Abstract: A method for apportioning a vehicular toll among toll service subscribers in a vehicle can include determining a number of occupants in the vehicle in order to determine a toll amount, and dividing the toll amount among the toll service subscribers in the vehicle. The method can also detect the number of occupants and/or toll service subscribers in the vehicle automatically, or by prompting toll service subscribers to enter the number of occupants.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing vehicle license tag numbers allows subscribers of a toll service to avoid additional charges normally associated with processing photographs of vehicle license tags by toll agencies to collect tolls. A subscriber can upload one or more license tag numbers to be associated with the subscriber's account with the toll service. The toll service provides a list of license tag numbers to the toll agency. If, for a given toll event, the toll agency does not receive a response to a wireless toll tag reader signal, the toll agency compares a license tag number obtained by processing a photo of the vehicle's license tag with the list provided by the toll service to find a match and process the toll.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media provide for allocating vehicle resources to future vehicle requirements based on priority environments, such as in or near ‘hot spots,’ or other priority locations, where requests for vehicle resources are or are expected to be particularly high. In one embodiment, a vehicle resource allocation system allocates vehicles to requested locations such that vehicles of a fleet become more readily available to a hot spot, without requiring vehicles to be directed specifically to the hot spot.

Abstract: The field of the invention relates to online postage systems, and more particularly to systems and methods for establishing the colors of a customized stamp purchased through an online postage system. In one embodiment, a method is employed for customizing the colors of a customized stamp having a panel and an image. The method includes the steps of enabling a user to select a region of the image, retrieving a color value corresponding to the region of the image, and applying the retrieved color value to a visual feature of the panel, such as the background and text of the panel. The method also maintains a minimum amount of contrast in brightness and color between the background and the text of the panel.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to reserving physical resources in an enterprise via an electronic reservation environment. An electronic search request for an availability of one or more resources in an enterprise is received from a user through a web page and/or a mobile application and is submitted to a reservation engine. The search request includes one or more resource search parameters received via a graphical user interface associated with the electronic reservation environment. A result identifying resources that satisfy the resource search parameters in the request is received in response to the search request and an electronic metadata request is automatically submitted in response to receipt of the result. The electronic metadata request including resource identifiers corresponding to the resources identified in the result.

Abstract: A method for a transaction with a taxi includes establishing secure communication between a first computing device in a driver section of a vehicle and a second computing device in a passenger section of a vehicle, receiving in the second computing device a card number from a card reader coupled to the second computing device before receiving a signal from a meter indicating an end of a trip for the passenger, after receiving the card number submitting the transaction for authorization from at least one of the first device or the second device, after receiving a signal from the meter indicating the end of the trip for the passenger, displaying an amount of a fare for the trip on a display, and receiving an indication that the transaction is authorized.

Abstract: A lowest rate on a multi-night lodging stay is achieved by obtaining lodging rate information for a first lodging location from a plurality of lodging rate sources. The information is correlated with each night of a window during which a consumer is available to travel. A block of nights within the window having the lowest lodging rate is identified. Then, a plurality of lodging reservations corresponding to the identified block are generated, wherein at least two of the lodging reservations correspond to different nights of the multi-night lodging stay and are placed through different lodging reservation systems. A block having the lowest total cost of travel can also be identified by considering the cost of other travel related expenses in conjunction with the lodging rate for the block.

Abstract: A method, using a mobile device, of initiating the processing of a transaction for a parking session between a parking system and a payment provider on behalf of a user, the method comprising storing a user identifier in memory on the mobile device, receiving a parking identifier and transmitting the user identifier and the parking identifier to a network server.

Abstract: A determination can be made that a first user is available for a card-less payment transaction with a merchant restaurant. Data describing a booking for a shared financial expense to be incurred at the merchant restaurant can be obtained. The data can describe a second user participating in the group transaction. A total amount due for the shared financial expense can be obtained. A determination can be made that the second user is contributing to the shared financial expense. A respective electronic bill for the first and second users can be generated. Each respective electronic bill can be for an apportioned amount due for the shared financial expense. Data describing the respective electronic bill for the apportioned amount due for the shared financial expense can be sent to the first and second users.

Abstract: A community travel booking operation includes a collaborative or common portion or phase during which multiple travelers in a community are permitted to collaboratively search for travel recommendations and select a travel recommendation for the community, as well as an individual portion or phase during which travelers in the community individually purchase, book or otherwise complete individual reservations for the community's selected travel recommendation. By separating the booking operation into collaborative and individual portions or phases, travelers are permitted to collaborate on the selection of a travel recommendation, yet each traveler is then able to complete the booking of their own respective reservation without necessarily having to share personal or payment information with the other travelers in the community.

Abstract: A system and method for making electronic payments for tolls, parking and related transactions. A customer downloads an application onto their personal electronic device and registers the customer's vehicle and financial account information with a provider. The application detects upcoming toll facilities and notifies the customer. The customer can accept the payment of the toll through the application whereupon the provider makes a payment from the customer's designated account to the toll facility.

Abstract: In one aspect, a tolling system is operable to perform operations, which may include: receiving, over a network and from a mobile device application operating on a mobile processing device, an identifier and road usage data collected by the mobile device application; identifying a profile based on the identifier; accessing a toll pricing model applicable to an entity associated with the identified profile; and determining a tolling charge incurred by the entity based on the road usage data collected by the mobile device application, the identified profile, and the accessed toll pricing model. In another aspect, a mobile device application is operable to perform operations that may include: collecting road usage data; communicating, over a network to a tolling system, the collected road usage data and an identifier; and receiving, from the tolling system, tolling charge data computed based on the communicated road usage data.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for tracking one or more items. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method for tracking an item. The method may include periodically detecting sensor information of an item by a sensor device. The method may also include periodically transmitting the sensor information by the sensor device. The method may also include receiving the sensor information at a tracking center, storing the sensor information in a database, and reviewing the stored sensor information. The method may further include using the stored sensor information to update shipment information for a package.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for increasing co-mailing discounts are disclosed. An example method includes determining a first number of first books associated with a first pool, the first books to be addressed for delivery within a geographic region associated with a postal discount. The example method further includes identifying a filler from a second pool to fill open pockets associated with the first pool. The filler corresponds to a first type of book associated with the second pool. The example method also includes identifying a second number of second books associated with the filler to be bundled with the first books when the first number of the first books is less than a threshold number of books for the postal discount. The first number of the first books combined with the second number of the second books is at least as great as the threshold number of books.

Abstract: A search engine database is utilized to identify “entities”, or things for which there exists associated discrete, objective information. For hosted information that is independently available, the entity detector independently accesses such information and identifies entities. For information that has defined potential entities, such as entertainment or lifestyle information such defined potential entities are provided to the entity detector to verify, with reference to the search engine database, whether they are entities. Once entities have been identified, a related task generator, with reference to the search engine database, identifies tasks that are related to the identified entities. Such tasks include informational tasks, economic tasks, time-sensitive and location-sensitive tasks.

Abstract: A fleet management system has a communication and positioning module associated with each fleet vehicle, and a back end monitoring and control system located at a fleet data center in communication with each vehicle. The system monitors each trip automatically and generates time stamps at the start of a trip, a pick up location, a drop off location, and return of the vehicle to a garage at the end of a trip. Vehicle status information is collected and stored along with time stamps. The information is used to generate billing and payroll accounts, and also in monitoring conditions of fleet vehicles and generating alerts as needed. Turn-by-turn route instructions are provided to each vehicle.

Abstract: A parking meter with an antenna for radio frequency (RF) communication is provided. An antenna for the parking meter may be located in order to transmit the RF signals through a transmission path comprising at least a portion of the parking meter that provides a low attenuation of RF signals.

Abstract: A system for monitoring passengers on a vehicle includes one or more detectors for detecting passenger data including one or more passenger identification properties. A computer system receives data from the detectors and uniquely identifies each passenger based on the one or more passenger identification properties. A device receives fare data indicative of whether a passenger has paid the correct fare, and uses the fare data, passenger identity and passenger data from the computer system to indicate which passengers have paid the correct fare.

Abstract: A system for managing electric energy exchange devices is disclosed. The system comprises a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to receive a set of predefined parameters for electric energy exchange for a vehicle using an electric energy exchange device for a time increment. The set of predefined parameters comprises price levels associated with levels of customers. The processor is further configured to receive a set of transaction specific parameters. The processor is configured to determine a price for electric energy exchange based at least in part on the set of predefined parameters and the set of transaction specific parameters. The processor is configured to determine whether a level of a customer meets predefined parameters for free electric energy exchange. The processor is configured to, in the event the level of the customer meets the predefined parameters for free electric energy exchange, provide for free electric exchange.

Abstract: A method for generating toll information for vehicle devices in a road-toll system with a toll center and geographically distributed radio beacons. The method includes providing a set of location data of toll-requiring geo-objects from the respective local environment of a beacon in this beacon, recording a sequence of position data of a vehicle device in this vehicle device, if the aforementioned vehicle device is in the transmitting/receiving range of a beacon: receiving the location-data set from this beacon in the vehicle device, comparing the position-data sequence with the received location-data set in the vehicle device in order to generate toll information therefrom, and if the above-mentioned vehicle device is in the transmitting/receiving range of a beacon: transmitting the toll information from the vehicle device via the beacon to the toll center. The invention further relates to a vehicle device, a beacon and a monitoring device for such a road-toll system.