Abstract: A customized group tour development system includes a server configured to execute a customized tour application. The customized tour application includes a sales module configured to generate a tour proposal for a custom tour as a function of a customized tour framework. The customized tour application may also include a client module that is configured to be enabled to allow creation of a group list within the customized tour framework. The group list may include participants in the custom tour. An operations module is also included in the customized tour application. The operations module is configured to develop the customized tour framework into a fully detailed customized tour.

Abstract: A system and method for accurate express tolling of highway vehicles. A multilane tolling system comprises a tolling (MVIC) unit that collects information from tolling subsystems arranged to take various vehicle measurements. Preferably, an intelligent vehicle identification subsystem sends vehicle information to the MVIC unit many times per second. Preferably, a vision tracking system (VTS) communicates with the MVIC unit and sends the latter information about the vehicle position using vision tracking sensors. Preferably, an RF subsystem conducts multiple reads of a transponder on a passing vehicle and forwards the read information to the MVIC unit. Preferably, a vehicle image capture unit (VICU) captures images of the passing vehicle when a camera in the VICU receives a trigger from the MVIC unit. Preferably, a driver alert module is used alert a driver passing through a tolling point as to account balance associated with a silent toll tag or pay by plate system.

Abstract: Service providers are evaluated and rated according to criteria that includes customer satisfaction with the services provided by the service provider. If the service provider meets and/or exceeds certain predetermined criteria, the service provider is certified, and a list of certified companies together with a satisfaction rating, is posted on an Internet Web site maintained by the rating company for access by the consuming public. A member of the consuming public, wishing to use the service of a certified company, may register his/her credit card with the Rating Company. When the service is rendered, and paid for by the registered credit card, the payment is detected to trigger the sending of Internet e-mail to the consumer to solicit information as to the consumer's satisfaction with the service. A response to the Internet e-mail by the Rating Company is used to update on a real-time basis the customer satisfaction of the service provider that provided the service.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for charging for network analysis. Initially, network traffic information is collected utilizing a plurality of agents. Next, the network traffic information is collected utilizing a plurality of host controllers coupled to the agents. The network traffic information may then be reported to a user utilizing a plurality of zone controllers coupled to the host controllers. In use, a reoccurring fee associated with the reporting may be determined based on a number of the agents, the host controllers, and/or the zone controllers.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and system for creating a price-forecasting tool for a commodity. The method and system comprise providing price data and industry capacity utilization data related to the commodity, and establishing the price-forecasting tool based on a statistical relationship between the price data and the industry capacity utilization data. A method of doing business is disclosed comprising creating a price forecasting tool based on a statistical relationship between price data and industry capacity utilization data of the commodity, and utilizing the price forecasting tool to generate a plurality of scenario prices for the commodity for a plurality of forecast horizons.

Abstract: It is determined whether or not a transmitter has issued a request to display a completion state table, whether or not the current date and time have reached the date and time specified by the transmitter, whether or not an opening rate has exceeded a predetermined value, or whether or not a completion rate has exceeded a predetermined value. When any of these conditions is satisfied, a completion state table containing information such as the number of receivers who have opened the message, the opening rate, the number of receivers who have completed their jobs associated with the message, the completion rate, etc. is forcibly displayed on a terminal device.

Abstract: A charging device (BEV) on an vehicle (FAR), for a dual toll system (SYS), is capable of receiving positional data from a position determining system (PES), concerning the actual location of the vehicle (FAR) and to calculate location co-ordinates (OKO) for the vehicle (FAR). Said charging device (BEV) is further capable of calculating a characteristic signature (SIG) for the stretch of road (STR) traveled by the vehicle (FAR) by means of location co-ordinates (OKO) for the vehicle (FAR) and transmitting the same to an accounting centre (ABZ), outside the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for producing and weighing a mailing unit that is formed from a plurality of components including inserts and envelopes comprises the steps of determining a weight for each of the components and electronically storing a record of the weights. The inserts are placed into the envelope to form the mailing unit, and the weight of the mailing unit is determined based on the weights of the components utilized to form the mailing unit that are stored in the weight record.

Abstract: A method for determining a preferred set of prices for a plurality of products is provided. Generally, a sales model is created. A cost model is also created. A preferred set of prices for the plurality of products based on the sales model and cost model is then generated. An apparatus for computing a preferred set of prices for a plurality of products is provided. An econometric engine for modeling sales as a function of price to create a sales model is provided. A financial model engine for modeling costs to create a cost model is provided. An optimization engine is coupled to the econometric engine and financial model engine to receive input from the econometric engine and financial model engine, wherein the optimization engine generates the preferred set of prices.

Abstract: A market analysis system uses travel time to define a relevant market area. A map is generated using stored geographical map information around a selected geographical point or area, and a travel time around the geographical point or area is selected. A trace is formed on the map around the geographical point within the travel time using travel time data, and market information is gathered from a database for the defined geographical area.

Abstract: A pricing engine for electronic commerce allows the owner of an electronic market place to dynamically change the pricing available at the electronic market place based on several factors including, but not limited to, manufacturer preferences, distributor preferences, e-market place preferences, the location of a buyer, identity of a buyer, order volume, and so on. A buyer can access the e-market place through the Internet, input a request for quote, and then receive a price schedule based on the above factors.

Abstract: A computer-implemented financial management system provides the trading of securities via a network using virtual currency. A server computer receives buy and sell orders for derivative financial instruments from a plurality of client computers. The server computer attempts to match the buy and sell orders and then generates a market price through the use of a virtual specialist program executed by the server computer. The virtual specialist program responds to an imbalance in the matching of the buy and sell orders. The virtual currency accumulated by HSX account holders as a result of successful trading may be converted to another currency, credited toward the cost of merchandise provided through a vendor's web site, etc.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for charging for network analysis. Initially, network traffic information is collected utilizing a plurality of agents. Next, the network traffic information is collected utilizing a plurality of host controllers coupled to the agents. The network traffic information may then be reported to a user utilizing a plurality of zone controllers coupled to the host controllers. In use, a reoccurring fee associated with the reporting may be determined based on a number of the agents, the host controllers, and/or the zone controllers.

Abstract: A system and method for developing an application is disclosed. The application is for use with point of sale equipment having a device. The application is capable of utilizing the device when the application is executed on the point of sale equipment. The method and system include providing an emulation module corresponding to the device. The method and system further includes ensuring that the application will utilize the emulation module when the application is executed on the development system. Thus, when the application is executed on the system, the emulation module and the application emulate the interaction between the application and the device that occurs when the application is executed on the point of sale equipment.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for presenting rates for travel services using dynamic pricing bands. The dynamic pricing bands represent approximate rates for travel services relative to available rates during or close to the proposed dates of travel, or at or near the proposed travel destination. Each dynamic pricing band is keyed to a particular color, intensity, pattern, sound, or other graphical and/or audio characteristic, thereby providing the consumer a sense of the seasonal, regional, day of week, or other variability of rates for travel services without having to compare actual numbers. The dynamic pricing bands are applied to an interactive presentation of rates for travel services to allow the consumer to explore possible rate variations for particular travel services in a manner that provides a birds-eye view, is intuitive and user-friendly.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking the receipt and the internal movement of items such as packages, parcels and other accountable items within an organization such as a corporation, hospital or school. The system comprises a portable data terminal programmed to record information regarding the receipt and the internal movement of the items in a data collection format, wherein the data collection format can be created and/or modified by the user according to the user's needs. For that purpose, the system further comprises a base station to allow the user to create and/or modify the data collection format. The base station is capable of communicating with the portable data terminal for unloading electronic files to the portable data terminal in order to modify the data collection format.

Abstract: The invention makes it easier for the post office to calculate accurately terminal dues by providing information to the post regarding each piece or parcel of mail that crosses an international border. The invention also makes it easier for the post offices to calculate terminal dues by obtaining fee information from mail that is sent internationally. The foregoing is accomplished by placing an indication on the mail that the fees for delivering the mail have been paid or will be paid by a mailer who has an account with the post office; sorting the mail to find international mail; storing the fees that have been paid or will be paid for international mail; reporting the fees that have been paid for international mail to all participating post offices; and calculating the fees that are to be transferred to participating post offices.

Abstract: A method of providing a limited resource to a plurality of users that aggregates the plurality of users into a purchasing block, arranges for the availability of the resource and regulates the use of the resource by each of the users based on each of the user's need for the resource so that a particular user having a greater need for the resource receives a greater provision of the resource while controlling usage of the resource to maintain aggregated usage below a predetermined level. The method is implemented through the use of an aggregation controller and a plurality of consumer resource controllers located at consumers' facilities. Communication between the aggregation controller and the consumer resource controllers is achieved through the use of a communication network, such as the Internet.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for generating a highly targeted list of prospective customers for a list purchaser at least partially based on successful prospect lists previously used by the list purchaser, based on prospect lists used by related list purchasers, such as list purchasers in the same or similar industry as the list purchaser, based on previous customers of the list purchaser or based on any combination of this data. The systems and methods of the present invention are particularly suited to network-based prospect list services that provide prospect lists from a database to prospect list purchasers, such as direct marketers, over a computer network, such as the Internet. A system for implementing a computerized prospect list service includes a server computer hosting a prospect list service accessible via client computers to a plurality of list purchasers and a database of prospect lists.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a system for evaluating the customer equity of products and services provided by a company, with consideration of customer-purchase trends, and to provide a means for evaluating the ratio of repeat customers and the customer-equity growth ratio by store, region, and/or customer group, and to provide data for establishing an optimal plan for increasing sales. A system 100 for evaluating customer equity according to the present invention comprises a computer system 2 for conducting sales management for a company, and an evaluation computer 10 connected to the computer system 2 via a communications line 5. The evaluation computer 10 comprises a Web server 11, a communications controller 15, an application server 12, and a database 14 for recording purchase records received from a company or store.