Abstract: Point-of-sale information distribution and presentation systems which may be controlled centrally, hierarchically or as otherwise desired in order to distribute and display audio and/or visual information selectively. The systems comprise intelligent automated devices at the point-of-sale locations, such as service stations, which may be coupled or connected to a central location by modem, other land line, satellite, or as otherwise desired. Such systems may also measure and report information that relates to actual presentation of the information, exposure of customers to the information and, if desired, customer purchases associated with their exposure to the information. Moreover, these systems may be arranged to alter the distribution or presentation of information according to environmental sensing information at point-of-sale level regionally or nationally. Overrides may be included so that the system may be employed to notify appropriate authorities in the event of an emergency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining at least one of a character and a destination therefor in accordance with a received signal representing at least one of a plurality of characters and at least one character corresponding to at least one of a plurality of languages. Likelihood values for at least one of plurality of characters and each of the languages are evaluated, and at least one of the plurality of characters and one of the character languages are selected in accordance with the evaluated likelihood values thereof.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for funding future losses incurred by an insurance carrier on active workers' compensation insurance claims. The system uses statistical models to predict future costs and durations of an insurance carrier's claims. The statistical models are generated by applying statistical analysis techniques to representative historical insurance claim data with the aid of a professional statistician. Forecasting accuracy is improved by generating several models wherein each model represents a predefined type of insurance claim. Each model is applied to the carrier's active claims of the corresponding type to obtain cost and duration predictions for those claims. A total cost prediction for a claim is proportioned among various cost categories to more accurately reflect actual and predicted claim costs. For each claim, a reserve amount is calculated which is the predicted cost minus the amount of money paid to date on the claim.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for tracking information associated with a plurality of test cards. Each of the test cards is anonymously associated with a patient such that the patient's identity is unknown to a central monitoring system. A first set of unique personal identification numbers (PINs) is stored in a PIN database in the central monitoring system, and a first digital signal representing PINs from the first set of unique PINs is provided to a test kit assembler. A second digital signal, representing test kits actually assembled, is received from the test kit assembler in the central monitoring system. Each of the test kits actually assembled includes a test card having one of the unique PINs from the first set of unique PINs associated therewith. The first set of unique PINs is tracked by updating the PIN database in response to the second digital signal.

Abstract: A quality monitoring system can detect certain system faults and fraud attempts in a distributed voting system. The system uses decoy voters to cast predetermined check ballots. Absent check ballots can indicate system faults. Altered check ballots can indicate attempts at counterfeiting votes. The system can also cast check ballots at predetermined times to provide another check on the distributed voting system.

Abstract: The entry and editing of position-sensitive data such as character strings is accomplished via a two-phase system. In the first or "definition" phase, position-sensitive data, which may be or include words or phrases, is identified. In addition, positional rules for formatting and/or substituting the data (such as text for each word or phrase) are either defined or selected from a pre-existing list. In the second or "edit/update" phase, the document being edited or updated is scanned to locate such position-sensitive data, which may include the words/phrases. The positional relationship between respective words/phrases or other data in a particular group is utilized to determine which rules to apply when modifying the document, in order to automatically reformat or substitute new data such as a new character string.

Abstract: A method and apparatus utilizes either a targetless approach or a target oriented approach to determine "attractors" in data fields of a physical property or set of physical properties of an object. A processing system implements the method which begins by first inputting a data field of a physical property or data fields of a set of physical properties of the object. Second, the processing system arranges the data of the data field or the data of each data field into a matrix. Third, the processing system transforms the data within the matrix or matrices to develop transformation matrices. Fourth, the processing system develops a base dichotomy matrix from each transformation matrix. Fifth, the processing system develops a full description set of matrices from the base dichotomy matrices.

Abstract: The part arrangement optimizing method of the present invention is a part arranging method capable of obtaining part arrangements having smaller evaluation function values rapidly, and the method improves block arrangements so that evaluation function values such as total route lengths become small as much as possible by replacing plural blocks or block sets to determine the arrangements of parts on the basis of the arrangements of the blocks. Furthermore, as aforementioned improving method of the blocks, such a method as assigns expected positional coordinate to each part and arranges a block to a block arranging position near to the expected positional coordinate while renewing the expected positional coordinate so as to be located at the position where the evaluation function value becomes smaller.

Abstract: A mechanism and process for effecting the expedited deposit, settlement and submission into the payment system for collection of funds represented by tangible financial instruments that are received by a payee at a location remote from the payee's collecting and clearing bank in which the instruments are sorted at a first location where indorsements on behalf of the payee and the collecting and clearing bank are applied, cash letters are prepared according to predetermined criteria, the sorted instruments and the cash letters are delivered into the check payment system and the checks' deposit with the collecting and clearing bank is coordinated with the timing of a settlement of accounts in the check payment system.

Abstract: A network and methodology provides transmission of documents with accompanying translation loss information. The originator of a document translates the document from a native language into a second language capable of reception by a recipient. Loss information is generated and presented to the originator who inputs loss criteria information restricting and/or enforcing specified translations of the document by the recipient. The loss criteria information may be attached to the original document in the native language of the originator and transmitted to the recipient. The document is translated into the second language recognizable by the user based on the loss criteria information attached to the document.

Abstract: A customizable data gathering method utilizes a transportable computing device to store a user-defined menu and data table structure with pointers to define a hierarchical tree model. Once defined the tree model serves as a data template that guides a field inspector in collecting data. The template is created by a user without having to program the computing device.

Abstract: An audit system for recording the activation of coin-operated electronic equipment and the amounts of money collected employing a real-time clock to time stamp information recorded in non-volatile or battery powered memory, such as total collections, number of games played, etc. The system also allows selective pricing based on a time of day schedule.