements versus the compliance of the patient with the prescription to determine the relative importance of each variable in the prediction. The analysis is used to segregate the patients into demographic clusters and to associate champion intervention messages with each cluster. When a patient's prescription is entered in the system thereafter, the model is used to associate the patient with a cluster and to direct the champion message to that patient.

Abstract: A communication system for transmitting accounting instructions has central and decentralized devices. Accounting instructions input by individual users at the decentralized devices are checked for authenticity and retransmitted to the central devices to be processed. According to the invention, the communication system has at least virtually networked devices, means of an independent second communication system (2) with stationary devices (21, 22/1, 22/2) and portable communication transmitters (23) which communicate therewith in an encrypted manner. The stationary devices (21, 22/1, 22/2) of the second communication system (2) may be at least temporarily connected to the central devices (11) of the first communication system (1). Accounting instructions given by individual users with the portable communication transmitters (23) of the second communication system (2) can be previously authenticated in one of the central devices (11) of the first communication system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an architecture that consummates an electronic transaction between a first electronic device, such as an acquirer device, a second electronic device, such as an issuer device, and a plurality of electronic terminals, such as merchant terminals, by establishing a communication between the plurality of devices and terminals and accumulating transactions that are approved by the second electronic device. Then, periodically the plurality of transactions are settled using a transfer of monetary value between the first electronic device and the second electronic device. For example, the present invention uses electronic cash transfer to replace conventional settlement, which requires the use of a third-party settlement service.

Abstract: A computer-implemented two-tiered electronic market system includes a data repository storing information corresponding to an inventory of one or more available items and a first-tier electronic market (e.g., a retail tier) that provides a first participant (e.g., a retail consumer) access to the inventory of one or more items in the data repository. The inventory is offered to the first participant under a first (e.g., retail) pricing scheme. The two-tiered electronic market system also includes a second-tier electronic market (e.g., a wholesale tier) that provides a second participant (e.g., a wholesale dealer), different from the first participant, access to the inventory of one or more items in the data repository. The inventory is offered to the second participant under a second (e.g., wholesale) pricing scheme different from the first pricing scheme.

Abstract: A procedure for tracking transactions carried out between multiple cost centers and an in-house supply facility of a business entity is carried out by setting up the supply facility to function essentially in the same manner as an independent retail merchant through the existing bank card association. Transaction information is then transferred as a batch to a merchant accounting system which transfers the information to the bank card association to the card issuer. The card issuer then provides a funds payment that is transferred through the bank card network to the merchant accounting system and finally to the merchant acquirer. The merchant acquirer, however, then transfers the funds back to the credit card issuer to cancel out the original funds transfer and thereby provide a closed loop funds transfer.

Abstract: A computer implemented process is provided for fast and accurate evaluation of the performance characteristics of the periodic-review (s,S) inventory policy with complete back ordering. This policy has an underlying stochastic process that is a renewal process. The method provides a novel computer implementation of a fast and accurate way to compute approximations of the renewal function. In order to overcome the computational problems in evaluating renewal functions numerically, an approximation scheme has been devised whereby the renewal function of the truncated normal distribution can be characterized by two parameters: (1) its coefficient of variation, and (2) the point at which the function needs to be evaluated. This approximation is derived in two stages. In the first stage, a class of rational polynomial approximations are developed to the renewal function, called Pade approximants.

Abstract: Log information concerning an electronic transaction performed between a transaction device and a business connection server through a network is compared with information concerning a predetermined business connection down-loaded from the server, and the log information is recorded in an IC card accepted by the transaction device when the log information is related to the information concerning a predetermined business connection. Predetermined commodity information is provided to a user in accordance with a request by the user of the IC card when the log information stored in the IC card satisfies a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A contract system automates negotiation and generation of contract documents by managing the work flow in a contract approval process. Multiple users, coupled by a computer network, access a contract database containing multiple contracts with multiple contract components therein. The system manages communications and security between a client system and the contract database. A client applet facilitates user input at the client system and assists in a standardization of legal phrasing and contract negotiation. The client applet enforces business rules to qualify a contract for expedited approval. Generalized templates are employed to enable rapid prototyping and creation of new contracts. A method governs the automated contract negotiation and generation process within a business organization with assistance from a graphical user interface.

Abstract: A client establishes and/or modifies an interactive account on a server via proprietary sorting and filtering and reporting criteria as a means for timely processing of online financial data and/or other business information to retrieve valuations, sorted lists, etc. The method involves establishing a link with a server preset and programmable with client criteria for investment or decision making, acquiring data, sorting, filtering, etc.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for merging product marketing control, and product inventory control, based on funds availability and funds allocation from the finance division. The computer-implemented method generates a segment-level consumer choice model for a plurality of competing brands, and aggregates that to a market-level consumer choice model. For each of a plurality of feasible marketing strategies, a brand-level demand is estimated, based on the consumer choice models. Based on a predetermined cost for each of the feasible marketing strategies, and on estimated revenues and estimated costs resulting from the corresponding estimated demand, a maximum profit yielding feasible strategy is determined.