Abstract: A system for establishing and maintaining inventories of computing environment assets comprising one or more custom collector interfaces that detect movement of assets from one environment to another, and an inventory scanner which modifies inventories for each environment based on monitored asset movements. The present invention is of especial benefit to autonomic and on-demand computing architectures.

Abstract: An amount is divided into equal portions (n) in a manner which eliminates rounding errors or remainders and has repeatable results.

Abstract: A system and method for performing authentication are disclosed. The system may include a shared central processing server, a plurality of software components each residing in a corresponding point-of-sale (POS) workstation and an identity provider service. The server may reside at a merchant location and communicate with multiple POS workstations at the merchant location. The server may be configured to receive biometric information from each POS workstation. Each software component may communicate with a biometric sensor in communication with the corresponding POS workstation to receive biometric information. The identity provider service may be configured to communicate with the server, store registered biometric information and compare biometric information received from the server with one or more of the stored registered biometric information.

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 for configuring data communication paths between a central controller and a plurality of devices is provided. The method ensures a first appliance is active. For each of the devices, a first communication capability is determined between the first appliance and the device. Signals indicative of the first communication capabilities are transmitted to the central controller. Respective communication paths are mapped between the central controller and the devices via the first appliance as a function of the first communication capabilities. The method ensures an automatic appliance failover is obtained.

Abstract: A near field communication payment method using a proxy account number. The method comprises transmitting a proxy account number from a secure element of a mobile phone to a point-of-sale terminal using a near field communication radio link; transmitting the proxy account number from the point-of-sale terminal to a payment mediation server; transmitting the proxy account number from the payment mediation server to a proxy account manager; determining a selected payment account number by the proxy account manager based in part on retrieving a plurality of payment account numbers from a proxy account number data store using the proxy account number; transmitting the selected payment account number to the payment mediation server by the proxy account manager; and the payment mediation server completing a payment completion transaction with the point-of-sale terminal using the selected payment account number.

Abstract: A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to a point of sale transaction business object.

Abstract: A minimum torque module selectively determines a first minimum propulsion torque based on second and third minimum propulsion torques when a torque converter clutch is in unlocked and locked states, respectively. A zero pedal torque module selectively sets a zero pedal torque equal to the first minimum propulsion torque. A pedal request module determines a pedal torque request based on an accelerator pedal position, a vehicle speed, and the zero pedal torque. A driver request module determines a driver axle torque request based on the pedal torque request. A shaping module selectively shapes the driver axle torque request into a shaped driver axle torque request. A conversion module converts the first minimum propulsion torque into a minimum axle torque. A final driver request module sets a final driver axle torque request equal to a greater of the shaped driver axle torque request and the minimum axle torque.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-readable medium for utilizing the design centers, assembly line and job shops of a global delivery network across multiple software factories are presented. Pre-qualified factory organizational units in a software factory are identified. Identified qualified factory organizational units, including design centers, assembly lines and job shops, are matched to customer requirements. If the identified qualified factory organizational units are available, then they are load balanced and deployed to create software deliverables to the customer.

Abstract: Tools for adjusting a debit transaction, which can allow a payee to adjust the amount of the transaction without having to provide cash back to the payor. Instead, the refund amount may be applied as a credit against the debit transaction. In an aspect, the credit may be for any amount up to the original amount of the check (less any credit already applied). Optionally, one or more security and/or anti-fraud measures may be implemented, e.g., ensuring that the check is not subject to a collection proceeding and/or ensuring that the requested credit is not more than the amount of the check itself).

Abstract: A method of load-based billing for customers in a communication network, wherein each customer has a calling plan. The method comprises monitoring utilization of the network in real-time via a switching center in the network; detecting at the switching center a Usage Level Event based upon the occurrence of a predetermined event trigger; informing a usage level application of the Usage Level Event; recording at the usage level application the Usage Level Event; and determining at the usage level application whether action should be taken based upon the Usage Level Event. When it is determined that action should be taken, the usage level application reports the Usage Level Event to a set of network elements via the usage level application and the switching center, where the set of network elements includes a customer billing platform and a broadcast message application.

Abstract: An online product or service listing arrangement logs searches performed and uses the logged information to calculate a scarcity index that measures the scarcity of products and services. Scarcity may indicate the number of searches that consumers have conducted compared to available listings. Empirical techniques are used to take into account certain types of searches that may not accurately reflect actual consumer demand. Reports may compare item scarcity within different geographical or other markets to determine relative scarcity. Particularly advantageous but non-limiting applications include new and used motor vehicles, employment opportunities, and real estate.

Abstract: A computer system and method is disclosed for pre-qualifying vendors for buyers and/or industries using vendor criteria information associated with buyers and/or industries and vendor qualification information associated with vendors. Vendors and buyers enter the vendor qualification information and vendor criteria information, respectively, into a database in a hierarchical and relational manner. The computer system compares entered vendor qualification information to stored vendor criteria information to pre-qualify vendors for buyers and/or industries. The computer system further monitors the stored vendor qualification information and requests updated vendor qualification information from the vendors to maintain vendor qualification on a per industry and/or per buyer basis.

Abstract: A household budget book service system using mobile terminals is disclosed. The household budget book service system includes a master mobile terminal having budget book indexes for inputting a user's expenditures, capable of storing and sending any inputted expenditures, and receiving expenditures inputted in mobile terminals of the user's other family members that have been registered for integrated management of overall household expenditures, a budget book management server for receiving the expenditures inputted in the master mobile terminal and those inputted in each other family member's mobile terminal to control the operation of the master mobile terminal and capable of communicating with any card company's server and any bank's server, and a storing section connected to the budget book management server to store information sent from each mobile terminal according to the budget book indexes.

Abstract: A control system includes an engine control module and a transmission control module. The transmission control module communicates with the engine control module via a network. The transmission control module generates at least one of a back torque signal and a first engine acceleration signal. The transmission control module transmits the at least one of the back torque signal and the first engine acceleration signal to the engine control module via the network. The engine control module controls operation of an engine based on the at least one of the back torque signal and the first engine acceleration signal.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method, software, and system for monitoring substances. In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a first document associated with a business process of an enterprise. A first volume of a substance based, at least in part, on the business document is determined. A second document associated with the business process of the enterprise is identified. A second volume of the substance based, at least in part, on the business document is determined. The first volume and the second volume is aggregated. A file associated with the business process is updated with at least the aggregated volume.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a network subscriber usage recording system and method with configurable audit system. In one embodiment, a network subscriber usage recording system comprises an encapsulator for reading a plurality of network subscriber metadata records from a network data source and converting the network data records to a plurality of data normalized metered events. An aggregator is provided for processing the data normalized metered events to create aggregated normalized metered events. An auditor is provided for generating audit normalized metered events based on the data normalized metered events.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a system for simulating the loading of a shipment of a set of products. The shipment may be loaded into a set of transports. The simulation may include attempts to fill each transport. The simulation may include evaluating a set of constraints on the shipment. The constraints may include a complex logical statement.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for managing a returnable container inventory and repairs of the returnable containers. The computerized system and method has features and functionality for tracking and managing repairs of special returnable containers that comprise multiple parts. The computerized system and method supports tracking of containers through a distribution network and management of data related to repairs performed on returnable containers as well as the spare parts that are used to repair the containers. Special handling features support removal of the containers from the distribution network for a variety of reasons. Report features allow a shipper to determine the status of containers throughout the distribution network, to view data related to the container and spare parts inventory, and to manage the container inventory using data collection and analysis features.

Abstract: A system and method is described for controlling user access to a carrier's shipping services for delivery of a package. The system controls the user's access to the carrier's services by either limiting the selection of locations from which a package can be shipped to fewer than those described by the carrier's service area, or by limiting the user's ability to select shipping service levels to fewer than those provided by the carrier. Such limitation may be by way of displaying only a limited collection of ship from locations and service levels, or by pre-populating and locking ship from information submission fields on a web page. The distributed-user shipping system may reside on a client server or mobile computer that is connected to the carrier's server and transmits various shipping location information and service level selections to the carrier to facilitate shipping of packages while controlling the scope of shipping services provided.