Abstract: A system is for monitoring arrival of a vehicle at a given location. The system includes a server, and a vehicle sensing device. The vehicle sensing device is configured to sense arrival of the vehicle to the given location, and to cause information about the vehicle to be transmitted to the server in response to sensing arrival of the vehicle to the given location. The server is configured to determine a context of the vehicle based upon the information about the vehicle, and take action based on the context of the vehicle. The system may be installed at parking lots, shipping yards, restaurants, stores, and other locations.

Abstract: A client device obtains and records inbound station information. The client device sends first electronic credential information to an inbound charging apparatus, where the first electronic credential information comprises authentication information generated by a payment system based on a user identity in the client device. The client device sends second electronic credential information and the inbound station information to an outbound charging apparatus, where the second electronic credential information comprises authentication information generated by the payment system based on the user identity in the client device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a networked vehicle resource sharing facility, the method and system detect inputs corresponding to vehicle booking requests, where each of the vehicle booking requests identifies location data and calculates identity of multiple locations corresponding to other vehicle booking requests. Drop-off locations may be distinct from drop-off location specified in each of the other vehicle booking requests. The system accesses a data structure storing user authorisations for using assets for sharing and other qualifying criteria. Customers are automatically selected customers to share a vehicle and a route is calculated based on global optimization criteria.

Abstract: A system is for monitoring arrival of a vehicle at a given location. The system includes a server, and a vehicle sensing device. The vehicle sensing device is configured to sense arrival of the vehicle to the given location, and to transmit information about the vehicle to the server in response to sensing arrival of the vehicle to the given location. The server is configured to determine a context of the vehicle based upon the information about the vehicle, and take action based on the context of the vehicle. The system may be installed at parking lots, shipping yards, restaurants, stores, and other locations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a networked vehicle resource sharing facility, the method and system provide for: (a) detecting a plurality of inputs corresponding to vehicle booking requests, wherein each of the plurality of vehicle booking requests contains data identifying a drop-off location and a pick-up location that is distinct from the pick-up location of each of the other customers; (b) accessing a data structure containing stored data relating to user authorisations for using the vehicle-sharing facility to verify whether each of the vehicle booking requests relates to a customer authorised to use the vehicle-sharing facility; and for those vehicle booking requests relating to customers identified as being authorised to use the vehicle-sharing facility: (c) automatically selecting customers to share a vehicle and calculating a suggested route for the vehicle using the pick-up location and drop-off locations of the customers and one or more stored vehicle-share criteria.

Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided. In one embodiment, computing entities can establish direct communications with one another using a variety of protocols and standards. Such direction communications can be monitored or attempted to be established to determine whether an item is allowed or disallowed for delivery.

Abstract: Techniques for selecting a delivery method based on sensor data of an automatic replenishment device (ARD) are described. In an example, a computer system is communicatively coupled with the ARD and receives the sensor data from the ARD. The sensor data is generated by a sensor of the ARD and indicates an amount of an item that is stored by the ARD. The computer system maintains, in a profile, a consumption rate based on the sensor data. The computer system determines that the amount of the item is less than a threshold amount based on the consumption rate and, based on this amount, identifies available delivery methods for a delivery of a replacement amount of the item. The computer system selects one of the delivery methods based on the consumption rate and causes the delivery of the replacement amount of the item based on the selected delivery method.

Abstract: A ticket seller system can offer an enhanced event experience for users of the system by tracking the locations of ticketholders before and during an event to offer ticket resale and seat upgrade opportunities to the users. The locations of users can be harnessed to offer enhanced value to event attendees and to allow event owners to maximize the use of their venue during an event by offering new upgrades and resale options to patrons. Users who might miss an event and otherwise lose all of their ticket value can be detected, based on their location, and offered an opportunity to recoup some of the cost by reselling the tickets. Event attendees who desire to upgrade their seats at an event can be offered the opportunity to purchase upgrade tickets for seats that have been vacated by other attendees that have left the event while the event is ongoing.

Abstract: A method and system for consolidating travel records from on the one hand a source derived from a Global Distribution System or more generally a first travel database, and on the other hand a source derived from non-Global Distribution System information or more generally a second travel database. It is determined whether unique identifiers associated with the two sources match, indicating that information from the source travel records can be consolidated without compromising data integrity.

Abstract: A method, system, and/or computer program product controls a self-driving vehicle (SDV) based on a purchase transaction at a point of sale (POS) device. One or more processors detects a purchase transaction at a device for a product. In response to detecting the purchase transaction at the POS device, the processors(s) transmits instructions to the SDV to transport a passenger associated with the purchase transaction from a location of the POS device to a predetermined location.

Abstract: The network system triggers registration of the start of a transport journey in response to a communication of a transport user device and a transport provider device with each other, performs a continuous coordinated proximity monitoring to verify the identity of a transport user and a transport provider vehicle, and triggers registration of the end of the transport journey through communication of the transport user device and the transport provider device with each other.

Abstract: A package securing system operable to facilitate the ability for an individual expecting to receive a package to provide and control a secure environment for receiving the package wherein the individual can execute the security protocols remotely. The package securing system further includes a lock having a body, a shank with keeper operably secured thereto, a solenoid with piston, a scanner and a controller. The controller provides operation of the lock and is operably coupled to the Internet via a wireless communication protocol. The controller is communicably coupled to a software application wherein the software application provide an interface for operation of the package securing system. The lock is unlocked and locked utilizing a machine-readable dataset wherein the machine-readable dataset is associated with an expected package and communicated to the controller via the software application. A server is provided to execute portions of the operational method of the present invention.

Abstract: The network system triggers registration of the start of a transport journey in response to a communication of a transport user device and a transport provider device with each other, performs a continuous coordinated proximity monitoring to verify the identity of a transport user and a transport provider vehicle, and triggers registration of the end of the transport journey through communication of the transport user device and the transport provider device with each other.

Abstract: The network system triggers registration of the start of a transport journey in response to a communication of a transport user device and a transport provider device with each other, performs a continuous coordinated proximity monitoring to verify the identity of a transport user and a transport provider vehicle, and triggers registration of the end of the transport journey through communication of the transport user device and the transport provider device with each other.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating a secure transaction between a first mobile computing device associated with a driver and a second mobile computing device associated with a passenger are discussed herein. The techniques may include registering an association between a first application executing on the first mobile computing device and a second application executing on the second mobile computing device. The second application may display information indicating an amount of fare for a ride offered by the driver to the passenger. Upon receiving input from the passenger to authorize processing of a payment transaction, the second application may send a request to process the payment transaction using card information. In some examples, the payment transaction is authorized without providing the first application with access to card information.

Abstract: The network system triggers registration of the start of a transport journey in response to a communication of a transport user device and a transport provider device with each other, performs a continuous coordinated proximity monitoring to verify the identity of a transport user and a transport provider vehicle, and triggers registration of the end of the transport journey through communication of the transport user device and the transport provider device with each other.

Abstract: A network of collection and distribution machines may collect, charge and/or distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). Electric vehicles available for sharing, renting or otherwise available for temporary use may be located at such collection and distribution machines or other designated areas. Users may request temporary use of such electric vehicles via a user interface of the collection and distribution machine, the user's mobile device or that of the electric vehicle itself. During temporary use, the user may exchange depleted portable electrical energy storage devices of the vehicle being used for charged portable electrical energy storage devices at the collection and distribution machines and may be offered the opportunity to terminate the temporary use session or continue the temporary use session in conjunction with the portable electrical energy storage device exchange.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention involve systems, methods, and computer program products utilized in facilitating alternative delivery options for customers. In certain embodiments, a consignee may meet a driver and receive an item at a location different from the delivery address associated with the item. The receipt of the item may be prior to the driver attempting to deliver the item to the designated shipping location or after an unsuccessful delivery attempt. The carrier, the driver, the carrier system, the mobile station, and/or the sensors located on the item may communicate with the consignee to arrange a mutually acceptable time and location to accomplish the delivery. In certain embodiments, the consignee may be responsible for arriving at a dynamic delivery location to retrieve the item while the driver is at the location performing other tasks.

Abstract: A system and method are described for enabling transportation to be arranged for individuals carrying handsets or mobile devices. In some embodiments, a customer can transmit a request for transport from a given customer geographic location. A service may handle the request by selecting a driver for the customer.

Abstract: The network system triggers registration of the start of a transport journey in response to a communication of a transport user device and a transport provider device with each other, performs a continuous coordinated proximity monitoring to verify the identity of a transport user and a transport provider vehicle, and triggers registration of the end of the transport journey through communication of the transport user device and the transport provider device with each other.