Abstract: Various methods, apparatuses/systems, and media for providing IaC templates in a cloud environment are provided. A processor creates a plurality of IaC templates. Each of the plurality of IaC templates includes instructions to build at least a portion of an infrastructure. The plurality of IaC templates is stored in a central repository. The processor collects one or more of the plurality of the created IaC templates from the central repository in order to build a desired infrastructure package. The processor also executes at least one of updating, removing, upgrading, downgrading, and verifying the infrastructure package in the central repository. Each of the plurality of IaC templates also includes metadata identifying at least one of a package, installation instructions of the package, at least one dependency of the package, a version of the package, and a size of the package.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system that processes distributed transactions. A mobile device that processes distributed transactions comprises: a memory that accesses customer profile data, customer transaction data and payment rules data; and a computer processor, coupled to the memory, programmed to: request a distributed transaction for a transaction at a merchant; identify a plurality of co-payors based on a geo-location proximity determination; receive a distributed transaction code; share the distributed transaction code with each of the plurality of co-payors; identify a split factor for the transaction; and automatically settle the transaction for a portion of a transaction amount determined by the split factor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an intelligent virtual assistant for meetings are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for an intelligent virtual assistant for meeting may include a server comprising at least one computer processor executing a virtual assistant computer program; a communication server in communication with the server; and a plurality of communication devices in communication with the server and the communication server, wherein the communication server facilitates an electronic meeting with a plurality of attendees via the plurality of communication devices. The virtual assistant may receive at least an audio feed and a video feed of the electronic meeting in real-time, may transcribe the audio feed using a speech-recognition algorithm, may provide the transcription to at least one of the plurality of attendees, may receive an edited transcription, and may update the speech recognition algorithm based on the edited transcription.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing vehicle-based payments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method of storing purchase card information to enable a consumer to make purchases without carrying a separate purchase card for a plurality of accounts at disparate financial institutions. The system and method may additionally provide a consumer with vendor product and service offerings in a format common across multiple vendors. The system and method may also provide the consumer with a way to pay for products and services using purchase card information stored by an exemplary embodiment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically enabling and disabling a purchase card based on predetermined preferences set by a cardholder are provided. The systems and methods enable users to set preferences in advance, and then automatically determine whether to accept or decline a transaction based on the preset preferences. The systems and methods may also implement a learning algorithm to develop preferences based on historical cardholder behavior.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently conducting a commercial transaction involving a gratuity are provided. The systems and methods enable users to set tipping preferences in advance so as to be applied automatically during subsequent commercial transactions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for activating and using dynamic cards are disclosed. In one embodiment, in an information processing apparatus comprising at least one computer processor, a method for activating a dynamic transaction instrument may include: (1) receiving, from an electronic device, an identification of an inactive financial instrument to activate; (2) receiving, from the electronic device, at least one parameter that restricts the use of the inactive financial instrument after it is activated; and (3) activating the inactive financial instrument subject to the at least one parameter by associating, at a backend, an account with the inactive financial instrument.

Abstract: Systems and methods for account agnostic transaction routing are disclosed. According to one embodiment, in an information processing device comprising at least one computer processor, a method for account agnostic transaction routing may include: (1) receiving an identifier for a first financial instrument for a transaction being conducted at a point of transaction; (2) retrieving a plurality of financial instruments associated with the identifier, the plurality of financial instruments comprising the first financial instrument; (3) retrieving at least one transaction routing rule associated with the plurality of financial instruments, the transaction routing rule specifying a condition for using one of the plurality of financial instruments; (4) identifying one of the plurality of financial instruments for conducting the transaction based on the transaction and the transaction routing rule; and (5) settling the transaction with the identified financial instrument.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, an automated computer implemented system and method for dynamically building a product hierarchy comprises: an input configured to receive product data for a plurality of products where each product has an associated a unique addressing scheme, the unique addressing scheme comprising a location identifier, a parent identifier, an object identifier and a position identifier for each product, wherein the position identifier represents each product's position within the product hierarchy; a processor configured to dynamically build a system hierarchy based on the addressing scheme for each product; and an output configured to generate the product hierarchy on an user interface.

Abstract: This invention relates to products of aqueous and other chemical synthetic routes for encapsulation of a core material with an inorganic shell and finished compositions of a core-shell particulate material for application in thermoplastic, thermoset, and coatings resins prior to compounding or application or subsequent thermal processing steps. Disclosed is a composition of particles containing a shell of inorganic oxides or mixed-metal inorganic oxides and a core material of complex inorganic colored pigment, laser direct structuring additives, laser marking, or other beneficial metal oxides, metal compounds, or mixed-metal oxide materials, wherein the shell material is comprised of any single oxide or combination of oxides is taught. Preferred elements of composition for the shell are oxides and silicates of B, Ni, Zn, Al, Zr, Si, Sn, Bi, W, Mo, Cr, Mg, Mn, Ce, Ti, and Ba (or mixtures thereof).

Abstract: This invention relates to products of aqueous and other chemical synthetic routes for encapsulation of a core material with an inorganic shell and finished compositions of a core-shell particulate material for application in thermoplastic, thermoset, and coatings resins prior to compounding or application or subsequent thermal processing steps. Disclosed is a composition of particles containing a shell of inorganic oxides or mixed-metal inorganic oxides and a core material of complex inorganic colored pigment, laser direct structuring additives, laser marking, or other beneficial metal oxides, metal compounds, or mixed-metal oxide materials, wherein the shell material is comprised of any single oxide or combination of oxides is taught. Preferred elements of composition for the shell are oxides and silicates of B, Ni, Zn, Al, Zr, Si, Sn, Bi, W, Mo, Cr, Mg, Mn, Ce, Ti, and Ba (or mixtures thereof).

Abstract: A sheathing-retention device, for securing sheathing against a wall having at least one protruding wall-tie with a substantially rectangular cross-sectional profile, includes a sheathing-retention device having a sheathing-engagement surface for abutting an exterior surface of the sheathing, and a press-fit type tie holder portion with a channel orthogonally formed with respect to the sheathing-engagement surface, the channel having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional profile approximating that of the wall tie and being dimensionally adapted for snugly fitting around the wall-tie when the sheathing-retention device is urged onto the wall-tie by having at least a portion of the channel with cross-sectional dimensions less than rectangular dimensions of the wall-tie cross-section, the channel extending through both the sheathing-supporting portion and the press-fit type tie holder portion.

Abstract: The invention involves a sheathing-retention device for supporting sheathing against a surface. The sheathing-retention device has a rigid sheathing-engagement portion having an outer surface and an inner surface; and has a tie-engagement portion located with respect to the inner surface. In this way, an end of a wall-tie extending out from the surface (e.g., of a wall) may be received and engaged by the tie-engagement portion while at the same time, the sheathing-engagement portion is in contact with the sheathing, holding the sheathing against the surface (e.g., of the wall). It is preferred that the sheathing-engagement portion is substantially plate-like.

Abstract: A method for enclosing a layer of insulation covering a building foundation having a vertical edge, where the layer of insulation has front, back and edge surfaces. The method involves: (1) placing the back surface of the layer of insulation against the foundation such that the edge surface of the insulation is aligned with the edge of the foundation; (2) covering the front surface of the layer of insulation with a first protective cover; and (3) enclosing the edge surface and parts of the front and back surface of the insulation with a second protective cover by positioning a back overlap portion of the second protective cover between the back of the layer of insulation and the foundation and a front overlap portion of the second protective cover between the front of the layer of insulation and the first protective cover, whereby all surfaces of the layer of insulation are enclosed. A system for protecting insulation covering a building foundation is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention deals with spring loaded locator pins. Locator pins are sometimes referred to as captured pins. This is a mechanism which locks two items together with the pin that is spring loaded so that it drops into a locator hole on the work piece.

Abstract: A tongue assembly is for use in a safety apparatus in which belt webbing restrains movement of an occupant of a vehicle or of a child seat. The tongue assembly includes a base, a cover, and a cam. The cam is movable into a clamping position to clamp the belt webbing against the cover to block movement of the belt webbing through the tongue assembly. The cover and the cam are rotatable together on the base in response to forces applied to the belt webbing.

Abstract: A bicycle handle bar grip and handle mounted individually on the ends of a coil spring. The ends of the coil spring extend into the bicycle handle bar grip and handle longitudinally. The bicycle handle bar grip is equipped with a round longitudinal orifice to allow attachment to the end of any bicycle or stationary bicycle handle bar. When the bicycle handle bar grip is attached to a bicycle the user or rider of the bicycle can exercise his or her hands by squeezing the handle toward the bicycle handle bar grip while simultaneously exercise the legs when riding.

Abstract: A water-in-oil emulsion stabilized with a blend of selected nonionic surfactants and having a preferred weight ratio of aqueous dispersed phase to continuous organic solvent phase between about 3:1 and 8:1 is provided.The emulsion is characterized by superior cleaning properties and particularly by the capability of removing both water-soluble and solvent-soluble materials from automotive finishes.