Abstract: A payment service method and system involve a payment service provider, a customer/payor and a consumer provider/payee. The customer/payor enrolls in the service and is provided a unique identifier that enables the customer to conduct transactions with the payment service provider. The customer/payor interfaces with the payment service provider through various forms of communication, and can facilitate payments to the consumer providers/payees through the payment service provider while remaining anonymous.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating, coordinating and managing the operation of a competitive marketplace via the Internet. The system and method collect bids for market services from a plurality of customers, calculators a clearing piece for the market service and calculates settlement information based on the clearing piece calculated and the bids collected.

Abstract: A point card system according to the present invention includes a customer ID recording area 20, a service point recording area 24, an information recording area 22, and a browse flag recording area 23. The customer ID recording area 20 records unrewritable customer identification information. The service point recording area 24 records the number of service points. The information recording area 22 records provider information supplied from a provider without physical contacts. The browse flag recording area 23 records a history of provider information browsing. A provider 1 issues a wireless point card 3 to a customer 2. The provider 1 is provided with a wireless transceiver 8 and a card reader/writer 5. The system supplies provider information to the customer by radio and detects browse history information for providing an additional profit returning service.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automated condition evaluator that conducts an evaluation of an item placed into a sensor chamber to identify the item and determine characteristics about that item that can assist a party in making a decision about the item. More specifically, an item is placed into a sensor chamber and various sensors are actuated in an effort to identify the item. Extrinsic information may also be introduced into the identification process. Once the item is identified, a rigorous evaluation of the item is conducted to determine any flaws, characteristics, or changes from the standard are present in the item. The sensors evaluate the item in 3 dimensional space and the results are compared against expected results. Any variations are classified for evaluation. When the item being evaluated is a vehicle, the classifications of the differences include scratches, dents, holes and other problems that are characteristic of vehicle flaws.

Abstract: A parking system includes an internet-accessible Web server storing substantially real-time parking data associated with occupancy of a plurality of parking spaces. The parking data can be rendered by a display device running a browser application. The Web server transmits the parking data in response to a request sent from the browser application. The Web server communicates with at least one of a detector and a parking terminal configured to collect and transmit parking data.

Abstract: An electronic label system for displaying prices in stores comprises a central station and a plurality of distributed electronic labels. The central station provides pricing information to the electronic labels that includes assignment instructions linking a calculated price associated with the labels with a price display area.

Abstract: After a contract terminates in a contract part with personal identification and the input of contract contents, a control part controls the door of a sales storing box in which a product to be purchased is stored, and vends the product by opening the door.

Abstract: A method of providing multiple level, price-per-unit (PPU) discounts on gasoline to a customer who purchases at least one cross-marketed product at a point of sale (POS) checkout. The customer is awarded a first PPU discount on the gasoline based on a purchase by the customer of a first cross-marketed product, and is awarded a second PPU discount based on the purchase of a second cross-marketed product. The first discount is then added to the second discount to determine a total PPU discount. The total discount is stored in a discounts issued database. When the customer redeems the discount, the total discount is retrieved from the discounts issued database, and the gasoline station then reduces the PPU of the gasoline by an amount equal to the total discount. Portions of the discount redeemed are then allocated to vendors of the first and second cross-marketed products according to predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system for providing price updates is provided. Data is received by a system. The received data is filtered by the system to identify triggers in the received data. Actions related to identified triggers are performed by the system. Business rule compliance is performed according to a business rule hierarchy. Updated prices are provided.

Abstract: Computer software which is configured to create a printer label format based on a printed label that has been scanned. The software provides that an existing label is scanned, and then the software converts the scan into a label format through optical character recognition (OCR). The software is configured such that text on the label is recognized as text, graphics are recognized as graphics, etc. and anything on the label which is not specifically recognized by the software is characterized as being a graphic. Preferably, barcodes are recognized as barcodes, and not just as graphics. Subsequently, a user is prompted, via a visual display, to confirm that the scanned objects have been correctly characterized and the user can change any of the characterizations made by the software. The user can link any object to a variable field, and can add embedded printer-specific non-printing control codes to the label format.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a payment system comprising a terminal (26) for establishing a connection via a mobile communication network to purchase chargeable services or products, a service provider's payment centre (25) for receiving information on the payment of services or products purchased by a subscriber, and a billing centre (24) for maintaining subscriber-specific billing data comprising information, required for billing, on the services or products purchased. The payment system further comprises means (23) for comparing the price of a selected service or product with a limit of a corresponding defined service or product group, and means (23) for accepting the purchase of the service or product provided the price of the service or product is below or equal to the limit of the corresponding group or rejecting the purchase if the price of the service or product exceeds the limit.

Abstract: A data carrier which can be read from and written to in a non-contact state is embedded in the bottom of tableware, and in which data such as price, etc. are written. When a customer selects dishes or drinks and places the dishes or drinks on a tray, all the data are simultaneously read from the data carriers on the tray, and the total amount of charge is calculated.

Abstract: A portable information communication terminal can easily be combined with an existing industrial system. Article discount information is broadcast from a central computer of the headquarters of a convenience store via a broadcasting system, and received by a portable information communication terminal. An image of the article and a discount price represented by the article discount information are displayed on a display screen of a display monitor. When the user purchases the displayed image, the user selects the desired article displayed on the display screen of a display monitor by a manual controller. A bar code corresponding to the selected article is displayed on a display screen of the portable information communication terminal. The user takes the portable information communication terminal with the bar code displayed on the display screen to the convenience store.

Abstract: A parking system includes a wireless communications device capable of accessing a server over the Internet and a software application for receiving parking data transmitted over the Internet to the wireless communications device. The wireless communications device can render the parking data as a substantially real-time representation indicating an occupancy condition of an available parking lot. The occupancy condition changes according to presence and absence of vacant parking spaces within the available parking lot.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system for providing price updates is provided. Data is received by a system. The received data is filtered by the system to identify triggers in the received data. Actions related to identified triggers are performed by the system. Business rule compliance is performed according to a business rule hierarchy. Updated prices are provided.

Abstract: A sales system having a plurality of wearable portable terminals each having an optical code reader and a wireless transceiver, a plurality of stationary terminals each having a wireless transceiver and a central database having information relating to goods to be sold by the system. A wireless network interconnects the portable terminals, stationary terminals and the central database.

Abstract: A method of providing multiple level, price-per-unit (PPU) discounts on gasoline to a customer who purchases at least one cross-marketed product. The customer is awarded a first PPU discount on the gasoline based on a purchase by the customer of a first cross-marketed product, and is awarded a second PPU discount based on the purchase of a second cross-marketed product. The first discount is then added to the second discount to determine a total PPU discount, and a paper receipt is printed for the customer with a customer identification and a transaction identification encoded in a bar code thereon. The total discount is stored in a discounts issued database. The customer then scans the encoded bar code with a bar code scanner at a gasoline dispenser to redeem the discount. The total discount is retrieved from the discounts issued database, and the gasoline station then reduces the price-per-unit-volume of the gasoline by an amount equal to the total discount.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an electronic price label (EPL) system are described. A first embodiment includes a host computer system which originates a message which is relayed to an array of infrared (IR) light emitting diodes (LEDs) which is mounted in the ceiling of a retail establishment. The IR array transmits the message to an EPL which is preferably attached to a store shelf. In one aspect, the EPL does not include a transmitter and does not respond to the message. In another aspect, the EPL includes a radio frequency transmitter and transmits an acknowledgement to the message. A second embodiment includes a host computer system which originates a message which is relayed to a mobile programming unit. The mobile programming unit moves down an aisle which contains a plurality of EPLs and transmits the message to these EPLs using an infrared or ultrasonic transmitter. A third embodiment includes an EPL which is powered solely by a capacitor which is charged by a solar cell.

Abstract: A method for monitoring parking meters. The method comprises selecting a route. The route includes a parking meter identifier. An employee is selected to monitor the route. A meter RFID tag that is affixed to a parking meter that corresponds to the parking meter identifier is scanned, where the scanning is performed using a RFID reader that includes memory and the meter RFID tag includes a first unique serial number. The first unique serial number and a first date/time stamp are stored in the memory. An incident code is selected in response to determining that the parking meter needs repair. A status code is selected in response to selecting an incident code and to a current status of the parking meter. The contents of the memory are transmitted to a host system.

Abstract: A card destruction system comprises a reader to read identification information from a card. A controller is coupled to the reader to receive the identification information and to determine whether the card is to be destroyed. A delivery sensor is coupled to the controller to sense when the card is delivered to a card destruction device. The controller is also configured to produce a record of the destruction based on a signal from the sensor.

Abstract: A self-service checkout system allowing customers to perform purchasing functions while ensuring payment and preventing theft. The system's payment card reader and price scanner are operable by the customer to read product tags including price and/or serial number data and a desensitizable security tag. The product tag is inserted into a slot in a housing for the price scanner and desensitizer that shields a desensitizing effect from any security tags outside the housing. The system desensitizes the security tag only if a charge to the payment card is approved. A detector is positioned near the store exit to detect items exiting the store which have not been released from the security system. Serial number information from the product tag may be read as the items leave the store and compared with a database of serial numbers of purchased items to determine whether to activate an alarm.

Abstract: A method for having a security device, having official ascending/descending registers, provide indicia to be printed on mailpieces so as to take advantage of periods in the security device duty cycle when the security device is normally inactive, including the steps of performing a partial pre-calculation of an indicia taking into account only non-varying and slowly varying components of the indicia and reusing the partial calculation in a succession of full pre-calculations performed during a rest cycle of the security device.

Abstract: A method is provided for recognizing an individual item at an identification station from a variety of known products for purposes of entry into an inventory and/or register system. A backlit viewplate is used and a digital image capturing device captures and stores a reference image of the viewplate. A backlit image of the item to be identified adjacent the viewplate is then captured and converted into a digitized image signal representing the captured image. The digitized image signal is processed by subtraction of a representation of said stored reference image to remove viewplate artifact, to provide a background-compensated image signal. The background-compensated image signal is analyzed to generate image descriptors characterizing features of size and/or shape of the item, and the descriptors are compared with the data stored on a computerized product database to identify data sets with the highest correlation.

Abstract: An electronic cash register displays images for an article key receiving process and a total key response process on a screen, and in response to a first function key (IN indicative of eating inside), displays font data of a mark. Display attribution of the display is changed in accordance with the processing condition. That is, in response to the first function key, the background color at a predetermined area is changed in response to the first or second function key. An indicator for emitting a plurality of color rays indicates the processing condition with one of the color rays.

Abstract: A terminal 2 held by the user is provided with a radio transmitter and receiver 3. Electronic money information is transferred via the radio transmitter and receiver 3. By using a portable telephone, it is unnecessary to directly insert an IC card 1 into service supply equipment 17. In addition to the service supply equipment 17, a device 9 for storing electronic money information in a lump is provided. Since the electronic money information is transferred into the device 9 for storing the electronic money information in a lump, it is unnecessary to collect the electronic money information stored in terminals one by one.

Abstract: A product locator system to permit a user of a first computer to received data stored in a second computer. The data stored in the second computer relates to the location of products and in addition may provide information such as pricing, coupons, special offers and other information the consumer utilizing the first computer. The data transmitted from second computer to first computer is obtainable by the consumer for use in locating various products and product pricing.

Abstract: A collective payment and control system has a variety of self-service devices that dispense different types of goods. The system has a primary dispenser such as a self-service fuel pump and a secondary dispenser such as a self-service vending machine. A customer enters a charge card into one of the dispensers, usually the primary dispenser. Once the card is validated, the primary dispenser together with secondary dispenser(s) associated with the primary dispenser, are activated. Products that are available to purchase from either the primary dispenser or the associated secondary dispensers are displayed to the customer at the primary and/or secondary dispenser. The customer then selects any of the displayed products either directly from the primary dispenser or from each of the primary and/or secondary dispensers. The cost for the selected products are then totaled by the primary dispenser and a single payment transaction is made, such as by a credit/debit charge.

Abstract: A method for assisting the recall of retail good information in a point of sale (POS) system can include the steps of scanning an identifier associated with a retail good; searching a translation table for retail good information corresponding to the scanned identifier; and, if the retail good information cannot be found in the translation table in the searching step, displaying a list of retail good information previously assigned to the scanned identifier. In a preferred embodiment, the retail good information can be a purchase price corresponding to the retail good.

Abstract: A server transmits parking lot occupancy information over the Internet. The parking lot occupancy information is capable of being reproduced by a remote display device as a real-time representation of the parking lot indicating vacant parking spaces. When presented with the real-time representation of the parking lot, a commuter readily can locate an available parking space or decide to search for parking elsewhere.

Abstract: A store system for a commercial system with multiple products. The store system includes multiple register stations. Each register station includes a bar code reader that generates a first signal identifying a product selected by a customer, a register computer, and a cable that transfers the first signal to the register computer. Each register station is associated with a respective second computer that sends a second signal to the register computer. A cable transfers the first signal to the second computer. The register computer includes logic that determines a total amount due from the customer, by receiving the first and second signals. In an exemplary embodiment, the second computer interfaces to a customer card that stores discount information.

Abstract: A method of operating a department store retail system in order to perform a purchase transaction, with the department store retail system has a first self-service checkout terminal positioned in a first department of the department store and a supervisor terminal, includes the step of generating a first item-entered control signal if a customer enters a first item for purchase from the first department in the first self-service checkout terminal. The method also includes the step of determining if the customer has an additional item for purchase from the first department to enter in the first self-service checkout terminal in response to generation of the first item-entered control signal and generating a first no-additional-items control signal if the customer has no additional items from the first department to enter in the first self-service checkout terminal.

Abstract: A method for enabling a printing machine having a customer billing interface to bill the customer for different types of printing operations performed includes programming variable rates for printing operations into the printing machine. With receipt of a machine enable signal from the customer billing interface, the printing operation is initiated. The printing machine determines the type of printing operation performed and sends the corresponding billing signal to the customer interface.

Abstract: A computer-assisted method of facilitating a transaction between an energy consumer-client desiring an energy contract and an energy supplier. The method includes posting a buy order where the supplier can access the buy order via a computer network and receiving a bid from the supplier via the network. The method also includes accepting the bid via the network when a precondition is met.

Abstract: A method of providing multiple level, price-per-unit (PPU) discounts on gasoline to a customer who purchases at least one cross-marketed product. The customer is awarded a first PPU discount on the gasoline based on a purchase by the customer of a first cross-marketed product, and is awarded a second PPU discount based on the purchase of a second cross-marketed product. The first discount is then added to the second discount to determine a total PPU discount, and a paper receipt is printed for the customer with a customer identification and a transaction identification encoded in a bar code thereon. The total discount is stored in a discounts issued database. The customer then scans the encoded bar code with a bar code scanner at a gasoline dispenser to redeem the discount. The total discount is retrieved from the discounts issued database, and the gasoline station then reduces the price-per-unit-volume of the gasoline by an amount equal to the total discount.

Abstract: A delivery tracking system for tracking parcels during an internal state of delivery within an organization after receipt of the parcel from a parcel delivery service. The system utilizes an intelligent, hand-held, portable data entry and data processing device to obtain signatures of recipients and scan codes printed on the parcel labels, and to respond to tracking inquiries prior to transferring collected information to a different computer. Data is entered on a touch-sensitive screen of personal digital assistant using the tip of a wand type bar code scanner.

Abstract: A transaction processing system which includes a produce recognition server for identifying produce items. The produce recognition system further includes a checkout system including a transaction processing terminal, a bar code reader which sends item identification information associated with bar-coded items and with the produce items to the transaction processing terminal, a produce data collector coupled to the bar code reader, and a computer coupled between the bar code reader and the produce recognition server for relaying produce data to the produce recognition server and produce identification information to the bar code reader.

Abstract: The invention is a method of monitoring and assessing a fee for parking a vehicle in a toll parking location where the user pays only for the actual parking time used. The invention includes providing indicia for a toll parking location and unique indicia for a vehicle to be positioned in that parking location. The user notifies a remote central control unit the location indicia, the vehicle unique indicia, and the start time of parking the vehicle in the location. Later, the user notifies the remote central control unit of the vehicle unique indicia, and the finish time of parking the vehicle in the location. The remote central control unit then assesses a fee to the user for the duration of time the vehicle occupied the parking location. A method of monitoring parked vehicles to assure compliance with toll parking regulations is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for dispensing and redeeming electronic discount coupons in a store. A card-dispensing kiosk collects information from a customer and subsequently issues a “smart card” for storing electronic coupons. Upon completion of shopping, the customer redeems the electronic coupons at the checkout area, by inserting the card into the checkout station. During checkout, when UPC product data corresponds to coupons stored on the card, the customer is credited with the value of the corresponding coupon.

Abstract: The invention concerns an information system for displaying in a vehicle used to transport at least one person playing golf.

Abstract: A system and method for managing the sale of a group of products at a single price based on sales performance data of the products is presented. The method and apparatus include offering a plurality of products by identifying products that are complementary, verifying acceptable sales performance for the complementary products, identifying a package including the complementary products having acceptable sales performance, determining a package price for the products included in the package, and offering the products included in the package at the package price. The status of the package is set to invalid when a time interval in which the package is available has expired.

Abstract: A system and method for remotely connecting client computers to a communication network such as the Internet by way of a server system handling a plurality of client computers and having the capability of dynamically providing network connections to the client computers, separately billing usage time and tracking usage and preferably updating access software on the client computers. A hot access port is provided for client system access in which a welcome signal is pushed from the server system to the access port. After a connection is made between the client system and the access port, the client system receives the welcome signal.

Abstract: A fueling transaction system that holds open a customer account after a pay-at-the-pump transaction is authorized. If the customer wishes to select non-fuel goods and services within the associated convenience store or restaurant, she may do so within a pre-programmed allotment of time. If the customer does not wish to purchase non-fuel items or fails to do so within the system time constraints, the system will simply time-out and close the customer's transaction. The initial customer account information or necessary identification may be provided through the customer's card using the dispenser's card reader or via the customer's transponder in an RFID environment. After the initial pre-authorization, the dispenser provides the customer with a code or other indicia linking a subsequent transaction within a convenience store or restaurant to the authorized fueling transaction.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a retail checkout terminal includes the step of determining a first product code associated with a first item when a user enters the first item into the checkout terminal. The method also includes the step of determining if a master product database is devoid of first product information corresponding to the first item and generating a first no-record control signal in response thereto. Moreover, the method includes the step of detecting if the user manually enters the first product information corresponding to the first item in response to generation of the first no-record control signal and generating a first manually-entered control signal in response thereto. The method further includes the step of storing the first product information corresponding to the first item in a supplemental product database in response to generation of the first manually-entered control signal.

Abstract: A product information display system has electronic display tags for displaying pricing and product information for products in stores or warehouses. The electronic display tags are electromagnetically coupled to a conductor. A control circuit is used to generate an information signal which contains a tag address and related data. A modulator circuit modulates an ac power signal with the information signal and applies it to the conductor for transmission to the display tags. Each of the display tags is equipped with a coil that is electromagnetically coupled to the conductor for picking up the signals carried by the conductor. A demodulator is used to demodulate the signal picked up by the coil to obtain the original information signal. Each of the display tags is provided with a manually operated switch for initializing the tags with initial addresses transmitted by the conductor.

Abstract: A computer is programmed to implement an incentive compensation plan by obtaining existing data on employees and business activities, evaluating the profitability of the activities, and indicating what amounts should be paid to existing employees based upon criteria defined by management in accordance with existing business conditions.

Abstract: An integrated parking meter system automates the issuance of parking citations. Each parking meter will be equipped with a sonar range finder, mercury type switch and a two way radio that communicates via N-PCS to a host computer back at the control center. When a meter runs out of money it checks to see if a vehicle is present in the parking space. If it is, the meter notifies the host computer that there is a car illegally parked in the space. The host computer correlates the information to identify the exact location of the violator. The host computer then sends this information via wireless network to the parking meter attendants' personal communicator. The parking attendant proceeds to the violator and issues the citation. Included within this technology is the capability to remotely change the rate structure of any or all electronic parking meters. A meter diagnostic feature alerts repair personnel to specific malfunctioning meters.

Abstract: A method of cash card billing with the aid of parking or pay meters when parking a vehicle. A pay meter system is provided which includes a plurality of pay meters, wherein each pay meter constitutes an independent operative unit and is equipped with a cash card reader. A person parking a vehicle finds a meter and with the aid of the cash card reader feeds into the pay meter information from the cash card relating at least to the cash card account number. When the cash card has been read by the first pay meter (BA1) the meter stores the account number (KN) and the parking commencement time (IT) in a memory (BA1 MEM) that is part of the first pay meter. The first pay meter (BA1) issues a parking ticket on which a transaction number (TN) and parking commencement time (IT) are recorded in a machine-readable form. When terminating the parking period, the parking ticket is read in a second pay meter (BA2), which may be any chosen pay meter in the pay meter system.

Abstract: An identification and information system for establishing a nexus between discrete entities includes primary and secondary information regarding primary and secondary entities borne by primary and secondary information means. The primary and secondary information may be encoded for mechanical reading which establishes the nexus between said primary and secondary entities.

Abstract: An item recognition system and method which is particularly suited for automating entry of items too small to carry readable bar code labels. The system includes a camera which digitizes the image to produce a digitized image and a gray-scale digitized image. A binary image of the gray-scale image is then produced from which the computer records an image of the item, and a computer coupled to the camera which digitizes the image to produce a digitized image and a gray-scale digitized image. A binary image of the gray-scale image is then produced from which the computer identifies the item from the binary image and obtains the price from a price-lookup file.

Abstract: An automated vehicle parking system for a plurality of remote parking facilities that communicates with a vehicle approaching or leaving the remote facility with RF signals, or the like, that identifies the vehicle and sends the vehicle identification number, time of day, and lane number to a first computer at the remote facility for calculating the parking cost of a given vehicle based on rates for said given individual vehicle stored in the first computer of each of the plurality of remote parking facilities and having a central computer coupled to each remote facility for providing a single bill to a user of several remote facilities and advising each remote facility first computer of the total fees due for all users of that remote facility during specified periods.