A method of order entry, product selection and inventory control for building products, building product accessories and building product components sold by a dealer to a customer. The method comprises the steps of providing a computer having a display screen and a plurality of files. A first file lists descriptions, dimensions and styles of available building products by product code along with building product accessories. A second file lists rough opening dimensions and building products fitt...

A method and the apparatus for management information and control for restaurants is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of remote units carried by waiters. The remote units are provided with a keyboard, a display and a memory. The remote units may simply be radio frequency transmitters capable of being interrogated, but are preferably radio transmitters and receivers. A central interrogator transceiver periodically interrogates each of the remote units after which the remote units tra...

Computer-assisted methods and apparatus for selecting and matching learning tools that possess developmental value with the individual characteristics of a child are disclosed. Commercially available products consisting of toys, games, books, and allied learning materials are analyzed and the data relating to the personal traits required to use the product, educational value of the product, learning value of the product, instructional variables required to use the product, and the description of...

A system is provided for video display foot imaging and overlaying of an image of selected footwear which includes a video display for displaying a measured foot image and an image of a selected footwear as well as an image device for causing relative movement between the image of the selected footwear and the measured foot image to electronically determine the fit of the selected footwear with the measured foot. The system may include a measurement device for measuring the foot and producing an...

The present invention relates to a floral kiosk system which interacts with a floral ordering network and which allows users to either select a particular floral arrangement or create a floral arrangement from an assortment of flowers, flower configurations and flower holders. Once the purchase order is completed the system of the present invention interacts with a floral network to complete the transaction.

A novel system and method for locating real estate properties for potential purchase including a graphical locator interface which permits definition of a desired area for search by placing of a user-controlled selector on a map displayed on a CRT. Additional search qualifications including price, type of structure and others are also specified. The completed specification is then transmitted to a host system and is used for a search of a database of available properties.

An automated procurement system, in which a buyer workstation is in communication with a mainframe database that stores global data relevant to procurement documents and reports. The workstation is programmed with an interactive buyer interface that displays procurement documents, provides support data to aid in decision-making, and provides various document attachments. Data is uploaded and downloaded to and from the mainframe and the workstation in a manner that is transparent to the buyer.

An interactive communications system for facilitating the management of purchases performed by individuals or certain businesses in repetitive manner, characterized in that the apparatuses making up the system comprise input means (10, 16), confirmation means (17), suggestion/selection means (18), memory means (13), and display means (11) for displaying the articles to be purchased, which articles may be selected from preceding lists and/or files without omission or repetition. The list of artic...

Techniques for implementing a computer-implemented, multi-party merchandizing service. This service engenders a buying experience that parallels the best aspects of an "in-store" buying experience, but engenders other aspects which can be advantageously provided by a computer system, such as the shopper being able to prepare a list of multiple third parties for whom the shopper desires to purchase selected items. In effect, this list "tags along" with the shopper as the shopper completes an auto...

A system and method for designing and operating an electronic store (1) permit a merchant to organize and advertise descriptions of product inventory over the Internet, (2) permit Web page information to be extracted on-demand from a product inventory database, and (3) permit Web pages to be automatically customized to fit shopping behaviors of individual consumers. A graphical store design user interface of a Web browser displays a hierarchical representation of products and, product groups of ...