Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating a digital medium of exchange blockchain that is based on a metered amount of generated electrical energy. In one example, a meter computing system coupled to a power generation source can include a sensor that monitors an amount of electrical energy generated by the power generation source over time. The meter computing system can determine when the amount of electrical energy generated by the power generation source reaches a predetermined increment of generated power. The meter computing system can generate a digital unit based on a correlation to the predetermined increment of generated power, wherein the digital unit comprises a unique hashed digital signature that includes unit traceability data. The meter computing system can store the digital unit within a decentralized ledger accessible by the meter computing device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a centralized cloud energy storage system for massive and distributed users and a transaction settlement method thereof, a storage medium, and a terminal. The system includes: a centralized energy storage facility invested and operated by a cloud energy storage service provider; the massive and distributed users; and a power network and a user energy management system connecting the centralized energy storage facility with the massive and distributed users. A user sends a charging and discharging request to the cloud energy storage service provider through the user energy management system, and the cloud energy storage service provider issues a charging and discharging instruction to the centralized cloud energy storage system.

Abstract: A device and a method for detecting a fraudulent financial transaction in an in-vehicle payment may include a processor that detects the fraudulent financial transaction in the in-vehicle payment based on at least one of a vehicle location, the number of vehicle occupants, a state of a communication network, a vehicle speed, whether a fingerprint authentication module is mounted, a state of a battery, a user account, and/or information on the in-vehicle payment when the in-vehicle payment is requested from a vehicle providing an in-vehicle payment function. An effect of strengthening security of the in-vehicle payment by detecting the fraudulent financial transaction in the in-vehicle payment may be provided.

Abstract: A system and method for providing model-based promotion and price computation is described in which promotional offers in the form of promotion information from a manufacturer are combined with price determination parameters from the retailer to calculate a final retail price. The system prevents fraud by eliminating the heavy dependence on unverifiable trust between the retailer and manufacturer and by assuring that the consumer will receive the benefit of the promotions intended by the manufacturer.

Abstract: A method is provided for managing energy. The method comprises collecting information relating to amounts of energy stored by a plurality of members of a group, and relating to energy requirements of the members. The method further comprises determining a price for distributing energy to a non-member of the group, determining whether to supply energy stored by the members to the non-member at the determined price, and issuing instructions to distribute energy upon determining that energy stored by the plurality of members should be supplied to the non-member.

Abstract: The practical application of a multi-objective mixed integer nonlinear optimization model for the improvement of vessel scheduling, which accounts for all major route service cost components reported in the literature and separates them in two conflicting groups. The original mixed integer nonlinear model is linearized by discretizing the vessel sailing speed reciprocal, and the Global Multi-Objective Optimization Algorithm is developed to solve the linearized model. It was found that negotiation of both vessel service time windows and handling rates between liner shipping companies and marine container terminal operators may significantly reduce the total route service cost components. Furthermore, the numerical experiments show that vessel schedules are more sensitive to the unit fuel cost as compared to the unit carbon dioxide emission cost.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods for facilitating synchronized delivery of shipments/items scheduled to be delivered to multiple serviceable points located nearby one another. Various embodiments identify nearby serviceable points based on an identification of serviceable points being located along a common street segment. Accordingly, serviceable point data identifying corresponding street segment identifiers are stored for a plurality of serviceable points. Thereafter, shipping data for a first shipment to be delivered to a first serviceable point is received, and a determination is made whether a second shipment scheduled to be delivered to a second serviceable point is available for synchronized delivery with the first shipment. The determination comprises determining whether the street segment corresponding to the first serviceable point is the same as and/or is connected to the street segment corresponding to the second serviceable point.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for fill modeling in hybrid last-mile deliveries. Hybrid last-mile delivery may refer to delivery of items in which a delivery vehicle meets customers at a pickup location at a specified time. Thus, instead of conventional last-mile delivery in which a delivery vehicle delivers items to an end point, such as a customer home, customers are to meet the delivery vehicle at a specified location and time to pick up items. The systems and methods described herein may include computational modeling of delivery vehicles and items to be delivered in a hybrid last-mile delivery to identify or select delivery vehicles and/or filling the delivery vehicles.

Abstract: A merchant can use an e-commerce platform to sell products to customers, and customers can use the e-commerce platform to return items that they are unsatisfied with back to the merchant. These product returns have an associated cost. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to computer-implemented systems and methods to enable customer-to-customer product returns in an e-commerce platform. In a customer-to-customer return, a first customer that wants to return an item of a particular product is connected with a second customer that wants to purchase that product. The e-commerce platform then facilitates a shipment of the item from the first customer directly to the second customer. Embodiments of the present disclosure include online store implementations of customer-to-customer returns, and online marketplace implementations of customer-to-customer returns.

Abstract: Systems and methods for advanced energy settlements in electric power grid are proposed. At least one energy customer, at least one retail electric provider and at least one distributed generator connect to an advanced energy settlement platform communicatively. The advanced energy settlement platform is operable to summate a customer balance from all the settlement blocks during a billing period and collect payments from the at least one energy customer automatically; aggregate and settle distributed energy charges with distributed generators and fixed energy charges with the energy retailer or retail energy provider for the at least one energy customer during the billing period. The advanced energy settlement platform also provides interactive graphical user interface for different participants in the advanced energy settlement and for advanced energy settlements application development kit (ADK) for access to functionality within the advanced energy settlement platform.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for managing salvage shipments in a transportation network. The system includes a transportation planner coupled with one or more entities in the transportation network. The transportation planner determines an optimized transportation plan for delivery and pick-up of shipments throughout the transportation network.

Abstract: Approaches for determining scheduling assignments for the movement of people along a multi-segment path from a starting location to a destination location, are used to manage crowds, predict crowd behavior, and mitigate crowd turbulence. For example, to mitigate crowd congestion, routing solutions specifying an amount of time to spend at a destination and a departure time can be provided. Itinerary assignments, crowd data, and data associated with an event can be analyzed and weighted to determine scheduling assignments. Scheduling assignments can be validated against current crowd data and event data. Current crowd data and event data and crowd simulation can be used to predict future crowd behavior or crowd problems. Scheduling assignments can be rescheduled to mitigate crowd problems or emergencies.

Abstract: A computer-based system for unobscuring and/or unconstraining demand is disclosed. Via use of the system, actual airline seat bookings may be restated in an unobscured and/or unconstrained form, facilitating improved demand forecasts for subsequent seat bookings. In this manner, seat protects may be better allocated to align with actual demand, thus increasing revenue.

Abstract: Techniques for managing notifications may be described. In an example, the notifications may relate to an item and may be provided to a user device. A passive device may be associated with the item. A delivery management device at a particular location may detect the proximity of the passive device. The delivery management device may cause a notification to be sent to the user device based on the proximity. The notification may describe that the item may have been detected at the particular location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utility intervention are disclosed. The method of utility intervention includes: obtaining utility data from a utility data repository, (ii) detecting, using at least one type of anomaly-detecting module, at least one utility anomaly and a location address; (iii) calculating an amount of financial savings for the utility anomaly if the utility anomaly was remedied or addressed; (iv) computing a certainty score for the utility anomaly; (v) conveying information about the type of utility anomaly, and the location address of the utility anomaly; and (vi) displaying, on a display screen of a client device, a map depicting a geographical area that identifies, using a flag icon, the location address on the map of the utility anomaly, the type of the utility anomaly, a certainty score for the utility anomaly, and/or an amount of financial savings associated with the utility anomaly.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to creating a crowdsourced delivery plan. In some embodiments, a system for creating a crowdsourced delivery plan for a package comprises a certification system configured to receive, from a retailer, an indication of items included in the package, determine, based on the indication of items included in the package, a set of requirements, and transmit, to a plurality of portable devices, information regarding the delivery, each of the plurality of portable devices configured to receive, from the certification system, the information regarding the delivery, transmit, to the certification system, an acceptance of the delivery, wherein only ones of the plurality of portable devices associated with delivery agents meeting the set of requirements is capable of acceptance of the delivery, receive, in response to the transmission of the acceptance, an authorization, and present, at a pickup point, the authorization.

Abstract: A synchronized delivery system for delivering parcels directly to an alternate delivery location such as a locker bank in lieu of making any delivery attempt at a primary delivery location such as a home or office. The system may deliver parcels directly to the alternate delivery location when a related parcel is currently stored at the alternate delivery location awaiting pickup. A related parcel may include a parcel addressed to the same consignee, to a related consignee (e.g., such as a neighbor, roommate, or spouse), or to another authorized to pick up parcels on behalf of the consignee. When delivering parcels to alternate deliver locations, the system may facilitate a grouping of related parcels in a single locker.

Abstract: A method of deploying an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operation system may be provided. A method may include estimating an amount of traffic for one or more routes based on a demand of the one or more routes. The method may also include determining a required number of docking stations for each route of the one or more routes based on the estimated amount of traffic for the route, a distance of the route, and a maximum travel distance for a UAV. Further, the method may include installing the required number of docking stations for each route of the one or more routes, wherein each docking station of the required number of docking stations including at least one of a power supply, a wireless charger, a communication module, a control module, and a camera.

Abstract: A system for redirecting a parcel from a primary delivery location (e.g., a residential address) to a locker bank is configured to redirect the parcel following an unsuccessful delivery attempt at the primary delivery location. In some embodiments, the system is configured to determine a suitable locker bank to which to redirect the parcel based on preferences received from a carrier (e.g., common carrier), shipper of the parcel, or consignee of the parcel. In various embodiments, following the unsuccessful delivery attempt, the system is configured to receive a request to deliver the parcel to the locker bank, provide access to one or more lockers at the locker bank for placement of the parcel, receive confirmation that the parcel has been placed in a particular locker at the locker bank, and associate the parcel with the particular locker.

Abstract: Described herein are exemplary systems and methods for the optimization of shipping cartons relative to the contents of orders to be placed therein. An exemplary carton optimization method evaluates a sample size of orders received at a given location and then determines an optimal carton set that includes at least one feasible carton for each order, while also minimizing shipping costs based on dimensional weighing-based pricing by reducing the dimensional weight, thereby minimizing void space and increasing the carton space utilization percentage. An exemplary carton optimization method may be further customized to optimize a carton set for an order, based on the cartons already available at a given warehouse or other site. As a result, cartons are utilized and designed more efficiently at the site.