Abstract: A portfolio selector for selecting an investment portfolio from a library of assets based on investment risk and risk-adjusted return is provided. The selector chooses a tentative portfolio from the library and determines a risk-adjusted return for the portfolio. The risk-adjusted return is computed by subtracting the average of multiple segment shortfalls from the average of multiple segment performances, over the same segments, based on analysis of market value data for the assets in the portfolio and for a baseline asset. The asset selection and computation is repeated until the risk-adjusted return of the portfolio satisfies criteria derived from preference data specific to an investor. A data storage medium encoded with instructions for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of simulating future cash flow for a given asset allocation under a variety of economic conditions, comparing the results of the simulation to a predefined risk tolerance baseline, and preferably adjusting the asset allocation until the results of the simulation reflect a maximum rate of return for a given risk tolerance. The simulation of cash flow generates a plurality of asset cash flow projections for a given asset allocation that are preferably graphically represented with respect to the predefined risk tolerance baseline. The risk tolerance baseline is plan specific and is preferably set to a multiple of a preferred risk factor such as percentage of payroll cost or benefit cost. The occurrence of an asset cash flow projection falling below the risk tolerance baseline defines a risk tolerance failure event.

Abstract: A system is disclosed having a graphical interface for interactively interviewing and educating a customer regarding their credit needs and the available products. The system also inquires, for example, about the customer's opinion regarding the future of interest rates or the importance to the customer of steady monthly payments. Using the information gained and unique selection processes, the system determines which of the available credit products will result in the lowest average monthly payment or lowest average interest rate over the expected holding period of the product. The selection is based on updated interest rate and product information. Once the customer selects a recommended product, the system generates an electronic credit application, requiring only information germane to that customer's transaction. The system also automatically completes as much information as possible on the application.

Abstract: A data processing system analyzes a stock investment limited recourse borrowing contract. The system receives and processes as input data on the date of analysis (1) contract data including the identity and amount of the collateral stock, the amount of the initial loan and the minimum and maximum interest rate percentages payable by the investor under the contract; (2) actual data relating to the stock prior to the analysis date including its market prices per share at selected regular intervals and the dividends per share paid in a selected number of quarters; and (3) estimated data relating to the stock from the analysis date to the end of the contract term including its estimated market price per share at intervals and the estimated dividends per share to be paid.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a customer tracking and recognition program that encompasses customers' gaming and non-gaming activity alike at a plurality of affiliated casino properties. Customer information is accumulated at each affiliated casino through one or more LAN-based management systems, updated to a central patron database (CPDB) that is coupled to each casino LAN through a WAN, and made available to each affiliated casino property as needed. Customer accounts are automatically activated and provided with data from the CPDB when a customer from one casino property first visits an affiliated casino property. Customer accounts are updated with new activity data whenever a management system associated with the casino receives customer data from input devices, such as card readers, workstations, and dumb terminals, located at various venues throughout the casino. Customers are awarded points, based on their tracked activity at all affiliated casino properties.

Abstract: A method of electronic requisition processing includes storing company-specific requisition rules and an electronic catalog on a central computer system located at a first site. The central computer system is linked to a number of companies by means of an external communications line, such as a telephone system-and-modem arrangement. A requester at one of the companies may identify one or more items to be ordered. In response to the requisition, the company with which the requestor is associated is determined, and the appropriate requisition rules for that company are implemented. If more than one item is identified, a requisition folder is formed in software to contain a number of requisitions. Also contained in the requisition folder are any required attachments, with each attachment being designated as being "internal" or "external" and as "confidential" or "non-confidential.

Abstract: A device for monitoring medication of a patient and for prompting the patient into certain medication taking schedule and/or certain programming steps and routines. The device has a plurality of compartments, each of which may store medication, and an electrical signaling system to emit medication alert signals from time-to-time, each of which said signals indicates (a) that medication should be taken, (b) from which compartment the medication should be taken, (c) and the quantity of medication to be taken. If a designated compartment is not opened and closed within a predetermined period of time, the electrical signaling system will display an alarm and the event will be recorded as a missed medication event, unless the patient then opens the designated compartment. If each designated compartment is opened and closed, the take-medication signal and the alarm (if operating) are turned off and the event is recorded for later review.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inputting financial data, modifying, formatting and adding to pre-existing data on the basis of such input and, if desired, engaging in further processing of the data and accessing the data through a computer interface which may be directly accessed by unskilled and semi-skilled personnel. Such personnel may introduce a wide range of parameters for purposes of selecting specific desired data. The system is particularly advantageous in respect of maintaining records of investment transactions and providing ready access to the same. In the preferred approach, for selected categories of information, the user may elect one of three options as to each screen field to obtain rapid, customized information delivery. Also, the system preferably employs parallel processing and database performing tuning techniques. Hierarchical processing is employed in certain embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: In order to obtain an index which generally shows the work burden extent of various works carried out in an automobile assembling factory or the like, for each work content, the maximum muscle contraction ratio is measured after the work has been continued for 5 seconds, the work burden index (L) is calculated from the measured ratio value, and the equivalent work burden in a standard work is calculated from the calculated work burden index (L) for 5 seconds. The work burden index (TVAL) of actual work is calculated from the equivalent work burden and the actual work time. Suitably, a work routine plan is corrected such that the obtained TVAL is normalized with an apparatus comprising means for storing the equivalent work burden for each work content, means for displaying an image of the work content, and means for inputting work content parameter and so forth while watching the displayed image.

Abstract: A Point of Sale (POS) system includes a portable terminal for a customer and an adjustment POS terminal connected to the portable terminal in a retail store. The portable terminal includes an input unit for inputting article codes corresponding to goods selected by a customer and a local price look-up (PLU) file for storing main article codes. A retrieval unit retrieves the article information from the local PLU file in accordance with the article code input through the input unit, and a calculation unit performs calculation processes in accordance with the result of retrieval by the retrieval unit. A display unit then displays the article information and a result of calculation by the calculation unit. A storage unit stores the article information and a result of calculation by the calculation unit. A communication unit sends the article information which is temporarily stored in the storage unit to the adjustment POS terminal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for associating scheduled events with other scheduled events and with electronic documents is provided. A user interacts with user interface controls on a computer display to specify a plurality of scheduled events. The user interface controls allow the user to specify that one or more electronic documents are related to each event, and that one or more other events are related to each event. Data representing the events and the associations between the events and electronic documents is stored on a storage device. User interface controls are provided which allow a user to see a list of the events and/or the documents that are related to a particular event. When a user changes the schedule of an event that has related events, a warning indication is generated to remind the user that the schedules of the related events may also have to be changed.

Abstract: A transaction data recovery system and method which provide backups for the primary price look-up (PLU) data file and the primary electronic price label (EPL) data file. The transaction system includes an electronic price label system and a point-of-service system. Under an EPL system data recovery method, primary and backup EPL data files are provided. The backup EPL data file is loaded by a computer terminal upon a loss of the primary EPL data file. Finally, the backup EPL data file is modified if the backup EPL data file lacks information on at least one of the EPLs within the system. Under a price data recovery method, primary and backup PLU data files are provided. The backup PLU data file is loaded by a computer terminal upon a loss of the primary PLU data file. Price verifier information located within an EPL data file is modified if at least one of the EPLs within the system fails to display the price within the backup PLU data file.

Abstract: A method is provided for predicting a property of a matter of biological origin, such as biological fluid, containing water, in a dynamic condition where the biological fluid may be approximated to contain two compartments where one compartment has a proportionally larger or smaller amount of water than the other compartment having the property of interest. The method involves establishing a training set in the near-infrared (NIR) region with independent quantification of the property of the fluid using known techniques. The training set is mathematically analyzed according to a correlation developed by regression analysis after employment of a pre-processing technique such as a multiple derivative transformation of spectra or a ratioing of two wavelengths in the spectra. The result is a mathematical transformation equation which quantitatively relates spectral intensities at specific wavelengths to the property of interest.

Abstract: A computer operating system Text Services Manager (TSM) operates as an interface between an application and a selection of text services, enabling the user to efficiently select from among a variety of text services without regard to the specific protocol requirements of the application. The TSM architecture consists of an application program which receives user input through the input event manager of the operating system toolbox routine. The TSM receives the user input event and controls the transmission of the event to a component manager for redirection to a specific text services component, based on the instructions of the TSM. The text services component processes the input method and returns the processed input to the TSM, where the TSM directs the generation of an appropriate protocol for return of the processed input event to the application.

Abstract: To obtain a production planning system permitting an allowance of the accuracy of production designation information between preceding and following production plans in order to follow the fluctuation of product demand forecast and received orders, a time frame comprising a series of time buckets from T1 to Tn in which the production quantity and the fluctuation width of type of product become more rough for further portion of a production plan are generated and a product quantity and type of product at a certain planned point of time are allocated to each of the time buckets from T1 to Tn. As a production period comes nearer, the time buckets are finely divided and recombined to successively decide planned production quantity and type of product. In this case, an executable production designation is automatically generated by referring to a condition storing module 3 which stores the conditions for dividing and recombining the quantity and type of product.