Patent US 5,354,098

An automated reconciliation system that permits instantaneous reconciliation of unsold publications. A pull tab, which contains hidden reconciliation data is affixed to a publication. To reconcile the particular publication, a vendor removes the pull tab strip thereby defacing the publication to expose the reconciliation data needed for entry into a central computer system. The automated reconciliation system ensures that unsold publications which receive reconciliation credit and reimbursement are not fraudulently resold.