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 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: A baggage ATM is provided at curbside at an airline terminal to allow passengers to check bags without the assistance of a baggage agent. The baggage ATM reads an identification card provided by the passenger to verify the passenger's reservation by accessing a passenger record in central storage, verifies the passenger identity by comparing graphic data obtained by fingerprint or retina scan with similar graphic data stored in the passenger record, and issues baggage tags bearing identifying data to the passenger for each bag to be checked. The identifying data on the baggage tags is stored in the passenger record. At the destination terminal, an exit gate is provided with a card reader which reads the passenger identification card to access the passenger record and a scanner that reads the identifying data on the baggage tags. If the identifying data read from a tag does not match the identifying data stored in the passenger record, the passenger is not allowed to leave with that bag.

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 data processing system and method are provided for allocating all charged transactions, accrued interest attributable to each charged transaction, and payments made by respective credit cardholders, to sub-accounts specifically designated by the cardholder. In particular, at the point of purchase, the cardholder specifies one or more designated sub-accounts to which the charge is to be allocated. The data processing system allocates to each designated sub-account all charges specified, as well as all interest charges that accrue as to each designated sub-account to which the interest charges are attributable. As each periodic payment is made by the cardholder, the cardholder has the capability of specifying the designated sub-account or portion thereof which is being paid. The data processing system allocates each payment to the designated sub-account(s) specified by the cardholder and calculates interest charges allocable to each designated sub-account as adjusted by each payment by the cardholder.

Abstract: A wireless communication product fulfillment system is disclosed. This system includes a computerized management technique for maintaining inventory data, ordering data, assembly data, and shipping data regarding wireless communication product kits of different configurations. These kits may correspond to orders from agents of different wireless communication service providers. The kit configurations may each specify a different brand of wireless communication device, such as a wireless telephone or pager. The fulfillment system further facilitates efficient operation by direct electronic data interfacing with multiple ordering agents and wireless communication service carriers.

Abstract: A method and system that enables service providers to receive an order from a mobile customer, receive customer location information from a location determination system, and schedule the completion of the customer's order to coincide with the customer's arrival at a local facility able to satisfy the customer's order. In one embodiment, the mobile customer is associated with a tracking device connected to a mobile location determination system that determines the customer's location, which is then given to the service provider. The service provider uses the customer's location to determine a local facility that can satisfy the customer's order. The service provider transmits the order to the local facility and schedules the fulfillment of the order to coincide with the customer's arrival at the local facility. To further expedite the order, customers may pay electronically for the service in advance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for credit card purchase authorization includes using a credit card validation unit to transmit to a credit card company computer a purchase amount, a credit card number and a purchase token comprising both the purchase amount and credit card number which are encrypted using the user's personal identification code as a key. The transmission can be made by a wireless communications device, such as a cellular telephone or PCS communications device. The credit card company computer creates a test token by encrypting the received credit card number and purchase amount using a stored user's personal identification code number as a key. The test token is then compared to the purchase token. If the test token corresponds to the purchase token, the purchase is considered to be authorized.

Abstract: A method of verifying electronic payments generated using a key unknown to the verifier. In anticipation of accepting electronic payments, a seller requests and receives from a bank a conversation key and a first set of electronic verifiers for a first set of electronic payments from a customer. Each verifier allows authentication of an associated electronic payment without revealing the private key used by the customer to generate the electronic payments. Prior to initiating a transaction or series of transactions, the customer requests payment information from the seller for use, along with the master key, in generating electronic payments Afterward, when the customer pays with an electronic payment, the seller authenticates the electronic payment using one of the verifiers. The seller responds to the buyer's request if the electronic payment is authenticated.

Abstract: A computer system comprising a control program stored in a memory recommends an intravenous device for infusion therapy based on input entered by a user. The control program includes an execution program for interacting with the user to elicit responses and to provide output to the user. The user inputs parameters to the prompts of the execution program to provide the control program with information regarding the infusion and the patient. The control program further includes a logic engine which applies rules to user entered parameters to determine additional infusion characteristics and to thereby weigh various intravenous devices. Based on the assigned weights, the logic engine returns with a recommended intravenous device which is then displayed by the execution program to the user.

Abstract: Disclosed is a health-care information management system that utilizes modular and reusable software objects to allow for user configuration. The disclosed information management system allows for the creation by the user software objects representative of specific events and resources which will occur or be utilized during the provision of health-care to patients. These user configured software modules then allow the user to track the provision of health-care, the utilization of resources during the provision of health-care, the allocation of resources to perform medical procedures and identify opportunities for enhancing efficiencies in the provision of health-care services. In on embodiment of the invention described, the system allows for the user to create, manage and maintain software modules representing specific clinical pathways to be performed in a health-care institution.

Abstract: A computer program stored in a storage medium and a computer-implemented method for scheduling appointments for an office or business includes program code for displaying screen displays on a computer monitor, including a day view screen display (18) with a plurality of thermometer-style schedules (43) having a vertical bar graph (44) opposite a daily appointment file (45) having multiple rows for entering appointment data. A horizontal scroll bar (48) allows the schedules to be displayed over a distance that is wider than a display area on the screen. The vertical bar graph (44) includes color-coded bars (47) to signify the status of appointments as: i) prior to check-in, ii) after check-in and iii) canceled appointments. In a "day view" schedules are arranged by selecting a group from a group list (24). The appointments can be predetermined as to type and duration, and a scheduler can refer to a list (63) of such pre-configured appointments (65) in scheduling patients.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of underwriting profitability analysis delivers the analytic process to a wide cross section of insurance decision makers. The underwriting profitability analysis system leverages an existing investment in databases and improves underwriting business processes. Data mining techniques are applied to historical policy and claims to extract rules that describe policy holders with homogeneous claim frequency and severity characteristics. These rule sets are used to classify policy holders into distinct risk groups, each with its own set of characteristics, including pure premium. Breaking up a book of business into segments allows identification of sub-populations of policy holders that distinctly deviate from the expected normal pure premium. This identification allow the insurance business analysts to interactively adjust eligibility criteria and examine altered characteristics of the covered segments until satisfactory.

Abstract: A computer system for scheduling events between end users of the system. Each end user is granted a unique password protected personal calendar. This calendar is generated from information stored in a database at a central server, and delivered to each end user as standard HTML sent through the Internet. This custom personal calendar is then viewed by the end user in a standard Web Browser. This obviates the need for special software programs to be purchased by end users, and also allows end users of any CPU type to read their calendars. When an end user uses the system to send an Invitation or Announcement to others on the system, the sending end user has the option of sending Email in addition to posting that information in the calendars' of others. When an end user sends an Invitation or Announcement to a person who is not an Appointnet user, then the Appointnet system automatically creates a unique calendar for the recipient, and sends and Email to that person.