Patent ID: 6718311
Filing Date: 2004-04-06
Classification: G06Q,G07F,G07G,Y10T

Abstract:
A computer implemented method comprising:a) receiving and storing request indications representing requests for corresponding requested amounts of an item; b) receiving and storing provided indications representing provided amounts of said item; c) when a representation of a new requested amount is received, cancelling a previous provided amount and reducing said new requested amount by the cancelled previous provided amount and adding any reduced new requested amount to a previous requested amount; d) when a representation of a new provided amount is received, cancelling a previous requested amount and reducing said new provided amount by the cancelled previous requested amount and adding and reduced new provided amount to a previous provided amount; e) associating said previous requested amounts with respective time periods and associating said previous provided amounts with respective time periods; and f) signalling an operator by causing the computer to provide at least one of a visual signal and an audio signal to the operator when the reduced new requested amount or the reduced new provided amount is not equal to zero.