Abstract: Methods and apparatus for portable network interfaces to manage authentication and license enforcement. A system may include a plurality of resource instances including a producer instance configured to implement a network-accessible service, and an authentication coordinator. The coordinator may assign an interface record to the service, wherein the interface record comprises an IP address and a set of security properties. The coordinator may configure the security properties to allow a client to request an attachment of the interface record to a selected resource instance, such that the selected resource instance is enabled to transmit network messages from the IP address using one or more physical network interfaces of the selected resource instance. The producer resource instance initiates authentication operations for the service, including at least one authentication operation based on the IP address of the interface record.

Abstract: A tool, network and method of asset data updating is provided. The tool comprises: a portable computing device capable of wirelessly receiving a GPS location and updating of asset data including, among other things, asset condition and/or GPS location. The tool may also comprise knowledge based software capable of time tracking, work order management and billing. The knowledge based software may be provided alone or in combination with the asset updating. A network capable of wirelessly communicating with the tool is discloses as is a method of using the tool.

Abstract: A system may receive order information that may include information identifying a network service, associated with a service provider network, and a service location associated with the network service. The system may determine context information based on the order information that may include information associated with providing the network service to the service location via the service provider network. The system may generate a service order based on the context information. The system may create a virtual network function (VNF) based on the service request. The VNF may be created such that the VNF operates on a computing device associated with the system, and may be configured to provide the network service. The system may insert the VNF into the service provider network to cause the network service to be provided to the service location. The VNF may interact with a physical device of the service provider network.

Abstract: A system and method to identify recursion in a virtual product structure. Initially, the virtual product structure is analyzed to identify the existence of a recursion. Once a recursion is identified, a graphical representation of the virtual product structure is generated and displayed to graphically exposure the recursion. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enrolling a user in a membership account. A payment processing request is received from a point of sale device associated with a merchant. The payment processing request includes an account number associated with a user. Based on the account number, a user account associated with the user is retrieved, where the user account includes address information for communicating with a computing device that is associated with the user. Computer-readable instructions are transmitted to the computing device based on the address information, the computer-readable instructions causing the computing device to prompt the user to enroll in a membership account associated with the merchant. A response is received from the computing device indicating consent from the user to enroll in the membership account. Based on the response, an enrollment request is transmitted to the merchant, where the enrollment request includes user information from the user account.

Abstract: Sales Tool and methodology for field representatives of products or services records the dates of site visits with customers, acquires sales data concerning consumption of a product or service in a region which is attributable to the customer, generates a chart that depicts the acquired sales data and superimposes on the chart the site visit information so as to coordinate sales data and site visit information into a unified presentation to the representative. Software implementations can permit the representative to interact with the superimposed site visit information and cause additional information to be retrieved from the local database or elsewhere and be presented. Site visits can include other points-of-contact between the customer and the representative, his or her company, or his or her company's materials.

Abstract: Electronic transaction data sets are processed for a multitude of disparate transactions using a plurality of autonomous payment networks. A software-programmed computer circuit receives and processes electronic transaction data to identify a seller using information provided in the transaction data, and uses the identification to access seller profile information for selecting one of a plurality of networks. In this context, a seller can be identified using one of a plurality of identification approaches (e.g., different account IDs), and such identification can be used for retrieving and using electronic profile data to select a payment network for the seller, which may be completely independent from the identification. Payment data is accordingly configured so that the selected network can receive and process the data, such as by configuring the data into a network-specific format and/or communicating the data using network-specific protocols.

Abstract: Sending electronic messages related to a tax return from a mobile communication device of an accountant or client. Computers having tax preparation programs that are utilized prepare tax returns are synchronized with a host computer. A browser executes on a mobile communication device and a web application on the second computer executes to display a client list. A client is selected, and the web application presents an interface including tax return data of the selected client on the mobile communication device. The interface includes an icon or object that when selected generates a message window that may be at least partially automatically populated. A message may be typed in the window and sent from the mobile communication device. For example, the accountant may send a self-addressed message to a computer utilized to prepare the tax return, or the client may send the accountant a message.

Abstract: A method of upselling ordering items includes: in response to detection of a patron at or approaching an ordering terminal, capturing N sets of identification data for the patron using N passive patron identification systems, respectively, wherein N is an integer greater than one; calculating an overall confidence value indicating a level of confidence that the patron is associated with a unique patron identifier based on N comparisons of the N sets of identification data with N sets of stored identification data, respectively, associated with the unique patron identifier; based on the unique patron identifier, retrieving stored data indicative of an ordering item that is to be subliminally suggested to the patron during ordering; using the ordering terminal, displaying an ordering menu; and, when the overall confidence value is greater than a predetermined value, subliminally suggesting the ordering item to the patron while the patron places an order.

Abstract: Generally speaking, systems, methods and media for tracking shared inventory in a virtual universe are disclosed. Embodiments of the method may include receiving indications that a plurality of users of a virtual universe have borrowed one or more shared inventory items, each shared inventory item having an associated item owner. Embodiments may also include determining and storing metadata associated with borrowing of the shared inventory items and tracking usage of the borrowed shared inventory items by the plurality of the users. Embodiments may also include receiving a query requesting performance of an action relating to one or more shared inventory items and performing the requested action relating to the one or more shared inventory items. In further embodiments, performing the requested action may include recalling the borrowed shared inventory item and returning it to an item owner associated with the borrowed shared inventory item.

Abstract: A billing method is received and authenticated; the billing method includes a function or procedure for computing a bill for the usage of cloud-based computing resources.

Abstract: A pump surrogate controller system and method allows multiple point of sale systems to control a particular service system. For example, a register at a cashier stand may activate the same fuel pump as an automated checkout kiosk. The surrogate controller may further coordinate the transmission of transaction data to the appropriate destinations. For example, transaction information relating to a fuel transaction may be delivered to the appropriate point of sale for completion. Transactions that are pre-authorized prior to a purchaser's arrival at a service station may also be activated using the surrogate controller. Fuel dispensing may be dependent on confirmation that the vehicle and dispensing pump are in close proximity.

Abstract: A system for purchasing fuel is provided. The system includes, but is not limited to, a local device for retrieving identification information which identifies a fuel dispensing station, the identification information containing information identifying the fuel dispensing station from which fuel is desired to be purchased, and a remote server connected with the local device. Upon receiving the identification information at the local device, the local device automatically forwards the identification information along with a unique identifier to the remote server. The remote server generates and transmits an unlock code to the fuel dispensing station. The unlock code signals the fuel dispensing station to dispense fuel.

Abstract: Techniques for safe food ordering by voice while driving are described. A customer driving a vehicle decides to order food from a restaurant. The customer launches a food-ordering app on the customer's smartphone. The app detects that the vehicle is moving, disables manual input into the smartphone, and connects to a terminal at a call center. A customer service representative (“CSR”) at the call center communicates with the customer using spoken language to obtain the details of the food order, enters the food order into an ordering system, and transmits the food order via the ordering system to the restaurant for fulfillment. Finally, the customer picks up the ordered food at the restaurant, possibly using a drive-thru window at the restaurant. Thus, the customer is able to complete an order for food without having to stop driving and without averting their eyes from the road.

Abstract: A system and method for generating expense data for an expense report is disclosed. The method includes receiving receipt data that includes one or more data items pertaining to a transaction, where the one or more data items are obtained from characters optically recognized in receipt image data for the transaction, and the receipt data includes data indicating whether the transaction is a credit card transaction or a cash transaction. The method further includes, if the receipt data indicates the transaction is a credit card transaction, creating expense data for the expense report, where the expense data includes the receipt data and the receipt image data associated with the receipt data for the transaction, and the receipt data includes credit card data. If the transaction indicates the transaction is a personal credit card transaction, then the credit card data is personal credit card data.

Abstract: A system and method for managing the delivery of goods. The system and method particularly provides for manifesting and controlling route-based delivery of orders or packages from a vendor to one or more locations accessible by customers. The locations may include automated, self-service vending machines and/or will-call lockers, under the control of a system (ideally centralized and automated) that can receive and actively manage manifest information.

Abstract: A computer readable medium embodies a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a processing apparatus to perform operations including determining information corresponding to a number of differences in distances between ending points of journeys taken by a vehicle and starting points of consecutive journeys taken by the vehicle, and transmitting one or more representations of the information. Another computer readable medium tangibly includes instructions for, for each of a number of vehicles, receiving one or more scores corresponding to a vehicle, and determining a ranked list containing at least a portion of the scores, and outputting the ranked list. Another computer readable medium includes instructions for, for each of a number of vehicles, receiving information corresponding to a vehicle, using one or more metrics, calculating one or more values from the received information, and communicating one or more representations of the one or more value to one or more entities.

Abstract: A method of operation of a hybrid navigation system includes: providing a position information for locating a first device; linking a second position to the position information, the second position for locating a second device; generating a planned route with the position information refined by the second position for transferring over a regional network to the first device or the second device; and storing saved route information from the planned route for displaying on the first device when the regional network is not available.

Abstract: Methods and systems to manage software development. Embodiments of the present invention allow a programmer to specify the software packages, services, and other materials used in a particular software project. As development of the software project proceeds, the materials associated with the project are reviewed to identify the materials actually used in the project and to identify any discrepancies between what has been specified and what materials are actually used. Metadata, for example license and contractual terms and other policies relating to the specified materials and the materials actually used in the project may optionally be retrieved and analyzed to identify conflicting metadata.

Abstract: Systems and methods of processing expense receipts are provided. Images of expense receipts are received from a user device. The images are processed to obtain receipt information. A list of user expenses is generated based on the receipt information.