Abstract: A method includes providing a golf course with flags decorated with advertising from multiple advertisers, who are willing to purchase the rights to place their advertising on flags marking holes on the golf course in return for submitting funds to the golf course.

Abstract: A store controller stores a series of prices for a product and respective effective periods during which the prices are effective. A customer submits an offer to buy the product at an “offer price” that is one of the series of prices. The offer also has an offer period that elapses when the respective effective period of the product price elapses. The offer period thereby defines a period during which the offer is effective and after which the offer cannot be accepted. Each offer further specifies (i) a customer identifier for identifying the customer, and (ii) funds or a payment identifier for specifying an account from which funds (typically the offer price) may be collected if the offer is accepted. The store controller then determines whether to accept the offer. If the offer is accepted, the store controller (i) initiates use of the payment identifier, if any, to collect the funds, and (ii) uses the customer identifier to identify the customer as having paid for the product.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally provide method and apparatus for tracking price reduction of a purchased item and notifying a customer of the price reduction. One embodiment provides a method for tracking a price reduction for an item purchased by a customer, comprising: receiving, by a central computer system, transaction data from a store computer system, the transaction data including an item identification number and an item purchase price; comparing an item sale price to the item purchase price; and if the item purchase price is higher than the item sale price, creating a notification file for the customer. The notification file may comprise an electronic mail and include one or more information selected from item sale price, item purchase price, purchase date, and store name.

Abstract: Method, signal bearing medium and apparatus for price-guaranteeing an item purchased by a customer. One embodiment provides a method for price-guaranteeing an item purchased by a customer, comprising: receiving, by a central computer system, transaction data from a cash register computer system, the transaction data including an item identification number and an item purchase price; comparing the item purchase price to at least one of an item current price and an item match price; and if the item purchase price is higher than at least one of an item current price and an item match price, crediting an amount to a credit card account of the customer.

Abstract: A system and method for an information system for use by customers in a retail shopping environment are provided. The system includes a host computer and a portable terminal for use by a customer. The portable terminal is located within a retail environment and interacts with the host computer to access product information. A customer enters a request for product information via an input device. The portable terminal then transmits the customer request and receives the product information from the host computer. A processor is employed for generating a request or query related to the received product information; and both the product information and additional query information is then displayed to the customer.

Abstract: A method of temporarily displaying information by an electronic price label which avoids resending previously-displayed information. The method implemented by the electronic price label includes receiving a first message containing a first command to display first contents of a first memory area identified by a first memory locator, storing a second memory locator identifying a second memory area containing second memory contents currently being displayed in a third memory area, receiving a second message containing a second command to redisplay the second contents of the second memory area, reading the second memory locator from the third memory area, reading the second memory contents from the second memory area, and displaying the second memory contents.

Abstract: A market research database includes first and second information sets. The first information set contains first market research information, and the second information set contains second market research information. The market research database also includes a set of dynamic rules. At least one rule of the set of dynamic rules is arranged to respond to first data being entered into the first information set by entering second, different data into the second information set.

Abstract: Techniques for displaying promotional information by providing an electronic sign (ES) which displays promotional information, display slogans, bundled pricing, bulk pricing, and other types of information. The ES can be used by retailers to increase sales, provide an alternate technique for advertising and reduce costs. According to one aspect, an EPL computer reads an EPL/ES data file to determine if an entry is associated with an EPL or an ES. The EPL computer then reads a promotional message from a promotional data file. An index in the EPL/ES data file may be used to determine the correct promotional message. The EPL computer transmits a message to the ES which includes a command for the ES to display the promotional message. The ES then displays the promotional message, providing valuable information to customers who are in the process of making purchasing decisions. In one aspect, an ES displays promotional information associated with an offer and is not associated with any particular single item.

Abstract: A data processing system employs a unique coded promotional vehicle to attract customers into retail establishments for the purchase of discounted goods. The promotional vehicle includes coupon styled graphics integrated with a code to allow data tracking by the store pursuant to purchases by that customer. The promotional vehicle is easier and less costly to distribute compared to the prior art, avoids cutting of coupons, and post purchase redemptions. The system further allows more targeted discounting at a lower cost, and substantially reducing fraud by eliminating post purchase coupon processing and redemption.

Abstract: A method of tracking produce selection data which minimizes fraud. The method includes the steps of receiving produce identification information, including a number of possible candidates, displaying the produce identification information, recording the produce selection data in a log record, and determining from information in the log record whether the produce selection data is likely incorrect and whether to issue an alert to store management.

Abstract: A method of restoring display information to an electronic price label which stores temporarily removed display information and sends it to the electronic price label following a temporary period. The method includes the steps of determining whether a memory of the electronic price label contains primary display information during the temporary display period, and if the memory of the electronic price label does not contain the primary display information during the temporary display period, sending a message to the electronic price label containing the primary display information for display following the temporary display period.

Abstract: A method of managing time-sensitive items which relies on identification information of RFID labels associated with the items. The method includes the steps of identifying the time-sensitive item, and obtaining the expiration information from a web site of a seller of the time-sensitive item. In another form concerned with products, the method includes the steps of identifying an EPL associated with the product, causing the EPL to interrogate an RFID label on the product, receiving identification information from the RFID label, and obtaining the expiration information about the product using the identification information from the RFID label. The method additionally compares the expiration information with current date information and either causes the EPL to display a lower price or assists with removal of expired instances of a product through a report.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a billing rate of a telecommunications connection is disclosed. The method and system may be used in a location aware telecommunications system that can determine the location of a telecommunications unit (TU) being used within the system. The geographic location of a mobile unit (MU) is determined, and compared to a list a predetermined subsidized zones. When the MU initiates or receives a call from within a subsidized zone, and the MU is otherwise responsible for paying a predetermined billing rate associated with the call, the predetermined rate is subsidized for at least the portion of the call made while the MU is located within the subsidized zone.

Abstract: An electronic price label which displays relative information, such as employee-directed business information. The electronic price label includes a liquid crystal display and control circuitry. The liquid crystal display includes a first portion for displaying employee-directed business information and a second portion for displaying price information. The first portion includes a plurality of segments arranged linearly as a relative scale for displaying the employee-directed business information. The control circuitry receives the employee-directed business information, determines a number of adjacent segments in the first portion to be activated based upon the employee-directed business information, and activates the number of adjacent segments.

Abstract: Retail systems and methods employing a product shelf display to provide purchase incentives.

Abstract: An electronic price label (EPL) display sequence change method which conserves system bandwidth. The method determines a number of pieces of information which are currently stored within a memory in an EPL which contains a plurality of different locations for storing the pieces of information. The method further determines a first sequence by which the EPL currently displays the pieces of information in the different locations. The method further determines a second sequence to replace the first sequence, creates a message addressed to the EPL containing a command to execute the second sequence, and sends the message to the EPL.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer program product for using radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology to store product information in tags attached to items of merchandise is disclosed. The RFID tagging scheme of the present invention prevents tampering with stored information, global tracking of customers and their purchased items, and pricing mistakes made at the point of sale.

Abstract: A system and method of reporting a status of another system through an electronic price label (EPL). The system includes the EPL and a computer coupled to the EPL which monitors the status of the second system and causes the EPL to display a status message indicating the status of the second system. The second system may include a POS system, credit authorization system, or any other in-store system.

Abstract: Techniques for informing customers of impending price changes of items in a retail establishment are described. An EPL computer reads an EPL data file to determine when an upcoming price change for an item is scheduled to occur. The EPL computer transmits a timer countdown message to a EPL associated with the item which includes a time remaining until a current price is to be updated with a new price. The EPL then displays the time remaining for the current price, providing valuable information to customers who are in the process of making purchasing decisions. In one aspect, as time passes, the EPL computer sends further timer countdown messages to the EPL containing updates of the time remaining, allow the EPL to display the updated time. In another aspect, no further timer countdown messages are sent to the EPL, as the EPL includes EPL circuitry which decrements and updates the time remaining as time passes.

Abstract: A system for determining and displaying product pricing for an item comprises a price checker object for gathering and assembling pricing information associated with the item. A store price object coupled to the price checker object provides an interface between the price checker object and an existing store database, and a price object coupled to the store price object holds data retrieved from the existing store database. A supplementary database coupled to the price checker object provides supplementary data associated with the item. Further, a formatter object coupled to the price checker object and the price object receives as an input the data contained in the price object and provides as an output a formatted output string.

Abstract: A self-diagnosing electronic price label. The label communicates with a central processor in order to receive price information for display and to report the status of the label to the central processor. The label periodically runs a self-test program to verify proper operation of its components. If a component fails the self-test, the failure is reported to a central processor, and the central processor reports the failure for investigation. During normal operation, the label issues a signal to the central processor indicating normal operation. In the event of a failure, the label ceases to send the signal indicating normal operation. When the signal is not received as expected, the central processor reports the failure to receive the signal for investigation. This allows the central processor to be alerted to failures which disable communication between the label and the central processor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for automatically delivering a combination of products from a vending machine at a package price. The method of the present invention includes the step of receiving a package identifier. The method also includes the steps of identifying a set of products corresponding to the package identifier and determining a package price corresponding to the identified set of products. The method further includes the steps of outputting a signal representing the package price and outputting a signal representing an instruction to dispense a unit of each identified product. An apparatus is also disclosed to carry out the method steps of the present invention.

Abstract: A price verifier employing customer-specific information to allow for the display of prices adjusted for membership in frequent-shopper programs or other programs which offer prices adjusted according to the identity of a customer. A customer enters a product identification, for example, by scanning a barcode label. The customer is then prompted to enter customer identification information, which may be done, for example, by scanning a frequent shopper card. The price verifier looks up the product price in a price lookup table and then looks up price adjustments based on the customer identification information. The price verifier then displays the adjusted price. The price verifier may also advise the customer of promotions associated with the product being verified, or related products, and may also inform the customer of promotions associated with promotional or frequent shopper programs of which the customer is a member.

Abstract: A method for transacting transfers of commodities involves observing the price of a commodity at several observation points over a period of time. In one embodiment, a maximum price is specified. For each observation point, the maximum price is selected in the event the observed price is greater than the maximum price, or the observed price is selected in the event the observed price is less than the maximum price. The price for a quantity of the commodity then is calculated based on the average of the selected prices and a premium. Individual contracts can be aggregated to reach more acceptable trading quantities and intervals, enabling participation of a derivative hedging products service provider and intermediate parties such as resellers and reseller services companies. Aggregation can be carried out manually or automatically, and configured to support anonymity of various parties in the transaction chain.

Abstract: A POS terminal provided in accordance with the present invention receives the items in a purchase. Typically, each item will have a bar code that is scanned by a bar code scanner, and the POS terminal in turn receives, from the bar code scanner, signals representative of the items. The POS terminal then determines an upsell based on the items, and a rounded price that the customer may pay for both the items and the upsell. The rounded price may be determined by rounding up the purchase price to a predetermined multiple, such as to the next higher dollar amount. The customer is provided with an offer to exchange the items and the upsell(s) for the rounded price, and the customer in turn responds to the offer. If the response indicates acceptance of the offer, the items and the upsell are exchanged for the rounded price. If necessary, the POS terminal makes appropriate adjustments to stored indications of available quantities of items to reflect that the items and upsell(s) have been sold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for interactively providing selected messages asynchronously at a plurality of separate sites. At least one message is stored in an addressable memory for each site and is read out to control the output on an output device for the site in response to die operation of an input device for the site. A plurality of messages may be stored for each site with the message to be read out from the addressable store and provided at the associated output device being selected in response to appropriate operation of the input device. The input device may also be initially utilized to select an appropriate message for a given site and to select a desired volume for the site.

Abstract: A POS server apparatus stores, in response to entry of PLU data, data consisting of a combination of revision history information on those PLU data and revised data into a master PLU history management table, at the same time multicasts that combination of data to all of POS apparatuses, and stores those PLU data into a master PLU table; and each of the plurality of POS apparatuses stores the data multicast from the POS server apparatus into a local PLU history management table and, at the same time, stores the PLU data contained in those data into a local PLU table.

Abstract: A system and method of consolidating information for display which relies on codes. The system includes a database including a plurality of types of information besides price to be displayed by an electronic price label and a computer. The computer schedules messages for transmission to the electronic price label, including a message containing the information. The computer identifies a number of the types of information to be displayed by the electronic price label, obtains the number of the types of information from the database, determines parameters for storing and displaying the number of types of information, and creates a code incorporating the number of types of information and the parameters for storing and displaying the number of types of information.

Abstract: A method is afforded for providing automated delivery of a response to a pricing inquiry. When an inquiry requesting a price of an item is received, a price of the item based on a set of predetermined criteria is determined. The determined price is then modified based on the application of various predetermined rules. The modified price is then selectively compared to a target price and a response is provided. The response is a price quote that reflects a weighted price, the weighted price being a selection of either the modified price or the target price.

Abstract: The invention organizes various pricing tables and price adjustment tables and various products and purchasing organizations based on “who” (i.e. which purchasing organization) is purchasing “what” (i.e. which product). The invention utilizes a denormalized table to relate the “who” to the “what” using denormalized numbers. The invention further organizes various purchasing organizations and products into hierarchical tables. These hierarchical tables are called organizational groups and product groups. Various price adjustments may be specified for each level of the organizational groups and product groups hierarchies. The price adjustments for a particular purchasing organization are determined by retrieving the price adjustments for that particular purchasing organization as well as the price adjustments for organizational groups above the particular purchasing organization in the organizational groups hierarchy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a machining order mediation system which allows for prompt preparation of a reasonable estimation for a machining work and ensures a high level of quality of ordered products. The machining order mediation system comprises terminals provided on a customer side, terminals provided on a machining company side, and a machining order mediation unit (10) connected to the customer side terminals and the machining company side terminals via a network. The machining order mediation unit (10) comprises an estimation request receiving section (14), a process information preparing section (15), a machining company information storage section (27), a machining company selecting section (16), a basic information preparing section (18), a basic information delivering section (19), and an estimation returning section (21) for receiving the estimations from the terminals of the selected machining companies and transmitting the estimations to a customer side terminal.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for pricing and reserving charter aircraft. In a preferred embodiment, itinerary information is received, via computer, from a user and is compared with information contained in maintained databases to identify charter aircraft suitable for accommodating the user. The system then determines a charter price by calculating total charter prices for each of the suitable charter aircraft. Several factors including flight costs, relocation costs, repositioning costs and layover costs are considered in calculating the total charter prices. Finally, the total charter prices are preferably selectively categorized and transmitted, via computer, to the user who is then able to complete the reservation process. In another preferred embodiment, lowest charter prices are transmitted to the user for alternative charter aircraft travel. In another preferred embodiment, users can engage in either a reverse auction or a real-time auction for available charter aircraft travel.

Abstract: An electronic price label (EPL) system which is capable of simultaneously displaying price information in a plurality of different currencies. The system includes an EPL and a computer. The EPL includes a display having first and second portions, and a control circuit which causes the display to simultaneously display price information in a plurality of different currencies. The computer sends messages to the EPL instructing the EPL to display primary currency price information in the first portion of the display and secondary currency price information in the second portion of the display.

Abstract: A product retail sales management server for managing the retail sales of a product across a communication network comprises: a retail sales management module for managing the retail sales of the product; a price update module 13 for dynamically setting the price of the product in accordance with rules and the retail sales state of the product and in accordance with the actual retail sales state of the product when managed by the retail sales management module; and an acceptance module 11 for, upon the receipt of an information request via the communication network, furnishing a request transmission source with the information concerning the product and the price of the product, set by the price update module at the time the information request is received.

Abstract: A product hierarchy database organizes company market performance and stock investment information by the products and services produced and offered by each competitor. The companies that produce each product/service are relationally linked to each of their products/services through records. An investment information service includes the product/service hierarchy database and makes it accessible to investor and analyst subscribers through a query system across the Internet. Data entry personnel continually load qualitative and quantitative information about companies and their products/services through a product hierarchy generator connected to the product/service hierarchy database. Subscribers can punch-through to query individual data items, and they can find out what relationships exist between all the important aspects of the companies and the products/services being tracked.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating appraisals is disclosed. A lender and/or customer may request an appraisal from a hub. The hub checks the schedules of local appraisers, selects an appraiser and schedules the appraisal. Once the appraisal has been completed, the appraiser uploads the appraisal information and the hub transfers the information to the requestor or other customer. The hub may also store the appraisal and information about the uploaded appraisal for analysis regarding the appraised property or the appraiser's work product.

Abstract: If an electronic shelf label server receives a replacement request from each of the electronic shelf labels, a date of a corresponding electronic shelf label number is read out from a database and an object range is determined based on this date. Then, whether or not a date corresponding to the electronic shelf label number is within the determined object range is determined so as to specify an electronic shelf label which should be replaced. Information of this specified electronic shelf label is displayed on a display.

Abstract: An automated kitchen apparatus determines a time until expiration of a food product. In one embodiment, the kitchen apparatus determines the time until expiration by receiving a start signal indicating that a food product is available to sell. Such a start signal may be generated by a timer on a warming bin that is initiated when a food product is placed in the warming bin. By measuring the elapsed time since the start signal was received, the time until expiration is determined. Based on the time until expiration, the automated kitchen apparatus sets the minimum price of that food product. Customers at a POS terminal may then purchase the aged food product for the minimum price. In one embodiment, an offer describing the food product and its minimum price is displayed on the POS terminal. In another embodiment, the customer is offered the food product for his change due, if that change due is not less than the minimum price.

Abstract: An electronic display tag system. The system has an electronic display tag including a display for displaying at least one of pricing data and product identification data, the display having bistable character elements or bistable pixels. The display tag has a decoder logic unit for decoding received programming data and for updating the display based on the programming data, the programming data being received wirelessly. The display tag also has a wireless transceiver, the wireless transceiver for converting a power inducing signal transmitted wirelessly to the display tag into electrical power, the electrical power used by the decoder logic unit to update the display.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for matching customers with products in inventory that will be desirable and affordable to the customers. The system features the ability to store information on multiple products in a product database and information on multiple customers in a customer database. The system then matches particular products in the product database with particular customers in the customer database based upon matching multiple search criteria fields associated with products and customers. The system also has the ability to generate net prices for each product (i.e., total price or total monthly payment amounts) based upon the qualifications of the particular customer, and limit the number of products matched with the particular customer based upon the customer's desired total payment or desired monthly payments. By generating reports that integrate customer/product matches with net price information, the system provides for effective and efficient shopping by customers.

Abstract: A temporary display sequence change method which keeps track of replaced data. A first sequence for displaying first pieces of information by an EPL is determined. A second sequence by which the EPL currently displays second pieces of information is determined. If at least one of the pieces of first information is different from the pieces of second information, whether the one piece replaces another piece of second information is determined. If the one piece does not replace the other piece, the one piece of information is obtained. If the one piece does replace the other piece, the one piece of information is obtained and the other piece and its memory location are stored. A first change sequence message including the one piece of information is sent. The first pieces of information are displayed in accordance with the first sequence for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: An information distribution system distributes information over a distributed network in a multi-phase manner. In particular, the information distribution system provides, for example, to an end user, a model for determining a particular output. Then, as a user requests the most current output of the model, a parameter set is forwarded to the user and introduced to the model. This parameter set, with the cooperation of the model, allows for determining, for example, a current merchants pricing information for a plurality of goods and/or services. By using this model based approach, the entire set of information need not be distributed to the user every time an update is made. To the contrary, only a sub-set of information, i.e., the parameters, will be forwarded to the user for updating of information at a user device.

Abstract: An electronic price label relative information verification system which ensures that first business information for an item is equal to second business information assigned to the electronic price label for display. The system includes a computer system coupled to the electronic price label, including a terminal and a storage medium coupled to the terminal. The storage medium contains a data record for the item, which contains identification information and a verifier for the item. The computer terminal obtains the first relative information for the item from the business information source, calculates another verifier from the first relative information for the item, reads the data record to obtain the one verifier, compares the one and the other verifiers to determine whether they are equal, and changes displayed business information to the first relative information if the one and the other verifiers are different.

Abstract: An electronic pricing and display system using programmable electronic shelf tags. Programmable electronic shelf tags are used in connection with apparatus for programming the electronic shelf tags. Pricing and product information is stored in databases of a computer system for such purposes as inventory control and updating pricing information. A portable programming device is used to transmit programming data Methods are provided for fast and convenient modification of large numbers of electronic shelf tags located throughout a facility (e.g., a retail store).

Abstract: A cyber mall system has a contents sales apparatus for selling digital contents, a contents purchasing apparatus, and a network for connecting those components. When the digital contents are registered into the contents sales apparatus, in the case where the digital contents are sold by the contents sales apparatus for defining digital contents using conditions constructed by a server side access control to the digital contents which is executed on the contents sales apparatus side and a physical act restriction to control an access to the digital contents which is executed on the contents purchasing apparatus side that purchased the digital contents, digital contents personal using conditions are generated on the basis of the digital contents using conditions and are given to a customer.

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: A price maintenance system and method in which price information entered into or read from a price-lookup file is shared to avoid price mismatch. The price-lookup file and price changes to the price-lookup file are shared by a point-of-service system including a bar code scanner, and a routine for printing labels. The system includes a computer coupled to the point-of-service system which updates the prices within the price-lookup file and sends the updated prices to the label printing routine for printing by a printing system. An electronic shelf label system may also share the price-lookup file and price changes to the price-lookup file.

Abstract: A shelf tag comprising a liquid crystal display having optical states which are stable without power and an interface that allows for each character element to be programmed easily by sweeping a programming device across the character element contacts with all power and signal requirements being supplied to the shelf tag by the programming device. The programming device can be integrated with a portable transaction computer equipped with a bar code reader or can be embodied in a stand-alone apparatus capable of receiving user input, displaying information and interfacing to the shelf tags. A method of using the shelf tags, the programming device and a radio frequency computer local area network are presented which automates many typical business applications such as inventory updating and simultaneously changing prices advertised on the shelf tags.

Abstract: An information access system is provided to create and maintain a rapidly accessible index to information extracted from information sources accessible over the Internet. The information access system may be tailored to extract, analyse and index information obtained via the public query interfaces to a number of predetermined information databases. Information may be extracted from the information databases by submitting appropriate query requests to their query interfaces and analysing data returned in response. Query requests may be stored and maintained by the information access system in query files. Query responses may be analysed by one or more query result analysis modules, each module being tailored to convert information supplied by a particular site into a common format for storage in an index. New information may be identified and reported to users. The information access system may be applied, in particular to commercial property trading.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for collecting activity data for a plurality of products displayed in a merchandising store. A transaction terminal identifies a product presented for purchase and prints an itemized receipt therefor. A remote price verifier permits price verification of the product independently of the terminal. Purchase data from the terminal is stored. Verification data from the verifier is stored. Comparison of the purchase and verification data for a specific product may be used for improving its sales performance.