Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method of electronically executing transactions with a preprogrammed main computer having data and image storage and retrieval equipment. A plurality of electronic images of works of art which are for sale are created by at least one listing dealer and stored on the storage equipment associated with the main computer. Data is input about each stored image and input data is associated with each corresponding stored image. Search criteria are input through intelligent terminals for selecting at least one of the stored electronic images for review. Selected images and corresponding data are communicated to the intelligent terminals and at least a portion of the selected electronic images are displayed. A reservation on at least one of the displayed electronic images can be made to prevent the completion of a sale transaction involving the artwork corresponding to the selected reserved electronic image.

Abstract: An electronic cash register with a learning function for registering items of articles on sale in a chit file and performing a transaction settlement processing by computing a total amount of registered items on the basis of data stored in the chit file. As structural constituent factors of the chit file, there are set in the electronic cash register a maximum customer number per chit, a maximum number of items for registration per chit and a maximum number of chit files capable of being disposed by the cash register through manipulation of corresponding keys. The cash register includes a unit for generating chit file suited for configuration of a shop where the cash register is used, and a unit for setting control information for issuing the chit file, provisional closing of the file, recalling thereof, issuance of a bill.

Abstract: A work flow system is disclosed in which, when a manager server unit of a work flow system divides a work effort into a plurality of tasks and execute the tasks, the manager server unit allocates tasks to client units of task execution persons fitted for the tasks. The work flow system includes a personal data file that stores personal data of each task execution person and an ability to perform each executable task, and a function for allocating tasks to client units of task execution persons. The function for allocating tasks to client units of task execution persons. The function for allocating tasks to client units of task execution persons allocates tasks based on the personal data file. The personal data file is renewed based on results of completed tasks.

Abstract: A system and method is described for creating a predictable flow of funds from an otherwise unpredictable source. An investment and receiving vehicle is established where participants pool their ownership of insurance policies so as to share in the proceeds from those policies.

Abstract: A method is described of providing dealer authorization information to a remote processing system. A local processing system receives information from a manufacturer for updating a database of authorized dealers. The local processing system then receives a validation request from the remote processing system via a network. In response to receiving the validation request, the local processing system queries the database and transmits information to the remote processing system, including an indication of whether a particular dealer is an authorized dealer for one or more manufacturers. The validation request is generated in response to the remote processing system's having identified a predetermined HTML tag in a dealer World Wide Web page. Capability to recognize the tag and transmit a validation request in response thereto is provided by a Web browser plug-in downloaded to the remote processing system. The local processing system may also include a number of order processing units for electronic commerce.

Abstract: A debit card system for implementing an incentive award program for a customer having participants. A plurality of debit cards, each assigned to one participant and having a unique account number corresponding to an award account of the participant is part of the system. A bank filter processor accesses program data including data identifying the authorized unique account numbers of the participants, data identifying the authorized merchants and data indicating the balance in each participant's award account. The filter processor compares this program data to the following transaction data: the initiating account number of the card as initiating the transaction, the merchant identification data of the initiating merchant, and the data regarding the amount of the initiated transaction.

Abstract: A decision support system for the management of an agile supply chain that provides an architecture including a server side and a client side. The server side includes a decision support system database that interfaces with a model engine that performs analysis of the data to support planning decisions. The server side includes a server manager that coordinates requests for service and information. The client side includes decision frames that present the various view points available in the system to the users. A frame manager coordinates the requests from decision support frames to access the needed data and models. The decision support frames provide a view into the supply chain and integrate analytical models responsive to the view point of a business process such as demand management. The frames include a supply management frame, a demand management frame, a vendor managed replenishment frame, a Planning, Sales and Inventory planning frame, and a distribution network design frame.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a computer-implemented financial management system that permits the trading of securities via a network. A server computer receives buy and sell orders for derivative financial instruments from a plurality of client computers. The server computer matches the buy orders to the sell orders and then generates a market price through the use of a virtual specialist program executed by the server computer. The virtual specialist program responds to an imbalance in the matching of the buy and sell orders.

Abstract: A system, method and device for selectively tracking expenditures against a total monetary amount. The device includes a support having a plurality of response areas for presenting information for selection, and printing indicative of one or more discrete monetary amounts, each amount a small fraction of the total monetary amount as a discrete budget unit. The printing is fixed to the support within each response area. The plurality of response areas and the printing are arranged on the support in a distributed fashion such that the aggregate of the representations of the discrete monetary amounts equals the total monetary amount. The arrangement of the printing and response areas provides a visual representation of the total monetary amount as a distribution of discrete monetary amounts. Expenditure amounts are tracked by canceling, for each expenditure amount, a corresponding amount of the discrete printed representations to approximate the expenditure amount.

Abstract: A game system which is operable to update advertisements that are displayed when a game program is executed. The system stores a game program in a memory, receives (i.e., downloads), at predetermined times of operation, for example, on each new day the game program is executed or each time the game program is executed, updated advertising data that relates to at least one advertisement, stores the received advertising data in the memory, executes the game program stored in the memory, and outputs during the execution of the game program display data which corresponds to the stored advertisement data in accordance with the game program code. Further, instead of downloading new advertisements, plural advertisements may be prestored with the game program and only advertisement selection codes are downloaded to update the advertisements that are displayed when the game program is executed.

Abstract: An order processing method for implementation in a distributed computer system is described. An order create request is received from a user at a local station, validated locally and routed to a remote station for authorization. Connection between local and remote stations may be of any type. Progress of an order is tracked by a configuration matrix, and communication is tracked and controlled by a router slip appended to an order message and which is in turn governed by the matrix. The matrix allows selection of a current control register which governs applicability of validation routines to data entities of the request or order. Paper handling is reduced or eliminated and sufficient control for decentralised purchasing is achieved.

Abstract: A method of assigning electronic price labels (EPLs) to groups of price look-up file items which is based upon the price change frequencies of the items in the groups. The items are divided into a plurality of groups. Price change frequencies for items within each group are determined. A minimum price change frequency for each group is determined. In a first embodiment, EPLs are assigned to items in any one of the groups only if a predetermined number of the price change frequencies in the one group exceed a predetermined minimum price change frequency for the one group.

Abstract: A communication system (100) includes a shared communication medium, such as a communication channel or a base station, for providing messages and transmission devices (110) for transmitting the messages over the shared communication medium during sharing periods defined by a sharing pattern (114). A trading center (105) coupled to the transmission devices (110) modifies the sharing pattern (114) in response to traffic handled by the transmission devices (110).

Abstract: Given a use-oriented billing of interactive video services, the method enables the guaranteeing of the anonymity of the service user in relation to the service operator. For this purpose, an authorization server is used that knows the identity of the customer but has no information concerning the consumption behavior in the video service.

Abstract: An automated system (30) is provided for managing work in a computing application. The system (30) includes an interface (32, 38) which can receive inventory information (11) for the computing application. The interface (32, 38) also may receive a work order configuration. A memory (36), which is coupled to the interface (32, 38), stores the inventory information (11). A processor (40) is coupled to the memory (36) and the interface (32, 38). The processor (40) automatically generates a work order (28) in response to the work order configuration, such work order (28) specifying at least a portion of the inventory information (11). The processor (40) tracks the work order (28) as actions are taken pursuant to the work order (28), thereby managing work in the computing application.

Abstract: The present invention is a computer-implemented system and method to create an optimal investment plan given wealth goals stated in probabilistic form, and to display the resulting probability distributions of wealth accumulations at future times where the method provides inputs for entering and storing in a computer target and fallback scenarios and required probabilities, computes rate of return values responsive to the user input, generates an efficient portfolio array, computes probabilities for the efficient portfolio array related to the rate of return values, iteratively compares the array probabilities so that the target and fallback scenario probabilities are satisfied and an optimum efficient portfolio is selected and then provides a graphical representation of the selected efficient portfolio.