Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a method for providing a consumer with a plurality offers to be used to purchase goods is provided. The method comprises the steps of: providing a database containing a plurality of available offers with the offers being arranged in groups and the offers in each of the groups being arranged in ranked tiers; connecting a consumer activated dispenser to the database; selecting a plurality of offers from the database for presentation to the consumer each time the consumer activates the dispenser; and the selecting step comprising examining each group in the database for available offers starting with a highest priority tier in said group and proceeding to a lowest priority tier.

Abstract: An embolic protection filter device having a filtering membrane, an integrally formed waist, and a flexible hoop affixed to the filtering membrane by melt bonding. A method of making filtering membranes for an embolic protection filter device comprising blow molding the filtering membranes. A method of making an embolic protection filter device comprising blow molding a filtering membrane and simultaneously melt bonding a flexible hoop to the filtering membrane.

Abstract: A wireless PC card for use in facilitating radio communications by a host computer in the context of a wireless computer network. The wireless PC card includes a housing conforming to a Type II PCMCIA form factor and having first and second extending portions which cooperatively define a recess configured and arranged to accommodate two RJ-type connector bodies of a Type III PC card. By virtue of its configuration and arrangement, the recess permits both the wireless PC card and a Type III PC card to simultaneously reside in a single Type III PC card slot of the host computer. Additionally, the recess is configured and arranged to permit removal of the Type III PC card from the Type III PC card slot, without also necessitating removal of the wireless PC card. Disposed within the housing are electronic circuitry and two antennae in communication with the electronic circuitry. One of each of the antennae is disposed in a respective extending portion.

Abstract: A combination PC card for use in facilitating communication between a host computer and a remote device. The combination PC card includes two RJ-type connectors, an RJ-11 connector and an RJ-45 connector, centered at a front edge of the combination PC card. The connector bodies are integral with a housing of the combination PC card and are arranged and configured to be received in a corresponding recess defined by a Type II PC card when the combination PC card and the Type II PC card simultaneously reside in a PC card slot of the host computer. The positioning and configuration of the connector bodies permits the combination PC card to be removed from the PC card slot without also necessitating the removal of the other PC card residing in the PC card slot. The combination PC card additionally includes an analog modem connected to the RJ-11 connector, and a network interface card connected to the RJ-45 connector.

Abstract: A PC card communication system for facilitating both wireless and hardwire based communication between a host device, in which the PC card communication system is received, and one or more remote devices. The PC card communication system includes a wireless PC card conforming to a Type II form factor and containing two antennae, one each of which is disposed on opposing sides of a recess defined by a housing of the wireless PC card. The PC card communication system additionally includes a combination PC card conforming to a Type III factor, and which includes RJ-11 and RJ-45 connectors having a connector body centered in a front edge of a housing of the combination PC card. The recess defined by the wireless PC card, and the connector body of the combination PC card, are configured and arranged so that at least a portion of the connector body may be received in the recess.

Abstract: A combination PC card for use in facilitating communication between a host computer and a remote device. The combination PC card includes two RJ-type connectors, an RJ-11 connector and an RJ-45 connector, centered at a front edge of the combination PC card. The connector bodies are integral with a housing of the combination PC card and are arranged and configured to be received in a corresponding recess defined by a Type II PC card when the combination PC card and the Type II PC card simultaneously reside in a PC card slot of the host computer. The positioning and configuration of the connector bodies permits the combination PC card to be removed from the PC card slot without also necessitating the removal of the other PC card residing in the PC card slot. The combination PC card additionally includes an analog modem connected to the RJ-11 connector, and a network interface card connected to the RJ-45 connector.

Abstract: A wireless PC card for use in facilitating radio communications by a host computer in the context of a wireless computer network. The wireless PC card includes a housing conforming to a Type II PCMCIA form factor and having first and second extending portions which cooperatively define a recess configured and arranged to accommodate two RJ-type connector bodies of a Type III PC card. By virtue of its configuration and arrangement, the recess permits both the wireless PC card and a Type III PC card to simultaneously reside in a single Type III PC card slot of the host computer. Additionally, the recess is configured and arranged to permit removal of the Type III PC card from the Type III PC card slot, without also necessitating removal of the wireless PC card. Disposed within the housing are electronic circuitry and two antennae in communication with the electronic circuitry. One of each of the antennae is disposed in a respective extending portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a store level marketing system and a unique printer to be used in the system. The store level marketing system includes an activation device for initiating use of the system and for providing the system with information about the consumer using it, a network interface or computer for selecting a series of offers/discounts to be printed on a piece of paper, and a printer for printing a paper document containing the selected offers/discounts. The system further includes a checkout station which communicates with the network interface or the computer to provide it with information about the purchases made by the consumer. In a preferred embodiment, the printer is a thermal printer provided with a mechanism for substantially eliminating any curl in the paper being fed into the printer. The curl eliminating mechanism includes a tube which is pressed against the paper to impart a reverse curl to the paper which is opposite to the natural curl of the paper.

Abstract: An expert system for diagnosing a data communication network is discussed. The expert system includes a knowledge base comprising a plurality of rules pertaining to reactive and proactive diagnosis of the network. The expert system also includes a plurality of modules for processing network-related questions, such as a rule module which uses forward rules to hypothesize whether network problems exist, and which uses backward rules to verify whether the hypothesized network problems exist. The expert system further includes a facilitator for selecting modules to process the questions. The facilitator operates by sending a poll request associated with one of the questions to the modules, analyzing estimates from the modules to identify a module which can most efficiently and effectively process the question, and instructing the identified module to process the question.

Abstract: An expert system for diagnosing data communication networks. The expert system operates according to a landmark data abstraction paradigm, wherein landmarks are interpretations of network data. The landmarks are indicators of network problems. The expert system diagnoses the data communication networks by detecting landmarks and then interpreting the detected landmarks to determine whether network problems exist.