Abstract: A control server includes a device information database storing device characteristic data constituting the air conditioning equipment, a fuel/power rate database storing price and rate data regarding gas, oil, power and the like, a device characteristic and price database, an air conditioning equipment simulator for calculating running costs by using the data stored in the fuel/power rate database, and communication portion for performing communications through a network. The control server, and an air conditioning management controller for managing and controlling the air conditioning equipment provided with the communication portion for performing communications through the network, are connected to the network.

Abstract: A method of operating a postage metering system for printing a postage indicium for use with a business reply mail piece. The method includes the step(s) of: (i) transmitting a registration ID number to a data center, the registration ID number being associated a particular mail campaign of which the business replay mail piece is a part; (ii) receiving postage indicium information from the data center, the postage indicium information including delivery address information generated using the registration ID number; and (iii) printing the postage indicium on the business reply mail piece using the postage indicium information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for service providers to provide hosted enterprise solutions to businesses, allowing these businesses to collaborate with other business partners or clients, via the Internet. Under such systems and methods, service providers would allow clients to decide which partners to invite to enroll in subscription plan in order to share and minimize the cost to the clients without having the clients incur a cumbersome approval process from all their partners.

Abstract: A server apparatus and a transit control method allow a noise countermeasure to be determined efficiently and conveniently in designing electronic circuits. A registered noise countermeasure information storing unit stores noise countermeasure list information requested for registration by a registration terminal in the registration terminal connected via a network. A circuit information acquiring unit acquires circuit information from a user terminal connected via the network, which can use the registered noise countermeasure information. A noise countermeasure list information generating unit generates noise countermeasure list information based on the registered noise countermeasure information and the circuit information, and transmits the generated noise countermeasure list information to the user terminal.

Abstract: Upon the sale of merchandise by a vending machine, encrypted point information expressing prescribed points is presented to a user. The user transmits the presented point information, together with identification information for the user, to a center device by means of the user's portable telephone set. The center device decrypts the transmitted and encrypted point information, stores and manages points corresponding to the point information for the user, and offers prescribed service to the user based on the points stored and managed for the user.

Abstract: A data service system includes a server system. The server system includes a request processor that schedules external requests to be serviced by the server system based on classification information contained in a tag of each of the requests. An application system is coupled to the server system. The application system includes an application engine that performs a transaction requested by an external request and provides response to the request to the server system. The application system also includes a business rule engine that stores business rules regarding classification for various transactions. The business rule engine also uses the business rules to analyze the response to the request. A tag generator is provided in the application system that generates the tag based on the analysis of the business rule engine.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a software license management system (SLMS) utilizing a web-based interactive database to automate a software management process (SWMP) for managing software assets, measuring compliance requirements, and tracking/reporting status as necessary to assure proficiency and adherence to implementation requirements of the software management process. The SWMP is a process consisting of five different phases. The five steps of the SWMP involve identification of various solution alternatives, acquisition, deployment, maintenance and software retirement. The SWMP establishes high-level software management process to avoid litigation and penalties, maximize software asset utilization through tighter inventory control, and capitalize on the software procurement process.

Abstract: This invention provides for a method of delivering goods from a plurality of suppliers to a plurality of buyer utilizing a system having a plurality delivery agents, a plurality of stores, a plurality of good brands, and a plurality of buyers, wherein the delivery agents, stores, and suppliers are linked to a communications network. The method comprises the steps of; each store communicating order information to a logistics intermediary; the logistics intermediary communicating invoice information from the order information to any one of the delivery agents based on an Internet based electronic manifest; the delivery agent noting exceptions and communicating the exceptions to the logistics intermediary; the logistics intermediary communicating exceptions to the supplier and to the store from which the goods were ordered; and, after shipping the goods the delivery agent communicating the status of the shipped goods to the logistics intermediary.

Abstract: A method is provided of restricted substance management and recycling in a manufacturing environment. The method includes the steps of inputting restricted substances and recycle content data of parts supplied by a supplier for a vehicle into a computer system of a vehicle manufacturer. The method also includes the steps of reviewing the inputted data and determining parts with banned or recycled content or substances over predetermined thresholds. The method further includes the steps of reporting the determined parts to the supplier and vehicle manufacture.

Abstract: A system and method for online creation and integration of service of process functions is provided, for use in conjunction with paper or electronic filing of court papers. By logging on to a web page, the user can access a rules and decision matrix database providing the rules and requirements for process service by jurisdiction and type. Such rules can be incorporated into process requests using online tools and document management software. Once entered, the requests are compiled in a database, and a system controller coordinates with affiliated process servers to procure process service in the desired jurisdiction.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic regulatory compliance system and method that permits a regulatory agency to efficiently and accurately monitor thousands of environmental equipment installations, such as homeowner wastewater treatment plants, for compliance with regulatory requirements. The environmental equipment installations may be installed at different locations, operating on different inspection schedules, with different service companies, different owners, of different types, and be of different processing capacity. A personnel detector is preferably utilized to verify the actual physical presence of service personnel. In accord with the invention, each environmental equipment system is connected to a network that logs and time-stamps events that occur at each of the plurality of environmental equipment systems related to compliance with environmental regulations.

Abstract: An on-line VBI printing system that includes one or more cryptographic modules and a central database. The cryptographic modules are capable of implementing a variety of required security standards. A client system provides a user friendly GUI for facilitating the interface of the user to the system. The GUI system includes wizards that help the user step-by-step with processes of installation, registration, and printing In one aspect, the invention describes an on-line system for printing a value bearing item (VBI) that includes a client system for interfacing with a user comprising; a GUI for installing software for printing the VBI; a GUI for registering the user in the system; and a GUI for managing the printing of the VBI; and a server system capable of communicating with the client system over a computer network for authorizing the client system to print the VBI.

Abstract: Methods, data structures, and systems by which entities can efficiently discover, extend, validate and establish business relationships over a digital network are disclosed. A transitive trust system can be utilized by any number of interconnected entities in which at least two of the entities are capable of sharing information. One or more entity trust lists contain, for at least two of the entities, at least one characteristic. Each characteristic can, for example, describe or pertain to the actual or perceived dependability, reliability and/or credibility of an entity. The system also includes at least one transactional trust list that contains at least one parameter relative to an exchange between at least two of the entities through at least one degree of separation between the entities. The transactional trust list can, for example, be a listing of any type of parameters that define or describe business exchanges within a particular industry segment.

Abstract: A commerce visibility network allows for the collection and distribution of real-time location and status information regarding the movement of goods and assets through a supply chain. Items and/or conveyances may be individually tagged using radio frequency identifiers or other tagging technologies, such as global positioning satellite technology. The location of an item or conveyance may be marked and information on the location may be stored at a site server. The site server may then upload location information to a data center. Supply chain users may then be charged a fee per tracked item or fee per transaction to access the data center and view reports compiled using the location information regarding each tracked item. This allows for instantaneous access to location and status information of any item in the supply chain. Additionally, aggregation information is provided to allow for the tracking of items which are stored in conveyances, even in several levels of conveyances.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus of compiling and providing business data in a distributed computer system, preferably the Internet or any other type of computer linked network system. The present invention also provides a computer program product that contains business data compiled from files containing business data located in a distributed computer system. The present invention to provide a cost-effective method for automatically compiling a business data as well as an automated method for refreshing business data so as to keep it current. The advantage of the present invention is that it enables one to compile business data from files in a distributed computer system in a cost effective and time effective manner taking advantage of the large number of data that is available in a distributed computer system. Another advantage is that the present invention enables one to quickly update business data to stay current.

Abstract: A generator unit is installed locally to supply power to an electricity consumer. A management center monitors operation status of the generator unit and monitors the amount of electricity supplied to the electricity consumer by the generator unit. A service company performs maintenance and management for the generator unit based on instructions from the management center or the operation status of the generator unit. An electricity provider operating the generator unit bills the electricity consumer for an electricity supply service fee based on information sent to the management center. The resulting electricity generation equipment management system maintains and manages a generator unit without placing a burden on an electricity consumer, allowing efficient billing and payment of electricity supply service fees.

Abstract: If the energy service enterprise is responsible for paying costs for applying energy-saving measures to the object facilities, measures the energy consumption after taking the energy-saving measures, calculates the amount of curtailed energy cost by comparing the measured value with the energy consumption before taking the energy-saving measures previously stored in the database, and receives at least a part of the curtailed amount, the customer is not required to plan equipment investment in energy-saving measures and collection thereof. Introduction of the energy-saving measures is thus made easier.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically contacting one or more contacts when a user makes travel plans. A profile is used to determine to which contacts messages are sent. One of the contacts can be a home automation system that is registered with an email system to enter an at-home or a traveling environment based on the message. The home automation system receives instructions from the user's profile passed through an email system. Contacts can be grouped into classes of contacts so that each class receives an appropriate level of itinerary detail based upon the sensitivity level of the class. For example, a high sensitivity class may include the user's family and secretary. The high sensitivity class is sent detailed itinerary information regarding the user's travel plans. A medium sensitivity class may include business colleagues of the user. The medium sensitivity class may receive itinerary information including the user's travel destination but may not include detailed hotel and flight information.

Abstract: A mass transit system of a transit authority automatically determines and applies the lowest possible transit fare to a patron's account, thereby releasing the patron from decisions leading to the most cost effective fare instrument for his or her transit pattern. A fair fare system and method utilizes the transit authority's existing hardware infrastructure, i.e., mainframe, vendors, gates, smart card and Point of Issue (POI) devices, with additional processing mechanisms for determining the best fare over rolling time periods. Because a relatively large storage capacity of the fare instrument is required, smart cards are employed for use with the fare fair system.

Abstract: When any user request other than that of a phone number subscription request is received from a user, it may be determined whether a subscription request is offered to the user in response to the received request. When an offer is to be provided, a phone number subscription request may be offered either before, during, or after processing the received request.