Abstract: A technique for implementing in a networked client-server environment, e.g., the Internet, network-distributed advertising in which advertisements are downloaded, from an advertising server to a browser executing at a client computer, in a manner transparent to a user situated at the browser, and subsequently displayed, by that browser on an interstitial basis, in response to a click-stream generated by the user to move from one web page to the next. Specifically, an HTML advertising tag is embedded into a referring web page. This tag contains two components. One component effectively downloads, from an distribution web server and to an extent necessary, and then persistently instantiates an agent at the client browser.

Abstract: In a digital content distribution method and system, a storage medium is composed of a ROM area in which a key is stored and a RAM area in which a digital content is stored. A storage medium certification unit of a terminal equipment judges whether or not the key of the storage medium exists in the ROM area. Thereby, the use of an illegal copy of the digital content is prevented. If the key is valid, a digital content execution unit of the terminal equipment reads the digital content and executes it. A digital content updating unit of the terminal system transmits to a distributor a request for transmission of the digital content together with a user profile code. The distributor refers to a user management file to check the validity of the user profile code and the number of times of distribution. If they are valid, the latest edition of the digital content is transmitted to the terminal system so that the digital content is updated by the digital content updating unit.

Abstract: A coupon manager is provided including a front end, back end and a central processor for facilitating the processing and settlement of coupons. The coupons are received from customers at the front end which may include a cashier register. The cashier scans a bar code on the coupons and the scanned information may be supplied to the back end. The received coupons are delivered to the back end for imaging and processing. The back end determines whether the coupons are valid. Valid coupons are destroyed and sent to a destruction bin, and invalid coupons may be sent to one of a number of other bins. The processed information is forwarded to the central processor which collates the information from a number of stores and reports the information to manufacturers for settlement. The present invention also provides a booklet having a listing of discounted items identifiable by a single bar code.

Abstract: A medical record processor and method include a voice processor for receiving unprompted and unstructured free dictation, for processing the dictation, and for generating voice data comprising a plurality of terms therefrom. A key term comparator identifies a key medical term in the generated voice data by comparing each term in the generated voice data with a plurality of key medical terms. The identified key medical terms are separated from non-key medical terms in the generated voice data, and a non-key medical term is eliminated from the generated voice data. The identified key medical term is matched with a patient condition, and additional data are extracted from a knowledge database on the patient condition. A draft medical record is generated that includes the identified key medical term and the additional data.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for moving balances from at least one source account into a target account and subsequently reversing the movement. The system operates by receiving a request for a move/merge operation to move the balances from source accounts to the target account. In response to the request, the system creates a list of changes to the source accounts and the target account that are involved in moving the balances. The system stores this list of changes into a memory for later retrieval during a move/merge reversal operation. Next, the system performs the move/merge operation by applying the list of changes to the source accounts and the target account. When the system subsequently receives a request to reverse the move/merge operation, the system reverses the move/merge operation by retrieving the list of changes from the memory and applying the inverse of changes in the list to the source accounts and the target account.

Abstract: An electronic credit system which employs terminals at a user's location, at a shop and at a credit agency. These terminals are in communication with each other; and they are constructed to send, receive and evaluate request, identification and credit information and to communicate credit and authorization information regarding ordered products.

Abstract: A financial information and transaction system utilizes wireless communication in connection with portable terminals. In this system, a terminal is connected to the financial institution via a wireless or cellular telephone hook-up. Smart cards are utilized to verify authorization for transactions, thereby minimizing potential security problems which could otherwise result from use of a mobile terminal. Alternately, a smart card is advantageously utilized not only for authorization, but also to maintain a secure record of available funds. The system not only provides the functionality of an ATM network, but also provides non-financial services, thereby forming an integrated system.

Abstract: A transaction manager includes a dispatcher (22) connected to an input queue (19), one or more output queues and one or more processing module queues (11′ to 17′). The transaction manager includes input data handling means (18), responsive to transaction requests received from one or more clients, to place said transaction requests on said input queue. The transaction requests include a service code, indicative of the transaction type, and data specific to a transaction. The manager includes one or more processing modules (11 to 17), the or each processing module associated with a respective processing module queue and being adapted to process processing module queue entries and place any result of said processing on the input queue. The manager further includes output data handling means connected to the or each output queue for forwarding output queue entries to respective clients.

Abstract: A device to be used with digital data copying apparatus for preventing fraudulent copies of a digital data is disclosed. The digital data includes an encrypted data main body and encrypted copy management information for controlling permission with regard to copying the data main body. A determining section determines if permission be granted for copying the digital data or not depending on if the copy management information satisfies predetermined requirements or not. A prohibition processing section prohibits any operation of effectively copying the digital data when the determining section determines that permission should not be granted for copying the digital data.

Abstract: A data copyright management system is provided, in which a primary user edits a received data and supplies the edited data to a secondary user. The copyright management system comprises a database and a key control center, and uses a primary copyright label, a primary use permit key including a first crypt key, a secondary use permit key, a third crypt key, and a copyright management program. The primary user decrypts the copyrighted primary data, which is encrypted using the first crypt key and supplied, to plaintext using a primary use permit key obtained from the key control center and utilizes it. If the copyrighted primary data is stored in a primary user device, it is re-encrypted using the primary use permit key. The primary user receives a secondary use permit key for editing the copyrighted primary data from the key control center and edits the copyrighted primary data. The data being edited is encrypted using the secondary use permit key and is stored.

Abstract: A method and system for processing multiple-request transactions in a stateless environment is provided. A cartridge execution engine intercepts browser messages directed to a cartridge. The cartridge execution engine determines whether the browser messages are associated with transactions. If it is determined that browser messages are associated with transactions, then the cartridge execution engine sends transaction control messages to a transaction manager. In addition, the cartridge execution engine sends operation messages to the cartridge. The cartridge then performs the operations specified in the operation messages. In response to the transaction control messages from the cartridge execution engine, the transaction manager causes the multiple-request transactions to be either committed or rolled back as an atomic unit of work.

Abstract: A method and system automatically harmonizes access to a given software application program via different access devices. Through use of the method and system, a financial institution can provide access to a given application (such as, for example, automatic bill payment services) to customers using different access devices such web browsers, screen phones and personal computers. A single application program is all that needs to be written and maintained by the financial institution. Also, the method and system enables financial institutions to “leverage” existing programs because now the institution can automatically “project” its existing stock of program services unto new access devices—devices which may not have even existed at the time the program was created.

Abstract: An automated system (100) and method for evaluating the probable impact of user-specified or system generated changes in business value drivers on the other value drivers, the financial performance and the future value of a commercial enterprise. Value drivers are identified using search algorithms and induction algorithms that define the value drivers associated with each element of the enterprise. After identifying enterprise value drivers the system completes a detailed valuation of the firm using predictive models to determine the relative impact of each value driver on the overall valuation. The detailed valuation results are then used to define a financial simulation model such as a Markov Chain Monte Carlo model. The financial simulation model then analyzes the impact of user specified changes in value drivers on financial performance or generates a list of recommended changes to value drivers that achieve a user specified financial goal.

Abstract: A retail customer information system which includes: at least one data processing device including a data storage adapted for selectively storing marketing data in a plurality of data fields. The customer information system also includes a portable transaction computer having a graphical user interface adapted to selectively display icon data representing data stored in the data storage. The portable transaction computer further including a random access memory; and a processor adapted to process instructions disposed in the random access memory. The retail customer information system further including a first data channel adapted for selectively communicating marketing data between the portable transaction computer and the data processing device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming medical records and a medical record formed thereby are provided. The apparatus preferably includes a voice input device for inputting free dictation of medical personnel, a voice processor responsive to the voice input device for processing the inputted voice and generating voice data therefrom, and a key term recognizer responsive to the voice processor for recognizing key medical terms freely dictated by the medical personnel. The key term recognizer preferably includes a key medical term database for storing a plurality of key medical terms therein. The apparatus preferably also includes a medical term matcher responsive to the key word recognizer for matching recognized key medical terms used by the medical personnel at least with patient conditions to thereby add additional data thereto and a medical record creator responsive to the medical term matcher for creating an actual patient medical record therefrom.

Abstract: Secure activation of stored value cards at a point of distribution uses a portable activation secure application module (ASAM) within the card dispensing machine to activate each card. Each card has a standard user mode and a security user mode. In the standard user mode the card is activated and ready for use. In the security user mode the card is not active and cannot be used to make a purchase. An issuer supplies an issuer activation key to a card supplier who produces a security code which is stored on a stored value card. Cards are supplied to the issuer in security user mode, and stored in a dispensing machine. The issuer activation key is also relayed to the dispensing machine and stored on the ASAM. Upon purchase by a customer, the issuer activation key is used within the machine by the ASAM to reproduce the security code and to activate a card. An activation control counter (ACC) is stored within the ASAM and is decremented for every attempt at activation of a card.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a plurality of stock option accounts each for a plurality of participants. The system invokes a particular option plan defined in the system that governs the transaction choices available to each participant. The governing option plans are defined by the sponsoring company in terms of grant, vest and expiration date for the option contracts, and are defined in the system via a database of option holding information for each participant and an axiomatic rule system defining the criteria under which a given participant can exercise given options under the particular plan. The system implements the plans for multiple client companies providing several distinct modes for option exercise by the participant.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for collecting activity data for a plurality of products displayed in a merchandising store. A transaction terminal identifies a product presented for purchase and prints an itemized receipt therefor. A remote price verifier permits price verification of the product independently of the terminal. Purchase data from the terminal is stored. Verification data from the verifier is stored. Comparison of the purchase and verification data for a specific product may be used for improving its sales performance.

Abstract: An automatic maid performs all of the selection and organization tasks involved with family meal planning. The automatic maid keeps track of the needs and preferences of all users. User needs and preferences are constantly refined through questions about foods both eaten and rejected. The automatic maid keeps track of household inventory and can order additional supplies. The automatic maid uses the preferences of the users and its knowledge of the household inventory to select the most compatible meals. It gives instruction on food preparation, can activate appliances, and can order food. The automatic maid can be accessed from a remote location and can update its recipes over a network or the Internet.

Abstract: In a digital payment system, a sequence of random numbers is stored at a payment service. A set of digitally encoded random numbers derived from the stored sequence is issued to the user in return for payment. The tokens are stored in a Carnet. The user can then spend the tokens by transferring tokens to a merchant, for example, to an on-line service provider. The merchant returns each token received to the payment server. The payment server authenticates the token and transmits an authentication message to the merchant. The merchant, payment server and user may be linked by internet connections.