Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods and memory storage devices for generating a report that contains medical counseling information which is specific to a patient. The medical information is dependent upon the diagnostic analysis of a biological sample from the patient. A relational database management system is used that stores a plurality of diagnostic codes and archived textual and graphical information specific for each diagnostic code. By inputting a diagnostic code specific for the results of the diagnostic analysis, a report is compiled from retrieved archived textual and graphical information specific for the entered diagnostic code. The archived information provides counseling and descriptive information useful for the patient.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for proactively monitoring risk exposure. In this invention, risk related information is received at an input knowledge source. A shared database stores the risk related information received at the input knowledge source. A plurality of domain knowledge sources formulates a decision on how the risk related information in the shared database affects a predetermined risk category. An output knowledge source generates a risk related report in response to the decisions formulated by each of the plurality of domain knowledge sources. A risk analytics router routes the risk related information in the input knowledge source to the shared database, the risk related information in the shared database to at least one of the domain knowledge sources, the decisions formulated from the domain knowledge sources to the shared database, and the decisions from the shared database to the output knowledge source.

Abstract: An accounting method is provided wherein advertisement information is provided from an exchange to a terminal accommodated in the exchange and the communication charge to be charged to the terminal is discounted based on an amount of advertisement information received by the terminal.Advertisement information is provided from an advertisement apparatus provided in an exchange to a subscriber terminal, and a discount money amount is determined based on an amount of advertisement information provided. Each time the subscriber telephone set receives advertisement information, a discount money amount for the subscriber telephone set is cumulatively stored into an accounting apparatus, and the amount of money to be charged to the subscriber telephone set is determined based on the discount money amount recorded in the accounting apparatus and the money amount of communication charges imposed based on ordinary communication.

Abstract: A financial management data processing system determines monetary amounts related to a loan. The loan consists of a base loan amount to be used by a borrower, for which a lender charges the borrower an interest amount at a loan interest rate over a loan term. The loan also consists of an investment loan amount to be invested in an investment that earns a return on the investment at a rate of return. Information input means are included for inputting the base loan amount, the investment loan amount, the loan interest rate, the rate of return on the investment, and the loan term.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and system for scheduling product orders for a manufacturing facility. One aspect of the invention is a method for scheduling product orders wherein a pool of product order records and a pool of physical attribute records are maintained. A list of partially completed physical products available at an evaluation point in a manufacturing facility is maintained wherein the list includes a first physical attribute record. A digital computer is then used to compute a grade value for each of a plurality of product order records having a list of order attributes comprising sets of which the list of physical attribute data items associated with the first physical attribute record is a subset. The grade value comprises a weighted sum of a plurality of objective factors where each objective factor comprises a numerical measure of how well a particular objective is being met.

Abstract: A system and method for shopping, using a personal computer operated from a convenient location such as home, for fitted eyeglasses that can include either prescription or non-prescription lenses. A customer visits one of possibly several different customer diagnostic locations where digital images of the customer's head and face are acquired using various known techniques so as to obtain size and image data with respect to the customer. The customer then receives a password and information on how to connect to a computer (remote electronic store) associated with the various customer diagnostic locations. When the customer later connects a personal computer to the remote electronic store using the password issued by the customer diagnostic location, the remote electronic store provides images to the personal computer of how the customer would appear wearing different eyeglasses having frames fitted precisely to the customer's head based on the size and image data acquired at the customer diagnostic location.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating communications between technical support specialists in a call center environment. Under control of a first computer, the system displays on a display device a form for tracking time of a technical support specialist. The system then receives a request to communicate with a second technical support specialist and sends to an internet protocol address of the second computer request to communicate with the first technical support specialist. At the second computer system, the system displays on a second display device a form for tracking time of the second technical support specialist. In response to receiving a request sent by the first computer system, the second system displays on the second display device a window informing the second technical support specialist that the first technical support specialist has requested to communicate.

Abstract: A system for use in mapping items such as financial transactions. Each transactions has line entries with each line entry relating to a particular object, such as an account. Each line entry has an entry in a first field or in a second field such as money entries in debit and credit fields. The system provides a graphical, visual representation linking objects (accounts) and illustrating (cash) flow between the objects (accounts). An item (transaction) memory stores entries relating to the items (transactions). A first object (account) memory stores entries relating to a first object (account). A second object (account) memory stores entries relating to a second object (account). An interface, keyboard or scanner inputs the line entries of the items (transactions) into the appropriate object (account) memory. A search engine searches the memories and locates the line entries which relate to each of the objects, such as entries which contribute money to or distribute money from an account.

Abstract: Methods and credit or debit card systems are disclosed that allow the available credit to be determined by someone other than the card issuer and that allow a limit to be set on the number of expenditures that can be made. The methods and systems can be used to provide a mechanism for supervising credit or debit card usage. Methods and systems are disclosed which include a child's credit card account linked to a parent's credit or debit card account. The parent may change the child's available credit without changing the total combined available credit for the child's and the parent's accounts. In addition, an expenditure counter figure associated with the child's account is disclosed which can be used by the parent to enable the child to make an unlimited number of purchases, a limited number of purchases, or no purchases. The parent may make a single payment for both the child's and the parent's credit card accounts.

Abstract: An operation management system for managing the operation of a managed software product. When a management target function is executed, reference is made to a battery value and, if the value is zero or greater, the function is allowed to be executed. The battery value is decremented as the function is executed. A charge value is supplied on a charge disk, such as a floppy disk, to allow the user to increase the battery value and to extend the usage period of the managed software product. The charge value may be supplied over a communication line.

Abstract: A decision making system is described whereby a method of performing a detailed level evaluation of one or more products or articles based on a decision makers response to one or more questions relating to the decision makers requirements is described. The method includes the decision maker responding to the question relating to the decision makers functional requirement or requirements taking into account a predefined result type. The response is compared with a product result where the product result reflects a particular functional capability of the article or product in relation to the particular question. This produces an evaluation ratio or series of evaluation ratios which are statistically analyzed to determine how well the product or article meets the decision makers requirements.

Abstract: A method, computer program product and system, for performing computer-based on-line commerce in which a client computer issues a commercial request and a plurality of server computers is available to service said request, said method, performed by an intelligent agent, comprising steps of: receiving said request from said client computer; reviewing content-related information and business policies of each server computer of said plurality of server computers; and making decisions as to which server should serve the request based on said content-related information and said business policies.

Abstract: A means and method for use at a date matching event to determine, in a discreet manner, the date preferences of a plurality of participants. The method includes gathering the plurality of participants at the date matching event, and assigning a unique identification code to each participant. The identification code is worn or otherwise displayed in plain sight, being readily observable by a plurality of the other participants. Each applicant may next, if time permits, be provided a temporal period to introduce themselves to the other participants, which is followed by a temporal interval for applicants to interact. After an interval for interaction, the date preferences of each participant are discreetly collected and analyzed to determine all occurring mutual matches. The mutual match results are then delivered to the participants, wherein matched participants may then meet to discuss the arrangements for their date.

Abstract: The invention is a Medical Lookup Reference computer system for accessing medical information over a network. The system partitions the functioning of the system between a client and server program in an optimal manner to assure synchronization of the master medical information databases on the servers with the local medical information database on the client, minimize the use of network resources, and allow new types of medical information to be easily included in the system. A server site on the network maintains a description of its medical information, as well as the most current and up-to-date medical reference information. The client program maintains a local database which is automatically synchronized over the network with revisions and new medical information, and provides a user with an interface to fully review the information in the database.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for designing and administering self-funded survivor benefit plans is disclosed. The system includes a specific purpose computer programmed with several computer software modules that enable the system to carry out the method disclosed. The system also includes at least one investment vehicle, such as a trust fund, that holds the employer/employee contributions to the plan, manages the investments of the plan and may also purchase and manage insurance contracts on certain high-risk and other employees to limit the liability and tax exposure of the plan. The computer software modules include a data import module for importing employer/employee data into a database that is also part of the system, a benefit plan design and costing module for modeling and optimizing the survivor benefit plan, an enrollment and administration module to manage the ongoing operation of the plan, and several other ancillary modules.

Abstract: A financial information intermediary system which extracts the most suitable product information from a wide variety of financial product information supplied by many financial institutions in the market, so that consumers (or clients) can easily reach the desired financial products. To provide information intermediary services, a financial delivery computer is placed between the clients and a plurality of financial institutions. The financial delivery computer comprises a service selection/execution unit, financial institution data files, and client data files. The financial institution data files are used to store information on various financial products collected from the financial institutions. The client data files store each client's preference information.

Abstract: In an online shopping system having a shopping basket function capable of conducting an order process in onetime by storing items to be purchased in a purchase list, an interface for the shopping basket function is provided as a shopping basket window separate from a catalog window for displaying item data of the online shopping. The shopping basket window is placed near a pointer displayed on the catalog window and a display position thereof is moved in linkage with the movement of the pointer. The shopping basket function includes a list of items to be purchased which is a main body of the shopping basket, a function to add item data to the list, and a function to change the item information registered in the list. Preferably, the shopping basket main body is not constantly displayed. Instead, an interface function to recall the content display of the shopping basket is provided in the shopping basket window.

Abstract: A software product, computer implemented method, and system provide an integrated user interface having three simultaneously displayed items of information, including a list of transaction instructions, a list of uncleared transactions, and a list of cleared transactions. The simultaneous display, and interaction between the lists, provides for integration of various tasks separately associated with personal finance software products and with online banking products. Two account balances are also simultaneously displayed, a balance for cleared transactions, and a separate balance based on both cleared and uncleared transactions. The two balances provide the user with a complete view of the status of their account and available funds. The software product and system supports online bill payment, electronic funds transfer, and checkbook transactions, without requiring navigation through multiple, separate user interfaces for different modules of the product.

Abstract: A value added tax card to be used in expediting refund of value added tax on purchases. The method of refunding includes establishing computerized personal accounts and associated value added tax cards. Each personal account and value added tax card has associated therewith the purchaser's name, address, country of residence and passport number. A photograph of the purchaser appears on the value added tax card. The card is presented at the time of purchase to the seller who then sends the credit to the computerized personal account equal to the charged value added tax.

Abstract: A computer program and a programmed apparatus (10) for automatically handling and resolving user complaints against subjects is disclosed. The program includes a routine for directing the apparatus to receive a complaint from a complainant against a subject, a routine for directing the apparatus to receive from the subject a response to the complaint, a routine to direct the apparatus to store the complaint and response in a data record, and a routine for negotiating a settlement of the complaint.