Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer usable program to reposition a display window that has been adjusted along a dimension. The method includes displaying a display window on a desktop, the display window having a first boundary, a second boundary opposite the first boundary, a third boundary about perpendicular to the first boundary, and a fourth boundary opposite the third boundary. The method further includes receiving a resize command and, responsive to receiving the resize command, moving the first boundary with respect to a first window limit and moving the second boundary with respect to a second window limit. The method includes receiving a reposition command and, responsive to receiving the reposition command, moving the third and fourth boundaries of the resized display window while maintaining the fixed distance between the third and fourth boundaries and maintaining the position of the first and second boundaries with respect to the first and second window limits.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products for automatically identifying a calling party using voice recognition. Voice recognition is the computing task of identifying or validating a person's identity using characteristics of their voice. A first voice record is obtained from an identifiable party and associated with a voice identifier. When a second voice record is received from a calling party, the voice in the second voice record is compared to the voice in the first voice record to determine the identity of the calling party. If the there is a match between the voice in the second voice record and the voice in the previously obtained first voice record, then the called party is notified of the identity of the calling party. A voice identifier, when available, is preferably displayed to the called party on a screen instead of caller ID information.

Abstract: A system for tracking a number of items borrowed or rented by customers includes a chute reading identification data from each item as the item is returned through the chute by the customer. Data records associated with the returned items are updated to indicate the items are available, even before the items can be restocked. The time at which an item is returned may be compared with a time at which it is due, with an additional fee being added to an account of a customer borrowing or renting an item that is returned late.

Abstract: A system for scheduling and transmitting messages is disclosed. The system stores a plurality of audio files in an audio database, generates a schedule of queued messages via the plurality of audio files, transmits the queued messages based on the schedule, and reconfigures the schedule based on a user interaction delivering the queued messages in accordance with the reconfigured schedule. A scheduled plurality of messages can be transmitted in a clear and professional manner. Additionally, “ad hoc” messages can be incorporated into the schedule without significantly disrupting the other messages.

Abstract: Providing an updated version of a printed document comprising storing data for generating an original version of a printed document, including a two-dimensional barcode that contains: data identifying the original version of the document, as well as at least a portion of the data for generating the original version of the document. The invention also enables the updating of the stored data so that a later version of the printed document may be generated including a new barcode for identifying and generating the later version. The barcode of a version of the document is scanned to determine if the scanned barcode identifies the later version of the document. If the barcode does not identify the later version, then the later version of the document is generated and printed. If the barcode does identify that the scanned document is the later version, the document is not printed and the user may be notified that the scanned version is the latest version.

Abstract: Loss prevention at a point of sale (‘POS’) with POS apparatus including a microphone, a speech to text converter, a POS transaction module, a POS transaction log, and a POS security module, also including storing, by the POS transaction module in the transaction log for commercial transactions at the POS, information describing each transaction, including capturing for each transaction, into the transaction log through the microphone and the speech to text converter as text, speech utterances of transaction participants; identifying by the POS security module a risk of loss in dependence upon the information stored in the transaction log including the captured speech utterances; and notifying by the POS security module the store manager of the identified risk of loss.

Abstract: Operating an electronic advertising device, the electronic advertising device disposed within camera range of consumer products exhibited for sale, the electronic advertising device including a computer processor, computer memory, a display, and a digital camera; the camera characterized by a camera range; the electronic advertising device operatively coupled to data storage containing digital reference images of at least some of the consumer products exhibited for sale, data storage containing rules for displaying advertising content for the consumer products exhibited for sale, and data storage containing the advertising content for the consumer products exhibited for sale; including: identifying, by the electronic advertising device through the camera and the digital reference images, consumer products within camera range of the electronic advertising device; and displaying, by the electronic advertising device in accordance with the rules, advertising content for the identified consumer products.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products for automatically identifying a calling party using voice recognition. Voice recognition is the computing task of identifying or validating a person's identity using characteristics of their voice. A first voice record is obtained from an identifiable party and associated with a voice identifier. When a second voice record is received from a calling party, the voice in the second voice record is compared to the voice in the first voice record to determine the identity of the calling party. If the there is a match between the voice in the second voice record and the voice in the previously obtained first voice record, then the called party is notified of the identity of the calling party. A voice identifier, when available, is preferably displayed to the called party on a screen instead of caller ID information.

Abstract: Providing an updated version of a printed document comprising storing data for generating an original version of a printed document, including a two-dimensional barcode that contains: data identifying the original version of the document, as well as at least a portion of the data for generating the original version of the document. The invention also enables the updating of the stored data so that a later version of the printed document may be generated including a new barcode for identifying and generating the later version. The barcode of a version of the document is scanned to determine if the scanned barcode identifies the later version of the document. If the barcode does not identify the later version, then the later version of the document is generated and printed. If the barcode does identify that the scanned document is the later version, the document is not printed and the user may be notified that the scanned version is the latest version.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for securely associating ownership information with an electronic device with a plurality of modules configured to functionally execute the necessary steps of securely associating ownership information with an electronic device. These modules in the described embodiments include a presentation component coupled to an electronic device, the presentation component configured to present ownership information; a latch connected to the presentation component and the electronic device, the latch configured to restrict access to the ownership information; and a controller coupled to the latch, the controller configured to free the latch to permit access to the ownership information. Beneficially, such an apparatus, system, and method would allow easy identification of the proper possessor of an electronic device and reduce the incidence of theft of the electronic device.

Abstract: A system for scheduling and transmitting messages is disclosed. The system stores a plurality of audio files in an audio database, generates a schedule of queued messages via the plurality of audio files, transmits the queued messages based on the schedule, and reconfigures the schedule based on a user interaction delivering the queued messages in accordance with the reconfigured schedule. A scheduled plurality of messages can be transmitted in a clear and professional manner. Additionally, “ad hoc” messages can be incorporated into the schedule without significantly disrupting the other messages.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product for tracking time sensitive items in a container. A barcode scanned item is placed into a container. The system stores the time of the scan and links the item identification number scanned to the inventory control system. As the time since the item was scanned increases, the system determines whether the item has exceeded a time-based alert threshold. Responsive to exceeding the time-based alert threshold, personnel are alerted to the abandoned container. The system provides data to the personnel to aid in dispositioning the item following abandonment.

Abstract: A method for scheduling and transmitting messages is disclosed. The method comprises storing a plurality of audio files in an audio database, generating a schedule of queued messages via the plurality of audio files, transmitting the queued messages based on the schedule, reconfiguring the schedule based on a user interaction delivering the queued messages in accordance with the reconfigured schedule. Through the use of the method in accordance with the present invention, a scheduled plurality of messages can be transmitted in a clear and professional manner. Additionally, “ad hoc” messages can be incorporated into the schedule without significantly disrupting the other messages.

Abstract: A tender separator for placement in a section of a till, such that tenders can be separated within the section by placing a first form of tender below the separator and a second form of tender above the separator. Preferably, the tender separator is movable in a vertical direction to accommodate varying amounts of the first form of tender. Optionally, the tender separator may be adapted for placement in one or more tracks of a back of the section, such that the tender separator is movable, in a vertical direction, in the one or more tracks. As another option, more than one separator may be placed in one section of the till, such that multiple forms of tender can be separated within the section by placing the tender separators between the multiple forms of tender. The tender separators may be tabbed and/or flexible (e.g., for easier access to tenders placed therebeneath).

Abstract: A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product for tracking time sensitive items in a container. A barcode scanned item is placed into a container. The system stores the time of the scan and links the item identification number scanned to the inventory control system. As the time since the item was scanned increases, the system determines whether the item has exceeded a time-based alert threshold. Responsive to exceeding the time-based alert threshold, personnel are alerted to the abandoned container. The system provides data to the personnel to aid in dispositioning the item following abandonment.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer usable program to adjust a display window along a dimension. The method includes displaying a display window on a desktop, the display window having a first boundary, a second boundary opposite the first boundary, a third boundary about perpendicular to the first boundary, and a fourth boundary opposite the third boundary. The method further includes receiving a resize command to resize the display window. Finally, the method includes, responsive to receiving the resize command, moving the first boundary with respect to a first window limit and moving the second boundary with respect to a second window limit. The distance between the third boundary and the fourth boundary remains fixed.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing a collection of physical (tangible) resources, e.g., books, newspapers, periodicals, trade publications, compact discs, equipment, video tapes microfilm. In one embodiment, a method comprises the step of accessing a web server maintaining a database of profiles associated with the collection of resources by a user via a web browser. The user may then issue a search request via the web browser to search for one or more resources within the collection of resources. Upon identifying one or more resources from the search, the user may contact one or more owners of the one or more resources identified. The user may contact the one or more owners based on the contact information provided in the profiles in the one or more resources identified. Upon contacting the one or more owners, the user may borrow the one or more resources previously identified.

Abstract: A method and system for organizing an email thread, the email thread comprising a plurality of email messages, is disclosed. The method and system comprise minimizing redundancy within the plurality of email messages to provide a minimized email thread and displaying the minimized email thread. Through the use of the method and system in accordance with the present invention, email threads are organized and listed in a more comprehensive fashion. Furthermore, the amount of redundancy that occurs within an email thread is substantially reduced thereby minimizing the amount of computer memory/disk space hat is consumed by the email system.

Abstract: Aspects for anonymous electronic marketing are described. The aspects include detecting the presence of one or more articles of digital apparel from the consumer by a processing system. Identifying data of the one or more articles is utilized by the processing system to determine attributes of the one or more articles. Providing a profile of the consumer based on the attributes follows, and information is provided to the consumer based on the profile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for reducing the amount of paper usage when multiple users are printing to one or more network printers. In part, for one aspect, a method and system is provided that comprises providing at least one print job, comprising a plurality of pages, and dividing a page of the plurality of pages into first and second sections, utilizing a perforation. In so doing, less paper is wasted resulting in savings in direct purchases of the paper.