Abstract: A synchronized delivery system for delivering parcels directly to an alternate delivery location such as a locker bank in lieu of making any delivery attempt at a primary delivery location such as a home or office. The system may deliver parcels directly to the alternate delivery location when a related parcel is currently stored at the alternate delivery location awaiting pickup. A related parcel may include a parcel addressed to the same consignee, to a related consignee (e.g., such as a neighbor, roommate, or spouse), or to another authorized to pick up parcels on behalf of the consignee. When delivering parcels to alternate deliver locations, the system may facilitate a grouping of related parcels in a single locker.

Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to adjusting a trip fare according to in-vehicle charging provided by a passenger. In one embodiment, a method includes, in response to initiating a trip in the vehicle for a passenger, accumulating the trip fare as a function of traveling a route to fulfill the trip. The method includes metering one or more charging devices to identify a metered charge produced by the passenger operating the one or more charging devices during the trip. The method includes computing a fare offset according to at least the metered charge to identify an amount by which the trip fare is to be discounted. The method includes adjusting the trip fare according to the fare offset to account for an electric charge provided to the vehicle during the trip.

Abstract: The invention provides control systems and methodologies for controlling a process having computer-controlled equipment, which provide for optimized process performance according to one or more performance criteria, such as efficiency, component life expectancy, safety, emissions, noise, vibration, operational cost, or the like. More particularly, the subject invention provides for employing machine diagnostic and/or prognostic information in connection with optimizing an overall business operation over a time horizon.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ordering a transportation vehicle are disclosed. A method includes receiving an order request from a kiosk at a kiosk location. The order request is transmitted to a computing device of a transportation vehicle. A response from the computing device is received indicating acceptance of the order request. A vehicle location of the transportation vehicle is identified and transmitted to the kiosk.

Abstract: Bundling application programming interfaces is provided. Related application programming interfaces within a set of application programming interfaces and their corresponding dependent application programming interfaces are combined with related composite application programming interfaces within a set of composite application programming interfaces and their corresponding dependent application programming interfaces to generate a set of application programming interface bundles. The computer prunes the set of application programming interface bundles based on a determined application programming interface budget pattern that corresponds to a selected cluster of application programming interface consumers. The computer prices the pruned set of application programming interface bundles based on an application programming interface bundle pricing model.

Abstract: A computer-based system for unobscuring and/or unconstraining demand is disclosed. Via use of the system, actual airline seat bookings may be restated in an unobscured and/or unconstrained form, facilitating improved demand forecasts for subsequent seat bookings. In this manner, seat protects may be better allocated to align with actual demand, thus increasing revenue.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for pricing data according to contribution in a query are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A set of data cubes is identified, wherein a data cube in the set of data cubes comprises a quantum of data configured for trading in exchange for a payment, the set of data cubes being usable for answering a query. A first portion of a price for performing the query is computed, wherein the first portion corresponds to a first number of records used from a first data cube by the query, the first data cube being included in the set of data cubes. The first portion and the first number of records are presented in a pricing preview of the query.

Abstract: A system for managing a restaurant comprises a restaurant server including a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface comprises a display and an input interface. The display displays reservation information for the restaurant. The reservation information includes a colored indicator of a status. The input interface receives an indication to display the reservation information for the restaurant.

Abstract: Techniques are described for facilitating use of software components by software applications in a configurable manner. In some situations, the software components are fee-based components that are made available by providers of the components for use by others in exchange for fees defined by the components providers, and in at least some situations, the software components may have various associated restrictions or other non-price conditions related to their use. The described techniques facilitate use of such software components by software applications in a configured manner. Furthermore, in at least some situation, the execution of such software applications is managed by an application deployment system that controls and tracks the execution of the software application on one or more computing nodes, including to manage the execution of any software components that are part of the software application.

Abstract: A method of calculating a parking fee in a public parking space based on coordinating a transfer of a parking space between vehicles and automatically decreasing the fee accordingly, comprising: creating a command to continuously increase a calculated parking fee for a parked vehicle currently occupying a public parking space, based on duration of the occupying; receiving a message from a client terminal associated with the parked vehicle, the message includes a notification of future departure of the parked vehicle from the public parking space; selecting an arriving vehicle to occupy the public parking space when the parked vehicle is departing, based on an estimated time of the future departure and a current location of the arriving vehicle; and creating a command to halt the increasing of the calculated parking fee before identifying a transfer of the public parking space.

Abstract: A method to provide traveler content service. The method includes receiving, from the traveler and prior to the trip, a request to access traveler content during the trip, wherein the request comprises travel ticket information associated with the trip and access information to a source of the traveler content, wherein the trip crosses a region with no access to the source of the traveler content, retrieving, prior to the trip, the traveler content from the source using the access information, transmitting, in response to detecting a first vehicle assigned to the trip at a departure port of the trip, the traveler content to a first traveler content repository onboard the first vehicle to generate a traveler content first onboard copy, and providing, during the trip and by an onboard computer processor of the first vehicle, the traveler content first onboard copy from the first traveler content repository to the traveler.

Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for conducting a focus group via networked gaming devices. A slot server or a third party server in communication with gaming devices provides access to players operating the gaming devices. A topic for the focus group's discussion is received from a marketer via a marketer terminal in communication with the slot server. The system identifies players currently operating gaming devices who also are suitable potential participants in the focus group based on a focus group pool definition received from the marketer. Those players that accept an invitation to participate, become participants. The topic is communicated to the participants and the participants comments are relayed back to a moderator who controls the focus group discussion via a moderator terminal (and a graphical user interface) also in communication with the slot server.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for facilitating payment for products purchased at events. More particularly, a ticket, rather than cash or credit cards, can be used to purchase products at events. For example, ticket holder can purchase food and drinks at a merchant's concession using the ticket or the ticket holder can purchase souvenirs at a gift shop associated with the event using the ticket. A bar code or the like can be scanned by the merchant and communicated to a payment provider to facilitate the transaction. The purchase can be made anonymously, such that information regarding the user cannot be obtained by merchant and/or sold for use by marketing companies.

Abstract: A method for conducting biometric transactions includes receiving an indication that a user's media is within a detection range of a transaction device. The indication includes an identifier of the media. A list is populated with identifiers of media that are within the detection range. The list includes the identifier of the user's media along with a subset of an overall population of identifiers of media that are each associated with a particular user and biometric identifier. A biometric identifier is received from the transaction device upon being received by the transaction device in an interaction with the user. The biometric identifier is compared to biometric identifiers of only users associated with identifiers on the list of media to identify the user and an account associated with the user. A transaction using the account associated with the identified user authorized and an authorization message is communicated to the transaction device.

Abstract: Systems, according to various embodiments, are adapted to use any of a variety of different techniques to identify an individual. In particular embodiments, the system is adapted to, at least partially in response to confirming the identity of a consignee of a parcel, provide the consignee with access to a parcel stored within a secured locker. In particular embodiments, the system may use the current or past location of the consignee, or information from one or more objects physically associated with the consignee (e.g., a portable computing device or an electronic or paper info notice) to verify the consignee's identity.

Abstract: Various systems, methods and other embodiments are provided for generating offers for the purchase of products. In one embodiment, transaction data is stored in a data store. The transaction data comprises a record of a plurality of transactions for the purchase of products through a plurality of channels of commerce. Requests are received in a server from clients for an offer in association with an interaction involving a product. Each request includes a tag indicating at least one of the channels of commerce associated with the interaction. For each request, an offer is generated in response to the request, the offer being specific to the at least one of the channels of commerce.

Abstract: Systems, according to various embodiments, are adapted to use any of a variety of different techniques to identify an individual. In particular embodiments, the system is adapted to, at least partially in response to confirming the identity of a consignee of a parcel, provide the consignee with access to a parcel stored within a secured locker. In particular embodiments, the system may use the current or past location of the consignee, or information from one or more objects physically associated with the consignee (e.g., a portable computing device or an electronic or paper info notice) to verify the consignee's identity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for customer segment analysis. The system receives customer transaction data for the generation of segments, including point of sales data and customer identification information. Errors in the data may be resolved. Then, individual customers may be segmented by statistically relevant groups. The segmentation of consumers may be accomplished by comparing data of known customers to known segments. Unknown customers, new customers and point of sales data which is missing customer data may also be segmented via statistical similarity to known segments. Using the customer segments, segment wide point of sale data may be generated. This data may then be aggregated by consumer groups. Consumer groups may include by household or other communal purchasing entity. The aggregated segment data may be validated and transformed for outputting to the optimization system. The price optimization system may the use the segment data for generation of preferred prices.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods for facilitating synchronized delivery of shipments/items scheduled to be delivered to multiple serviceable points located nearby one another. Various embodiments identify nearby serviceable points based on an identification of serviceable points within a common delivery density area. In various embodiments, serviceable point data identifying a serviceable point cluster are stored for a plurality of serviceable points. Shipping data for a first shipment to be delivered to a first serviceable point is then received, and a determination is made whether a second shipment is scheduled to be delivered to a second serviceable point within the same cluster as the first serviceable point. Historical delivery activity is identified for the serviceable point cluster, and is compared with a threshold frequency.

Abstract: The utility of a portable consumer device is extended by allowing account holders the ability to gain entry into access-controlled venues using a portable consumer device that is associated with an account that was used to purchase the admission or tickets to the event at the access-controlled venue. Merchandise or other goods and services may be pre-purchased by the consumer. Pre-purchasing may occur at the time that the price of admission is paid or before entry into the venue. The portable consumer device may be validated at the entrance to the access-controlled venue. After the consumer's entry into the venue, an arrival notification alert may be triggered to provide additional goods or services. For example, when a consumer successfully enters the venue using the consumer portable device, the pre-purchased items may be delivered to the consumer location at a specific time.