Abstract: System and method for service pricing optimization enables analysis of multi-phased, multi-business unit, multi-process, multi-geo/country deal structure with its parts and phases having different pricing implications, and provides a flexible composite pricing schedule optimized for both service provider and receiver by gain and risk sharing. In one aspect, elementary pricing models and pricing parameters are established and a composite pricing model is constructed based on the elementary pricing models and pricing parameters. An optimizer optimizes the composite pricing model to minimize risk and maximize one or more selected criteria. Price is generated using the optimized composite pricing model.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Postal package delivery system for forwarding a packet from a sender towards a destination through a postal network where the postal network comprises a plurality of postal nodes for sorting and forwarding the package through said network via at least one node of said plurality of postal nodes towards the destination. The forwarding of the package is based on the address of said destination, where a tag associating device is able to associate a tag of the package flexibly with a physical address of a plurality of addresses of said destination.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for modifying the status for one or more carrier services based on one or more geographical delivery areas. Such embodiments provide an interface module executed by a processor to modify data indicating the status for the one or more carrier services in response to obtaining data indicating the one or more carrier services to be modified, a beginning date for which the status of the one or more carrier services is to be modified, an ending date for which the status will return to its pre-existing state prior to being modified, one or more geographical delivery areas in which the status is to be modified, and a modification for the one or more carrier services.

Abstract: A method for obtaining tickets for journeys in a passenger transportation system (VSY) which comprises stations (S11 . . . S00) for entering and/or leaving transport means (VM1, VM2) of the system (VSY) for journeys between the stations (S11 . . . S00), wherein at least one station (S11 . . . S00) of the system (VSY) is assigned at least one contactlessly readable data carrier (T11 . . . T00) and/or at least one transport means (VM 1, VM2) of the system (VSY) is assigned at least one contactlessly readable data carrier (T10, T20), wherein the contactlessly readable data carriers (T11 . . . T00; T10, T20) contain ticket information items (IN11, IN23, INOO), and one of the contactlessly readable data carriers (T11 . . . T00; T10, T20) is read by a mobile reader (MOD) in at least one station (S11 . . . S00) and/or in at least one transport means (VM1, VM2), and the corresponding ticket information item or items (IN11, IN23, IN00) is/are stored in the mobile reader (MOD).

Abstract: A last mile delivery system (LAMIS system) for delivery of parcels to recipients includes Automatic Delivery Machines (ADMs) that are located in public places. Each ADM has a local computer and data and communication network connection, and a set of cells for storing parcels, and a single access mechanism for each such set adapted to provide a recipient with access to a parcel stored in a cell while preventing access to parcels in other cells. Control centers use an ADM database with locations of the ADMs, a LAMIS server computer program for handling the data associated with the operation of the system. The control center has data and communication network connecting the LAMIS server with the local computers of the ADMs. The local computers are adapted to identify the recipient and to provide access to the parcel in the cell of the chosen ADM.

Abstract: Determining multiple routes for multiple passenger groups, includes sending to a scheduler, multiple individual queries with a bias to produce individual solutions that meet joint travel requirements, merging results from the multiple individual queries to produce joint solutions for the passenger groups and returning the joint solutions.

Abstract: A multiple routes for multiple passengers are produced by ordering passenger groups and for each passenger group, constructing an individual query and sending the individual query to a travel planning system. Solutions based on the individual query are received from the travel planning system and a single individual solution is selected from the response. Constraints are added to subsequent individual queries based on previously selected individual solutions and joint travel requirements or preferences.

Abstract: A system for selecting, picking by line, loading and delivering objects using a server with processor and data storage, at least one mobile processor, with a mobile data storage, a display, an input device and an output device, and an object location identification trigger for providing one of three signals to the host server is provided herein. The mobile processor receives, verifies, and stores various codes on objects and locations and delivery information for continuous and instantaneous use by an operator, while the operator provides the signals from the OLI trigger. The server stores various libraries containing information on an object, a location, an operator, a transport device, and a transport vehicle. The server can transmit a list of objects, a list of delivery devices, a delivery vehicle and a delivery location to the mobile processor for continuous use with the OLI trigger.

Abstract: A method for providing a mailer with detailed information regarding the mailer's preparation of mail entities and the post's processing of mail entities. The foregoing allows the mailer to improve subsequent preparation of mail entities to make it easier for the post to process and deliver mail in a timely manner. The invention also allows the post and the mailer to distinguish between mailer's processing defects and errors caused by faulty postal equipment.

Abstract: A method for loading and delivering objects using at least one mobile processor in communication with a mobile data storage to provide at least one command to an operator is provided herein. The mobile processor can be in further communication with at least one input device. A host processor can provide the libraries and a list of objects to be loaded and delivered to the mobile processor. The host processor can be in communication with a host data storage that comprises computer instructions. An output device and an OLI trigger can also be used in conjunction with the mobile processor.

Abstract: A method for delivering objects using at least one onboard mobile processor in communication with a mobile data storage to provide at least one command to a driver is provided herein. The onboard mobile processor can be in further communication with at least one input device. A host processor can provide the libraries and a list of objects to and delivered to the onboard mobile processor. The host processor can be in communication with a host data storage that comprises computer instructions. An output device and an OLI trigger can also be used in conjunction with the onboard mobile processor.

Abstract: A pharmacy post office receives prescriptions and produces through an automated pill dispensing and packaging system machine-sortable pharmacy letters that are sortable by automated mail sorting machines into postal delivery routes and delivered as first class or priority mail pieces by the postal delivery persons along their customary routes. A track and trace system may provide a delivery schedule to the patient and/or prescribing doctor based on the time of day the pharmacy letter is provided to the automated mail sorting machines. When a pharmacy letter is delivered by the postal delivery person, he or she scans the tracking code and transmits information back to the track and trace system, which then updates its delivery schedule to show the completed delivery.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method that can be performed on a system, is provided for automatic review of travel changes and improved suggestions and rules set. In one embodiment, the method comprises generating an aggregate of travel history data based on one or more travelers, the data including changes made to travel selections of an itinerary following an initial purchase of the travel selections; receiving a request for travel options in relation to a requested travel itinerary; and generating a first set of travel options for the requested travel itinerary, based at least in part on the aggregate of travel history data, the first set of travel options to result in a cost lower than a second set of travel options, if changes are made to selected travel options of the requested travel itinerary following an initial purchase of the selected travel options.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for integrating rental vehicle return with airline boarding pass generation. The system includes a rental identification tag located on a rental vehicle and a tag reader located at a rental vehicle return facility for reading and identifying the rental vehicle identification tag when the rental vehicle enters a range of the tag reader. The system additionally includes a database containing information linking a traveler to the rental identification tag and to airline reservation information of the traveler and a computing system communicating with the database and the tag reader to locate the airline reservation information of the traveler based on the identification provided by the tag reader. The system also includes a boarding pass generator for generating a boarding pass based on the airline reservation information upon receiving an instruction from the computing system.

Abstract: A method of optimizing log truck productivity utilizing technology allowing the entry of log truck orders from the field. The present invention generally seeks to improve productivity by (1) minimizing the distances log trucks drive with empty loads and (2) improving coordination between groups of log truck drivers and groups of log loaders to allow for more efficient cross-servicing between the parties. Using the load input device, a loader operator in the field enters a “load ticket” that specifies a mill destination, a desired pickup time for the truck to arrive at the logging site and a desired trailer configuration type. This order is transmitted to a server where it is a received into a centralized application or server. A computer running optimization software can match the load with available trucks or trucks about to become available.

Abstract: Described herein is a method and system to provide optimizing shipping costs that can help arbitrate between a precise solution at an unreasonable cost and a reasonable solution at a very reasonable cost. In one embodiment, a first shipping option is generated to deliver shipments to a first sub-set of recipients within a first time period, and to deliver shipments to a second sub-set of recipients within a second time period that is greater than the first time period, with the shipments to the second sub-set of recipients being a greater distance than shipments to the first sub-set of recipients. The first shipping option provides a cost of shipping savings relative to shipping to all of the recipients within the first time period. The generating of the first shipping option includes selecting the second sub-set of recipients to include a quantity of recipients to provide a cost of shipping savings equal or greater to a predetermined percentage.

Abstract: A mail processing system that includes dimensional rating capability that provides true length support for carrier rates to prevent improper classification of mail pieces. The mail processing system determines a first dimension, parallel to the path of travel, and a second dimension, transverse to the path of travel, of a mail piece. The first dimension and second dimension are compared to each other to determine which is greater. The greater of the two dimensions is assigned to be the length of the mail piece, regardless of the orientation of the mail piece. The format of the mail piece is then determined based on a comparison of the assigned length and assigned width dimensions to maximum dimensions specified by a format table. Based on the determined format of the mail piece, a delivery fee is then calculated, and an indicium can be generated for the mail piece.

Abstract: A system for biasing suggested room and/or resource search results based on user behavior related to rescheduling and/or canceling existing resource reservations. The system uses historical data, statistical analysis, and heuristics to generate suggestions as to which users may be willing and/or able to give up their existing resource reservations for a particular time slot. By monitoring which users reschedule and/or cancel existing reservations, and how often they do so, the system is able to provide a user in need of a previously reserved room/resource with a prioritized list indicating which other users with existing resource reservations during the desired time slot are relatively more likely to cancel their reservations, and/or to transfer their reservations to the scheduling user.

Abstract: The network system matches the supply and demand of transportation services by incorporating unused transportation capacity (i.e., empty seats) with a real-time allocation and matching service that enables individuals and goods to conveniently hire that capacity with attractive pricing, rapid responsiveness, better information availability and trusted security. The network system provides an electronic registry of capacity containing an indication of the spare transport capacity and location of a plurality of transport vehicles, an electronic registry of demand containing an indication of the demand for transportation needs of a plurality of individuals and a central processing capability to effect a match of the transport capacity of at least one transport vehicle with the transport demand of at least one individual.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein relate generally to the electronic recordation of the transfer of a package from a shipper to a responsible postal carrier. In one embodiment, a method of recording the acceptance of a package from a package shipper shipped via a post service includes the steps of: generating a unique header number to preface a record of package transactions made over a time period for a specific shipper, the header number being unique within the post service, wherein each package transaction is made with a centralized computer system and has an associated delivery confirmation number unique within the post service; transmitting the unique header number and transaction record to the post service; generating a scannable indicia representative of the unique header number; and scanning the indicia to confirm acceptance of the package by the post service, wherein the indicia is scanned by a post service representative.