Abstract: The present invention provides a method of administering finances via an electronic network. The administrator creates accounts for users that the administrator wants to oversee. The administrator can supply financial parameters to configure the accounts where such financial parameters might include the amount of a recurring weekly allowance payment, an account interest rate, a list of investment instruments that the user would be allowed to transact with. The administrator is able to set interest rates and other financial parameters at their discretion and not subject to prevailing market conditions. The system automatically updates the account to keep track of allowance and interest payments. The system allows the users and administrator to record financial transactions and keep track of and view the user's balance and holdings.

Abstract: A method of assembling a utility meter having a plurality of components on a subassembly is disclosed herein. The method comprises associating an identification code, such as a barcode, with the subassembly and then entering the barcode associated with the subassembly into a first memory. Next, a lot identification code for each of a plurality of components of the subassembly is associated with the barcode of the subassembly in the first memory. The subassembly is then placed in the utility meter having an associated utility meter identification code. The utility meter identification code is then entered in a second memory and the utility meter identification code is associated with the barcode of the subassembly in the second memory. The first and second memory may be searched to determine lot identification codes for each of the plurality of components in the utility meter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for implementing a field supply chain logistics system for managing spare parts inventory. In one embodiment, the method comprises: identifying locations for field service locations (FSLs) field warehouses for the spare parts, based on time or distance windows to deliver the parts to the field locations each FSL serves; collecting and validating data to compute optimal field inventory levels and minimum inventory levels for non-field warehouse, the non-field warehouse including central stock; physically setting up FSLs so that the FSLs functions as field warehouses and receive plug requests; generating optimal inventory profiles; opening FSLs for service; conducting plug inventory to retrieve plug excess and deploy new levels; and conducting after implementation review to verify that processes are being followed as expected and document lessons learned.

Abstract: A method for searching a bill of materials (BOM) in a data processing system, a data processing system configured to perform a corresponding method, and a computer program product encoded with instructions for performing the method. The method includes retrieving BOM data in a data processing system, and forming a wavefront queue of a plurality of proto lines corresponding to the BOM data. The method also includes determining the cumulative geometric bounds of multiple ones of the plurality of proto lines and performing a geometric bounds test on the cumulative geometric bounds of multiple ones of the plurality of proto lines. The method also includes producing a BOM line to each proto line that passes the geometric bounds test, and adding the produced BOM lines to a candidate results list stored in the data processing system.

Abstract: Techniques for using transactional and visual event information to facilitate loss prevention are provided. The techniques include obtaining video of one or more visual events at a point of sale environment and one or more transaction log entries that correspond to the video, wherein the one or more transaction log entries comprise one or more transactional events, categorizing each event as one of one or more model events, using each categorized event to create a revised transaction log, wherein the revised transaction log comprises a sequence of categorized events, wherein each categorized event is a combination of the one or more transactional events and the one or more visual events, examining the revised transaction log to correct one or more mis-categorizations, if any, and revise one or more model event categories with the one or more corrected mis-categorizations, if any, and using the revised transaction log to facilitate loss prevention.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing product returns includes: receiving information of a set of returned products, and recording the returned product information into a storage of a computer; generating a returned product order based on the returned product information; determining if any returned products are reusable; determining to scrap the non-reusable products if the returned products are non-reusable; selecting the reusable products from the returned products if there are reusable products in the returned products; determining if there are any qualified products in the reusable products; warehousing the qualified products into a stock of a manufacturer if there are qualified products in the reusable products; generating a reproduction report for the unqualified products according to the returned product order, and storing the reproduction report into the storage of the computer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a renewable energy system monitor. In one embodiment, information is received in a server from solar power stations across a network. The information includes operational data for each solar power station identified by a particular power station identification (ID). The information is stored in a database and grouped data groups corresponding different solar power stations. Data groups are processed using different models associated with different power stations to control the different power stations. Software or parameters may be sent to different devices in the different power stations to control the power stations.

Abstract: The parcel distribution system attaches a radio tag into which the identification information of the parcel is written to the parcel, and arranges radio tag readers/writers having an internet communication function arranged on the distribution route. The arrival scheduling unit of the server prepares and holds a scheduled passage date when the parcel arrives at the tag communicable areas of the radio tag readers/writers arranged on the distribution route. The parcel retrieving unit instructs the radio tag reader having the scheduled arrival date corresponding to the current date to read the radio tag with reference to the scheduled arrival date held by the arrival scheduling unit, determines the identification information of the traced parcel from the result of the read of the radio tag retrieved from the radio tag reader, and responds with the current position of the parcel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for applying tax legislation. In one implementation, a system is provided that includes means for receiving a request for performing a tax calculation, the request including a first mark-up language document containing transaction data. The system also includes means for performing the tax calculation and means for generating a response, wherein the response includes the first mark-up language document and a result of the tax calculation.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an extensible framework for a POS application is provided. A POS application may be extended using a payment format add-in, a workflow add-in, a financial services provider add-in, or a combination of add-ins. A payment format add-in provides support for a payment format not included in the payment formats built into the POS application. A workflow add-in provides a configurable workflow that can be used to extend a built-in payment format or a payment format add-in. A financial services provider add-in provides support for interacting with a financial services provider for which the POS application does not provide built-in support. Each add-in can implement, for example, logic for processing a payment transaction, a portion of a payment transaction, and configuring steps for processing a payment transaction.

Abstract: An order fulfillment and content management system and method configured to fulfill a product order for a customized adhesive cover (“skin”). In various embodiments, an order can be placed for a skin in an on-demand nature. In other words, a user can select and customize a skin over a network and the resulting skin is manufactured in accordance with that order. Furthermore, various processes can be integrated and moved in concert with one another to provide an efficient and timely fulfillment of the order. The system can also have several stake holders that can quickly review and identify any problems in an order and arrive at a quick resolution path.

Abstract: A time-phased reutilization of configured products is provided. Partially configured products are detected. Each partially configured product is analyzed to determine if the partially configured product is a valid partially configured product, suitable for being modified into other configurations. A time phased management process is applied to the valid partially configured product.

Abstract: A code management system is provided for reducing an amount of data on a product identification number assigned to a product in traceability system and enabling to reduce an information management burden required for a history reference. In a weighing label attaching process, a main server distributes unused individual product code complying with a request from a weighing machine. The weighing machine creates and stores a weighing related information that relates a case code previously read to a weighing result (weight), a calculating result (price), a label code (a product identification information) determined as any of individual product codes, and a content of a label information. The main server requires the weighing related information to provide, complying with a request submitting the label code from a purchaser of the product. The weighing machine searches and transmits the weighing related information to the main server complying with the request from the main server.

Abstract: A computer application loaded on a computer readable medium, a computer apparatus comprising the same, and process employing the same, is described herein. The computer application, when executed, causes a computer to optimize, for maximum net profit margin, the product allocation, transportation routing, transportation vehicle/route scheduling and, optionally, blending, of bulk products that are produced by and loaded from supply locations and delivered to and consumed by demand locations, using a heterogeneous fleet of transportation vehicles over a pre-defined period of time.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer program products for: (1) receiving transaction data from a transaction involving a consumer, where the transaction data comprises product-level information; (2) storing the transaction data in memory; and/or (3) posting the transaction data to an account accessible to the consumer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for automatically determining a fare for utilizing chargeable means of transport conveying persons. According to said method, a credit which is established in a currency that is valid in a first currency zone and is used for automatically deducting the fare when utilizing a means of transport is allocated to a user terminal, a factor for converting the first currency into a second currency that is valid in a second currency zone is defined as soon as the user terminal is utilized in a second currency zone, and fares are automatically determined in the second currency, are converted into the first currency using the defined conversion factor, and are deducted from the credit established in the first currency as long as the user terminal is not utilized in another currency zone.

Abstract: A building management and optimization system and method are disclosed. Building services data obtained at the building is received by a building optimization platform through a first communication network. The building optimization platform includes at least one server system for generating an electronic invoice based on the building services use data. A representation of the electronic invoice is transmitted to a user interface through a second communication network for web-based review, editing and approval by a property manager associated with the building.

Abstract: The inventive method uses data received concerning the status of various tables in the establishment, the criteria provided by the customer as well as the status of the meals being prepared in a variety of courses for customers already seated to best determine how much time a new customer will have to wait before a suitable table is available where the customer may be seated. When a customer enters the restaurant, they provide information to the hostess or host including the party size and various table preferences. The host or hostess enters this information into a computer using a keyboard touch screen input or a wireless remote device. Based upon the preferences chosen by the party, the system assigns the most predictable table and periodically scans each existing table to determine that table's status. The method gains additional accuracy by obtaining detailed kitchen status information concerning meals being prepared for each table.

Abstract: An automated accounting and reporting system supports flexible assignments of accounting objects to financial statements. At a reporting time, financial statement items may be generated from accounting objects by surveying the stored accounting objects and copying and aggregating key figures from the accounting object to the financial statement items. The financial statement items form the basis of the financial statements. The copying and aggregating may occur as specified in a plurality of rule sets. To change assignments between the accounting objects and financial statements, it is sufficient to provide a replacement rule set that specifies different copy and aggregation operations.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for preparing a tax return using electronically distributed tax return data. Electronically distributed tax return data (such as W-2 data or 1099 data) that is stored at a third party's computer system for a taxpayer is accessed to prepare the tax return. The location of the electronically distributed tax return data is provided to a tax preparer that accesses the electronic data and prepares the tax return. The taxpayer provides authorization for the tax preparer to access the electronically distributed tax return data stored at the third party system. After the current tax year, the tax preparer checks the availability of the electronically distributed tax return data. When the electronically distributed tax return data is determined to be available, the tax preparer accesses it and prepares the tax return.