Abstract: Information pertaining to products made by manufacturers and sold to consumers through retailers, is distributed to consumers through a communication network that connects consumer communication nodes to a cooperative network site having an accumulation of information about manufacturer product offers and retailer special deals. A consumer can obtain selected items of this information without knowledge of how to reach the cooperative network site, by simply logging in to a manufacturer network site or to a retailer network site. At a manufacturer site, the consumer can obtain a list of local retailers carrying the manufacturer offers and can then select from among the offers and receive complete details of the selected offers. At a retailer site, the consumer can obtain a list of manufacturer offers available at the retailer stores in the consumer's area, and can then select from among the available offers and receive their complete details.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a permit-based parking environment governed by a parking program. The permit-based parking environment includes a number of parking permits each including a unique RFID tag and tag number. One or more RFID readers are used to scan the vehicles parked in the parking environment to determine if a RFID tag is associated with the parked vehicle. The results of the scan along with information related to the parked vehicle are provided to a permit management system to determine if the vehicle is parked within the scope of privileges pre-defined for that vehicle, pursuant to the parking program governing the parking environment. The permit management system stores, manages, and monitors data related to the permits controlled under the parking program.

Abstract: A high performance capability assessment model helps a revenue industry agency meet the challenges of the global marketplace. As a result, the revenue industry can achieve the clarity, consistency, and well-defined execution of core processes that reduce inefficiencies and waste that result from unnecessary process complexity and exceptions. In addition, the high performance capability assessment model helps the revenue industry agency to identify specific areas in which improvements may be made and understand how to make the improvements, and establishes levels of capability along the way to reaching an ultimate capability goal.

Abstract: A management computer (21) is placed in a home country, and an instructor terminal (31) and a driver terminal (32) are placed in a delivery area overseas. The management computer (21) generates screen information, displayed in a domestic language and including a delivery instruction for a package, and transmits the screen information toward the instructor terminal (31) and the driver terminal (32). The instructor terminal (31) or the like, specifies a language, to be used in an area to which a delivery destination belongs, from the address of the delivery destination included in the delivery instruction in the received screen information, and translates the screen information in the specified language, then displays it. When a display language is designated, the instructor terminal (31) or the like translates the screen information in the designated language and displays it.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for billing based on a duration of a service period, comprises sending fleet data from a third party entity to a toll authority via a toll rental entity, matching toll data with the fleet data by the toll authority, if the toll data matches the fleet data: charging an account by the toll authority and sending the matched data to the toll rental entity, determining, by the toll rental entity, if the sent matched data is related to an opt-in for duration based tolling or an opt-out for duration based tolling, if the sent matched data is related to an opt-in for duration based tolling, charging the third party entity for the duration based tolling, and if the sent matched data is related to an opt-out for duration based tolling, applying at least one of: a fee for the duration based tolling, a toll usage amount, a service fee for the duration based tolling, and a service fee for the toll usage.

Abstract: A technique performs route optimization of services provided by one or more service providers (SPs) for communication links that are combined in a computer network. According to the novel technique, performance characteristics and statistics (“link data”) for two or more combined links are merged to form link data for a single “virtual combined link.” Route optimization techniques (e.g., priority-based route optimization) may then be applied to one or more virtual combined links based on the combined link data, in addition to link data for zero or more conventional single links (physical or virtual). Illustratively, a route optimization technique may be used in accordance with the present invention to efficiently and accurately minimize costs associated with services provided by a plurality of SPs, wherein each SP charges for utilization of its service based on a tiered pricing structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a virtual bank of repair facility credits are disclosed. Various operations for adding and subtracting credits from a repair facility virtual bank account are disclosed. Adjustments to credit totals can be based on repair facility performance with regard to an individual vehicle repair or a plurality of vehicle repairs.

Abstract: A system comprises: a) storage and distribution means; b) inventory upload means; c) product information download means; d) order upload means; and e) delivery download means. A method comprises: (a) digitally transferring the goods and pertinent product information from a provider of the goods to a storage and distribution means; (b) storing the goods, pertinent product information, order information, sales information, or marketing information on the storage and distribution means; (c) digitally transferring product information to a shopper; (d) digitally transferring order information from a buyer of goods to the storage and distribution means; and (e) digitally transferring the goods to the buyer. The storage and distribution means may be provided with a network connection for access by providers, shoppers, and buyers.

Abstract: A facility for valuing a distinguished home located in a distinguished geographic area is described. The facility receives home attributes for the distinguished home. For each of a plurality of valuation sub-models, the facility applies the valuation sub-model to the received home attributes to obtain a sub-model valuation for the distinguished home. The facility further applies a meta-model to the record home attributes to obtain a relative weighting factor for each sub-model. The facility then uses the obtained relative weighting factors to combine the sub-model valuations to obtain an overall valuation for the distinguished home. The facility reports the obtained valuation for the distinguished home.

Abstract: A multizone RF read/write system for conducting transactions with vehicles traveling at high speeds. A first RF read zone is created, preferably by use of a first gantry that extends over at least one lane and contains at least one RF source that creates a large powerful RF read zone for reading or reading and writing to a transponder on a passing vehicle. Additional RF read zones arranged in tandem with the first RF read zone are created by at least one additional RF source that is located on an additional gantry extending over at least one lane, or located on the first gantry. Accordingly, multiple RF read zones are created to conduct transactions with passing vehicles. In one aspect, the multiple RF read zones can be used to ensure that tolling transactions with a single vehicle are more likely to be completed and have a higher degree of accuracy. In another aspect, the multiple RF read zones each employ a different RF technology so that multiple types of RF toll tags can be read and written.

Abstract: A method of electronic transit fare payment is provided. The method comprises receiving a transit card state correction input and storing a transit card state correction record based on receiving the transit card state correction input. The method also comprises changing the transit card state in response to receiving the transit card state correction input. The method also comprises providing transit card information including the transit card state correction record to a exit fare gate to support electronic payment with a transit card.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture are provided for displaying phases of delivery of components of a system by first displaying a pictorial representation of an existing system including a plurality of components. Next, a first set of components are presented that are to be delivered in a first phase. This is accomplished by indicia coding the first set of components in a specific manner. Further, a second set of components are presented that are to be delivered in a second phase. This is carried out by indicia coding the second set of components in a manner unique with respect to the indicia coding of the first set of components.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of automatically reimbursing a customs broker for payments made to a customs agency on behalf of an importer. The methods include procedures for balancing broker payments and for automatically verifying that data provided by the broker coincides with data provided with shipments of imported goods. The methods further include procedures for adjusting broker payments where deviations are detected in the verification processes.

Abstract: A decision theoretic approach to targeted solicitation, by maximizing expected profit increases, is disclosed. A decision theoretic model is used to identify a sub-population of a population to solicit, where the model is constructed to maximize an expected increase in profits. A decision tree in particular can be used as the model. The decision tree has paths from a root node to a number of leaf nodes. The decision tree has a split on a solicitation variable in every path from the root node to each leaf node. The solicitation variable has two values, a first value corresponding to a solicitation having been made, and a second value corresponding to a solicitation not having been made.

Abstract: A time factor feature generation system includes: a use status grasping portion that extracts transition data showing variations in degree of use of a site from log data; a variation data generating portion that generates, based on the transition data, variation data expressing the variations in degree of use of the site as a group Y of values showing the degree of use of the site; a time factor data recording portion in which a plurality of time factors and time factor values of each of the plurality of time factors are recorded; a time factor extracting portion that generates groups Di of time factor values, each of which corresponds to a time factor extracted from among the plurality of time factors; and a time factor feature generating portion 13 that calculates coefficients ai such that a square of an error b has a minimum value in an equation in which the groups Di and the group Y are used as an explaining variable and an explained variable, respectively, thereby to generate data showing a time factor f

Abstract: A method for transferring a service policy between domains, is described. In one embodiment, the method is to be implemented on a system.

Abstract: An online system for generating reports related to consumer product online orders is provided. The system comprises at least one presentation application operable to capture user online session data including a presentation application identifier, session identifier, user data, user click stream data, and product configurations selected by the user. A session report message incorporating the user online session data is generated. The system further comprises a web server in communication with the presentation application and operable to receive the session report message. A report processor is operable to receive the session report message, and storing the user online session data in a report database.

Abstract: A high-performance capability assessment model helps a freight and logistics business meet the challenges of the global marketplace. As a result, the freight and logistics business can achieve the clarity, consistency, and well-defined execution of core processes that reduce inefficiencies and waste that result from unnecessary process complexity and exceptions. In addition, the high-performance capability assessment model helps the freight and logistics business to identify specific areas in which improvements may be made, to understand how to make said improvements, and to establish levels of capability along the way to reaching an ultimate capability goal.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of charging in a communications network, said method comprising including a first charging identity in at least one of a plurality of messages relating to a service, said first charging identity being specific to said at least one message, including a second charging entity in said at least one message, said second charging identity being specific to said service, charging for said service based on at least one of said first and second charging identities.

Abstract: A method and system for anticipatory package shipping are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method may include packaging one or more items as a package for eventual shipment to a delivery address, selecting a destination geographical area to which to ship the package, shipping the package to the destination geographical area without completely specifying the delivery address at time of shipment, and while the package is in transit, completely specifying the delivery address for the package.