A system for filing applications with an institution from a plurality of remote sites, and for automatically processing said applications in response to each applicant's credit rating obtained from a credit reporting service comprising a series of self-service terminals remotely linked via a telephone line to a first computer at the institution and to a second computer at the credit reporting service headquarters. Each remote terminal comprises a video screen and a video memory which holds image-and-sound-generating information arranged to simulate the aspect and speech of an application loan officer on the video screen. The simulated loan officer is used to acquire loan request data from the applicant by guiding him through an interactive sequence of inquiries and answers. The terminal is programmed to acquire credit rating data relating to the applicant from the credit rating service, and to use the data to compute the credit worthiness of the applicant and the amount which may be loaned to him. The approved loan information is then transmitted to the first computer for further processing by the financial institution.

Necessary information in an estimate of repair cost of a damaged car, for example, damage types, repair work items, parts names, values of repair cost are stored. By displaying these information on a screen and selecting necessary items for a repair work, an estimate of repair cost can be made with convenience, accuracy, efficiency and without error. By displaying an illustration of a part on the same screen where data of the part are displayed, an accurate estimate is realized. Further, providing a sheet wherein a part and a work item and so on are described, the estimate is carried out by inputting a code number. Such a configuration prevents an estimate omission. By using, for example, a Compact Disk which has a large storage capacity as a recording medium, a large amount of information is stored.

A customer data processing system for quick sales of desired goods, for example, a car, based on a questionnaire obtained from a customer. A salesman estimates desired goods based on the questionnaire, and a serviceman estimates service of the goods. The questionnaire, the estimation and decision of the goods are displayed on a screen and performed through the display. The system includes: a sales terminal having an input unit for inputting customer data, such as a name, an address, desired goods, etc., which are obtained from answers from a customer, in accordance with messages displayed on a screen; and an office terminal connected to the sales terminal through a transmission line and having a data registering unit and a customer data storage unit to sort the answers for each customer and to register the sorted answers into the data registering unit.

A computerized system provides a salesperson with assistance related to training and sales of parts corresponding to particular products. More particularly, a computerized system incorporating a data storage device, a display apparatus, a part selection device and a user interface mechanism enhances the efforts of a parts salesman. The data storage device electronically stores graphic and textual parts-related information including specifications, features and customer benefits. The display apparatus electronically displays portions of the graphic and textual information in order to provide training and sales assistance related to part features and customer benefits. The part selection device electronically selects a particular part by navigating through part choices menus based on stored part specifications. The user interface controls the operation of the display apparatus and the part selection device so that each of the respective system parts are operatively coupled and related to one another.

A system and method for controlling an apparatus, in particular an apparatus for performing manufacturing operations on a work piece is described. The system uses a hierarchical series of levels of functional operations. The system has a highest level and a series of lower levels. There is a means for initiating an instruction in the highest level which results in executing of instructions in the series of lower levels until an instruction is executed to control the apparatus. A particular example consists of four levels all written as sample programming language files which are fully editable and modifiable by end users: A manufacturing operations consists of a cell or cluster of manufacturing the operations of which are controlled by the system of the invention which enables on-line tool diagnostics and simulations that can predict the effects of proposed process changes, thereby reducing the time normally required to make alterations to a process.