Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering goods ordered by a plurality of customers, in which a plurality of customers place orders for goods from a vendor, the vendor fulfills its orders by combining into a single shipping order the goods ordered by a plurality of customers who are geographically close to a single local pick-up point, and the vendor causes the single shipping order to be sent to a local pick-up point.

Abstract: A vend audit system and methods are described. In an implementation, the system includes vend items with packaging having tags, at least one tag sensor, and a control circuit capable of receiving data from the tag sensor. A method for tracking inventory in a vending machine is also described. In an implementation, the technique includes loading vend items having tags into a vending machine, sensing the tags, and transferring information to a control circuit. The tags may be RF tags, and the tag sensor may be an RF antenna sensor.

Abstract: A vend audit system and methods are described. In an implementation, the system includes vend items with packaging having tags, at least one tag sensor, and a control circuit capable of receiving data from the tag sensor. A method for tracking inventory in a vending machine is also described. In an implementation, the technique includes loading vend items having tags into a vending machine, sensing the tags, and transferring information to a control circuit. The tags may be RF tags, and the tag sensor may be an RF antenna sensor.

Abstract: Methods of making chocolates that minimize the dramatic increases in viscosity typically associated with tempered chocolate. The invention also relates to the ability to process chocolates at higher temperatures without the need to temper at low temperatures.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering goods ordered by a plurality of customers, in which a plurality of customers place orders for goods from a vendor, the vendor fulfills its orders by combining into a single shipping order the goods ordered by a plurality of customers who are geographically close to a single local pick-up point, and the vendor causes the single shipping order to be sent to a local pick-up point.

Abstract: A method of administering a promotional contest comprises the steps of: providing to a consumer a product the label of which includes the identification code, enabling the consumer to input the identification code into a prize redemption system, validating the identification code, and determining whether the code is a winning code that entitles the consumer to receive a prize.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmitting electronic mail from a sender to a plurality of recipients is provided by use of a software application that allows a sender to designate a recipient as one of several categories. A first category is a primary recipient of the electronic mail and is to receive both a text message and an attached file. A second category is a secondary recipient of the electronic mail and is to receive both a text message and the attached file. A third category is a tertiary recipient of the electronic mail and is to receive a text message without the attached file.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for motivating a consumer to promptly indicate an interest in purchasing a product and/or service over a computer network includes the steps of presenting an offer for sale of a product and/or service to the consumer over the computer network, concurrently presenting an incentive for purchasing the product and/or service to the consumer promptly over the computer network. The incentive is initially set to a predetermined maximum value and decreases over a period of time. Additional steps include indicating an interest to purchase the product and/or service by the consumer at a point in time during the period of time, and providing the consumer the current value of the incentive corresponding to the point in time at which the consumer indicated the interest.