Abstract: The system of this invention manages customer orders using vendor supplied software systems interfaced on a real time basis to touch the data in each system on a real time basis. In effect, there is horizontal communication between the various components of the system such as inventory, purchasing, order management and receipt, logistics and inventory to have continual data flow without using a vertical software interface. As a result, customer orders are received on a real-time basis using screens that are user friendly to promptly take orders, and to verify customer data and verify the ability to meet those orders. Transmission of documents within the system is minimized thereby making it more efficient, timely and cost efficient.

Abstract: The invention also includes methods of issuing an account authorization to a UET card, a method of transferring transactional and account information between a UET card and a personal computer or a mainframe computer, a method of using the UET card as a remote terminal for a mainframe computer, and a method of conducting an electronic transaction.

Abstract: A method and system for managing sales data. One embodiment is a software application that assists in classification, review and approval of data to be stored in a database for the use of a product supplier or seller. In one embodiment, a method includes storing a plurality of data components as groups of data components in a database, wherein the plurality of data components comprises information relating to products, and information relating to customers. The method further includes assigning a subset of the plurality of users to a content review group (“CRG”), and notifying each user in the CRG to provide input regarding individual data components of a group of data components. Input may include indicating whether data components are accurate, entering comments regarding the data components, entering edits to the data components. The method further includes receiving and storing the input, notifying a content director (“CD”) to review the input.

Abstract: A shared vehicle system includes a central facility, at least one vehicle distribution port facility and a plurality or fleet of vehicles, each having a vehicle subsystem. In general, the central station and port facility and the vehicle subsystems communicate in a manner to allow a user to enter information at a port facility. That information is then communicated to the central facility, where the information is processed to select a vehicle from the fleet to allocate to the user at the port facility. Selection of a vehicle for allocation to a user may be based on selecting an available or soon to be available vehicle according to various algorithms that take into account the vehicles state of charge.

Abstract: A bill editor, generator, messaging and insert system and method comprises a portion of a bill production processor designed to create monthly billing statements which are sent to customers and which detail charges incurred over the course of a billing cycle. The bill editor and generator allows billing personnel to design a bill using static text, dynamic text and paragraph areas. Once the report/bill is defined, the report definition is stored in temporary memory for later use. The report definition file defines how the report is to appear and where the data used in the report is stored. The report generator, when subsequently run, uses the predefined report definition to retrieve data from the database and generates the report as defined by the report definition file. The bill messaging and insert system determines, based on assigned priority, criteria and weight and space limitations, the messages and notices to be included in a customer billing statement.

Abstract: A personal computer banking system and method in which a personal computer is connected by a network service provider directly to a host computer system of a bank such that customer service requests can be processed automatically without need for intervention by customer service representatives. The system is capable of distinguishing between those customer service requests which are capable of automated fulfillment and those requests which require handling by a customer service representative. The system is integrated with the host computer system of the bank so that the remote banking customer can access other automated services of the bank.

Abstract: An electronic intermediary electronically connects with a tax data provider and collects electronically tax data from the tax data provider. The electronic intermediary processes the tax data collected electronically, and prepares an electronic tax return using the processed tax data.

Abstract: System and method for preparing, using, and displaying a state model of a process, as an industrial or business process, as a sequence of discrete steps. The state model defines the behavior of the logical objects making up a process model of the process as (1) a set of permitted states and (2) a set of permitted transitions between the permitted states. The state model is created by selecting a template for the state model, and selecting industrial or business object components for the state model (for example, by using “OOP” methods or other programming paradigms). The user then selects or defines state transitions for the state model, for example, by defining permitted state transitions from a “from state” to a “to state”. The defined or selected state transition rules are identified to State Transition Rule names.

Abstract: A system for generating a schedule by generating assignments for the tasks of a project and sequentially scheduling the individual assignments to available resources. First, input information is received which includes a resource calendar and a task list. A resource calendar identifies the resources available to work on a project and any constraints that are associated with the resources. A task list identifies the tasks that must be performed and any constraints that are associated with the tasks. At a minimum, the constraints associated with the tasks must identify each of the resources assigned to the task, and the work-amount that each resource must perform. Next, assignments are generated for each of the tasks. Each of the assignments identifies a specific resource and the work-amount required by the specific resource. Finally, each of the assignments are scheduled in accordance with the provided resource constraints identified in the resource calendar.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provides one or more controlled, dynamically loaded, modular, cryptographic fillers. Fillers may be loaded by a single loader, multiple independent loaders, or nested loaders. Loaders may be adapted to load other loaders, within cryptographic controls extant and applicable thereto. Integration into a base executable having one or more slots, minimizes, controls, and links the interface between the fillers and base executables. The filler may itself operate recursively to load another filler in nested operations, whether or not the fillers are in nested relation to one another. An ability of any filler to be loaded may be controlled by the base executable verifying the integrity, authorization, or both for any filler. The base executable may rely on an integrated loader to control loading and linking of fillers and submodules. A policy may limit each module's function, access, and potential for modification or substitution.

Abstract: A central controller receives an offer signal including at least one condition signal. The offer signal defines an offer having at least one condition from a customer. The central controller also receives a payment identifier signal for specifying an account from which funds may be paid. An informational signal relevant to the offer is received from a third party. The central controller transmits the offer signal and the informational signal to at least one seller. In response, an acceptance signal is received from at least one of the sellers. The central controller selects one acceptance signal, if more than one is received, and the corresponding lender is identified. The borrower is thereby bound to the identified lender under the terms and conditions of the offer. Use of the payment identifier signal is initiated if it is determined that the borrower has failed to abide by terms of the offer.

Abstract: Program production supporting component, transmission equipment controlling component, material creation managing component, and storing component are interconnected through a network, and managing component and exterior supporting component are connected to the network, thereby making it possible to realize a program production and transmission apparatus capable of efficiently execution creation of program component information with production information produced based on production schedule information, creation of a program progress table formed based on the program component information, and processing for editing and transmission based on the program progress table at timing as required.

Abstract: A secure funds device for use with a computer system, such as a personal computer, for transferring funds, in response to a funds transfer request for amounts of funds from the computer system, to a funds receiver. One or more electronic cash devices store electronic funds and transfer funds in response to funds transfer request when authorized by an authorization signal. A processor is used for connecting the funds transfer request from the computer system to the electronic cash device and for transferring electronic funds from the electronic cash device to the computer system when the authorization signal is present. User control means, including for example a pushbutton switch and an LCD display, that is not accessible by the computer system is used for providing the authorization signal. The secure funds device has a secure interface that prevents the computer system from generating the authorization signal.

Abstract: A computer implemented system for inter-domain analysis is disclosed. The system includes a domain engine (234), associated with a first supply chain entity, having a local model representing a supply chain activity of the first supply chain entity. The domain engine (234) operable to generate a model agent (240) that represents a partial replica of the local model. The system also includes another domain engine (236), associated with a second supply chain entity, having a local model representing a supply chain activity of the second supply chain entity. The other domain engine is operable to generate a model agent representing a partial replica of the local model. The domain engines (234 and 236) further operate to expand the respective local models using the remote model agents (240) to accomplish local inter-domain analysis. In one embodiment, the model agents (240) can be data model agents, object model agents and behavior model agents.

Abstract: The present invention introduces an apparatus and process which may be implemented on a vast variety of computer systems. The apparatus and process of the present invention use a computer system to receive and store data representative of a particular asset, a type of option (call or put), requested exercise price and a multitude of other variables related to the asset. The apparatus and process then generate data representative of an option premium. The data representative of the option may then be used for transacting an option, as the basis for determining a correlated expiring option premium, or to determine the premium of an asset relatable to a corresponding option.

Abstract: An electronic intermediary electronically connects with a tax data provider and collects electronically tax data from the tax data provider. The electronic intermediary processes the tax data collected electronically, and prepares an electronic tax return using the processed tax data. The electronic intermediary connects electronically with a taxing authority, files the electronic tax return with the taxing authority, and arranges electronically for the payment or receipt of any tax liability or refund, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vacation and holiday scheduling system. The system includes a variety of objects to assist a business in controlling and managing the scheduling of vacations by their employees and for assisting the employees in bidding on vacation days and holidays based upon employee seniority.

Abstract: The computer apparatus and methods of the preferred embodiment uses computer technology in a unique way to motivate children to devote more time to educational and cultural enrichment. In the preferred embodiment, educational material is provided at a child's local computer under control of a central computer system connected to it over a computer network. On completing a particular educational task, the child is rewarded with a certain number of points. Points that the child accumulates are stored centrally, and at least some of the points can be redeemed towards the purchase of goods and services offered through the system of the preferred embodiment by its commercial participants. The purchasing transactions are also administered by the central computer. Parents, preferably, use the system to support their children's purchasing activity financially and to select content available for presentation to the child.

Abstract: A system for facilitating exchange of user information and opinion using automated collaborative filtering includes memory elements for storing item profiles and user profiles. The data contained in those profiles is used to calculate a number of similarity factors representing how closely the preferences of one user correlate with another. The similarity factors are evaluated to select a set of neighboring users for each user which represents the set of users which most closely correlate with a particular user. The system assigns a weight to each one of the neighboring users. The system uses the ratings given to items by those neighboring users to recommend an item to a user. The system may be distributed, i.e. the system may include a number of nodes connected to a central server. The central server includes a memory element for storing user profile data and the nodes may be the type of system described above.

Abstract: A system including a set of software based Explorers, and a computer assisted methodology support the development of new medical interventions for diseases. The system includes Explorer modules for discovering proposed interventions, designing clinical trials, performing pharmacoeconomic analysis, and illustrating disease progression for various patients over time including creating disease progression tutorials for patients. The Explorers support a bottom-up or data driven methodology that enables a user, such as medical researcher, to mine data sources of clinical, biologic, expert or other types of data to discover, test, evaluate, and understand a proposed intervention and its impact on disease progression in different patient types. A Target Discovery Explorer assists the user in identifying leverage points in disease progression in relationship to various patient attributes and interventions, thereby identifying a proposed intervention for the desease.