Abstract: A system and appertaining methods are provided that makes it possible to order pizza and other products using an instant messaging or other signaling mechanisms such as cell-phones and two-way pagers, using a tokenized representation of the order elements. Signaling mechanisms provide context sensitive help to facilitate the use of the tokens, and a system then processes the order to the end point system for immediate preparation and/or delivery of the products. Communications may be implemented by a system in which a non-secure channel is used to poll a central server to determine if there is any data available, and the actual data transmission, if available, is provided over a secure channel.

Abstract: A method provides for placing and executing electronic commercial transactions via the Internet with the aid of a vendor computer to generate a transaction ID that is subsequently transmitted by a customer to the vendor. The transaction includes the vendor's network address, and parameters associated with preconfigured commercial transaction. Transaction codes can be stored by the customers computer as icons, and/or web browser bookmarks. The transaction code is received by the vendor, and the desired preconfigured commercial transaction is identified. The identified transaction is then automatically executed.

Abstract: A system and appertaining methods are provided that makes it possible to order pizza and other products using an instant messaging or other signaling mechanisms such as cell-phones and two-way pagers, using a tokenized representation of the order elements. Signaling mechanisms provide context sensitive help to facilitate the use of the tokens, and a system then processes the order to the end point system for immediate preparation and/or delivery of the products. Communications may be implemented by a system in which a non-secure channel is used to poll a central server to determine if there is any data available, and the actual data transmission, if available, is provided over a secure channel.

Abstract: A method and appertaining system are provided for creating and utilizing unique transaction identifiers for transactions within a service center comprising multiple processing hosts. A service center transaction number range based on a service center transaction handling capacity is established, and both first and second processing hosts each having their own transaction handling capacity are provided to the service center. A system-wide unique range of transaction sequence numbers are allocated to the first and second processing hosts that are respectively related to the handling capacity of each host. The hosts then use a time value combined with the unique range of identifiers for the transactions transmitted throughout the system.

Abstract: A system for storing and indexing unique computer transactions taken asynchronously across one or more systems such that a complete database of all transactions taken by all member systems can be recreated in a coherent time sequence in each member system.

Abstract: A method and computer operating system is disclosed to provide redundant hardware and software from multiple compatible computer operating systems and servers of a proprietary organization connected by a communication medium or connected on the Internet as a computer network as requested from said multiple servers by a specific host computer operating system per a transfer protocol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided which upon failure of a communication channel serves to redirect and/or reestablish communication via an alternative communication channel automatically in real time, without operator intervention where data is transmitted from a queue associated with one system or computer to a remote system or computer via one or more communication channels having one or more different types of formats. A communication server and a remote access service manager including a switchboard and a connector, serve to establish a communication channel to the remote system prescribed by the communication server, forward the message created by the communication server to the remote system and close the communication channel, wherein the switchboard tracks which connectors are available and in use and determines which connector to use, and wherein the connector makes a physical connection to the remote system.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for designating toppings to be assembled on a pizza as well as their respective position on the pizza wherein an order entry terminal is provided for a customer to use to specify an order for a pizza, the terminal being connected to a point-of-sale system and includes a display screen, voice synthesis generator, microphone, speaker, voice recognition processor capable of detecting the customer's spoken words and microprocessor controller. The customer is prompted to enter an order by speaking words in a human voice and in turn an image of the pizza ordered is displayed to permit the customer to confirm the accuracy and submit the order into a point-of-sale system.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is disclosed for redeeming coupons having encoded information such as bar codes, and for capturing coupon redemption data. A scanner, such as a hand-held bar code scanner, captures the coupon's encoded information, together with timestamp information identifying when the coupon was redeemed. This information is first transferred to a local processor. The local processor automatically uploads the coupon redemption data in real-time to a central coupon database management system, via a data communication link, such as the Internet. The central coupon database management system gathers statistical information among a plurality of redeemed coupons, and is capable of analyzing the statistical information for patterns in redemption frequencies, relative to a plurality of media outlets by which associated coupons were distributed to consumers.

Abstract: A graphical display for use with a pizza restaurant point of sale system display and includes a first display screen for display upon a monitor positioned at a make-line station which conveys to the kitchen staff one or more orders for pizza and displays a graphical representation of each pizza and photo-realistic image of each individual topping to be placed on the pizza prior to cooking and a second display screen for display upon a monitor positioned at a packing station which presents to the kitchen staff a photo realistic image of a cooked pizza corresponding to each displayed food order of the first display screen where the graphical display which provides for increased accuracy and efficiency in food preparation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for designating toppings to be assembled on a pizza as well as their respective position on the pizza wherein an order entry terminal is provided for a customer to use to specify an order for a pizza, the terminal being connected to a point-of-sale system and includes a display screen, voice synthesis generator, microphone, speaker, voice recognition processor capable of detecting the customer's spoken words and microprocessor controller. The customer is prompted to enter an order by speaking words in a human voice and in turn an image of the pizza ordered is displayed to permit the customer to confirm the accuracy and submit the order into a point-of-sale system.

Abstract: Internet service that links a plurality of stores of a chain of restaurants together on the Internet at a central server website, whereby the Internet service is based upon postal address alone, and where the software at the web site determines the store closest to the calling customer on the Internet strictly by both postal address which corresponds to the same type of postal-address driven system employed at each store serviced by the system of the invention. The customer order is input directly into the computerized ordering system of the closest, selected store, thereby bypassing the conventional manner of ordering through a live order-taker. The system of the invention is directly linked to the computers of the restaurants of the chain of restaurants, whereby the menu and pricing of each store may be made uploaded to the web site, and displayed on the Internet server web site.