Abstract: An electronic auction method and system are disclosed for generating off-increment proxy bids. A minimum increment is specified for bidding on an item. A bid for the item is received from a first bidder which is currently a high bid for the item. A previously recorded proxy bid is received from a second bidder which is greater than the current high bid and not greater than the high bid plus the minimum increment. An off-increment bid is generated which does not increase the bid received from the first bidder by the increment and also does not exceed the proxy bid. The off-increment bid becomes a high bid for the item utilizing the proxy bid. The second bidder thus holds a current high bid for the item.

Abstract: A network computer system and method in which a manufacturer or service provider may communicate goods or services which are available for bidding by bidders. The bids received from the bidders are intended to be sealed bids, and most often to be single instance sealed bids. The invention collects the sealed bids from the bidders and maintains them as inaccessible from the traders and online system administration staff until certain conditions, such as expiration of a bidding time window, have been met. Following the meeting of the predetermined conditions, the bids are unsealed, either by administrator command or automatically, and made available and accessible to the traders and system administration staff. The system and method prevents potential security and confidentiality problems with online sealed bid systems, and protects the integrity of the sealed bid collection process.

Abstract: A checkout terminal includes a terminal base having (i) a customer side, and (ii) a personnel side which is opposite the customer side. The checkout terminal also includes a code entry device secured to the terminal base. The code entry device is operable in (a) an assisted mode of operation in which a first item for purchase is entered with the code entry device by retail personnel, and (b) a self-service mode of operation in which a second item for purchase is entered with the code entry device by a customer. During operation of the code entry device in the personnel mode of operation (a) the retail personnel is positioned on the personnel side of the terminal base, and (b) the customer is positioned on the customer side of the terminal base. During operation of the code entry device in the self-service mode of operation the customer is positioned on the customer side of the terminal base. A method of operating a checkout terminal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating a retail system so as to allow a customer to perform a retail transaction, with the retail system having a hand-held scanner device and a self-service checkout terminal, includes the step of storing a first number of records corresponding to a number of items in a scanner memory device of the hand-held scanner device when the customer scans the number of items with the hand-held scanner device. The method also includes the step of transferring the first number of records from the scanner memory device to a terminal memory device of the self-service checkout terminal and generating a transfer-complete control signal in response thereto. The method further includes the step of determining if the retail transaction of the customer is to be audited in response to generation of the transfer-complete control signal and generating an audit-required control signal in response thereto.

Abstract: A method of operating a self-service checkout system which includes a base having a scanner secured thereto includes the step of securing an itemization-only retail terminal to the base. The method also includes the step of coupling the itemization-only retail terminal to the scanner. The method further includes the step of operating the itemization-only retail terminal and the scanner so as to allow a first user to enter a first number of items for purchase into the self-service checkout system for a first time period while (i) the itemization-only retail terminal is secured to the base, and (ii) the itemization-only retail terminal is coupled to the scanner. Moreover, the method includes the step of detaching the itemization-only retail terminal from the base. Yet further, the method includes the step of decoupling the itemization-only retail terminal from the scanner. The method further includes the step of securing a full-tendering retail terminal to the base.

Abstract: An apparatus, a processor, a computer system and a method may be used to directly transfer and translate data between a memory format in an integer processing unit and a floating point format in a floating point processing unit. Data is stored in integer registers of the integer processing unit in a memory format and is stored in floating point registers of the floating point processing unit in a floating point format. A direct data link is provided between the integer register file of the integer processing unit and the floating point register file of the floating point processing unit. The direct data link includes a logic circuit which translates data between the memory format and the floating point format.

Abstract: A hand-held entry device includes a code entry device for allowing a user to enter a product code associated with a first item of the items for purchase. The hand-held entry device also includes a smart card having (i) a processor electrically coupled to the code entry device, and (ii) a card memory device electrically coupled to the processor. The card memory device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to store a first record corresponding to the product code in a transaction table maintained in the card memory device when the user enters the product code associated with the first item. A method of operating a retail system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating a self-service checkout terminal includes the step of generating an end-of-itemization control signal in response to a user's indication that the user has no further items to enter into the checkout terminal. The method also includes the step of generating a message in response to generation of the end-of-itemization control signal which instructs the user to (1) verify that the user has no further items to enter into the checkout terminal, and (2) perform a first verification activity if the user has no further items to enter into the checkout terminal. The method further includes the step of generating a confirmation control signal in response to the user's performance of the first verification activity. A self-service checkout terminal having a display monitor for displaying a message which instructs the user to verify that the user has no further items prior to tendering payment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of providing security to a self-service checkout terminal having a bagwell and a light curtain device that generates a light curtain which is positioned over the bagwell includes the step of locating a grocery container in the bagwell. The method also includes the step of generating an item-entered control signal when a product code associated with an item is entered into the terminal. The method further includes the step of advancing the item through the light curtain and into the grocery container and generating a first detection control signal in response thereto. Moreover, the method includes the step of generating an invalid-use control signal when the first detection control signal is generated prior to generation of the item-entered control signal. A self-service checkout terminal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of providing security during operation of a checkout terminal, with the terminal having a first scale, includes the step of storing a first identification code associated with an input item in a memory in response to entry of the input item into the terminal. The method also includes the step of detecting the weight of the input item with the first scale and storing an input weight value associated with the weight of the input item in the memory in response thereto. The method further includes the step of retrieving a second identification code associated with a removal item from the memory in response to a user voiding entry of the removal item. Moreover, the method includes the step of detecting the weight of the removal item with the first scale and generating a removal weight value associated with the weight of the removal item in response thereto.

Abstract: A data processing device having an apparatus to execute operations out-of-order. The apparatus having an execution unit to execute the set of operations out-of-order. The execution unit, upon executing an operation that generates a first exception, continues to execute operations out-of-order, to avoid deadlock, until an operation of a first type is to be executed. The execution unit flushes a pipeline once the operation of the first type is to be executed.

Abstract: A piece of illuminated furniture (10) comprises a diffuser (12) built therein that spreads light evenly. A light source (14) is within the diffuser (12) to produce illumination therefrom.

Abstract: In order to multiply operands of different binary lengths using a common combined array, for example to do both 8 bit by 8 bit and 16 bit by 16 bit multiplications, 2.sup.m-1 multiplications are performed, where m is equal to the number of different bit lengths it is desired to multiply. For example, where 8.times.8 bit and 16.times.16 bit multiplications are done, 2 different multiplications are done. Each multiplication is an n.times.n/2.sup.m-1 multiplication, e.g., a 16.times.8 bit multiplication. Sign correction is performed by adding a correction vector or by modifying one of the partial products. The results of the multiplications are added together to obtain a 2 n bit result. Groups of bits from said 2 n result are selected depending on the length of the operands being multiplied.

Abstract: The disclosure is an eyeglass frame including a straight relatively rigid bar having a plurality of notches disposed along its length, and carrying a generally U-shaped nose piece having a tab adapted to be inserted in and locked in the central notch in the bar. The bar also carries a pair of circular lens holders having tabs for insertion in selected notches in the bar so that the spacing between the lens holders and the lenses carried thereby can be adjusted. A headband is also provided having tabs for insertion in notches in the frame bar to hold the frame on the head of the user.

Abstract: A pressurized cyclonic combustion method and a cylindrical burner apparatus for pressurized combustion of particulate solid fuels to produce a pressurized clean effluent gas. In the burner, the particulate solids such as wood chips are fed tangentially into a primary combustion chamber at its inlet end and flow at high tangential velocity in a helical path through the burner. Oxygen-containing combustion gas such as air is supplied tangentially at high velocity through multiple ports spaced along the burner length to maintain and/or increase the high tangential velocity and produce high centrifugal forces on the particulate solids and provide for prolonged combustion and produce high burner volumetric heat release rates exceeding about 400,000 Btu/hr ft.sup.3. A choke opening is provided centrally located at the combustion chamber outlet end for promoting prolonged combustion of solid fuel paarticles upstream of a quench zone. A secondary combustion chamber is provided downstream of the choke opening.

Abstract: A pressurized cyclonic combustion method and a cylindrical burner apparatus for pressurized combustion of particulate solid fuels to produce a pressurized clean effluent gas. In the burner, the particulate solids such as wood chips are fed tangentially into a primary combustion chamber at its inlet end and flow at high tangential velocity in a helical path through the burner. Oxygen-containing combustion gas such as air is supplied tangentially at high velocity through multiple ports spaced along the burner length to maintain and/or increase the high tangential velocity and produce high centrifugal forces on the particulate solids and provide for prolonged combustion and produce high burner volumetric heat release rates exceeding about 400,000 Btu/hr ft.sup.3. A choke opening is provided centrally located at the combustion chamber outlet end for promoting prolonged combustion of solid fuel particles upstream of a quench zone. A secondary combustion chamber is provided downstream of the choke opening.

Abstract: A pressurized cyclonic combustion method and a cylindrical burner apparatus for pressurized combustion of particulate solid fuels to produce a pressurized clean effluent gas. In the burner, the particulate solids such as wood chips are fed tangentially into a primary combustion chamber at its inlet end and flow at high tangential velocity in a helical path through the burner. Oxygen-containing combustion gas such as air is supplied tangentially at high velocity through multiple ports spaced along the burner length to maintain and/or increase the high tangential velocity and produce high centrifugal forces on the particulate solids and provide for prolonged combustion and produce high burner volumetric heat release rates exceeding about 400,000 Btu/hr ft.sup.3. A choke opening is provided centrally located at the combustion chamber outlet end for promoting prolonged combustion of solid fuel particles upstream of a quench zone. A secondary combustion chamber is provided downstream of the choke opening.