Abstract: A system for providing accurate, quantifiable and reproducible assessments of an organization's performance based on predetermined criteria. The system includes a telecommunications infrastructure administered by a survey administrator. Employees or non-employees of a company or other organization to be evaluated log on to the system and answer a plurality of questions relating to various aspects of the business entity's operations. The information may be obtained through Internet communications, through touch-tone telephone systems, and in many other ways including the use of personal computers, diskettes and email, or even manually including the use of pencil and paper where penciled-in answers are read by a scanner. The data is stored in a database and subsequently analyzed by the survey administrator for evaluation and forecasting of the business entity's performance.

Abstract: In a sales management apparatus, control programs necessary for operating in different modes are stored in respective mode keys and any desirable control program is loaded by using a corresponding mode key to realize saving in memory capacity of the apparatus. A sales management apparatus having a memory for writing and reading a control program, a mode key having a memory for storing a control program, means for registering a person in charge according to data provided from the mode key and means for transmitting the control program from the mode key, which can switch a control program to another, e.g., registering, setting, checking or exact calculation program by replacing a mode-key by another.

Abstract: A method for conducting “one to one” commercial negotiations through an electronic medium such as the Internet. The negotiation process consists of sending persuasive texts to the user by the system, including discounts given by the system and responses to the price offers of the user. The system offers the product for a specific price, a price that may be optionally decreased as negotiation continues. The system frequently asks how much the user is willing to pay for the product. Based on the user's input, the system may accept the offer or, after one or more unacceptably low inputs from the user, may alternatively end the process of negotiation. Preferably, the system negotiates on many more parameters than simply the price itself. For example, the system may offer the user several presents or benefits in order to secure the sale. Commercial considerations are preferably included during this process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing inventory in a distressed inventory warehouse with the aid of a programmable computer is disclosed. The method and apparatus provides for the complete automation of the inventory management of a distressed inventory warehouse. The method and apparatus also provides for the continual updating of records related to the distressed inventory as it passes through various stages within the distressed inventory warehouse.

Abstract: A system for recovering refundable taxes such as value-added taxes (VAT) uses a transaction card, such as a credit or debit or electronic cash card, to record purchases made by a traveler that are subject to VAT in a foreign country. The traveler loads the transaction card with a software application that is able to record the purchases subject to VAT. The traveler uses the card to make purchases in the foreign country, and the card calculates and accumulates the VAT subject to refund. When leaving the foreign country, the traveler inserts the card into a terminal, the software application reads the VAT subject to refund, and the traveler selects whether to receive the refunded VAT in cash in local currency or in the currency of the country in which the traveler resides (“home currency”), as cash value on the card (if a cash or debit card), as a credit on the card (if a credit card), or by check in local or home currency.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic payment device and its method using an balanced binary tree for calculating a first data Xk of current consumption or a plurality of root values Rq from an initial value Xn of the amount of money that user purchases. The first data Xk is correspondent to a position value j with a respective relation of j=n−k+1. The first data Xk is generated according to the value of the binary code dm−1dm−2 . . . d1d0 of the position value j being a 0 or 1, by formula Xk=hd0(. . . (hdm−2(hdm−1(Xn)))). If the binary code di=0, i=m−1, m−2, . . . , 1, 0, then the first one-way function h0 is used as an operating function. Otherwise, the second one-way function h1 is operated when the binary code di=1. Moreover, a function operating device for an electronic payment using an balanced binary tree is also disclosed. The present invention requires less calculation than that in the prior art, and thus is more effective.

Abstract: Limited partnerships formed for specified public purposes, such as qualified low-income and elderly housing construction and services, are federally tax advantaged. In accordance with the present invention, tax credits and/or passive losses are leveraged by being directed into a method of funding charitable works, for instance school construction projects. A $1 million investment in a qualifying tax credit and/or passive loss plan, with recoupment of the investment after 13 years, will return 8.05% after taxes over 13 years if 50% of the tax credit amounts are donated to a qualified charity or public entity; this results in a net benefit to the donor of $1,759,450 and a total contribution to the charitable entity of $615,000. That contribution can, in accordance with the invention, fund the issuance and retirement of municipal bonds secured principally by the contribution, sufficient for a school construction project of about $500,000.

Abstract: A method for transmitting a data packet to a floor broker in a two-way wireless system comprises the steps of inputting a badge number of the floor broker to whom the data packet is to be transmitted, correlating the badge number with an assigned network address of a handheld device carried by the floor broker, and transmitting the data packet to the assigned network address. In specific embodiments, further steps concerning the nature and content of the transmissions and its protocol can be performed.

Abstract: Method and system to bypass GSM Memorandum of Understandings for cellular/PCS services so that GSM subscribers roaming into CDMA or TDMA networks, and CDMA or TDMA subscribers roaming into GSM networks, can be provided with basic call origination wireless services as long as the roamers can pay the bill with their valid credit card. This is achieved by integrating the proper pieces of wireless and wireline networks and secure communications.

Abstract: An electronic shopping system, providing for customer recognition using wireless identification and visual data transmission to point-of-sale terminals and other terminal types located in a commercial establishment. A customer's visual image is taken as a customer enters the establishment and, that customer's identification number is obtained from a customer identification card, if the customer possesses such a card. The visual image data is bundled with the customer's demographic profile data, transaction history data and the customer's current accrued store loyalty or incentive points into a customer data record. The customer data record is forwarded to point-of-sale terminals, store workstations, mobile terminals, or other I/O devices capable of displaying multiple customer records.

Abstract: An automated product pricing system including a physical store system, a virtual store system, and a control system. The physical and virtual store systems are capable of transmitting sales data indicative of the number of sales of identified respective products. The control system is adapted to receive the sales data from the physical store system and the virtual store system. In response thereto, the control system generates price change data including a changed price of an identified product based on the sales data received from at least one of the physical and virtual store systems. The price change data is then transmitted by the control system to at least one of the physical and virtual store systems to thereby change the price of the identified product.

Abstract: A computerized order centric method and system for tracking orders implemented on a trading floor exchange. The system automatically routes orders to a booth and a floor broker according to a symbol associated with the particular security being traded. The method for processing an order for a security on the floor of an exchange includes representing a security with a symbol and allocating a set of symbols to a booth. In addition a set of symbols is allocated to a floor broker ID. An order, relating to a symbol is entered into a computer and transmitting to a computer server. The order is routed through the server to a computerized booth station associated with the booth to which the order symbol had been allocated. In addition, the order is routed through the server to the floor broker ID to which the symbol associated with the order has been allocated. Typically the floor broker ID is logged into a computerized handheld device.

Abstract: A method and system for conducting electronic auctions is described. A dynamic lot closing extension feature avoids collisions in closing times of multiple lots by dynamically extending the closing time of a subsequent lot if a preceding lot's closing time is extended to be too close to the subsequent lot's then-currently scheduled closing time. Scheduled closing times can be extended with a flexible overtime feature, in which the properties of the event triggering the extension and the duration of the overtime period(s) can be tailored to a particular auction, particular lots of products within an auction, and to the particular time within an auction process. The bidding status of a lot can be set to a “pending” status after the nominal closing time for submission of bids to allow bidders to alert the auction coordinator of technical problems in submission of bids. This allows the possibility for a lot to be return to open status for further bidding by all bidders.

Abstract: In a retail self-checkout system, a customer places an item to be purchased into an itemization area. The system identifies the item by using an item detector/scanner or, alternatively, through a customer input at a touchscreen display or other suitable device. The system then determines whether the item satisfies predetermined security criteria to ensure that the item in the itemization area is in fact the identified item. If the item satisfies the security criteria, the system deactivates a security tag affixed to the item to be purchase. If the item fails to satisfy the security criteria, an alarm summons store personnel to provide human intervention in the self-checkout process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for generation of strategies of investment in publicly traded stocks and a method of choosing the strategy with capital gain greater than traditional buy and hold strategy. The system and method is capable of generating thousands of investment strategies finding the best strategy delivering the optimal capital gain. The visualization method gives investor ability to analysis dynamics and stability of chosen strategy versus time with the speed of animation. Using Ad the system on a PC with 200-300 MZ CPU the user can analyze 20-40 different views for 5-10 seconds, which otherwise with the traditional technique takes more then 10,000 plots.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining whether to execute an order (or list of orders) immediately, or delay execution in exchange for a possible price savings. The method's generality enables the investor to optimize order decisions given individual beliefs about expected security returns and variance, risk aversion, and portfolio investment goals. Starting from an expected utility framework, the method maximizes the expected gains associated with trading. The method encompasses the case in which the investor plans to trade the security within a specified trading window as well as the case in which trading occurs only at attractive prices. Additionally, under the assumption of constant absolute risk aversion, the method resembles a traditional mean-variance analysis commonly used in equity portfolio management. The method also generalizes to handle the case of multiple orders and enables an investor to consider an order strategy taking overall portfolio risk into account.

Abstract: An automated method for quickly generating a complete bill of materials and total cost information in real time. Components for a desired system are specified and/or replaced by substitute components, while continuously predicting the wireless system performance. A design engineer builds a model of the desired wireless communications system and specifies each component necessary to provide sufficient or optimal system performance. A parts list is maintained, in real time, that contains a definition of each system component and its associated performance and cost parameters. As the user changes wireless system designs through a series of “what-if” scenarios, components are replaced with substitute components, cable lengths are modified, antenna systems and base station parameters are re-designed and moved to alternate locations, etc. The bill of materials is automatically updated and component costs and total system costs are immediately available to the design engineer.

Abstract: Distributed electronic commerce is conducted over a network by substantially separating transaction functionality from merchant content. Electronic commerce transaction functionality is provided by a commerce server having a commerce database. The commerce server stores merchant and purchaser profile data and merchant content summaries on the commerce database. The purchaser browses and searches for product and merchant information using the commerce server, and is provided with more detailed information stored at a separate merchant content server system. The purchaser selects products to purchase, and a purchase order is sent to the commerce server. The commerce server initiates the settlement of accounts between the merchant and purchaser, and initiates order fulfillment for the selected product.

Abstract: A data processing method for an environmental certification program is provided which defines a plurality of predefined criteria which must be met by a participant in the program in order to be provided with a privilege of providing a certification mark for use on goods and in advertising materials of the participant. The data processing method tracks the compliance by the participant with the environmental certification program, and further evaluates the continued certification of a participant in the program. Preferably, continued certification requires achieving additional predefined criteria while maintaining the predefined criteria which led to initial certification. Moreover, compliance with the predefined criteria is preferably ensured with periodic on-site verification.

Abstract: An automated system and method which monitors the cash flow of the merchant account and maintains a minimum balance for each merchant account based upon allowable delays. The automated system/method includes a point of sale device and data files for transactional activity. The point of sale device resides at the merchant's premises and is used for commercial transactions between a credit card holder and a merchant. The data files are comprised of the net transactional activity between the credit card holder and the merchant. The system further includes a merchant credit card transaction processor for processing data files at the merchant premises and a merchant database. The system further includes a transaction processor in communication with the merchant credit card transaction processor, the merchant database and a plurality of card issuers.