Abstract: According to the present invention, restaurant folios, for example, are equipped with a credit card reader, the card reader having memory and a communication port. The customers swipe their credit cards, for example, at the table and the credit card information is stored in the card reader. Waiters retrieve the card reader/folios combinations and carry them to an existing remote billing location. At the billing location a docking system receives local, preferably wireless, communication from the card readers and transfers card information to an establishment's existing centralized point-of-sale (POS) system as though the card had been taken from the customer at the table and swiped at the remote billing location.

Abstract: The present invention recognizes that in sales and deliveries of large digital content such as movies, the volume of sales is best affected by wide area, low speed connections for browsing and comparison shopping, while customer satisfaction is best served by high speed wired connections where chosen and purchased content can be delivered relatively quickly. This can occur in a physical area where customers are in close proximity to the vending kiosk, or will be in close proximity at a later time, such as when shopping near the kiosk. At the kiosk, high speed wired connections make the quick delivery. By creating such a configuration, sales are maximized and the customer experience is enhanced.

Abstract: A computer device for activating and reporting on delivery/pickup service is disclosed. The device has a button connected to a computer. Software on the computer is activated by a user pressing the button to contact a delivery/pickup service via the internet, schedule service according to selections made by the user, and indicate on the computer display screen, and optionally also on the button, that service has been scheduled. This way, the delivery/pickup service is scheduled efficiently, and the user's computer station is informed/reminded that service has been scheduled.

Abstract: Ambient audio signals from the customer shopping area within a store are sensed and fed to a signal processing circuit that produces a control signal which varies with variations in the amplitude of the sensed audio signals. A control circuit adjusts the amplitude of an auditory subliminal anti-shoplifting message to increase with increasing amplitudes of sensed audio signals and decrease with decreasing amplitudes of sensed audio signals. This amplitude controlled subliminal message may be mixed with background music and transmitted to the shopping area. To reduce distortion of the subliminal message, its amplitude is controlled to increase at a first rate slower than the rate of increase of the amplitude of ambient audio signals from the area.