Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading software changes into a processor-based coin wrapping machine. In one embodiment, a flash card having a memory remotely programmed with a second software code is adapted to be removably electrically coupled to the system controller of the coin wrapping machine. Insertion of the flash card causes the initial code in the resident memory of the machine to become erased and replaced with the second software code. The flash card may thereafter be removed from the machine and used to load software changes into other machines. In an alternative embodiment, the flash card may remain electrically coupled to the coin wrapping machine. In this embodiment, insertion of the flash card causes the machine to execute the second software code, but the initial code is not erased or replaced. Upon removal of the flash card, the machine does not retain the second software code but will revert to execution of the initial code.

Abstract: An interactive, customer-accessible data processing system embodied in a programmed personal computer that induces customers of a restaurant, store or other business to enter information about themselves into the system. The information, which may include names, addresses, dates and answers to survey questions, is entered into data fields displayed on a display screen. The system enables a business to generate promotional messages tailored to customers based on the customer-entered information. For example, a business can readily generate birthday offer letters to customers based on their name, address, and birth date simply by selecting an option provided by the system. To induce customers to enter the necessary information, the system flashes an incentive message on the computer display screen. The message may offer to enter a customer into a drawing or other contest in return for the customer entering the necessary information into the system.

Abstract: When performing on-line shopping using the Internet, and when performing payment settlement for a product by a credit card, user's card data runs over the Internet, leaving the possibility of card data leakage, thereby causing a security problem. The user decides the product he or she wants to buy via a computer network (Internet) from a user system. Then, a transmission unit calls up a service center to send order data including the credit card data via a settlement network. Service center invoices the sales price to an approval center based on the order data. Approval center pays the price to service center. Then, service center sends the order data to the shopping system. A delivery processing unit then delivers the product to the user based on the order data.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for performing centralized billing for transactions conducted by a user on a terminal (101) connected on an Intranet (103) with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) (115) connected to the Internet (104). A Firewall Gateway (105) interconnects the Intranet and the Internet and removes the terminal's IP address from packets transmitted by the user's terminal to the ISP on the Internet. A Session Manager (116) stores in a database (117) the associations between the IP address of the user's terminal and the user's identity, and between the IP address and the Connection ID of the connection established between the Firewall Gateway and the ISP for an ongoing transaction between the user and the ISP. A Billing Platform (120) receives a signal indicating the cost of the transaction and the Connection ID associated with the transaction from the ISP.

Abstract: A method and related input/output devices for using biased 2 digit "hybrid radix" numeric fields for inputting, generating, storing, processing, and outputting year numbers ranging from 1900 to 2059 in a data processing system. In a hybrid radix 2 digit year number, the higher digit is treated as hexadecimal, but displayed in a decimal-like style with font patterns such as 0-9 and '0-'5, while the lower digit is treated as ordinary decimal, so that the year 1900 is represented and processed as 00 while the year 2000 as '00. For applications written with high level languages such as COBOL and SQL, the method can be embodied solely in the system side (compiler, other system software and/or hardware), and so that no change other than a re-compilation with a new compiler is needed for existing application software. Compatibility with existing data files and databases is automatically maintained.